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Letters  of  Members  of  the 
Continental  Congress 


EDITED  BY 

EDMUND  C.  BURNETT 


VOLUME  II 
July  S,  1776,  to  December  31,  t777 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 
Published  by  the  Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington 

1923 


CARNEGIE  INSTITUTION  OF  WASHINGTON 
PUBLICATION   NO.  299 


Papers  of  the  Department  of  Historical  Research 
J.  Franklin  Jameson,  Editor 


BALTIUOKE,   UD.,    C.    B.    i. 


T  <« 


PREFACE. 

The  first  volume  of  these  Letters  of  Members  of  the  Continental 
Congress  extended  from  the  beginnings  of  the  sessions  of  that  Congress 
to  July  4,  1776,  the  periDd  to  which  the  maximum  of  attention  has  been 
directed  and  which  has  been  most  largely  illustrated  already  by  the  publi- 
cation of  letters.  After  that  date,  and  especially  after  the  close  of  the 
year  1776,  when  Force's  Archives  comes  to  an  end,  letters  not  heretofore 
printed  increase  in  number  and  importance  as  compared  with  those  which 
have  been  printed.  For  the  year  1777  there  are  still  certain  collections  of 
materials  in  which  large  numbers  of  letters  of  members  are  found,  such 
as  the  Journals  of  the  New  York  Provincial  Congress,  the  Archives  of 
Maryland,  the  North  Carolina  State  Records,  and  Staples's  Rhode  Island 
in  the  Continental  Congress,  as  well  as  collections  of  the  correspondence 
of  some  of  the  most  assiduous  writers  among  the  delegates,  such  as 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  John  Adams,  and  Samuel  Adams ;  but  these  printed 
collections  pertain  to  only  a  few  states  or  a  few  individuals.  Upon  the 
whole  the  material  is  found  to  be  widely  scattered  and  more  meagerly 
printed.  In  the  present  volume,  for  instance,  about  one-third  of  the 
materials  of  the  period  from  July  5  to  December  31,  1776,  has  not  been 
found  in  print,  while  for  the  year  1777  the  quantum  of  materials  not 
hitherto  printed  is  considerably  greater  than  the  printed.  Taking  the 
volume  as  a  whole,  fully  half  the  materials  found  in  it  appears  now,  it  is 
believed,  for  the  first  time. 

For  the  most  part  these  new  materials  are  pretty  evenly  distributed 
over  the  whole  period.  There  are,  however,  a  few  items  that  call  for 
special  notice.  One  of  the  most  important  of  these  is  the  series  of  letters 
to  Joseph  Trumbull,  who  had  been  commissary-general  of  stores  and 
provisions  since  July,  1775,  and  was  chosen  commissary-general  of  pur- 
chases in  June,  1777.  There  are  some  fifty  of  these,  some  of  them  pos- 
sessed by  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  others  by  the  Connecticut 
State  Library,  and  they  were  written  mainly  by  three  members  of  Con- 
gress, William  Williams  (Trumbull's  brother-in-law),  Eliphalet  Dyer 
(his  father-in-law),  and  Elbridge  Gerry  of  Massachusetts.  These  letters 
are  particularly  enlightening  upon  certain  phases  of  the  problem  of  sup- 
plying the  army,  and  are  also  not  without  value  for  the  light  which  they 
cast  upon  other  matters,  such  as  the  personalities  of  those  chiefly  con- 
cerned. Closely  related  to  this  group,  indeed  sometimes  concerned  with 
the  same  subject,  are  some  letters  to  Joseph  Trumbull's  brother,  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  jr.,  paymaster-general  of  the  northern  army,  and  about  a  dozen 

•  •  • 

111 


iv  Preface 

letters,  chiefly  from  William  Williams  and  Roger  Sherman,  to  the  elder 
TruDihuU.  governor  of  Connecticut. 

One  particularly  valuable  record  of  the  proceedings  of  Congress  during 
a  few  days  came  to  light  about  the  time  these  materials  were  going  into 
page-proof.  This  was  the  Notes  of  Debates  kept  by  Secretary  Thomson 
for  July  24-29.  1777  (nos.  559A,  559B,  560A,  562A).  The  discovery  of 
these  notes  naturally  gives  rise  to  the  query  whether  Thomson  habitually 
kept  such  a  record  of  proceedings,  and  whether  this  small  bit  and  the 
more  extended  journal  for  two  months  in  the  summer  of  1782  (July  22 
to  September  2)  happen  to  be  the  only  fragments  that  have  survived,  or 
wiiether  these  two  items  represent  the  whole  of  Thomson's  industry  in 
the  way  of  private  note-taking. 

Upon  the  first  of  the  debates  recorded  by  Thomson,  that  concerning  the 
proposed  plan  for  an  expedition  in  1777  against  West  Florida,  the 
journals  proper  furnish  but  little  information.  Thomson's  notes,  cryptic 
as  thev  are,  throw  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  manner  in  which  such  matters 
were  dealt  with  in  Congress,  as  well  as  upon  the  views  of  individual 
members.  Additional  light  is  thrown  upon  the  discussion  by  Henry 
Laurens  in  two  letters — one  to  General  Mcintosh.  August  11.  and  more 
particularly  one  to  President  Rutledge  of  South  Carolina,  August  12. 
According  to  Laurens,  all  that  was  necessary  to  cast  the  whole  project  into 
the  discard  was  a  breath  of  cold  logic.  This  Laurens  applied,  and  the 
air-castle  tumbled  to  the  ground.  The  whole  episode  was  indeed  a  minor 
one,  but  if  the  project  had  actually  been  undertaken,  perhaps  it  would  not 
have  remained  minor  in  character.  Other  bubbles  were  blown  in  Con- 
gress first  and  last,  many  of  them  more  pretentious  and  of  more  radiant 
hues,  and  not  a  few^  of  them  required  time  and  the  hard  blows  of  experi- 
ence for  their  bursting.  The  story  of  this  bubble  and  its  speedy  collapse 
arouses  the  wish  that  many  another  dark  spot  in  the  journals  might  have 
been  lighted  up  by  similar  revelations. 

Thomson's  notes  and  Lauren's  account  give  the  impression  that  the 
plan  for  an  attack  upon  the  British  in  West  Florida  had  been  killed  and 
buried.  In  a  form  so  ambitious  it  did  not  indeed  rise  again;  yet  a  lesser 
project,  which  must  have  taken  its  rise  from  the  same  source,  was  pres- 
ently attempted,  although,  it  would  appear,  without  the  knowledge  of 
Congress  as  a  body.  Some  facts  concerning  the  expedition  of  Captain 
James  Willing  to  New  Orleans  in  1778  have  been  well  known,  particu- 
larlv  that  the  outcome  of  the  affair  did  not  redound  to  the  honor  either  of 
Willing  or  of  Congress,  but  the  origin  of  the  expedition  has  remained  in 
obscurity.  The  letter  of  the  commercial  committee  to  General  Edward 
Hand,  November  21,  1777  (no.  749a),  which  came  to  light  only  as  these 
materials  w^ere  going  through  the  press,  together  with  other  facts  which 
may  be  gathered  from  the  correspondence  between  the  commercial  com- 
mittee and  Oliver  Pollock,  agent  of  the  United  States  at  New  Orleans, 
helps  to  clear  up  this  obscurity. 


Preface  v 

The  second  of  the  debates  recorded  by  Thomson,  that  upon  the  motion 
to  appoint  Gates  to  the  command  of  the  northern  army  in  place  of 
Schuyler,  is  one  of  which  the  journals  give  no  intimation  whatever. 
Letters  of  Duane  and  Duer,  June  19,  1777,  neither  of  which  has  before 
been  printed,  relate  that  Gates  had,  a  day  or  so  before,  obtained  admis- 
sion to  the  floor  of  Congress  with  a  view  to  having  himself  reinstated,  as 
he  expressed  it,  in  command  in  the  north,  while  Thomson's  notes  show 
that  some  five  weeks  later  an  acrimonious  debate  once  more  arose  over  the 
relative  merits  of  Schuyler  and  Gates  and  continued  for  at  least  three 
days.  These  notes  appear  to  end  abruptly,  but  some  letters  and  the 
journals  show  the  sequel  to  have  been  the  decision  of  Congress  to  institute 
an  inquiry  into  the  conduct  of  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair. 

Noteworthy  among  the  new  materials  to  be  found  here  are  also  the 
Diary,  or  Notes,  kept  by  Benjamin  Rush  of  a  number  of  important  de- 
bates during  the  month  of  February,  1777,  and  the  "  Abstracts  "  of  debates 
left  by  Thomas  Burke,  most  of  the  latter  being  of  the  same  month  and  to 
some  extent  of  the  same  debates.  Sections  of  Burke's  Abstracts  have 
been  printed  in  the  North  Carolina  State  Records,  but  other  considerable 
sections  are  printed  now  for  the  first  time.  These  notes  and  abstracts 
furnish  our  principal  source  of  information  of  the  proceedings  of  Con- 
gress upon  several  matters,  notably  those  upon  the  conference  of  the 
New  England  states  relative  to  the  regulation  of  prices,  those  upon  the 
question  of  raising  the  interest  on  loan-office  certificates,  those  pertaining 
to  the  proposed  conference  with  General  Lee,  and  the  question  of  adjourn- 
ment from  Baltimore  to  Philadelphia.  One  of  Burke's  extended  ab- 
stracts, not  hitherto  printed,  is  of  a  debate,  February  25,  upon  the  mea- 
sures proper  to  be  taken  relative  to  desertion,  a  debate  in  which  Burke 
took  a  principal  part,  and  in  which  he  gives  utterance  to  some  of  his 
characteristic  views.  Still  another  important  unprinted  manuscript  of 
Burke  is  his  comments  on  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  found  under 
November  15,  1777. 

For  the  last  half  of  the  year  1777  we  have  also  the  letters  of  Henry 
Laurens,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  the  South  Carolina 
Historical  Society,  and  very  few  of  which,  beyond  some  of  his  official 
letters  written  as  President  of  Congress,  have  hitherto  been  printed,  except 
that  some  extracts  appear  in  the  recent  life  of  Laurens  by  Professor 
Wallace.  During  the  next  two  years  the  correspondence  of  Laurens 
furnishes  by  far  the  greatest  single  source  of  information  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  Congress,  outside  of  the  journals  themselves. 

Among  the  other  sources  from  which  new  materials  have  been  drawn 
should  be  mentioned  the  letter-book  of  President  Hancock,  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  as  well  as  numerous  other 
letters  from  the  same  repository;  and  there  are  a  number  of  important 
letters  from  the  Gates  Papers,  in  possession  of  the  New  York  Historical 


vi  /  're  face 

Society ;  from  the  Schuyler  Papers,  in  possession  of  the  New  York  Pubhc 
Library;  from  the  Hartlett  CorresiKindence  in  the  Dartmoutli  Colleg-e 
Library;  from  the  Force  Transcripts  in  tlie  Library  of  Cong^ress,  and 
lesser  bodies  from  several  other  sources.  The  editor  desires  aj^ain  to 
record  his  sense  of  oblij^ation,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Department  of 
Historical  Research,  to  Mr.  Stan.  V.  llenkels  of  Philadelphia,  throug^h 
whose  kindness  .some  twenty-five  letters  found  in  this  volume  have  been 
obtained.  In  addition  to  acknowledj^nnents  made  in  the  fir.st  volume  for 
courtesies  extended  in  connection  with  this  work,  it  is  desired  to  express 
cordial  aj)preciation  of  the  kindness  of  Mr.  John.ston  L.  Redmond  and 
Mrs.  \V.  A.  Read,  both  of  New  York  City,  and  of  Mr.  Charles  E.  Good- 
speed  of  Boston,  in  respect  to  letters  found  in  this  volume. 

With  the  passage  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  Congress  became, 
to  borrow  a  phrase  of  John  Adams,  "  high-charged  "  with  a  new  purpose. 
Whether  the  struggle  would  be  shortened  or  prolonged  in  consequence  of 
the  Declaration  no  man  could  foretell;  but  the  end  and  purpose  of  the 
contest  were  now  beyond  question.  Redress  of  grievances  might  mean 
one  thing  and  it  might  mean  many  things ;  independence  was  a  goal 
clear-cut  and  unmistakable.  There  could  henceforth  be  no  middle  ground ; 
there  was  no  longer  a  place  for  the  lukewarm  and  hesitant.  The  Declara- 
tion was  a  trumpet  call  to  the  continent :  Choose  you  this  day  whom  ye 
will  serve ;  henceforth  he  that  is  not  with  us  is  against  us.  Men  like  John 
Adams  might  shout  with  joy  over  the  event,  but  there  was  much  anxious 
searching  of  the  heart  nevertheless.  Some  indeed  who  had  come  thus  far 
on  the  journey  turned  back  their  footsteps  and  walked  no  more  with  the 
party  called  patriot.  Many  no  doubt  felt  as  did  Abraham  Clark,  who, 
although  one  of  the  stoutest  advocates  of  independence,  nevertheless 
keenly  appreciated  the  risk.  "  A  few  weeks  ",  he  wrote,  "  will  determine 
our  fate — perfect  freedom,  or  Absolute  Slavery — to  some  of  us  freedom 
or  a  halter."  There  were  also  those  who,  like  Robert  Morris,  remained 
long  unconvinced  that  the  Declaration  was  not  premature,  but  threw 
their  whole  might  nevertheless  into  the  contest.  The  general  voice  was 
probably,  however,  that  expressed  by  John  Adams :  the  river  is  passed  and 
the  bridge  cut  away. 

Accordingly,  in  the  early  months  after  the  Declaration.  Congress  was 
stirred  with  new  energies,  animated  w'ith  high  enthusiasm,  buoyant  with 
hopes  of  a  speedy  victory.  These  hopes  were,  how^ever,  doomed  to  dis- 
appointment. Instead  of  victory,  the  period  of  a  year  and  a  half  which 
this  volume  embraces  was  one  of  almost  unbroken  failure  and  defeat; 
defeat  on  the  field  of  battle  and  failure  for  the  most  part  in  the  lesser  fields 
of  organization  and  administration.  Twice  during  this  period  Congress 
had  found  it  necessary  to  flee  from  Philadelphia  to  save  itself  from  cap- 
ture. While  it  chafed  in  its  banishment  to  Baltimore,  it  was  indeed 
cheered,  just  as  the  year  1776  was  drawing  to  a  close,  by  Washington's 


Preface  vii 

brilliant  stroke  at  Trenton,  and  likewise  in  the  autumn  of  1777,  during  it.s 
anxious  exile  in  York,  it  was  made  happy  by  the  victory  over  Burgoyne ; 
but  the  outlook  at  the  end  of  the  year  1777  was  exceedingly  dark.  No 
doubt  others  than  Abraham  Clark  in  this  gloomy  period  had  visions  of 
the  halter.  Nevertheless,  Congress  continued  to  drudge  doggedly  at  its 
task,  not  quite  despairing,  but  earnestly  seeking  a  specific  for  the  ailments 
of  its  cause.  The  period  was  in  fact  one  in  which  Congress  learned  many 
of  its  most  necessary  lessons;  it  was,  so  to  speak,  the  period  in  which 
Congress  was  finding  itself. 

Naturally  one  of  the  most  important  lessons  which  Congress  learned, 
although  slowly  and  only  after  severe  experiences,  was  that  battles  could 
not  be  won  without  a  well-organized  and  well-disciplined  army.  Rather 
early  in  the  contest  doubts  had  arisen  as  to  the  wisdom  of  relying  upon 
militia  or  short-term  enlistments,  but  the  fear  of  the  military  power, 
the  bogey  of  a  standing  army,  for  a  long  time  loomed  large  in  the  minds 
of  most  of  the  members.  The  continuing  influence  of  these  fears  may  be 
seen  in  the  defeat,  in  January,  1776,  of  a  motion  to  enlist  troops  for 
three  years  or  the  duration  of  the  war  (vol.  I.,  no.  454),  and  of  a  similar 
proposition  of  Washington  a  month  later  (ibid.,  nos.  515,  516).  As 
might  be  expected,  however.  Congress  from  its  higher  outlook  learned 
the  lesson  sooner  than  the  provincial  statesmen  on  whom  the  success  of 
its  measures  so  largely  depended.  Early  in  the  summer  of  1776  Congress 
appears  to  have  become  convinced  that  success  could  be  achieved  only 
with  an  army  organized  on  a  more  enduring  basis  (see,  for  instance,  the 
report  on  the  miscarriages  in  Canada,  July  30),  and  on  September  16  it 
resolved  to  raise  eighty-eight  battalions  to  serve  during  the  war,  unless 
sooner  discharged  by  Congress.  To  encourage  enlistments  bounties  of 
money  and  lands  were  offered. 

This  seemed  a  fair  beginning  toward  a  formidable  army.  But  obstacles 
at  once  arose  in  the  states.  Massachusetts  found  difficulty  in  prevailing 
upon  troops  to  engage  for  the  period  of  the  war  and  endeavored  to  over- 
come the  reluctance  by  offering  larger  inducements  than  Congress  had 
provided ;  and  Massachusetts  was  followed  in  this  course  by  some  of  the 
other  New  England  states.  Congress  agreed  by  way  of  compromise  to 
allow  an  alternative  enlistment  period  of  three  years;  but  the  action  of 
Massachusetts  created  such  difficulties  for  the  whole  measure  that  even 
some  of  the  New  England  delegates  complained  that  Congress  was 
much  embarrassed  by  the  action  of  that  state,  William  Whipple,  in  particu- 
lar, asserting  that  "  this  affair  has  caus'd  more  perplexity  and  uneasiness 
than  any  thing  that  has  happened  in  my  time  ",  while  William  Hooper 
was  even  more  bitter  in  his  denunciations  of  the  course  which  Massachu- 
setts had  pursued.  Maryland  also  discovered  difficulties,  chiefly  with 
regard  to  the  matter  of  land  bounties,  and  there  must  needs  be  much  nego- 
tiating and  some  controversy  before  the  problem  was  adjusted. 


viii  Preface 

These  were  some  of  the  serious  initial  (HtTicuhies  in  raising  the  new 
army,  but  they  were  not  all.  The  privilege  retained  by  the  states  of 
appointing  the  otVicers,  and  the  insistence  upon  having  their  full  quotas 
of  them,  added  greatly  to  the  complications.  Recruiting  encountered 
many  obstacles  in  the  states  and  went  on  at  less  than  the  proverbial  snail's 
pace.  In  December  the  existing  army  was  all  but  dissolved.  In  February 
Washington  declared  that  he  had  scarcely  sufficient  troops  to  mount  the 
common  guard  (see  no.  369).  Meanwhile,  through  the  winter,  the 
spring,  the  sunmier.  the  autumn,  Washington  continued  to  beseech  Con- 
gress, Congress  to  urge  the  states,  and  delegates  to  implore  their  princi- 
pals to  hasten  the  measures  of  recruiting.  Finally,  on  the  last  day  of  the 
year  1777  Congress  reached  the  decision  that  the  whole  problem  of  the 
army  required  a  thorough  overhauling. 

Congress  has  often  been  condemned  for  its  failure  to  establish  a  regular 
and  efficient  army  early  in  the  struggle ;  and  no  doubt  a  goodly  portion  of 
the  blame  is  properly  attributable  to  that  body.  But  a  larger  measure 
of  responsibility  must  be  ascribed  to  the  several  states,  where  the  fear  of 
the  military  power  clung  tenaciously  to  the  provincial  mind  and  concern 
for  provincial  interests  continued  to  exercise  dominance  over  thought 
and  action.  The  strength  of  sentiment  in  Congress  for  an  efficient  army 
is  abundantly  attested  by  the  circular  letter  sent  out  by  President  Hancock 
(September  24.  J 776),  and  still  more  by  the  numerous  expressions  of 
individual  members.  These  letters,  many  of  the  most  significant  of  which 
are  now  printed  for  the  first  time,  point  clearly  to  the  dilatoriness  of  the 
states,  to  their  obstruction  of  the  measure,  to  their  persistent  seeking  after 
local  advantage  regardless  of  the  general  weal. 

Congress  was  never  indeed  quite  able  to  banish  the  dread  of  a  military 
dictator,  yet  in  December,  1776,  so  imminent  was  the  collapse  of  the 
whole  cause  and  such  was  the  confidence  in  General  Washington,  that 
Congress  conferred  upon  him  for  the  period  of  six  months  practically 
dictatorial  powers  and  authorized  him  to  raise  and  officer  on  his  own 
responsibility  sixteen  additional  regiments;  but  while  men  like  Samuel 
Adams,  whose  fears  of  dictatorship  had  always  been  large,  acquiesced 
in  the  measure  as  necessary,  there  were  grumblings  and  forebodings,  and 
there  were  presently  vociferous  denials  that  the  pow-ers  bestowed  upon 
Washington  were  dictatorial  at  all.  These  or  similar  powers  were  later 
renewed,  always  for  a  limited  time,  but  toward  the  end  of  1777  the 
grumblings,  joined  with  criticisms  of  Washington's  conduct  of  military 
operations,  increased  in  volume  and  intensity.  Some  who  in  the  first 
instance  had  been  the  strongest  advocates  of  the  bestowal  of  extraordinary 
powers  became  Washington's  bitterest  critics.  A  letter  of  Henry  Laurens 
to  his  son  John,  October  16,  gives  intimations  of  these  mutterings,  even 
of  an  ominous  growl;  while  some  letters  of  James  Lovell  to  General 
Gates  (November  17, 2^)  show"  that  the  snipers  and  the  sappers  and  miners 


Preface  ix 

had  already  begun  the  campaign  against  Washington  which  has  come  to 
be  known  as  the  Conway  Cabal. 

The  problem  of  supplying  the  army  was,  if  possible,  a  more  serious 
one  than  that  of  creating  the  army  itself.  The  commissary  and  quarter- 
master's departments  were  constantly  breaking  down  and  had  to  be 
mended  and  now  and  again  to  be  thoroughly  reorganized.  The  problem, 
in  a  form  more  or  less  acute,  was  before  Congress  almost  continuously 
throughout  the  year  1777.  The  year  closed  with  those  departments  in 
almost  a  complete  state  of  collapse,  with  Congress  desperately  struggling, 
in  its  customary  fashion,  to  remedy  the  evil  through  the  agency  of  a 
committee  of  its  own  body.  On  scarcely  any  other  subject  is  so  much  new 
light  thrown  by  the  materials  gathered  in  this  volume.  The  numerous 
letters  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  to  which  reference  has  already  been  made, 
are  particularly  illuminating  upon  many  aspects  of  the  problem,  but  from 
several  other  sources  are  drawn  many  letters  that  cast  much  light  upon  the 
failures,  their  causes,  and  the  efforts  to  find  a  remedy. 

One  of  the  most  important  lessons  which  Congress  was  beginning  to 
learn  toward  the  close  of  1776,  but  had  only  partially  acquired  at  the 
end  of  the  year  1777,  and  did  not  thoroughly  master  to  its  dying  day, 
was  the  fact  that  it  could  not  efficiently  exercise  both  the  legislative  and  the 
executive  functions.  Early  in  its  career  Congress  adopted  the  practice 
of  appointing  standing  committees  to  supervise  and  conduct  those  of  its 
activities  which  were  relatively  continuous,  creating  new  committees  or 
differentiating  functions  from  time  to  time  as  occasion  demanded.  The 
most  important  of  these  committees  were  the  secret  committee  (after- 
wards the  committee  of  commerce  or  the  commercial  committee) ,  the  com- 
mittee of  secret  correspondence  (later  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs), 
the  marine  committee,*  the  treasury  committee  or  board  of  treasury,  and 
the  board  of  war  and  ordnance.  These  committees  developed  into  distinct 
departments,  with  gradually  increasing  powers  of  self-direction;  but  for 
the  most  part  they  exercised  their  extensive  functions  not  only  under  the 
direct  control  but  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  Congress.  Indeed 
how  persistently  Congress  kept  its  hand  on  even  the  minute  details  of 
Continental  business,  how  closely  it  watched  over  the  doings  of  its  com- 
mittees, whether  they  were  standing  committees  or  committees  appointed 
for  some  specific  purpose,  may  be  learned  from  a  glance  at  the  journals  of 
the  first  two  or  three  years.  Not  content  to  decide  upon  military  policy 
or  the  larger  aspects  of  military  plans,  and  to  leave  the  execution  of  them 
to  its  generals,  Congress  long  persisted  in  giving  its  own  orders  for  even 
lesser  military  movements  and  activities.  Not  until  driven  to  it  by  threat- 
ening disaster  did  Congress  grant  even  to  the  commander-in-chief  those 
powers  without  which  any  general's  hands  must  be  securely  tied  or  injuri- 
ously hampered. 

Throughout  this  time  members  groan  over  the  burden  of  long  hours  in 
Congress  during  the  day  and  long  hours  in  committee  meetings  at  night ; 


X  Preface 

and  yet  it  is  lon^  before  one  of  them  even  so  much  as  sugjjests  that  the 
burden  mij^^ht  be  lessened  and  the  business  better  done  by  handing  the 
actual  administration  over  to  capable  men  outside  of  Congress.  It  must 
nevertheless  be  recognized  that  i)robably  no  body  of  representatives  ever 
worked  harder  at  their  tasks  or  more  earnestly  than  did  Congress,  and 
when  the  multitude  as  well  as  the  magnitude  of  the  things  which  they  did 
is  considered  it  is  remarkable  that  they  accomplished  so  much  as  they  did 
and  so  well. 

Richard  Smith  records  that,  on  March  IQ.  1776.  "  Johnson  threw  out 
for  Consideration  the  Propriety  of  establishing  a  Board  of  Treasury,  a 
War  Office,  a  Board  of  Public  Accounts  and  other  Boards  to  consist  of 
Gent'n  not  Members  of  Congress  ".  What  opposition  was  made  to  em- 
ploying men  out  of  Congress  for  these  purposes  we  are  not  told;  but  it 
was  not  done. 

Congress  first  consented  to  delegate  power,  even  to  one  of  its  own 
committees,  when  it  was  compelled  to  take  flight  from  Philadelphia  in 
December,  1776,  and  found  such  a  measure  absolutely  necessary  to  prevent 
some  of  its  important  affairs  from  going  to  ruin.  It  might  not  then  have 
done  so  had  not  Robert  Morris,  who  had  remained  behind  in  Philadelphia, 
pressed  it  upon  them.  Indeed  Morris  had  found  things  in  such  confusion 
that  upon  his  own  resix)nsibility  he  applied  himself  to  the  task  of  endeavor- 
ing to  bring  some  order  out  of  the  chaos,  for  "  I  conceive  it  better  ",  he 
said,  "  to  take  some  Liberty's  and  assume  some  powers  than  to  let  the 
general  interest  suffer  ''.     To  this  suggestion  Congress  readily  assented. 

The  committee  of  Philadelphia,  accordingly,  during  the  whole  time  that 
Congress  was  at  Baltimore  conducted  much  of  the  important  executive 
business  of  Congress  with  but  little  let  or  hindrance,  and  it  proved  there- 
fore one  of  the  most  forceful  object  lessons  to  Congress  of  the  value  of 
delegating  its  executive  business.  The  correspondence  of  this  committee 
or  of  Robert  Morris,  its  principal  member,  and  the  rather  free  correspon- 
dence of  members  of  Congress  with  Morris  afford  interesting  light  upon 
a  little  known  episode  in  the  history  of  Congress. 

At  the  same  time  that  Morris  was  urging  the  appointment  of  an 
executive  committee  at  Philadelphia  he  was  insisting,  as  he  had  done 
before,  upon  the  adoption  of  the  plan  of  placing  the  executive  business 
generally  in  the  hands  of  others  than  members  of  Congress  (see  his 
letter  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  December  16).  Reiter- 
ating his  ideas  to  the  commissioners  in  Paris  a  few  days  later,  he  asserted 
that  "  this  has  been  urged  many  and  many  a  time,  by  myself  and  others, 
but  some  of  them  do  not  like  to  part  with  power,  or  to  pay  others  for 
doing  what  they  cannot  do  themselves  ". 

The  idea  nevertheless  appears  now  to  have  taken  firm  hold  of  Congress, 
and  on  December  26  a  committee  was  appointed  to  devise  "  a  plan  for 
the  better  conducting  the  executive  business  of  Congress,  by  boards  com- 


Preface  •  xi 

posed  of  persons,  not  members  of  Congress."  The  confident  expressions 
of  a  number  of  the  delegates  would  lead  us  to  believe  that  there  was  a  firm 
and  unalterable  determination  in  Congress  to  carry  out  this  great  measure 
of  reform  at  once.  The  programme  was  a  thorough  one,  for  it  included 
boards  of  war,  ordnance,  navy,  treasury,  and  a  chamber  of  commerce. 
But  the  first  measure  actually  accomplished,  the  establishment  (March  22) 
of  a  department  of  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  Congress,  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  on  the  original  programme  at  all.  Probably  the  committee 
made  this  its  first  offering  because  it  was  so  easy  to  do.  There  was  no 
especial  need  for  a  reorganization  of  the  secretary's  office,  and  the  con- 
duct of  it  thereafter  was  scarcely  different  from  what  it  had  been  before. 

The  committee  next  offered,  April  8,  a  plan  for  the  reorganization  of 
the  department  of  war  and  ordnance.  Upon  this  measure  agreement  was 
not  so  easily  attained,  and  it  was  not  until  October  17  that  a  plan  was 
adopted,  somewhat  modified  November  24,  and  then  the  question  of  per- 
sonnel seemed  to  give  no  end  of  trouble,  so  that  the  board  was  not  fully 
established  on  the  new  basis  until  the  beginning  of  1778.  Upon  the 
later  phases  of  the  question  much  light  is  thrown  by  the  letters  here 
printed. 

The  need  for  executive  experts  in  the  conduct  of  marine  matters  im- 
pressed itself  on  Congress  rather  earlier  than  was  the  case  in  other  depart- 
ments. Elbridge  Gerry  wrote  to  Samuel  Adams  October  4,  1776:  "  It 
is  high  Time  to  adopt  a  Plan  for  a  Board  of  Admiralty  that  can  be  obliged 
to  attend  to  the  business."  A  month  later  (November  6)  a  partial  step 
was  taken  toward  the  organization  of  such  a  board  in  a  resolve  "  that  three 
persons  well  skilled  in  maritime  affairs,  be  immediately  appointed  to 
execute  the  business  of  the  navy,  under  the  direction  of  the  marine  com- 
mittee ".  When,  therefore,  the  question  came  up  again  a  few  months  later, 
the  ideas  of  Congress  seem  to  have  settled  at  once  upon  a  similar  plan  for 
the  New  England  waters.  This  plan  appears  to  have  been  so  satisfactory 
to  the  New  England  delegates  that  on  April  19  it  was  adopted  (see  nos. 
427,  449,  457,  459,  485,  521,  540). 

Despite  the  noble  programme  which,  in  the  early  days  of  its  sojourn  in 
Baltimore,  Congress  laid  down  for  placing  its  principal  executive  business 
in  hands  other  than  its  own,  the  reorganization  of  the  w^ar  department 
was  its  only  large  accomplishment  prior  to  the  end  of  1777.  This  appears 
to  have  exhausted  its  energies,  if  not  also  its  zeal.  The  reconstitution  of 
the  treasury  department,  although  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  essential 
items  in  the  programme,  was  not  even  attempted  until  April,  1778.  The 
chamber  of  commerce,  the  last  item  in  the  programme,  appears  to  have 
vanished  altogether,  Congress  having  satisfied  itself  with  the  substitution, 
July  5,  1777,  of  a  committee  of  commerce  for  the  former  secret  com- 
mittee, which  was  nothing  more  than  a  change  of  name.  Similarly, 
although  not  on  the  programme  at  this  time  at  all,  the  old  committee  of 


xii  Preface 

secret  correspondence  gave  place  to  a  committee  of  forei|?n  affairs  (April 
17,  1777),  likewise  only  a  chanj^^c  of  name.  In  fact,  the  effectual  organi- 
zation of  none  of  the  great  departments  was  accomplished  until  the  war 
was  practically  at  an  end.  Nevertheless,  during  the  year  1777,  much  was 
done  toward  putting  the  various  subordinate  branches  of  both  the  military 
and  civil  services  upon  a  better  basis. 

A  great,  a  never-ending  problem  with  Congress  was  of  course  the 
financial  one.  In  the  beginning  this  problem  had  been  solved  by  the  simple 
and  easy  method  of  issuing  bills  of  credit.  When  the  first  supply  of  these 
bills  was  exhausted  more  were  issued,  and  when  they  gave  out  there  was 
another  issue,  and  so  on.  If  any  were  so  unpatriotic  as  to  refuse  to  accept 
Congress  money  as  legal  tender,  they  were  officially  denounced  as  enemies 
of  their  country;  they  might  even  be  haled  to  prison.  Unofficially  they 
might  be  given  the  tar  and  feather  treatment  to  induce  them,  if  not  to  a 
more  patriotic  state  of  mind,  at  all  events  to  a  course  of  action  more  con- 
formable to  patriotic  purposes.  There  w^re  not  wanting  at  the  outset 
those  who  realized  that  there  was  a  limit  to  which  even  a  firmly  established 
government  might  successfully  put  forth  its  promises  to  pay,  and  that  at 
best  therefore  the  war  could  not  long  be  supported  by  the  mere  operation 
of  a  printing-press ;  nevertheless  for  a  time  "  all  went  merry  as  a  marriage 
bell  ",  and  members  concerned  themselves  chiefly  with  obtaining  the  larg- 
est possible  blocks  of  this  currency  for  their  states. 

By  the  end  of  1776,  however,  there  was  general  alarm  throughout  the 
country  over  the  sinking  state  of  the  currency,  and  Congress  began  to 
recognize  that  something  more  than  resolutions,  proclamations,  or  even 
jails,  would  be  required  to  sustain  it.  The  impairment  to  the  credit  of  the 
Continental  currency  was,  howeyer,  still  largely  ascribed  to  "  the  perni- 
'  cious  artifices  of  the  enemies  of  American  liberty  ".  Even  such  a  man  as 
Roger  Sherman,  while  upon  the  whole  his  ideas  of  the  proper  remedy  were 
sound  enough,  declared  as  late  as  November,  1777,  that  the  low  credit  of 
the  paper  currency  was  occasioned  "  partly  by  inimical  persons  and  partly 
by  aviritious  ones  ". 

The  obverse  of  depreciation  was  of  course  a  rise  in  prices,  and  it  was 
from  this  angle  that  the  problem  was  first  attacked.  A  conference  of  the 
New  England  states  in  December,  1776,  had  recommended  rigid  regula- 
tion of  prices.  When  these  proceedings  were  laid  before  Congress  in 
January,  1777,  they  gave  rise  to  long  and  animated  debates,  in  which 
nearly  all  phases  of  the  financial  problem  were  brought  under  discussion. 
While  many  members  still  pinned  their  faith  to  price-fixing  measures, 
others  were  convinced  that  all  efforts  of  the  sort  would  not  only  be  futile 
but  would  merely  aggravate  the  evils  which  they  were  designed  to  remedy. 
In  the  end  Congress  recommended  the  middle  and  southern  states  to 
pursue  a  course  similar  to  that  adopted  in  New  England.  Benjamin  Rush 
and  Thomas  Burke  have  both  left  notes  on  some  of  the  principal  of  these 


Preface  xiii 

debates,  which,  together  with  the  letters  written  by  members  upon  the 
subject,  reveal  how  desperately  Congress  was  struggling  to  discover  a 
remedy  for  the  financial  evils  which  threatened  to  overwhelm  it. 

Another  phase  of  the  financial  problem  which  came  under  discussion 
during  the  same  period  and  upon  which  the  materials  here,  particularly 
the  notes  of  Rush  and  Burke,  shed  new  light,  was  the  question  of  a 
domestic  loan.  In  October,  1776,  Congress  had  resolved  to  borrow  five 
million  dollars  at  four  per  cent.,  issuing  therefor  what  were  termed  loan- 
ofiice  certificates.  It  now  (February,  1777)  became  a  question  whether 
it  would  not  be  necessary,  in  order  to  make  the  loan  a  success,  to  raise 
the  interest  to  six  per  cent.  These  debates  and  the  expressions  of  mem- 
bers of  Congress  in  their  letters  accentuate  in  particular  certain  sectional 
interests  and  views,  as  they  also  bring  out  more  strongly  than  ever  the 
feeling,  which  had  for  a  time  been  somewhat  suppressed,  of  the  impropriety 
of  the  method  of  voting  in  Congress ;  for  when  the  question  came  to  a  vote, 
of  ten  states  represented  five  of  the  smaller  states  carried  the  decision, 
though  they  had  but  about  one-third  of  the  population  of  the  whole  and 
their  delegates  constituted  only  a  little  more  than  one-third  of  the  mem- 
bers then  present  in  Congress  (see  especially  nos.  349,  352,  375).  These 
debates  also  emphasize  the  increasing  strength  of  opinion  in  favor  of  two 
other  measures  :  that  Congress  must  borrow  gold  and  silver  from  abroad, 
and  that  the  states  must  adopt  extensive  taxation.  Taxation  was  in  fact 
so  growing  in  favor  that  before  many  months  it  became  a  watchword  in 
Congress ;  and  the  idea  of  borrowing  from  abroad  so  seized  upon  the  minds 
of  Congress  a  few  months  later  that  it  proceeded  to  borrow  without 
waiting  to  learn  whether  the  lender  would  lend.  Finally,  as  the  various 
phases  of  the  financial  problem  were  mulled  over,  as  Congress  turned  in 
this  direction  and  that  for  a  solution  of  its  difficulties,  the  more  far- 
seeing  of  its  members  became  more  and  more  impressed  that  the  first 
great  essential  toward  a  solution  was  to  be  found  in  such  a  measure  of 
co-operation  and  union  as  only  a  proper  confederation  could  offer.  Ac- 
cordingly, when  the  confederation  is  again  brought  under  consideration 
the  discussion  does  not  proceed  far  before  the  key-note  to  the  argument 
for  it  is  relief  to  the  sinking  currency. 

Partly  in  desperation,  but  partly  also,  it  appears,  because  many  members 
believed  it  such  a  simple  and  easy  thing  to  do.  Congress  seized  upon  the 
project  of  drawing  bills  of  exchange  upon  its  ministers  in  France,  ex- 
pecting, at  least  hoping,  that  they  would  be  accepted.  An  elaborate 
proposition  to  this  end  was  submitted  to  Congress  by  the  committee  of  the 
treasury  as  early  as  June  11,  1777.  This  report  is  found  in  the  Library  of 
Congress  edition  of  the  Journals,  but  the  journals  proper  contain  no 
inkling  of  this  project  until  it  is  adopted,  September  9  and  10.  There  are, 
however,  extensive  discussions  of  the  question  by  Henry  Laurens  (Sep- 
tember 5  to  10),  briefer  ones  by  James  Lovell  (August  18,  21),  and  some 


xiv  Preface 

accounts  of  the  matter  by  Eliphalet  Dyer  and  others  (see  nos.  594-597. 
607,  627,  631,  636,  659),  practically  all  of  which  now  appear  for  the  first 
time.  Laurens  in  particular,  careful,  systematic  man  of  business  that  he 
was,  had  been  thorouj^hly  disgusted,  upon  his  coming  to  Congress,  with 
the  methods  of  doing  business  which  were  in  vogue  there,  and  toward  this 
measure  his  impatience  knew  no  bounds.  In  the  sequel  the  project  proved 
almost  to  be  a  boomerang. 

Next  to  the  conduct  of  tiie  war  the  outstanding  achievement  in  Congress 
tluring  the  i^eriod  with  which  this  volume  is  concerned  was  the  framing 
and  adoption  of  the  Articles  of  Confederation.  The  volume  covers, 
indeed,  almost  the  precise  time  which  Congress  occupied,  albeit  by  fits 
and  starts,  in  putting  that  instrument  of  union  into  form.  For,  although 
at  the  moment  when  Congress  began  to  weigh  the  question  of  declaring 
the  colonies  indei^endent  it  also  set  strenuously  about  the  endeavor  speedily 
to  consummate  their  union  as  a  necessary  concomitant  of  their  inde- 
pendence, the  task  of  confederating  proved  to  be  far  more  difficult  than 
that  of  declaring  independence ;  accordingly  the  undertaking  lagged  and 
halted  through  many  months,  and  it  was  not  until  near  the  end  of  the  year 
1777  that  it  was  at  last  put  into  grudging  and  reluctant  form  and  sent  to 
the  states  for  their  approval.  There  were  too  many  local  prejudices  that 
could  be  worn  away  only  by  a  period  of  co-operation ;  too  many  sectional 
jealousies  that  could  be  assuaged  only  by  the  softening  process  of  time; 
too  many  colonial  fears  of  one  another  that  must  needs  be  overcome  by 
fears  more  potent.  The  struggle  to  make  good  their  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence must  become  more  desperate;  the  iron  must  be  brought  to  a 
whiter  heat  before  the  welding  could  begin. 

The  idea  of  an  organic  union  of  the  colonies  had  in  some  form  long 
existed.  To  go  no  further  back  than  the  first  meeting  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  Joseph  Galloway  had  in  September,  1774,  offered  a  plan  of 
union,  designed  to  bind  Great  Britain  and  the  colonies  closer  together 
and  having  for  its  primary-  object  the  forestalling  of  revolution  and  the 
preservation  of  the  British  empire.  The  plan  was,  however,  summarily 
rejected.  Then,  in  July,  1775,  Franklin  had  brought  forward  a  tentative 
plan  as  a  basis  for  discussion ;  but  the  time  was  not  yet  ripe,  and  that  plan 
also  was  laid  aside,  with  not  so  much  as  a  record  of  its  presentation  appear- 
ing upon  the  minutes  of  Congress.  In  the  winter  of  1776,  efforts  to  have 
it  brought  under  consideration  failed,  but  events  were  nevertheless  rapidly 
giving  strength  to  the  conviction  that  some  sort  of  union  was  necessary, 
a  union  more  precise  in  form,  more  definite  in  its  implications,  more 
substantial  in  its  foundations,  than  a  mere  assembly  of  colonial  ambas- 
sadors, such  as  Congress  was  generally  deemed  to  be.  In  fact,  as  the  great 
turning-point  in  the  struggle  with  Great  Britain  drew  near,  the  sentiment 
for  the  confederation  outran  that  for  independence,  winning  many  adher- 
ents who  revolted  at  the  idea  of  separation  from  the  mother  country,  or 


Preface  xv 

else  stood  hesitant  and  aloof.  A  factor  that  contrihiited  greatly  to  the 
strength  of  this  sentiment  was  the  belief  that,  whatever  the  ultimate  aim 
of  the  contest,  assistance  from  foreign  powers,  from  France  in  particular, 
would  be  necessary,  and  it  was  the  conviction  of  many  members  of 
Congress  that  such  assistance  could  most  successfully  be  obtained  through 
a  firm  union  of  the  colonies. 

When  therefore  Richard  Henry  Lee,  on  the  7th  of  June,  1776,  presented 
his  resolution  for  independence,  he  coupled  with  it  resolutions  looking  to 
a  foreign  alliance  and  also  to  a  confederation.  In  Lee's  mind  at  that  time 
the  idea  of  a  foreign  alliance  appears  to  have  had  precedence  over  that  of 
a  confederation,  although  in  the  view  of  John  Adams  and  some  others 
the  programme  of  measures  should  have  had  a  different  order.  Com- 
mittees for  both  these  purposes  were  appointed  on  the  12th  of  June,  and 
while  the  report  on  the  confederation  was  earlier  presented,  the  plan  for 
a  foreign  alliance,  or  a  "  plan  of  treaties  ",  as  the  resolution  of  Congress 
had  worded  it,  was  sooner  brought  to  maturity.  The  latter  may  accord- 
ingly be  appropriately  first  dealt  with  here.  Indeed,  except  in  connection 
with  the  confederation,  members  of  Congress  indulge  in  but  little  com- 
ment upon  it  during  this  earlier  period. 

On  the  i8th  of  July  the  committee  reported  a  "  Plan  of  Treaties"  to 
be  proposed  to  France,  which,  after  some  amendments,  was  adopted  on 
the  17th  of  September.  On  the  24th  instructions  to  the  commissioners 
who  should  propose  the  treaty  were  adopted,  to  which  some  additions  were 
made  October  16,  and  meanwhile,  on  the  26th  of  September,  Benjamin 
Franklin,  Silas  Deane,  and  Thomas  Jefferson  were  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  the  court  of  France.  Deane  was  already  in  France  as  the 
agent  of  the  secret  committee,  Jefferson  presently  declined,  and  Arthur 
Lee,  who  was  also  already  abroad,  was  chosen  in  his  place;  and  at  the 
end  of  October  Franklin  departed  on  his  mission.  On  the  same  day  that 
these  commissioners  were  appointed,  steps  were  taken  with  a  view  to 
entering  into  treaties  with  other  courts,  although  it  was  not  until  the 
following  May  that  this  measure  came  to  maturity.  To  what  a  fiasco,  or 
series  of  fiascoes,  this  venture  toward  other  European  courts  was  a  pre- 
liminary it  is  not  needful  now  to  speak.  There  were  not  wanting,  how- 
ever, even  then,  those  who  looked  upon  the  venture  as  no  more  than  a 
ridiculous,  even  if  a  somewhat  frantic,  gesture  (see,  for  instance,  the  letter 
of  William  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris,  December  28). 

Such  were  the  preliminary  preparations  for  negotiations  with  foreign 
powers.  During  the  period  under  consideration  the  states  drew  indeed 
some  aid  from  France,  but  they  also  drew  a  problem  that  vexed  the  souls 
of  Congress  to  distraction,  a  horde  of  French  officers,  clamorous  for 
commissions  and  perquisites.  It  was  not  until  the  beginning  of  1778, 
after  the  victory  over  Burgoyne,  that  France  saw  fit  to  enter  into  an 
alliance  with  the  United  States  and  that  an  opportunity  arose  for  making 


xvi  Preface 

use  of  the  plan  of  a  treaty  which  had  been  prepared  with  so  much  care. 
The  plan  nevertheless  had  an  interesting-  subsequent  history ;  for  it  became 
the  core  and  centre  of  nearly  all  the  treaties  entered  into  by  the  United 
States  prior  to  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution. 

The  committee  to  prepare  and  digest  the  form  of  a  confederation  set 
earnestly  about  its  task,  entrusting  the  work  of  drafting  the  instrument 
to  John  Dickinson.  We  are  not  given  many  glimpses  into  the  committee 
room,  but  we  are  told  that  there  were  "  warm  disputes  "  over  some  ques- 
tions, and  Edward  Rutledge.  in  particular,  manifested  great  alarm  over 
what  was  proposed.  Rutledge  soon  became  nevertheless  one  of  the  stout- 
est champions  of  a  confederation.  The  committee  laid  its  draft  of  the 
articles  before  Congress  on  the  12th  of  July,  and  a  few  days  later  Congress, 
in  committee  of  the  whole,  took  it  into  consideration.  Of  the  principal 
debates  upon  it  at  this  time  (July  25  to  August  2)  both  John  Adams  and 
Jefferson  have  left  notes,  and  these  notes  constitute  the  basis  of  the  most 
that  has  been  known  or  said  by  historians  concerning  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation during  the  process  of  their  formation.  There  are,  however, 
many  letters  of  the  members  which  throw  much  additional  light  upon 
individual  views  and  the  attitudes  of  their  respective  states  upon  the 
questions  involved.  It  is  clear  enough,  from  all  sources,  that  there  were 
three  points  around  which  practically  all  the  discussions  and  controversies 
revolved.  These  were :  first,  whether  in  the  Congress  of  the  Confedera- 
tion each  state  should  have  a  single  vote,  as  in  the  existing  Congress,  or 
whether  the  votes  should  be  in  proportion  to  population  or  to  wealth  or 
to  contributions  to  the  general  treasury ;  second,  by  what  criterion  should 
these  quotas  of  contribution  to  the  general  expense  be  determined,  whether 
on  the  basis  of  population,  land  values,  or  general  property  values ;  and, 
third,  w  hether  Congress  should  have  authority  to  limit  the  dimensions  of 
those  states  which  possessed  claims  extending  to  the  South  Sea. 

The  first  of  these  points  involved  the  question  whether,  on  the  one 
hand,  a  few  of  the  most  populous  states  might  dominate  the  confederation, 
or  whether,  on  the  other  hand,  a  group  of  the  smaller  states  might  have  it 
in  their  power  to  ride  rough-shod  over  the  interests  of  the  larger.  The 
question  involved  in  the  third  point  was  similar,  whether  those  states  pos- 
sessing large  unoccupied  territories  might  not  so  expand  in  population 
and  resources  as  to  smother  out  the  states  which  had  no  such  territory, 
meanwhile  meeting  their  obligations  by  the  sale  of  vacant  lands.  The 
second  point  involved  less  of  controversy,  although  there  inhered  in  it, 
as  also  in  the  first,  the  question  whether  in  counting  population  slaves 
should  be  included.  The  question  of  the  claims  extending  to  the  South  Sea 
was  early  injected  into  the  discussion  by  Samuel  Chase  of  Maryland,  and 
it  was  this  point  that  was  to  remain  longest  the  stumbling-block  to  the 
acceptance  of  the  Confederation. 


Preface  xvii 

In  spite  of  these  strongly  antagonistic  views  on  the  important  questions 
involved,  it  seems  to  have  been  generally  believed  that  in  some  way  or 
other  the  obstacles  to  union  would  be  overcome.  Bartlett,  for  example, 
thought  (July  29)  that  it  "  may  possibly  take  a  week  or  ten  days'  time  ". 
A  confederation  was  an  absolute  essential  to  success,  therefore  there  must 
be,  there  will  be,  a  confederation.  If  we  do  not  confederate,  said  Samuel 
Chase  (July  30),  "  we  shall  remain  weak,  distracted,  and  divided  in  our 
councils.  .  .  .  What  contract  will  a  foreign  State  make  with  us,  when  we 
cannot  agree  among  ourselves?  "  There  were  nevertheless  those  who  had 
but  small  hope  of  success.  Joseph  Hewes.  for  instance,  wrote  July  28: 
"  I  think  it  probable  that  we  may  Split  on  these  great  points,  if  so  our 
mighty  Colossus  falls  to  pieces."  Abraham  Clark  spoke  (August  i)  of 
the  difficulties  as  "  alarming  ",  and  William  Williams  declared  (August  7) 
that  "  every  Inch  of  Ground  is  disputed,  and  very  jarring  Claims  and 
Interests  are  to  be  adjusted  among  us  ";  while  Chase  confessed  (August 
9)  that  he  was  afraid  "  the  Day  is  far  distant ".  A  few  days  later  it 
appears  that  Chase  took  pains  to  shake  ofif  the  dust  of  his  shoes  as  a  testi- 
mony against  the  confederation  as  it  then  stood,  declaring,  according  to 
William  Williams,  that  his  state  had  no  further  concern  with  it.  Some 
delegates,  who  had  lingered  in  Congress  with  the  hope  that  the  instrument 
might  soon  be  completed,  gave  up  hope  and  early  in  August  took  their 
departure.     Among  these  were  William  Whipple  and  Samuel  Adams. 

Some  remarks  of  Edward  Rutledge  at  this  stage  of  the  matter  are  of 
especial  interest;  for,  while  he  declared  concerning  the  confederation 
(August  19),  "  it  is  of  little  consequence  if  we  never  see  it  again;  for 
we  have  made  such  a  Devil  of  it  already  that  the  Colonies  can  never  agree 
to  it  ",  he  goes  on  to  indicate  what  he  regards  as  the  proper  mode  of 
procedure,  namely,  the  appointment  of  "  a  special  Congress  to  be  composed 
of  new  Members  for  this  purpose  ".  What  Rutledge  was  proposing,  that 
a  constitution  should  be  framed  by  a  convention  chosen  for  that  purpose 
and  that  only,  came  presently  to  be  the  accepted  mode  of  constitution- 
making;  but  at  the  time  he  was  writing  the  idea  was  only  beginning  to 
seep  into  the  minds  of  statesmen. 

On  the  20th  of  August,  after  a  lull  of  nearly  two  weeks,  the  discussion 
of  the  confederation  was  renewed  in  the  committee  of  the  whole,  the  pre- 
liminary revision  completed,  and  the  results  laid  before  the  whole  Con- 
gress, which  would  of  course  again  thresh  over  the  entire  subject.  It 
appears  to  have  been  the  view  of  members  that  this  consideration  would 
shortly  be  begun  and  as  quickly  as  possible  pushed  to  a  conclusion.  There 
now  intervened,  however,  in  the  early  days  of  September,  the  conference 
with  Lord  Howe.  That  conference  at  an  end,  and  even  the  hesitant  among 
the  members  convinced  that  they  could  not  hope  for  a  reconciliation  on 
terms  which  were  acceptable,  the  thought  of  Congress  once  more  turned 
to  the  confederation  as  an  essential  means  for  carrying  on  the  contest. 


xviii  Preface 

It  is  probably  sij^iiificaiit  that  Edward  Riitlcdge,  one  of  the  committee 
to  confer  with  Lord  IIowc.  now  became  one  of  the  most  eapfcr  to  press 
forward  to  completion  the  Articles  of  Confederation.  On  the  ist  of 
October,  with  a  view  to  resuminj^  the  consideration  of  the  confederation, 
Riitlcd^'e  moved  to  have  absent  members  of  Congress  recalled  (see  his 
letter  of  October  2  to  Robert  R.  Livingston).  How  deficient  the  atten- 
dance had  become  is  strikingly  shown  by  the  fact  that  the  President's 
nrgent  call  for  fuller  representation  was  sent  to  no  fewer  than  eleven  of 
the  thirteen  states  (see  no.  154,  note  i).  The  dearth  of  representation 
was  probably,  however,  not  the  sole  cause  of  the  neglect  of  the  Confedera- 
tion. Many  members  doubtless  hesitated  to  renew  a  discussion  which 
would  bring  out  once  more  and  perhaps  in  a  more  accentuated  form  the  dis- 
cordant views  which  had  so  pointedly  manifested  themselves  in  the  debates 
before  the  same  body  of  delegates  sitting  as  a  committee  of  the  whole. 
For  antagonisms  had  not  been  reconciled ;  they  had  only  temporarily  been 
smothered.  At  all  events,  for  a  period  of  more  than  six  months  a  profound 
silence  falls  upon  the  whole  business  of  the  Confederation.  In  December 
Congress  was  compelled  to  decamp  from  Philadelphia,  and  the  atmosphere 
of  Baltimore,  whither  it  had  betaken  itself,  appears  to  have  been  anything 
but  conducive  to  the  calm  consideration  of  constitutional  principles  and 
practices,  let  alone  the  adjustment  of  sharp  sectional  differences.  More- 
over, if  it  had  before  been  difificult  to  keep  up  a  prof)er  representation, 
the  task  was  greatly  augmented  now^  By  the  end  of  the  Baltimore  period, 
however,  there  had  come  about  a  great  change  in  the  membership  of 
Congress  (see,  for  instance,  John  Adams's  remarks  in  his  letter  to  Warren, 
February  17),  and  this  change  of  personnel  may  have  offered  hope  for  the 
Confederation. 

At  all  events,  as  soon  as  Congress  once  more  became  settled  in  Phila- 
delphia it  resolved  to  devote  two  days  of  each  week  to  the  Confederation 
until  the  instrument  should  be  finished.  This  was  the  8th  of  April.  It 
was  actually  the  21st  before  Congress  set  about  the  task,  but  it  then  kept 
diligently  at  it  for  three  or  four  weeks.  Of  the  discussions  at  this  time 
but  little  record  has  been  left.  The  most  significant  account  is  found  in  a 
letter  of  Thomas  Burke,  April  29,  w'herein  he  relates  that  he  had  secured 
an  amendment  designed  to  save  state  sovereignty.  It  was  about  this  time 
also  that  Burke  offered  his  curious  general  amendment  to  the  Confedera- 
tion, providing  for  a  sort  of  bicameral  body  (the  amendment  is  found  in 
the  Library  of  Congress  edition  of  the  Journals  under  May  5). 

John  Adams  expressed  his  confidence  May  3  that  the  confederation 
would  soon  be  passed,  but  on  the  26th  he  confessed  that  it  "  draggs  heavily 
on  ",  although  he  did  not  despair  of  it,  while  Roger  Sherman  insisted 
(May  13,  14)  that  not  much  progress  had  been  made.  It  was  now,  how- 
ever, thrust  aside  for  a  while,  first  by  the  Schuyler  controversy,  and  then, 
after  two  or  three  more  days  devoted  to  it,  by  the  Vermont  affair.-   "  A 


Preface  xix 

kind  of  fatality  ",  Samuel  Adams  lamented  (June  26),  "  strll  prevents  our 
proceeding  a  Step  in  the  important  affair  of  the  Confederation."  On  the 
30th,  however,  he  wrote  more  hopefully.  There  were  but  two  or  three 
things,  he  thought,  which  would  be  the  subject  of  further  debate,  and 
upon  them  most  of  the  members,  he  believed,  had  already  made  up  their 
minds.  The  question  of  voting,  he  was  inclined  to  believe,  would  be 
determined  the  next  day.  The  next  day  did  not,  however,  produce  the 
expected  decision. or  even  a  consideration  of  the  subject.  On  the  second 
of  July  a  motion  prevailed  to  take  the  confederation  into  consideration 
"tomorrow";  yet  many  morrows  came  and  went  before  the  subject 
is  even  so  much  as  mentioned  again  in  the  journals.  On  August  16  a 
day  was  assigned  for  it,  but  the  appointment  was  not  kept.  On  September 
2  an  effort  was  made  to  have  the  confederation  made  a  part  of  each  day's 
business;  but  the  motion  was  negatived. 

Numerous  letters  in  the  meantime,  during  July,  August,  and  September, 
show  that  the  confederation  was  not  absent  from  the  minds  of  members 
and  even  that  some  attention  had  been  bestowed  upon  it  in  Congress 
beyond  what  the  journals  record.  Williams  mentions,  for  instance,  July 
5,  that  a  strenuous  struggle  was  going  on  between  the  smaller  and  the 
larger  states  over  the  method  of  voting.  From  Lovell  and  Samuel  Adams 
it  is  learned  (letters  of  July  21  and  22,  respectively)  that  an  effort  had 
been  made  to  bring  on  the  subject,  but  that  it  had  been  postponed  because 
of  Virginia's  lack  of  representation.  When  Richard  Henry  Lee  arrived 
(August  12)  he  found  Virginia's  charter  bounds  being  strongly  contested 
and  the  confederation  otherwise  obstructed  "  by  the  immensity  of  business 
created  by  the  war  "  (letter  of  August  25) .  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton 
declared  (August  12)  that  almost  every  member  of  Congress  was  anxious 
for  a  confederacy,  but  he  was  inclined  to  despair  of  it  unless  "  little 
and  partial  interests  "  could  be  laid  aside;  but  to  the  usual  reason  that  a 
confederacy  formed  on  a  rational  plan  would  add  weight  and  consequence 
to  the  United  States  collectively  and  give  great  security  to  each  indi- 
vidually, he  adds  what  had  now  become  one  of  the  principal  arguments  for 
it,  that  it  would  give  "  a  credit  to  our  paper  money  ".  "  With  the  main 
Army  at  our  Elbow  ",  wrote  Lovell  (September  7)  .  .  .  "  we  shall  never 
want  ten  thousand  interruptions  to  the  Settlement  of  the  Articles  of  Con- 
federation and  the  Establishment  of  our  Currency."  "  Confederation  and 
financies  ",  wrote  Eliphalet  Dyer  the  same  day,  "  are  now  the  great 
objects  ",  and  he  thought  Congress  in  a  pretty  good  temper  to  do  busi- 
ness, "  if  this  plaguy  fellow  of  an  How  does  not  disturb  us  ". 

It  was  not  long  before  Howe  did  disturb  them.  In  the  afternoon  of 
September  18,  while  Laurens  was  writing  to  Gervais  concerning  the  con- 
templated removal  of  Congress,  a  member  came  in  and  reported,  "  in  a 
burst  of  Laugh  ",  that  Congress  would  tomorrow  "  enter  upon  the  weighty 
business  of  the  Confederation  ".     "  Fright  ",  remarks  Laurens,  "  some- 


XX  Preface 

times  works  Lunacy."  Before  tlic  break  of  another  day  Congress  was  in 
iVi^ht.  (^11  tlie  27th  a  quorum  of  the  members  j^athered  at  Lancaster,  the 
appointed  rendezvous,  held  one  session,  then  lun-ried  across  the  Susque- 
hanna to  York:  for.  as  Laurens  expressed  it  (October  20),  "  hearts  were 
still  tUitterinfj  in  some  bosoms  ".  '*  Mere  ",  wrote  James  Duane 
(October  3).  **  we  are  sufficiently  retired  and  can  deliberate  without  inter- 
ruption." 

Members  had  scarcely  alip^hted  from  their  horses  before  they  were 
writing:  that  Confederation,  taxation,  and.  if  possible,  the  retrieving  of 
the  sinking  currency  would  at  once  be  undertaken.  Accordingly,  on  the 
2d  of  October  one  more  resolution  to  take  the  confederation  into  con- 
sideration "  tomorrow  "  is  found  duly  recorded  in  the  journals.  It  was 
not,  however,  taken  up  on  the  3d,  or  the  4th,  or  the  5th ;  but  on  the  6th 
not  only  was  the  consideration  set  for  tomorrow,  but  the  resolution  pre- 
scribed the  precise  hour,  and  also  the  precise  article  to  be  considered. 
For  once  Congress  obeyed  its  own  injunction  to  the  letter;  and  from  that 
day  to  the  15th  of  November,  when  the  finished  Articles  were  recorded  in 
the  journals.  Congress  held  energetically  to  the  task,  with  but  little 
interruption.  On  the  7th  it  was  decided  that  each  state  should  have  one 
vote;  on  the  14th,  after  five  days  of  debate  upon  the  various  proposals, 
it  was  resolved  that  the  proportion  of  the  public  expense  to  be  paid  by  each 
state  should  be  ascertained  by  the  land  values  in  each  state,  together  with 
their  improvements;  on  the  15th  the  third  of  the  three  "  capital  points  " 
so  often  spoken  of  by  members  in  their  letters,  the  question  of  the  claims 
extending  to  the  South  Sea.  was  taken  into  consideration.  Two  signifi- 
cant motions  were  made,  one  that  Congress  should  have  sole  and  exclusive 
right  and  power  to  ascertain  and  fix  the  western  boundaries  of  states 
thus  claiiuing  and  to  dispose  of  the  land  beyond  those  boundaries  for  the 
benefit  of  the  United  States,  the  other  that  Congress  should  lay  out  such 
land  into  separate  and  independent  states.  Both  motions  were  negatived, 
the  latter  obtaining  only  the  solid  vote  of  Maryland  and  a  single  vote  from 
New  Jersey.  Congress  was  accordingly  denied  the  power  to  limit  the 
western  boundaries  of  the  states,  but  not  until  those  states  had  voluntarily 
ceded  those  territories  to  the  United  States  could  Maryland,  the  chief 
proponent  of  the  measure,  be  prevailed  upon  to  ratify  the  Confederation. 

The  three  great  questions  having  been  determined  many  members 
began  to  take  their  departure  (see,  for  instance,  Laurens's  letter  of 
October  16).  Whether  this  exodus  was  for  the  better  or  for  the  worse, 
Congress  plunged  with  nervous  energy  into  the  remaining  articles,  revis- 
ing, striking  out,  substituting,  but  pushing  rapidly  toward  the  completion 
of  the  instrument ;  pausing  now  and  then,  nevertheless,  to  give  attention 
to  other  important  problems,  such  as  the  reorganization  of  the  commis- 
sary department,  the  establishment  of  the  new  board  of  war,  and  even 
to  give  ear  to  the  clamorous  Frenchmen  ;  and  rejoiced  in  the  midst  of  their 
labors  by  the  news  of  the  victory  over  Burgoyne. 


Preface  xxi 

During  this  time  there  is  abundant  expression  by  members  of  their 
personal  and  sectional  views  upon  the  three  pivotal  questions;  but  it  is 
significant  that  scarcely  an  intimation  had  hitherto  been  let  fall  by  any 
member  touching  any  other  provision  of  the  Confederation  as  it  lay  before 
them.  Not,  perhaps,  because  they  were  indifferent  to  other  questions ;  they 
were  only  less  contentious.  The  record  of  proceedings  in  the  journals 
carries  the  same  implications ;  for  upon  but  few  such  questions  was  there 
a  call  for  the  yeas  and  nays.  When  they  came  to  the  council  of  state,  if 
there  was  serious  debate  upon  it,  it  is  not  mentioned,  except  that  Lovell 
remarked  (November  3)  that  he  supposed  it  would  be  "  thrown  out  and  a 
Committee  of  Congress  be  left  in  recess  to  transact  prudentials  ".  This  was 
accordingly  done  (November  7),  by  striking  out  the  whole  article  con- 
cerning the  council  of  state  and  substituting  therefor  the  simple  provision 
that  there  should  be  a  committee  of  Congress,  to  be  called  the  committee 
of  the  states,  which  should  have  only  such  powers,  in  the  recess  of  Con- 
gress, as  Congress  by  the  consent  of  nine  states  might  vest  in  them. 

This  completed  the  work  upon  the  Articles  as  they  then  stood,  but  on 
the  1 2th  and  13th  certain  additions  were  made,  then  the  whole  was 
arranged  and  spread  upon  the  journals  (November  15).  There  were  no 
shouts  of  rejoicing,  but  there  were  many  expressions  of  relief  that  at 
last  the  great  task  had  been  accomplished.  As  there  was  an  earnest  desire 
that  the  Confederation  should  speedily  be  ratified  by  the  states,  members 
appeared,  upon  the  whole,  to  be  confident  that  this  would  be  done,  although 
there  were  some  misgivings  as  to  the  outcome.  The  reactions  of  members 
during  this  period  of  waiting,  as  recorded  in  their  letters,  are  of  especial 
interest.  On  the  one  side  is  the  attitude  of  Thomas  Burke.  He  had  left 
Congress  about  the  middle  of  October,  and  on  November  4  he  wrote  to 
Governor  Caswell :  "  As  I  consider  the  plan  now  in  embryo  as  what  can 
never  be  suited  to  the  States,  I  think  nothing  decided  on  it  is  of  conse- 
quence." He  thought  "  a  time  of  peace  and  tranquillity  the  proper  time 
for  agitating  so  important  a  concern  " ;  and  a  little  later  he  set  forth  at 
some  length,  for  the  benefit  of  his  state's  assembly,  his  views  of  the  whole 
instrument.  Another  view,  and  it  was  that  of  many  New  England  dele- 
gates, was  expressed  by  Nathaniel  Folsom.  He  was  particularly  dis- 
pleased with  the  method  decided  upon  for  determining  the  respective 
quotas  of  taxation  for  general  purposes,  for  he  could  see  no  justice  in  the 
rule.  While  many  were  anxious  to  hasten  ratification,  he  made  no  doubt 
that  the  states  would  take  as  much  time  to  deliberate  upon  the  matter  as 
they  thought  just  and  necessary  (letters  of  October  27  and  November  21 ). 
Probably  more  characteristic  of  Congress  as  a  whole  is  the  attitude  of 
Richard  Henry  Lee.  To  President  Meshech  Weare  of  New  Hampshire 
he  wrote  (November  24)  :  "  In  this  great  business  dear  Sir  we  must 
yield  a  little  to  each  other,  and  not  rigidly  insist  on  having  everything  cor- 
respondent to  the  partial  views  of ^  every  State.     On  such  terms  we  can 


xxii  Preface 

never  confederate."  A  fittinj^  cDnclusion  to  the  whole  matter  is  the  ad- 
mirable presentation  of  the  case  for  the  Confederation  in  the  circular  letter, 
doubtless  from  the  pen  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  which  accompanied  it  to 
the  several  states.  (The  letter  is  found  in  the  Library  of  Congress  edition 
of  the  Journals,  under  November  17.) 

It  has  been  endeavored  here,  by  the  lii^ht  of  such  expressions  as  have 
been  left  to  us  by  the  chief  participants,  flickering  and  spasmodic  though 
such  light  may  be.  to  follow  the  progress  of  the  Articles  of  Confederation 
through  their  manifold  vicissitudes  on  the  floor  of  Congress,  to  their 
comi)letion  there,  and  their  despatch  to  the  several  states  for  acceptance  or 
rejection.  Such  a  story  of  the  Confederation  is  not  of  course  the  whole 
story ;  it  is  only  such  a  view  of  the  contest  on  the  fighting  front  as  these 
letters  afford.  The  "  home  front  ",  the  seethe  and  surge  of  ideas  and  their 
expression  among  the  people,  it  has  not  of  course  been  sought  to  envisage. 
Nor  is  this  the  place  to  follow  the  Articles  through  the  next  chapter  of 
their  career,  their  appearance  before  the  several  states,  those  thirteen  courts 
of  appeal  which  were  to  sit  in  judgment  upon  them.  It  is  permissible, 
however,  to  give  a  moment's  consideration  to  the  instrument  which  had 
cost  so  much  thought  and  labor,  and  whose  mission  among  the  states  was 
so  potent  for  good  or  evil. 

To  what  extent  the  Confederation  would  be  effective  for  the  purpose 
for  which  it  was  designed ;  whether  it  would  stand  the  strain  of  antago- 
nistic views  and  interests ;  whether  it  would  endure  even  for  the  period  of 
the  war;  these  events  were  in  the  laps  of  the  gods.  Most  members  of 
Congress  evidently  believed,  and  the  majority  of  the  people  presently  came 
to  believe,  that  it  would  at  least  make  for  unity  and  efficiency  in  the  ac- 
complishment of  what  was  all-important,  the  prosecution  of  the  war  to  a 
successful  conclusion  and  the  achieving  of  independence.  Few  of  them 
ventured  to  push  predictions  farther  than  that,  although  there  were  those 
among  them  who  lifted  their  eyes  and  looked  for  the  goal  far  beyond  the 
conclusion  of  the  war.  In  one  of  the  earliest  discussions  of  the  confed- 
eration Franklin  had  declared :  "  If  they  have  an  equal  vote  without 
bearing  equal  burthens,  a  confederation  upon  such  iniquitous  principles 
will  never  last  long."  And  it  is  related  of  John  Adams  that,  about  the 
time  when  the  instrument  w^as  being  completed,  he  assumed  the  role  of 
prophet  and  predicted  that  ''  before  ten  years  this  confederation,  like  a 
rope  of  sand,  will  be  found  inadequate  to  the  purpose,  and  its  dissolution 
will  take  place  ".  In  such  a  group  of  men,  endeavoring  to  settle  problems 
the  solution  of  w-hich  they  believed  carried  consequences  so  momentous, 
it  would  be  remarkable  if  there  had  not  been  prophecies  even  more  dire. 

Because  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  on  account  of  certain  inherent 
weaknesses,  proved  inadequate  and  had  in  the  end  to  be  cast  aside  for 
an  entirely  new-forged  constitution,  it  has  been  much  the  practice  to  pile 
criticisms  upon  them  and  even  to  treat  them  with  a  measure  of  scorn. 


Preface  xxiii 

Whatever  the  faults  of  the  Articles,  they  constitute  nevertheless  an  im- 
portant, a  necessary,  stage  in  the  development  of  an  efficient  constitution, 
even  as  the  confederation  effected  under  them  was  an  important,  a  neces- 
sary, step  in  the  progress  toward  a  more  perfect  union.  There  has  been 
too  little  appreciation  of  the  difficulties  encountered  in  the  formation  of 
the  Articles,  too  small  an  appraisement  of  the  obstacles  which  stood  in  the 
way  of  even  this  tentative  union.  The  generations  that  have  lived  under 
the  noble  instrument  of  government  that  has  proved  so  adequate  to  our 
needs  have  beheld  the  period  of  the  Confederation  in  the  concentrated 
light  of  subsequent  history  and  have  been  all  too  prone  to  impatience  with 
the  men  of  that  time — and  for  what?  For  their  short-sightedness,  it  is 
called ;  but  actually  because  their  foresight  was  not  as  broad  and  as  deep 
and  as  far-reaching  as  our  hindsight.  A  closer  view  of  the  conditions  of 
that  period,  a  warmer  contact  with  the  men  of  those  times,  a  more  sympa- 
thetic consorting  with  their  thoughts  and  feelings,  will  not  only  give  us  a 
fuller  comprehension  of  the  materials  with  which  they  worked,  but  will 
surely  lead  us  to  a  better  understanding  of  what  they  wrought. 

Upon  a  full  view  of  all  the  facts,  it  is  rather  to  be  wondered  at  that  these 
men  had  at  length  persuaded  themselves  to  yield  so  much  that  to  them  had 
very  great  and  very  definite  value  for  their  individual  centres  of  political 
life,  had  consented  to  give  up  these  things  in  return  for  that  quite  vague 
and  ill-defined,  that  altogether  problematical  thing,  the  "  benefit  of  the 
whole  ".  It  is,  when  all  things  are  considered,  remarkable  that  they  went 
as  far  as  they  did  toward  merging  their  own  states,  which  hitherto  had 
encompassed  their  lives  and  to  them  were  very  real,  into  a  union  whose 
figure  was  not  only  dim  and  whose  value  was  uncertain,  but  which  might 
in  the  end  destroy  its  creators.  So  much  had  their  vision  enlarged  in  the 
two  and  a  half  years  since  Franklin  had  laid  before  them  his  tentative  plan 
of  union,  so  widely  had  their  political  horizons  expanded.  And  yet,  before 
even  this  imperfect  union  of  the  states  could  become  an  accomplished  fact, 
there  must  be  more  yielding  one  to  another ;  there  must  be  other  surrenders 
of  partial  views  and  separate  interests ;  there  must  be  a  still  further  en- 
largement of  vision,  a  still  greater  expansion  of  horizons. 

Edmund  C.  Burnett. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  ^^^^ 

Preface    >•> 

1776. 

1.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  Jersey  Convention,  July  5 i 

2.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  James  Warren,  July  5 i 

3.  John  Hancock  to  William  Cooper,  July  6 i 

4.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  July  6 2 

5.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Richard  Flenry  Lee,  July  8 2 

6.  John  Hancock  to  Horatio  Gates,  July  8 3 

7.  Joseph  Hewes  to  Samuel  Johnston,  July  8 4 

8.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  July  8 5 

9.  New  Hampshire  Delegates  to  the  President  of  New  Hampshire,  July  9 5 

10.  South  Carolina  Delegates  to  John  Rutledge,  July  9 6 

11.  Abraham  Clark  to  Samuel  Tucker.  July  9 7 

12.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Chase,  July  9 7 

13.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  July  10 8 

14.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  July  11 9 

15.  Thomas  Stone  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  July  12 9 

16.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  July  13 9 

17.  Abraham  Clark  to  Elias  Dayton,  July  14 10 

18.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henrj^  Lee,  July  15 u 

19.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,  July  15 12 

20.  Robert  Treat  Paine  to  Henry  Knox,  July  16 12 

21.  John  Alsop  to  the  New  York  Convention,  July  16 12 

22.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,  July  16 13 

23.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Patrick  Henry,  July  16 14 

24.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  Jersey  Convention,  July  19 15 

25.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  Jersey  Convention,  July  19 I5 

26.  Samuel  Chase  to  Philip  Schuyler,  July  19 16 

27.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  July  20 17 

28.  William  Ellery  to  Ezra  Stiles,  July  20 I7 

29.  James  Wilson  to  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs,  July  20 18 

30.  Robert  Morris  to  Joseph  Reed,  July  21 18 

31.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Adams,  July  21 20 

32.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  George  Washington,  July  22 20 

33.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,  July  22 20 

34.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  July  22 21 

35.  Joseph  Hewes  to  Samuel  Purviance,  July  23 22 

36.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Francis  Eppes,  July  23 22 

37.  Benjamin  Rush  (  ?)  to  Charles  Lee,  July  23 22 

38.  John  Hancock  to  John  Rutledge,  July  24 23 

39.  South  Carolina  Delegates  to  John  Rutledge,  July  25 24 

39A.    John  Hancock  to  John  Bradford,  July  25 25 

40.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  July  26 26 

41.  Maryland  Delegates  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  July  27 27 

42.  John  Hancock  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  27 27 

43.  Joseph  Hewes  to  Samuel  Johnston,  July  28 28 

44.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  July  29 28 

45.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  July  29 28 

46.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  July  29 29 

47.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,  July  29 29 

48.  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  July  29.  30 

XXV 


xxvi  Tdblc  of  Contents 

PACK 

49.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  John  Page,  July  30 3' 

50.  Samuel  Chase  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  July  30 32 

51.  John  Hancock  to  GeorRC  Washington,  July  31 32 

52.  Ahraham  Clark  to  James  Caldwell,  Aug.  i 32 

53.  Abraham  Clark  to  James  Caldwell.  Aug.  2 34 

54.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  2 34 

55.  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  Aug.  2. .  35 

56.  Samuel  Adanw  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Aug.  3 35 

57.  John  1  lancock  to  John  Haslet,  Aug.  3 37 

58.  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas   Rodney,  Aug.  3 37 

59.  John  Adams  to  William  1  leath,  Aug.  3 38 

60.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  John  Page,  Aug.  5 38 

61.  Josiah  Rartlett  to  John  Langdon.  Aug.  5 39 

62.  Board  of  War  to  the  Maryland  Convention  or  Committee  of  Safety,  Aug.  6.  39 

63.  William  Hooper  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Aug.  6 40 

64.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Aug.  7 40 

65.  Secret  Committee  to  Silas  Deane,  Aug.  7 42 

66.  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  Aug.  7. .  42 

67.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  8 43 

68.  Samuel  Chase  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Aug.  9 44 

69.  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  Aug.  10.  44 

70.  James  Wilson  to  Jasper  Yeates  and  John  Montgomery,  Aug.  10 45 

71.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Aug.  10 45 

72.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,  Aug.  1 1 47 

73.  William  Williams  to  Oliver  Wolcott,  Aug.  12 47 

74.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Edmund  Pendleton,  Aug.  13 48 

75.  Francis  Lewis  to  Mrs.  Gates  (  ?),  Aug.  13 48 

76.  Secret  Committee  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  14 49 

77.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Aug.  14 49 

78.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Aug.  15 50 

79.  Philip  Livingston  to  the  New  York  Convention,  Aug.  16 51 

80.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Aug.  16 5^ 

81.  Rhode  Island  Delegates  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Aug.  17 52 

82.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  17 52 

83.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  18 53 

84.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Adams,  Aug.  18 53 

85.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Aug.  19 54 

86.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Holden  Parsons,  Aug.  19 57 

87.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Aug.  20 57 

88.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Lord  Howe,  Aug.  20 58 

89.  John  Adams  to  James  W^arren,  Aug.  21 58 

90.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Thomas  McKean,  Aug.  24 59 

91.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  24 60 

92.  John  Adams  to  Henry  Knox,  Aug.  25 61 

93.  John  Hancock  to  Artemus  Ward,  Aug.  26 61 

94.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  27 62 

95.  John  Hancock  to  George  Weedon,  Aug.  28 62 

96.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Horatio  Gates,  Aug.  28 63 

97.  William  Hooper  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Aug.  28 63 

98.  Francis  Lewis  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Aug.  29 64 

99.  John  Hancock  to  George  W^eedon,  Aug.  30 64 

100.     Philip  Livingston  to  Abraham  Yates,  jr.,  Aug.  30 64 

loi.     Benjamin  Franklin  to  Philip  Mazzei,  [Aug.  ?] 65 

102.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  Nathaniel  Folsom,  Sept.  2 65 

103.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple,  Sept.  3 66 

104.  John  Hancock  to  the  Mar>-land  Convention,  Sept.  3 67 

105.  Caesar  Rodney  to  George  Read,  Sept.  4 68 

106.  Thomas  He>-Avard,  jr.,  to  John  Morgan,  Sept.  4 69 

107.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Sept.  4 69 


Table  of  Contents  xxvii 

PARE 

io8.  John  Witherspoon's  Speech  on  the  Message  from  Lord  Howe,  Sept.  5  (  ?) . .  70 

109.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Sept.  6 74 

1 10.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  John  Wendell,  Sept.  6 75 

111.  Samuel   Huntington  to  Matthew   Griswold,   Eliphalet   Dyer,   and   William 

Pitkin,    Sept.   7 76 

1 12.  Caesar  Rodney  to  George  Read,  Sept.  7 77 

113.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  7 77 

114.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Sept.  7 78 

115.  Samuel  Chase  to  Horatio  Gates,  Sept.  8 79 

116.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  8 80 

117.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Sept.  8 80 

1 18.  Lewis  Morris  to  John  Jay,  Sept.  8 81 

119.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  8 81 

120.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  10 82 

121.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple,  Sept.  10 82 

122.  Edward  Rutledge  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  li 83 

123.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  12 84 

124.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  13 84 

125.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  13 85 

126.  Caesar  Rodney  to  George  Read,  Sept.  13 87 

127.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Sept.  14 87 

128.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple,  Sept.  14 88 

129.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Sept.  14 89 

130.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter,  Sept.  15 89 

131.  John  Penn  to  the  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  Sept.  16 90 

132.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Adams,  Sept.  17 91 

133.  Robert  Treat  Paine  to  Peter  Grubb,  Sept.  18 94 

134.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  John  Page,  Sept.  17  (?) 95 

135.  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  Sept.  18.  95 

136.  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  William  Bingham,  Sept.  21 96 

137.  Marine  Committee  to  Thomas  Gushing,  Sept.  21 97 

138.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Sept.  23 97 

139.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly,  Sept.  24 98 

140.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Anthony  Wayne,  Sept.  24 100 

141.  Lewis  Morris  to  Abraham  Yates,  jr.,  Sept.  24 100 

141A.    Robert  Treat  Paine  to  S.  P.  Eve  ( ?),  Sept.  25 loi 

142.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Sept.  25 102 

143.  Edward  Rutledge  to  John  Rutledge,  Sept.  25 102 

143A.    William  Hooper  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Sept.  25 103 

144.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  26 103 

145.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  26 103 

146.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  Sept.  27 105 

147.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Horatio  Gates,  Sept.  27 105 

148.  John  Hancock  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Sept.  27  106 

149.  Philip  Livingston  to  Abraham  Yates,  jr.,  Sept.  28 107 

150.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Anthony  Wayne,  Sept.  29 108 

151.  John  Adams  to  Henry  Knox,  Sept.  30  (  ?) 108 

152.  Secret  Committee  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Oct.  i 109 

153-     Comm.ittee  of  Secret  Correspondence,  Statement,  Oct.  i no 

153A.    John  Hancock,  Certificate,  Oct.  i in 

154.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  Jersey  Assembly,  Oct.  2 1 12 

155.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Oct.  2 113 

156.  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney,  Oct.  2 114 

157-    John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  4 1 14 

158.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Samuel  Adams,  Oct.  4 115 

159.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Oct.  5 115 

160.  Caesar  Rodney  to  John  Haslet,  Oct.  6 116 

161.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon,  Oct.  7 117 

162.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Oct.  7 117 


xxviii  Tabic  of  Contents 

PAtiB 

163.  New  York  ndffratos  to  the  Nt-w  York  Convention,  Oct.  7 119 

164.  Elbridne  (ierry  to  Joseph  Trinnl)iill,  Oct.  8 120 

165.  Elbridgc  Cierry  to  I  loratio  Gates,  Oct.  9 121 

166.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Tnimhull,  Oct.  10 I2I 

167.  John  .Xdanis  to  .Mrs.  .Xdams.  Oct.  11 123 

168.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Oct.  11 123 

l6<).  Richard  1  leinv  l.ee  to  I^anuiel  Tnrviance,  jr.,  Oct.  1 1 124 

170.  John  1  lancock  to  tlie  Convention  of  .Maryland,  Oct.  12 124 

171.  Josiah  Hartlctt  to  John  Lanpdoti,  Oct.  15 125 

172.  KlhridKc  derry  to  Joseph  Trninliull,  Oct.  17 12.') 

173.  I'.dward  Rutledne  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Oct.  19 126 

174.  Josiah  Hartlctt  to  John  Langdon,  Oct.  19 126 

175.  l-'lhridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumhnll,  Oct.  22 T27 

176.  l't)ard  of  War  to  Nathanael  (irecne,  Oct.  22 128 

177.  Henjamin  Rush  to  Thomas  Morris  (?),  Oct.  22 128 

178.  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  Silas  Deane,  Oct.  23 129 

179.  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  Silas  Deane,  Oct.  24 129 

180.  Committee    of    Secret    Correspondence    to    the    Commissioners    in    Paris, 

Oct.   24    131 

iSi.  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  24 132 

182.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Oct.  26 133 

183.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention,  Oct.  26 134 

184.  Abraham  Clark  to  Elias  Dayton,  Oct.  26 134 

185.  Robert  Morris  to  Horatio  Gates,  Oct.  27 135 

186.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  28 136 

187.  William    Hooper    to    the    President    of    the    North    Carolina    Convention, 

Oct.  29 137 

188.  John  Witherspoon  to  Horatio  Gates,  Oct.  30 138 

189.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Nov.  i 138 

190.  William  Hooper  to  the  North  Carolina  Provincial  Congress,  Nov.  i 139 

191.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Nov.  5 139 

192.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Read.  Nov.  6 141 

193.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Nov.  6 142 

194.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Nov.  6 143 

195.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Nov.  6 144 

196.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  Nov.  7 I44 

197.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Nov.  8 I45 

198.  Board  of  War  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  8 146 

199.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes,  Nov.  8  (?)  146 

200.  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington,  Nov.  8 I47 

201.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Nov.  9 148 

202.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter,  Nov.  9 149 

203.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  John  Wendell,  Nov.  11 149 

204.  George  Wythe  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  Nov.  11 150 

205.  John  Hancock  to  the  Commissioners  from  Maryland,  Nov.  13 150 

206.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Nov.  14 151 

207.  John  Witherspoon  to  William  Livingston,  Nov.  14 152 

208.  John  Hancock  to  the  North  Carolina  Convention  Nov.  15 153 

209.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Nov.  16 153 

210.  William  Hooper  to  Richard  Caswell,  Nov.  16 154 

211.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes,  Nov.  16 155 

212.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Nov.  16 156 

213.  William  W^hipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Nov.  16 157 

214.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  Nov.  16 158 

215.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Matthew  Griswold,  Nov.  18 158 

216.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  19 159 

217.  John  Hancock  to  the  Virginia  Assembly,  Nov.  20 160 

218.  Board  of  War  to  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  21 160 

219.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  21 161 


Tdble  of  Contents  xxix 

PAGE 

220.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  23 162 

221.  Benjamin  Rumsey  to  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Nov.  24 162 

222.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Mrs.  Wolcott,  Nov.  24 163 

223.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Purviance,  jr.,  Nov.  24 164 

224.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull  (  ?) ,  Nov.  26 164 

225.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Nov.  26 165 

226.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  26 165 

227.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Timothy  Edwards,  Nov.  29 166 

228.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Nov.  30 168 

229.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  i 168 

230.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Dec.  3 169 

231.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  4 169 

232.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention,  Dec.  4 169 

233.  Secret  Committee  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,  Dec.  4 170 

234.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Dec.  5   (?) 170 

235.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Dec.  6 171 

236.  George  Read  to  Mrs.  Read,  Dec.  6 171 

237.  Charles  Carroll  to  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer,  Dec.  7 172 

238.  William  Paca  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Dec.  7 172 

239.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Dec.  7 I73 

240.  Georgia  Delegates  to  John  Hancock,  Dec.  10 173 

241.  Samuel  Chase  to  James  Nicholson,  Dec.  11 174 

242.  Charles  Thomson  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  11 174 

243.  Samuel  Adams  et  at.  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  12 175 

244.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Mrs.  Wolcott,  Dec.  13 176 

245.  Robert  Morris  to  John  Hancock,  Dec.  16 176 

246.  Robert  Morris  to  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence,  Dec.  16 178 

247.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Dec.  18 178 

248.  Benjamin  Rumsey  to  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer  (  ?),  Dec.  19 179 

249.  Samuel  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Dec.  19 179 

250.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Convention,  Dec.  20  (?) 180 

251.  Charles  Carroll  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Dec.  21 181 

252.  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  the  Commissioners  at  Paris,  Dec.  21  181 

253.  Robert  Morris  to  the  Commissioners  at  Paris,  Dec.  21 183 

254.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  2;^ 184 

255.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  23 185 

256.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  23 185 

257.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Dec.  23 186 

258.  Samuel  Chase  to  John  Sullivan,  Dec.  24 186 

259.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  Dec.  24 187 

260.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Mrs.  Wolcott,  Dec.  25 187 

261.  Matthew  Thornton  to  Meshech  Weare,  Dec.  25 188 

262.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Dec.  25 188 

263.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Dec.  25 189 

264.  Francis  Lewis  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  26 190 

265.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  26 191 

266.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Dec.  26 191 

267.  John  Hancock  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Dec.  27 192 

268.  Francis  Lewis  to  the  New  York  Committee  of  Safety,  Dec.  27 192 

269.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  27 193 

270.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  28 193 

271.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  John  Hancock,  Dec.  28 194 

272.  WiUiam  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  28 195 

273.  Benjamin  Harrison  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  29 196 

274.  Committee    of    Secret    Correspondence    to    the    Commissioners    at    Paris, 

Dec.  30    197 

275.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Dec.  31 198 

276.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  31 198 

277.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Dec.  31 I99 


XXX  Table  of  Contents 

PAGE 

2/8.    William  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  31 I99 

279.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  Horatio  Gates,  Dec.  31 199 

1777- 

280.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  William  Shippen,  Jan.  i 200 

281.  Hlhridgc  Gerry  to  Joseph  Hawk-y.  Jan.  i 200 

282.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  I  lewes,  Jan.  i 200 

283.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Jan.  1 201 

284.  Samnd  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Jan.   i 202 

285.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  John  Hancock,  Jan.  2 202 

286.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  William  Palfrey,  Jan.  2 203 

287.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  TrnmbuU,  Jan.  2 203 

288.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Jan.  3 204 

289.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington,  Jan.  5 205 

290.  John  Hancock  to  the  Committee  in  Philadelphia,  Jan.  6 205 

2QI.     John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Jan.  6 205 

292.  Francis  Lewis  to  the  New  York  Committee  of  Safety,  Jan.  7 207 

293.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Jan.  7 207 

294.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Jan.  8 208 

295.  Benjamin  Harrison  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  8 208 

296.  John  Hancock  to  Archibald  Bulloch,  Jan.  8 208 

297.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Jan.  8 209 

298.  Samuel  Adams  to  John  Adams,  Jan.  9 209 

299.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington,  Jan.  9 212 

300.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  James  Wilson,  Jan.  9 213 

301.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,  Jan.  10 213 

302.  Robert  Morris  to  John  Jay,  Jan.  12 214 

303.  Robert  Morris  to  John  Langdon,  Jan.  12 214 

304.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  14 214 

305.  James  Wilson  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  14 215 

306.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter,  Jan.  14 217 

307.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Assembly,  Jan.  14 217 

308.  John  Hancock  to  the  Committee  in  Philadelphia,  Jan.  14 218 

309.  Secret  Committee  to  the  Commissioners  in  Paris,  Jan.  14 218 

310.  Francis  Lewis  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  15 219 

311.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Jan.  16 219 

312.  Francis  Lewis  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Jan.  16 220 

313.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Jan.  17 221 

314.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  Richard  Dallam,  Jan.  18 222 

315.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Tan.  18 222 

316.  John  Hancock  to  the  Committee  in  Philadelphia,  Jan.  18 223 

317.  John  Hancock  to  Andrew  Lewis,  Jan.  18 223 

317A.     Secret  Committee  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  18 224 

318.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Jan.  19  (?) 224 

319.  Samuel  Chase  to  William  Livingston,  Jan.  23 225 

320.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  25 225 

321.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Jan.  29 226 

322.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Jan.  29 266 

323.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Jan.  30 226 

324.  John  Hancock  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Jan.  30 227 

325.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Assembly,  Jan.  31 228 

326.  Massachusetts  Delegates  to  James  Bowdoin,  Jan.  31 228 

327.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Jan.  31 229 

328.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington,  Jan.  31 230 

329.  Francis  Lewis  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Jan.  31 230 

330.  Francis  Lewis  to  John  McKesson,  Jan.  31 230 

331.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Jan.  31 231 

332.  William  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  i 232 

333.  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  William  Bingham,  Feb.  i 232 


Table  of  Contents  xxxi 

PACE 

334.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Feb.  i 233 

335.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Assembly,  Feb.  i 233 

336.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Feb.  4 234 

337.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Feb.  4 235 

338.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Feb.  6 236 

339.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Feb.  6 236 

340.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Feb.  7 237 

341.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Feb.  7 237 

342.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Feb.  7 238 

343.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  7 238 

344.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  8 239 

345.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  8 240 

346.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  8 241 

347.  Abraham  Clark  to  John  Hart,  Feb.  8 242 

348.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,  Feb.  8 244 

349.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Feb.   10 244 

350.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  11 245 

351.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Feb.  11 246 

352.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Feb.  12 246 

353.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  12 249 

354.  Medical  Committee  to  George  Washington,  Feb.  13 249 

355.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Feb.    14 250 

356.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  15 253 

357.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Feb.  15 254 

358.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes,  Feb.  15 256 

359.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell.  Feb.  16  (?) 257 

360.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Feb.  16 259 

360A.     Robert  Morris  to  William  Bingham,  Feb.  16 259 

361.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Feb.  17 260 

362.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  18 260 

363.  Francis  Lewis  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Feb.  18 261 

364.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  12-19 261 

365.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Feb.  19 262 

366.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Feb.  20 263 

367.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  20 265 

368.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Assembly,  Feb.  20 266 

369.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  Feb.  20 267 

370.  John  Adams  to  Joseph  Palmer,  Feb.  20 268 

371.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  21 268 

372.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Feb.  21 269 

373.  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington,  Feb.  21 269 

374.  John  Adams,  Diary,  Feb.  21 * 270 

375.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  22 270 

376.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Feb.  22 271 

377.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington,  Feb.  22 272 

378.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Feb.  23 273 

379.  John  Hancock  to  Horatio  Gates,  Feb.  23 273 

380.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  24 274 

381.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  25 275 

382.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  25 275 

383.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  26 281 

384.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  26 282 

385.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Feb.  26 284 

386.  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington,  Feb.  26 284 

387.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Feb.  27 285 

388.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  27 286 

389.  James  Wilson  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  28 286 

390.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter,  Feb.  28 286 

391.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Mar.  2 287 


xxxii  Table  of  Contents 

PAGI 

392.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonatlian  'I'niinbiill,  Mar.  4 287 

393.  Mann  PaRe,  jr.,  to  George  Wcedon,  Mar.  S 288 

394.  William  Ivlirry  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Mar.  6 289 

395.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Wasliiiigton,  Mar.  6 290 

396.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Mar.  7 291 

397.  .\l>rahani  Clark  to  l-'.lias  Dayton,  Mar.  7 291 

398.  Abraham  Clark  to  Janus  Calilwcll,  Mar.  7 293 

399.  John  Hancock  to  Mrs.  Hancock,  Mar.  10 293 

400.  Thomas  Rurke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Mar.  11 294 

401.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  York  Delegates,  Mar.  11 296 

402.  I'rancis  Lewis  to  the  New  York  Convention,  Mar.  12 297 

403.  Thomas  lUirke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Mar.  14  (?) 298 

404.  John  .Adams  to  Nathanacl  Greene,  Mar 299 

405.  William  Ellcry  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Mar.   15 301 

406.  Lewis  Morris  to  .Xbraham  Ten  Broeck,  Mar.  16 301 

407.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Mar.  17 302 

408.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Mar.  17 303 

409.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.  Mar.  18 303 

410.  John  Hancock  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Mar.  18 304 

411.  Samuel  Adams  to  Miss  Mercy  Scollay,  Mar.  18 305 

412.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr..  Mar.  20 305 

413.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Mar.  21 307 

414.  Daniel  Robcrdcau  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr..  Mar.  22 307 

415.  James  Lovell  to  John  Trumbull,  Mar.  22 308 

416.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  Mar.  24 310 

417.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Mar.  24 310 

418.  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  the  Commissioners  in  Paris,  Mar.  25.  310 

419.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Mar.  26 3H 

420.  William  EUery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Mar.  30 312 

421.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Mar.  31 313 

422.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Apr.  i 314 

423.  Roger  Sherman  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Apr.  2 314 

424.  John  Hancock  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Apr.  2 316 

425.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Apr.  6 316 

426.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Apr.  6 317 

427.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Apr.  6 318 

428.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Apr.  7 319 

429.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary,  Apr.  8 319 

430.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates,  Apr.  18 320 

431.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Apr.  9 320 

432.  Committee  of  Congress  to  George  Washington,  Apr.  10 322 

433.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington,  Apr.  10 322 

434.  James  Sykes  to  George  Read,  Apr.  10 3^3 

435-  John  Adams  to  ,  Apr.   13 324 

436.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Apr.  15 324 

437.  Massachusetts  Delegates  to  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  (  ?), 

Apr.   16   (?) 326 

438.  John  Adams  to  James  Bowdoin,  Apr.  16 327 

439.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Apr.  16 327 

440.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington,  Apr.  16 328 

441.  Francis  Lewis  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Apr.  17 328 

442.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Apr.  17 329 

443.  Benjamin  Rumsey  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Apr.  17 330 

444.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Apr.  17 330 

445.  William  Duer  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Apr.  17 331 

446.  George  Walton  to  Lachlan  Mcintosh,  Apr.  18 333 

447.  John  Hancock  to  Horatio  Gates,  Apr.  18 333 

448.  Secret  Committee  to  Samuel  and  Robert  Purviance,  Apr.  19 334 

449.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  Apr.  19 334 


Table  of  Contents  xxxiii 

PAGE 

450.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Apr.  19 334 

451.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Apr.  19 335 

452.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Arthur  Lee,  Apr.  20 335 

453.  New  York  Delegates  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Apr.  21 336 

454.  Qiarles  Thomson  to  George  Washington,  Apr.  22 338 

455.  Mann  Page,  jr.,  to  George  Weedon,  Apr.  22 338 

456.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Apr.  22 339 

457.  Samuel  Adams  to  Samuel  Cooper,  Apr.  23 339 

458.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Apr.  23 340 

459.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Joshua  Huntington,  Apr.  24 341 

460.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Apr.  25 341 

461.  Philip  Schuyler  to  Richard  Varick,  Apr.  26 341 

462.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Apr.  27 342 

463.  Maryland  Delegates  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Apr.  28 343 

464.  New  York  Delegates  to  Abraham  Ten  Broeck,  Apr.  29 344 

465.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Apr.  29 345 

466.  John  Hancock  to  Horatio  Gates,  Apr.  29 346 

467.  Philip  Schuyler  to  George  Washington,  Apr.  30 347 

468.  Maryland  Delegates  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  May  i 348 

469.  Robert  Morris  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr..  May  i 349 

470.  Benj  amin  Rumsey  to  Thomas  Johnson,  j  r..  May  i 350 

471.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  May  i 351 

472.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates,  May  i 351 

473.  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs  to  the  Commissioners  at  Paris,  May  2 352 

474.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  May  2 353 

475-  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  May  3 354 

476.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  May  3 355 

477.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  May  3 355 

478.  John  Hancock  to  the  Thirteen  States,  May  5 355 

479.  John  Adams  to  Joseph  Palmer,  May  6 356 

480.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  May  6 356 

481.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett  (  ?),  May  7 357 

482.  WiUiam  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  May  8 357 

483.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention,  May  9 357 

484.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  May  10 359 

485.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon,  May  10 359 

486.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  May  10 359 

487.  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington,  May  11 360 

488.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  May  11 360 

489.  James  Lovell  to  George  Washington,  May  12 361 

490.  Roger  Sherman  to  Oliver  Wolcott,  May  13 361 

491.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  May  14 361 

492.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  May  16 362 

493.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  George  Wjiihe,  May  16 2'^^ 

494.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  May  17 363 

495.  Philip  Schuyler  to  George  Washington,  May  18 364 

496.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  May  20 365 

497.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  May  20 365 

498.  Virginia  Delegates  to  George  Wythe,  May  20 365 

499.  Roger  Sherman  to  Oliver  Wolcott,  May  21 366 

500.  Massachusetts  Delegates  to  James  Warren,  May  21 366 

501.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington,  May  22 368 

502.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates,  May  22 370 

503.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  May  23 370 

504.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,  May  23 371 

505.  William  Paca  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Maryland,  May  24 371 

506.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  May  26 373 

507.  John  Adams  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  May  26 374 

508.  James  Lovell  to  George  Washington,  May  26 375 

3 


xxxiv  Tabic  of  Contents 

PAGE 

509.  Daniel  Rolicrdeaii  to  (leornc  Washinnton.  May  26 376 

510.  Jolin  1  lancock  to  CieorRC  Wasliinntoii,  May  27 376 

511.  William  Ducr  to  Rolit-rt  R.  LiviiiKstoii,  May  28 376 

512.  John  Adams  to  John  Sullivan,  June  .3 378 

513.  Hoard  of  War  to  Horatio  (iates.  Juik-  4 378 

514.  James  Lovcll  to  Joseph  'rnimbull,  June  6 379 

315.     James  Ixtvell  to  Oliver  Wolcott.  June  7 379 

516.  Secret  Committee  to  Oliver  Tollock,  June  12 380 

517.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,  June  19 380 

518.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livinpston,  June  19 381 

519.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler,  June  19 382 

520.  William  Ducr  to  Philip  Schuyler,  June  19 384 

521.  John  Adaius  to  James  Warren.  June  19 386 

522.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  June  24 387 

523.  John  Hancock  to  John  McKinley,  June  25 388 

524.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  LivinRston,  June  26 388 

525.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  June  26 388 

526.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  June  28 389 

527.  Robert  ^To^ris  to  Silas  Deane,  June  29 390 

528.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  June  30 391 

529.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  June 392 

530.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  June  30 394 

531.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  June  30 394 

532.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  July  i 395 

533-     New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,  July  2 396 

534.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  July  2 397 

535.  James  Lovell  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  July  4 398 

536.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  July  5 398 

537-     William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  July  5 399 

538.  Henry  Marchant  to  the  Governor  and  Company  of  Rhode  Island,  July  5-  •  ■  •  40i 

539-     James  Lovell  to  William  W' hippie,  July  7 402 

540.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  July  7 404 

541.  John  Adams  to  Nathanael  Greene.  July  7 404 

542.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  7 405 

543.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  8 407 

544.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  8 408 

545.  John  Hancock  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  8 408 

546.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,  July  8 409 

547.  William  Duer  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  July  9 410 

548.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  9 410 

549.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,  July  10 411 

550.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  11 41 1 

551.  John  Hancock  to  Benedict  Arnold,  July  12 412 

552.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly,  July  14 413 

553.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  July  15 413 

554.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  July  15 414 

555.  John  Hancock  to  Philip  Schuyler,  July  18 415 

556.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  July  21 415 

557.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  July  22 416 

558.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henrj'  Lee,  July  22 417 

559.  James  Lovell  to  George  Washington,  July  24 417 

559A.     Charles  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates,  July  24 421 

559B.     Charles  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates,  July  25 422 

560.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  July  25 423 

560A.     Charles  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates,  July  26 424 

561.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Meshech  Weare,  July  26 426 

562.  Samuel  Adams  to  Paul  Revere,  July  28 427 

562A.     Charles  Thomson,  Notes,  of  Debates,  July  28 427 

563.  William  Duer  to  Philip  Schuyler,  July  29 428 


Tdhle  of  Contents  xxxv 

PAGE 

564.  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,  July  29 429 

565.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  July  29 430 

566.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  July  30 43i 

567.  John  Hancock  to  the  Maryland  Assembly,  July  31 43-2 

568.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  July  31 433 

569.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Aug.  i 434 

570.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Aug  i 435 

571.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Aug.  2 435 

572.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Aug.  2 436 

573.  John  Hancock  to  William  Heath,  Aug.  2 436 

574.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  4 437 

575.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Aug.  5 437 

576.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Aug.  5 438 

577.  George  Walton  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  5 439 

578.  Nathaniel  Folson  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Aug.  5 440 

579.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Aug.  6 440 

580.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  York  Assembly,  Aug.  6 44i 

581.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  7 442 

582.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  8 442 

583.  Henry  Laurens  to  Robert  Howe,  Aug.  7 442 

584.  Henry  Laurens  to  Lachlan  Mcintosh,  Aug.  11 443 

585.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  11 445 

586.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Aug.  12 445 

587.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Aug.  12 449 

588.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  Aug.  12 450 

589.  John  Hancock  to  Horatio  Gates,  Aug.  14 452 

590.  Henry  Laurens  to  William  Thomson,  Aug.  17 452 

591.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Aug.  17 452 

592.  Henry  Marchant  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Aug.  17 453 

593.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  17 453 

594.  James  Lovell  to  WilHam  Whipple,  Aug.  18 454 

595.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Aug.  18 454 

596.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Aug.  19 455 

597.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Aug.  19 455 

598.  George  Frost  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Aug.  19 456 

599.  George  Frost  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Aug.  19 456 

600.  William  Paca  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Aug.  19 457 

601.  Henry  Laurens  to  Joseph  Clay,  Aug.  20 458 

602.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Aug.  20 458 

603.  Benjamin  Harrison  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  20  458 

604.  Roger  Sherman  to  Horatio  Gates,  Aug.  20 459 

605.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Aug.  21 460 

606.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Aug.  21 460 

607.  James  Lovell  to  Oliver  Wolcott,  Aug.  21 460 

608.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  21 463 

609.  New  Hampshire  Delegates  to  Meshech  Weare,  Aug.  22 463 

610.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Aug.  22 464 

61 1.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Aug.  23 465 

612.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Richard  Caswell,  Aug.  23 466 

613.  John  Hancock  to  the  Pennsylvania  Council,  Aug.  23 466 

614.  Henry  Marchant  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Aug.  24 467 

615.  John  Hancock  to  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly,  Aug.  25 467 

616.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Jefiferson,  Aug.  25 468 

617.  Henry  Laurens,  Heads  of  Inquiry  as  to  the  State  of  the  Army,  Aug.  27 469 

618.  Henry  Laurens  to  Lachlan  Mcintosh,  Sept.  i 47i 

619.  New  Hampshire  Delegates  to  Meshech  Weare,  Sept.  2 47i 

620.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Sept.  2 472 

621.  Committee  of  Intelligence  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  2 473 

622.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Sept.  3  (?) 473 


xxxvi  Tabic  of  Contents 

PAGE 

623.  John  Hancock  to  Israel   riitiiani,  Sti)t.  3 474 

624.  Robert  Morris  to  William  \Vliipi)le,  Sei)t.  4 474 

625.  Committee  of  CoiiRress  to  Josei)h  Trumhull.  Sept.  5 475 

6j6.  Joliii  Hancock  to  William  Livingston,  Sept.  5 475 

627.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Sept.  5 476 

628.  Committee  of  Congress  to  Georpe  Washington,  Sept.  6 483 

629.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  0 4^3 

630.  James  Lo\  ell  to  Joseph  Triimhull.  Sept.  7 484 

631.  Kliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  7 485 

632.  James  I^vcll  to  Vicomte  dv  Mauroy,   Sept.  8 486 

633.  Richard   Henry  Lee  to   Patrick   Henry,  Sept.  8 486 

634.  John  .\dams  to  Mrs.  Adams.  Sept.  8 487 

635.  John   1  lancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  9 487 

636.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Sept.  10 488 

637.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  12 492 

638.  John  1  lancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  12 492 

639.  John  Hancock  to  William  Livingston,  Sept.  12 493 

640.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington.  Sept.  13 493 

641.  Samuel  Chase  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Sept.   13 493 

642.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.  Sept.  14 494 

643.  Henry  Laurens  to  George  Galphin,  Sept.  16 494 

644.  Henry  Marchant  to  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly,  Sept.  17 495 

645.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Sept.  17 495 

646.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Sept.  17 406 

647.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell.  Sept.  17 496 

648.  John  Adams,   Diary,   Sept.    18 497 

649.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Sept.  18 497 

650.  John  Adams,  Diary,  Sept.  19 498 

651.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Sept.  20 498 

652.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  22 499 

653.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept  23 500 

654.  I^Ibridge  Gerry  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  24 500 

655.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  25 501 

656.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  William  Wilkinson,  Sept.  25 501 

657.  Jolin  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  26 502 

658.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Richard  Caswell,  Sept.  27 502 

659.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Sept.  28 502 

660.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Sept.  30 503 

661.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Sept.  30 504 

662.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Sept.  30 504 

663.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Oct.  i 505 

664.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Oct.  2 505 

665.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Council,  Oct.  3 506 

666.  James  Duane  to  George  Qinton,  Oct.  3 506 

667.  John  Penn  to  Richard  Caswell,  Oct.  5 507 

668.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris,  Oct.  5  507 

669.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Oct.  5 507 

670.  James  Duane  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  j  r.,  Oct.  5 508 

671.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates,  Oct.  5 508 

672.  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs  to  the  Commissioners  in  Paris,  Oct.  6 509 

^73-  John  Hancock  to  John  Nixon.  Oct.  6 5" 

674.  Richard  Henr>-  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Oct.  8 5" 

675.  John  Hancock  to  the  Massachusetts  Council,  Oct.  8 512 

676.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Oct.  8 512 

677.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Oct.  9 512 

678.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Oct.  9 5^3 

679.  Samuel  Chase  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Oct.  10 5^3 

680.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Richard  Caswell,  Oct.  10 5^4 

681.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Laurens,  Oct.  10 5i4 


Table  of  Contents  xxxvii 

pact: 

682.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Oct.  10 516 

683.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Oct.  11 .Si? 

684.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  John  Sullivan,  Oct.  11 5i7 

685.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  12 518 

686.  Thomas  Burke  to  John  Sullivan,  Oct.  12 5I9 

687.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Oct.  14 52i 

688.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  14 52i 

689.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Laurens,  Oct.  16 521 

690.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Oct.  16 522 

691.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Oct.  16 522 

692.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Hall  and  Sellers,  Oct.  17 523 

693.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  17 523 

694.  John  Harvie  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  Oct.  17 524 

69s.    John  Hancock  to  Mrs.  Hancock,  Oct.  18 524 

696.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Oct.  18 524 

697.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Oct.  19 525 

698.  Henry  Laurens  to  Robert  Howe,  Oct.  20 525 

699.  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  Richard  Caswell,  Oct.  20 526 

700.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  20 527 

701.  William  Williams  to  Jabez  Huntington,  Oct.  22 529 

702.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  John  Sullivan,  Oct.  23 530 

703.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Oct.  24 530 

704.  Henry  Marchant  to  Nicholas  Cooke,  Oct.  24 53i 

705.  Committee  of  Congress  to  Jasper  Yeates,  Oct.  24 53i 

706.  Committee  of  Congress  to  Edward  Hand,  Oct.  24 532 

707.  Committee  of  Congress  to  ,  Oct.  24 533 

708.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Oct.  25 533 

709.  John  Hancock  to  George  Washington,  Oct.  25 534 

710.  John  Hancock  to  Thomas  Jefferson,  Oct.  25 534 

711.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Oct.  25 535 

712.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Meshech  Weare,  Oct.  27 535 

713.  John  Adams  to  Mrs  Adams,  Oct.  28 535 

714.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Oct.  28 536 

715.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Oct.  29 536 

716.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Oct.  30 537 

717.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Edward  Hand,  Oct.  30 537 

718.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Josiah  Bartlett,  Oct.  30 538 

719.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Timothy  Matlack,  Nov.  i 538 

720.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Mifflin,  Nov.  2 539 

721.  Board  of  War  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  2 539 

722.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple,  Nov.  3 540 

723.  Roger  Sherman  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Nov.  3 540 

724.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Nov.  4 54i 

725.  Thomas  Burke  to  Richard  Caswell,  Nov.  4 542 

726.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Nov.  4 542 

727.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Nov.  4 544 

728.  Henry  Laurens  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  5 545 

729.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  5 546 

730.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  5 546 

731.  William  Duer  to  George  Clinton,  Nov.  9 546 

732.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Nov.  10 547 

7ZZ-     Cornelius  Harnett  to  Thomas  Burke,  Nov.  13 547 

734.  Henry  Laurens  to  George  Washington,  Nov.   13 548 

735.  Pennsylvania  Delegates  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Nov.  13 550 

72>^.    Henry  Laurens  to  Israel  Putnam,  Nov.  14 55i 

727-    Henry  Laurens  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  14 551 

738.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams,  Nov.  15 552 

739.  Thomas  Burke,  Notes  on  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  Nov.  15 552 

740.  Thomas  Burke,  Remarks  concerning  the  Confederation,  Nov.  15 556 


xxxviii  Table  of  Contents 

PACK 

741.  Henry  I-aurens  to  Jolm  Lewis  ncrvais,  Nov.  18 558 

742.  Jonathan  Ehncr  to  William  Maxwell,  Nov.  18 558 

743.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Nov.  IQ 559 

744.  Henry  Laurens  tn  (icorne  WashinRton,   Nov.   IQ 559 

745.  John  Penn  to  William  Woodford,  Nov.  ly 560 

746.  Daniel  Robcrdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Nov.  19 560 

747.  Cornelius  I  lamett  to  Thomas  Hurke,  Nov.  20 562 

748.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  GeorRe  Washington,  Nov.  20 563 

741).     Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Meshech  Weare,  Nov.  21 564 

749.'\.     Commercial  Conmiittec  to  Kdward  Hand,  Nov.  21 565 

750.  James  Duane  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety.  Nov.  21 566 

751.  I  lenry  Laurens  to  GeorRC  Washington,  Nov.  22 567 

752.  Henry  Laurens  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  23  5^8 

753.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams,  Nov.  23 568 

754.  Richard  I  lenry  Lee  to  Meshech  Weare,  Nov.  24 569 

755.  Henrj'  Laurens  to  Richard  Caswell,  Nov.  25 570 

756.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  27 570 

757.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Nov.  27 571 

758.  Henry  I-aurens  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  28 572 

759.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Nov.  28 573 

760.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Nov.  28 574 

761.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Nov.  28 575 

762.  Henry  Laurens  to  Horatio  Gates,  Nov.  29 576 

763.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Laurens,  Nov.  30 577 

764.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke.  Nov.  30 577 

765.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  W^illiam  Wilkinson,  Nov.  30 578 

766.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Rutledge,  Dec.  i 578 

767.  Henry  Laurens  to  Robert  Treat  Paine,  Dec.  3 580 

768.  James  Lovell  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Dec.  8 581 

769.  James  Lovell  to  John  .'Kdams,  Dec.  8 582 

770.  James  Lovell  to  Samuel  Adams,  Dec.  8 5^3 

771.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Thomas  Burke,  Dec.  8 583 

772.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  William  Wilkinson,  Dec.  8 583 

773.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Dec.  8 584 

774.  Committee  of  Congress  to  George  Washington,  Dec.  10 585 

774A.     Henry  Laurens  to  the  Continental  Congress,  Dec.  12 586 

775.  William  Ellery  to  Nicholas  Cooke.  Dec.  14 587 

776.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Dec.  15 587 

777.  James  Duane  to  Horatio  Gates,  Dec    16 590 

778.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Dec.  16 590 

779.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  to  George  Bryan,  Dec.  19 591 

780.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  to  George  Bryan,  Dec.  19 592 

781.  Henry  Laurens  to  Philip  Schuyler,  Dec.  20 592 

782.  James  Lovell  to  Samuel  Adams,  Dec.  20 593 

783.  Abraham  Clark  to  Lord  Stirling.  Dec.  20 594 

784.  E[bridge  Gerrj-  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  21 594 

785.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Dec.  22 595 

786.  Henry  Laurens  to  William  Heath,  Dec.  23 595 

787.  William  Ellery  to  William  Whipple,  Dec 596 

788.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Dec.  24 596 

789.  Henry  Laurens  to  James  Duane,  Dec.  24 597 

790.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.,  Dec.  26 597 

791.  Henry  Laurens  to  William  Heath,  Dec.  27 S98 

792.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  George  Bryan,  Dec.  29 600 

793.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais,  Dec.  30 601 

794.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Thomas  W^harton,  jr.,  Dec.  30 603 

795.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Thomas  Johnson,  jr.,  Dec.  31 . 604 

Index     605 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS. 

CONNECTICUT. 
Andrew  Adams. 

Elected:   Oct.  ii,  1777- 
Did  not  attend  in  1777. 

Eliplialet  Dyer.  ,    ..,  ,        ,      ^r  •  ^a 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.);  Oct.  10,  1776  ("for  the  Year  ensuing:  and 
untill  new  be  chosen")  ;  Oct.  11,  I777  ("  for  the  year  ensuing,  and 
until  new  be  chosen  and  arrive  in  Congress,  if  sitting  ").' 
Attended:   June  25  to  Dec.  31,  1777.  j 

Oliver  Ellsworth. 

Elected:   Oct.  11,  1777- 
Did  not  attend  in  1777. 
Titus  H  osftier 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Oct.  12,  1775;  Oct.  11,  i777- 
Did  not  attend  in  1776  or  1777. 
Samuel  Huntington.  ^    ^  . 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Oct.  12,  1775  I  Oct.  io»  ^77^'  Oct.  n,  i777  (see 

under  Dyer). 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  (near  the  end),  1776. 

Huntington  received  committee  appointments  Oct.  17,  but  had  gone  home  before 
Nov.  6   (see  nos.  193.  215).     He  was  in  Connecticut  Nov.   13   (Force    Am 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  665),  and  although  expected  in  early  December  he  did 
not  return  (see  nos.  222,  n.  2,  244,  260,  459,  n.  3). 
Richard  Law. 

Elected:   Oct.  10,  1776. 

Attended:  June  25  to  Dec.  3,  i777-  ,  .    .  ^  .i.  .  u    .    u  u- 

Law  obtained  leave  of  absence  Dec.  3.  and  it  is  presumed  that  he  took  his 

departure  that  day  (see  note  under  Williams). 

A  few  days  after  Law's  appearance  in  Congress  he  gave  his  adherence  to  the 

resolution  of  secrecy,  which  had  been  adopted  Nov   9,  I775,  and  signed  by 

members  from  time  to  time  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  note  2).    The  document  signed 

bv  Law  was  not,  however,  the  original  copy  to  which  previous  signatures  had 

been  appended,  but  a  new  copy  which  Secretary  Thomson  had  made  (June  2», 

1777)     including  the  names  of  all  previous   signers,   the  last  being  George 

Frost  who  had  signed  the  resolution  some  time  in  the  month  of  June.    Law  s 

signature   was  doubtless  the  first  to  be  placed   on  the  new  copy,  that   ot 

Nathaniel  Folsom  being  on  the  same  line  with  it.  and  followed  by  the  date 

July  21,  1777.    For  an  account  of  this  document  see  J.  C.  Fitzpatnck,  in  Am. 

Hist.  Rev.,  XXVII.  489. 

Roger  Sherman.  ^    ^  ^   ,,    ,^^_ 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Oct.  12,  1775:  Oct.  10,  1776;  Oct.  11.  i777- 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  8.  1776;  Jan.  2  to  July  2,  1777- 

Sherman  was  appointed  Sept.  20  on  a  committee,  with  Gerry  and  Lewis,  to  go 

to  headquarters,  and  was  absent  Sept.  21-30.    The  committee  mention  in  their 

report  {Journajs,  Oct.  3)  that  they  left  Philadelphia  Sept.  21,  and  as  both 

Sherman  and  Gerry  were  appointed  on  another  committee  Oct.  i,  it  is  presumed 

thev  had  returned  Sept.  30.    (See  also  the  Journals,  Oct.  25,  where  the  expense 

account  mentions  "  ten  days  ".)     Wolcott  writes  Oct.  8 :.  "  Mr.  Sherman  goes 

home  for  a  short  visit"    (no.  222,  n.  2).     Sherman  himself  says,  Man  20 

1777  (no  412)  :   "The  day  before  I  went  home  Congress  agreed  to  augment 

the  Pay  of  the  Regimental  Officers"  (see  the  Journals,  Oct.,7).    In  the  sa^e 

letter  he  says,  "I  arrived  at  Baltimore  the  2d  of  January    .     The  Journals 


1  The  terms  of  election  apply  to  all  members  elected  at  the  same  time,  unless  otherwise 
stated. 


XXXIX 


xl  List  of  Members 

record  his  attendance  Jan.  3,  1777.  lie  obtained  leave  of  absence  June  30, 
and  took  l)is  dcpartiirr  July  2  (no.  537;  cf.  no.  533).  Althouf.,'!)  bis  return 
shortly  was  cxpi-cted  (see  no.  537),  he  does  not  ai)i)ear  to  have  attended  a^ain 
in  1777.  The  "  .Mution  from  Connecticut  ".  in  the  writing;  of  Sherman, 
reconUd  in  the  Journals  under  Nov.  15  (p.  927),  was  doubtless  pre|)ared  at  an 
earlier  date.  The  passase  in  the  report  presented  Nov.  19,  stated  (p.  941) 
to  be  in  Sherman's  writintf,  is,  instead,  in  the  writing  of  Eliphalet  Dyer. 
ll'Uliam  ll'illiaiiis. 

l-'lected:    (See  vol.  I.)  :  (^ct.  u,  1775:  Oct.  10,  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  July  30  (?)  to  Nov.  12,  1776;  June  25  to 
Dec.  3,  1777. 
Williams  says  in  his  letter  of  .-Xur.  12  (no.  7^)  tliat  he  reached  Philadelphia 
"near  the  last  of  July".  He  siRncd  the  resolution  of  secrecy  July  30  (sec 
vol.  I.,  no.  3O3,  n.  2).  Wolcott  says  in  a  letter  to  his  wife,  Nov.  12,  "This 
goes  by  Col  Williams  who  is  returning  home"  (Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver 
Wolcott  Papers,  II.  24)  ;  and  in  his  letter  to  Griswold  Nov.  18  (no.  215)  he 
says:  "Col  Williams  returned  the  13th  int."  Williams  rendered  an  account 
for  attendance  in  Congress  from  July  22  to  Nov.  21,  1776,  123  days.  These 
are  the  dates  of  his  departure  from  his  home  and  his  return  (sec  Mass.  Hist. 
Soc,  Proceedings,  second  sen,  III.  375).  He  was  in  Lebanon  July  18  (letter 
copied  from  the  original  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Hcnkels),  and  in 
Hartford  July  22,  for  he  on  that  day  answered  a  letter  of  Titus  Hosmer 
dated  June  27  (sec  no.  491,  n.  4).  His  return  to  Congress  June  25,  1777,  is 
recorded  in  the  Journals.  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  Dec.  3  {cf.  no.  759)- 
Oliver  Wolcott. 

Elected:  (See  vol.  I.);  Oct.  12,  1775;  Oct.  10,  1776;  Oct.  11,  1777. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Oct.  i,  1776,  to  May  2,  1777. 

Wolcott's  first  appearance  in  the  Journals  is  Nov.  8,  but  a  letter  to  his  wife 
Oct.  I  says  :  "  This  morning  I  arrived  safe  in  this  City  "  {Memorial  of  Henry 
Wolcott,  p.  165 ;  see  also  no.  222).  He  appears  to  have  attended  consecutively 
until  May  2,  1777,  when  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  (see  the  Journals).  He 
rendered  an  account  for  attendance  from  Jan.  4  to  July  4,  1776  (see  vol.  I.), 
and  from  Sept.  24,  1776,  to  May  12,  1777  (see  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Proceedings, 
second  sen.  III.  374).  May  12  was  the  date  of  his  arrival  at  his  home  in 
Connecticut  (see  his  letter  of  May  13,  to  William  Ellery,  Emmet  Coll.,  no. 
2435). 

DELAWARE. 
John  Dickinson. 

Elected:    Nov.  8,  1776  (superseded  Feb.  22,  1777). 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.,  under  Pennsylvania).  He  did  not  attend  as  a 
delegate  from  Delaware  either  in  1776  or  1777. 
Prior  to  July  4,  1776,  Dickinson  had  served  as  a  delegate  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  he  was  not  superseded  in  that  delegation  until  July  20  (see  under  Penn- 
sylvania). Jan.  20.  1777,  Dickinson  wrote  to  George  Read  that  ill  health 
and  other  reasons  had  prevented  him  from  taking  his  seat  in  Congress,  and 
asked  to  be  relieved  {Life  of  Read,  p.  253).  Feb.  22  Nicholas  Van  Dyke  and 
James  Sykes  w^ere  chosen  in  the  places  of  Dickinson  and  John  Evans,  who  had 
also  asked  to  be  relieved. 
John  Evans. 

Elected:   Nov.  8,  1776  (superseded  Feb.  22,  1777). 

Did  not  attend. 

Evans  wrote  to  George  Read,  Jan.  6.  1777,  that  his  health  would  not  permit  him 
to  attend  Congress  and  asked  to  be  relieved  {Ufe  of  Read,  p.  251 ;  see  also 
ibid.,  p.  222).    Feb.  22  both  Evans  and  Dickinson  were  reheved  and  Nicholas 
Van  Dyke  and  James  Sykes  were  chosen  in  their  stead. 
Thomas  McKcan. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  1.)  ;  Oct.  21.  1775;  Dec.  17,  1777. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5-11  (?),  1776;  Sept.  25  to  Oct.  13  (or 

later),  1776. 

It  is  very  uncertain  whether  McKean  attended  Congress  after  July  4  until  Sept. 

25.     The  Journals  contain  no  definite   record  of   his   presence  during  that 

period ;  and  he  himself  stated  in  his  letter  to  Caesar  A.  Rodney  in  September, 


List  of  Members  xli 

1813 :  "  I  WBS  not  in  Congress  after  the  4th  for  some  months,  having  marched 
with  my   regiment  of  associators  of   this  city,  as   Colonel"    (see   vol.   I.,  p. 
535).     He  was,  however,  in  Philadelphia  July  5  and  served  as  chairman  of  a 
conference  with  the  Pennsylvania  committee  of  safety,  etc.,  authorized  by 
Congress  July  4,   and  a  report  of   this  conference,   prepared   by   him.   was 
presented  to  Congress  July  5.     Another  report  prepared  by  him  was  brought 
in  July  11;  yet  this  report  (the  committee,  Read  and  McKean,  was  appointed 
June  4)  may  have  been  drawn  up  prior  to  July  5  and  have  been  presented 
by  his  associate  on  the  committee.    McKean  was  in  Philadelphia  from  Sunday 
night,  Aug.  25,  to  Tuesday  morning,  Aug.  27,  but  there  is  no  evidence  that  he 
attended  Congress.     In  the  letter  to  A.  J.  Dallas,  Sept.  26,   1796,  McKean 
says  that  he  returned  to  Congress  in  October  (see  vol.  I.,  p.  533)  ;  although 
in  the  letter  to  Caesar  A.  Rodney,  already  referred  to,  he  is  somewhat  less 
definite.     In  fact,  he  must  have  returned  immediately  after  the  adjournment 
of  the  Delaware  convention;   for   he  was   given   a  committee  appointment 
Sept.  25,  and  another  Sept.  27.    He  must  have  remained  at  least  until  Oct.  13, 
for  his  name  is  appended  to  a  letter  of  the  secret  committee  of  that  date 
(Continental    Congress,   Miscellaneous).      One   might    infer    from    Rodneys 
letter  of  Oct.  2   (see  under  Read)   that  he  was  at  that  time  alone  in  the 
delegation ;  but  in  earlier  letters  Rodney  had  spoken  of  the  requirement  that 
two  delegates  be  present  in  Congress  to  give  the  state  representation.     In  a 
letter  to  Thomas  Rodney,  Sept.  12,  he  says :    "  When  Mr.  Read  went  to  New. 
castle  he  prevailed  on  me  to  stay  in  Congress,  and  that  he  would  get  the 
Convention  to  give  a  power  to  one  Member  to  Act,  so  that  our  Government 
might  be  Represented  by  me  alone,  till  the  Convention  should  Rise.  I  mentioned 
this  to  Mr.  McKean  who  directly  declared  they  should  make  no  appointments 
of  Delegates,  nor  even  alter  the  powers  Given  them,  least  they  (meaning  the 
Convention)    should  plead  this  as  a  precedent  for  giving  into  some  other 
appointments,    which    they    were    not    Authorized   to    do   by    their    Choice 
(Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1236,  item  87).     In  his  letter  of  Aug.  28,  in  which 
he  makes  a  similar  statement,  he  mentions  that  the  conversation  occurred 
\  during  McKean's  hurried  visit  to  Philadelphia  Aug.  25-27,  and  adds :        He 

says,  for  his  part,  he  is  tired  of  attending  the  Congress;  but  is  determined 
they  the  Deleware  convention  shall  turn  him  nor  no  one  else  out;  that  if 
they  are  determined  to  do  those  things  by  the  strength  of  their  majority,  he 
will  try  the  strength  of  the  country  with  them,  even  at  the  risk  of  the  Court- 
House"  (Force,  Atn.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1192).  In  the  election  which  shortly 
took  place  (by  the  council,  Nov.  8,  concurred  in  by  the  assembly  Nov.  9) 
representation  by  one  delegate  was  authorized;  but  both  McKean  and 
Rodney  were  left  out  Whether  McKean  remained  for  any  length  of  time 
after  Oct.  13  is  uncertain.  A  statement  of  Hooper,  Nov.  8  (no.  199),  that 
Delaware  had  "  for  some  time  past "  been  unrepresented,  is  understood  to 
mean  that  no  delegates  from  Delaware  had  been  present  for  some  time  {cf. 
no  215).  On  the  other  hand,  from  a  letter  of  Caesar  Rodney  to  Col.  Samuel 
Patterson,  Nov.  18  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  745),  wherein  Rodney 
mentions  that  he  had  sent  some  articles  "  to  the  care  of  Thomas  McKean,  Esq., 
in  Philadelphia  ",  it  is  possible  to  infer  that  McKean  had  quite  recently  been 
in  attendance  at  Congress.  At  all  events,  the  election  of  Nov.  8,  1776,  brought 
his  attendance  to  a  close  {cf.  his  letters  to  George  Read,  Sept.  26,  Dec.  6,  1777, 
in  Life  of  Read,  pp.  278,  287)  until  the  new  election,  Dec.  17,  I777,  when  he 
was  again  chosen  a  delegate.  (He  took  his  seat  in  Congress  Jan.  30,  I77».) 
The  statement  that  he  "  served  in  Congress  from  its  opening  till  the  peace 
(see  Appleton,  Cyclo.  of  Am.  Biog.)  is  therefore  incorrect. 
George  Read. 

Elected :    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Oct.  21,  1775  ;  Nov.  8,  1776. 

Attended  :    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  (?)  to  Aug.  24  (  ?),  1776 ;  Dec.  2-12  (  ?), 

1776 ;  Mar.  12  to  Apr.  4  (?)  I  Apr.  25  (or  earlier)  to  May (  ?)  ; 

Sept.  9  (or  earlier)-i8,  1777. 
Besides  two  committee  appointments,  July  15,  the  Journals  contain  no  record 
of  Read's  attendance  in  1776  after  July  4-  There  are  other  evidences,  however, 
that  he  was  in  attendance  most  if  not  all  the  time  until  about  Aug.  24.  His 
name  is  appended  to  a  letter  of  the  marine  committee,  Aug.  6  (Force,  Am. 
Arch  fifth  ser.,  I.  784),  and  Rodney's  letter  of  Aug.  8  indicates  that  he  was 
in  Congress  at  that  time  (see  no.  58,  note  6).  Rodney's  letter  of  Aug.  21  (no. 
90,  note  2)'  states  that  Read  was  going  to  the  convention,  and  the  letter  of 


xlii  List  of  Members 

Autj.  -8  indicates  tliat  lie  had  already  ^onc  {ibid.;  see  the  letters  in  Am. 
Arch.).  Read  was  nuide  president  of  the  Delaware  cunventiDii,  which  met 
at  New  Castle  Aug.  27-Sept.  21.  lie  was  evidently  expected  to  return  to 
ConRress  w^on  the  adjuurnineiit  of  the  convention,  for  (Taesar  Rodney  wrote 
to  Tlioinas  Rodney,  Oct.  _• :  "  Mr.  Read  is  not  yet  come  up.  However,  I  shall 
set  out  for  Kent  on  Saturday  or  Sunday  at  farthest,  whether  he  comes  or 
not"  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  840).  lie  does  not  ai)i)ear  however  to 
have  returned  until  Dec.  2,  when  he  presented  his  credentials  of  Nov.  8 
(Journals).  Numerous  letters  to  him  as  late  as  Nov.  2$  indicate  that  he  was 
diiriiiK  this  period  either  at  New  Castle  or  WilminKton  (l-ife,  pp.  195-216; 
cf.  nos.  ny),  -'15).  A  letter  from  Read  to  Robert  Morris,  Nov.  5,  is  dated  at 
New  Castle,  and  a  letter  from  u  committee  of  Congress,  Nov.  25,  is  addressed 
to  him  there.  On  the  other  hand,  a  letter  from  Col.  Samuel  Patterson  (who 
kept  in  close  communiaition  with  Read),  written  from  Brunswick,  Nov.  30, 
is  addressed  to  him  "at  Congress"  (ibid.,  p.  216;  cf.  ibid.,  pp.  217,  218,  220; 
sec  also  no.  236).  lie  remained,  presumably,  until  Congress  adjourned  from 
Philadelphia;  but  he  did  not  follow  it  to  Baltimore  (see  Life,  p.  223).  His 
next  appearance  in  the  Journal.^  is  Mar.  12,  upon  the  return  of  Congress  to 
Philadelphia  (cf.  nos.  304,  ^^27,  ^^2,  401  ;  also  Life,  pp.  251-250).  He  may  have 
remained  until  James  Sykes  took  his  scat,  Apr.  4,  but  certainly  not  longer  (see 
ibid.,  pp.  259-262;  also  no.  434).  He  was  evidently  absent  Mar.  17  and  18 
(see  the  Journals).  He  appears  to  have  responded  to  the  appeal  of  Sykes 
(Apr.  10,  no.  434),  for  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee  Apr.  25  (to  confer 
with  the  president  and  council  of  Delaware  at  Wilmington),  which  made  a 
report  Apr.  29.  Read  doubtless  returned  to  Philadelphia  with  the  other 
members  of  the  committee  (see  nos.  462,  465)  ;  but  he  was  not  in  attendance 
May  13  (see  no.  490).  He  resumed  his  seat  in  Congress  at  some  time  between 
Aug.  27  and  Sept.  9  (there  is  no  record  of  yeas  and  nays  between  these  dates), 
for  he  is  recorded  as  voting  Sept.  9,  10,  11,  and  16,  and  James  Lovell  records 
his  presence  Sept.  17  (no.  645).  Upon  the  adjournment  of  Congress  to  Lan- 
caster, Sept.  18,  Read  remained  in  Philadelphia  until  Sept.  26,  when  he  made 
his  way  to  Delaware  (see  liis  Life,  pp.  275,  279). 
Caesar  Rodney. 

Elected  :   (See  vol.  I)  ;  Oct.  21,  1775  ;  Dec.  17,  1777. 

Attended :    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  6,  1776. 

The  Journals  and  Rodney's  letters  show  that  he  attended  Congress  consecutively 
during  the  period  indicated.  (In  addition  to  the  items  in  these  volumes  see 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  169,  740,  944,  II.  510;  also  a  letter  to  Col. 
John  Haslet,  Sept.  12,  in  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1236,  item  87.)  In  the  letter 
of  Oct.  6  (no.  160)  he  says :  "  I  Set  out  this  day  for  Kent,  and  don't  intend 
to  return  to  Congress  soon  again,  at  least  not  in  the  present  Reign.  .  .  .  P.  S. 
Don't  suppose  from  what  I  said  They  have  left  me  out  of  Congress.  They 
have  not"  (cf.  a  letter  of  Nov.  3  to  John  Capley,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1613). 
Nevertheless  he  was  not  included  in  the  election  of  Nov.  8. 
James  Sykes. 

Elected:    Feb.  22,  1777. 

Attended:   Apr.  4-18  (or  later  ?),  1777. 

The  Journals  record  that  Sykes  took  his  seat  Apr.  4,  hut  his  letter  of  Apr.  10 
(no.  434)  and  a  committee  appointment  Apr.  18  are  the  only  other  indications 
of  his  attendance.  Indeed  he  may  not  have  tarried  until  Apr.  18,  for  in  his 
letter  of  Apr.  10  he  declared  that  he  would  not  remain  alone,  and  the  com- 
mittee of  Apr.  18  consisted  of  a  member  from  each  state.  He  wa.s  not  in 
attendance  May  13  (see  no.  490).  In  a  letter  to  George  Read,  Dec.  6,  1777, 
McKean  expresses  the  hope  that  Sykes  would  attend  (Life  of  Read,  p.  287), 
but  there  is  no  evidence  that  he  did  so. 
Nicholas  Van  Dyke. 

Elected:   Feb.  22,  1777;  Dec.  17,  1777. 

Attended:   June  2  to  Aug.  15  (or  later),  1777- 

In  a  letter  to  George  Read.  Apr.  7,  1777  (Life  of  Read,  p.  260),  Van  Dyke  indi- 
cated that  he  might  attend  Congress  "  the  first  of  the  week  after  next " ; 
but  it  was  not  until  June  2  that  he  took  his  seat  (Journals).  He  signed  the 
pledge  of  secrecy  probably  June  5,  for  his  name  follows  next  after  that  of 
William  Duer,  to  which  that  date  is  appended  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  note  2). 
He  was  present  and  voting  as  late  as  Aug.  14,  and  Delaware  is  not  recorded 


List  of  Members  xliii 

among  the  absentees  Aug.  15  (see  the  record  of  absentee  states  in  the 
(Jourtials).  As  the  next  record  of  the  yeas  and  nays,  Aug.  22,  does  not 
inchide  the  name  of  Van  Dyke,  he  must  have  taken  his  departure  at  some  time 
between  Aug.  15  and  22. 

GEORGIA. 
Nathan  Broiimson. 

Elected:   Oct.  9,  1776  (for  the  year  ensuing)  ;  June  7,  1777. 

Attended:  Jan.  3  (or  earlier)  to  May  i,  1777;  Aug.  23  to  Oct.  9,  1777. 
The  first  positive  record  of  Brownson's  presence  in  Congress  is  of  a  committee 
appointment  Jan.  3,  1777 ;  but  it  is  probable  that  it  was  he  who  brought  the 
Georgia  credentials  presented  in  Congress  Dec.  20,  1776.  The  Journals 
record  that  the  delegates  from  Georgia  (without  naming  them)  presented 
the  credentials  of  their  reappointment  (see  under  Hall  and  Walton),  and 
nowhere  mention  the  first  attendance  of  Brownson.  In  addition  to  the 
evidences  of  the  Journals  it  is  to  be  noted  that  Brownson  signed  the  resolution 
of  secrecy  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  n.  2)  Feb.  4,  1777,  and  a  letter  of  the  marine 
committee  Feb.  5  (Library  of  Congress,  Accession  no.  2605)  ;  also  that  John 
Adams  mentions  him  as  one  of  a  supper  party  Feb.  16  (Diary,  Works,  II, 
434).  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  May  i,  and  was  the  bearer  of  a  letter 
from  John  Adams  to  James  Warren  May  2  (see  IV arren- Adams  Letters, 
I.  321).  His  name  next  appears  in  the  Journals  (in  the  yeas  and  nays) 
Aug.  23,  and  that  was  probably  the  day  when  he  resumed  his  seat ;  for  he  was 
evidently  absent  Aug.  11  (see  nos.  584,  585,  where  it  is  indicated  that  only 
Walton  of  the  Georgia  delegates  was  present),  and  he  is  not  recorded  as  voting 
Aug.  14  or  22.  From  that  time  until  Oct.  9  he  appears  to  have  been  in  constant 
attendance.  He  was  one  of  the  party  of  delegates  who,  on  the  journey  to 
Lancaster,  signed  a  document  at  Bethlehem,  Sept.  22  (see  no.  652,  n.  2).  At 
the  expiration  of  the  delegation  year  (Oct.  9)  he  probably  had  not  learned 
that  he  had  been  re-elected  June  7,  1777,  for  it  was  not  until  Nov.  17  that  the 
new  credentials  were  produced  in  Congress  (see  under  Langworthy  and 
Wood).  The  remarks  of  Thomas  Burke  in  nos.  380,  384,  and  503  concerning 
a  Georgia  delegate  evidently  appertain  to  Brownson,  as  Hall  had  left  Congress 
in  February,  and  Burke  himself,  in  the  last  of  the  letters  referred  to, 
eliminates  Walton,  who  is  mentioned  as  having  been  absent  on  the  occasions 
to  which  he  had  referred.  Furthermore,  he  remarks  that  the  delegate 
to  whom  he  alluded  was  "  by  birth  a  Connecticut  man  ",  a  characterization 
which  could  apply  only  to  Brownson  and  Hall.  (C.  C.  Jones,  jr.,  remarks, 
in  Biographical  Sketches  of  the  Delegates  from  Georgia  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  p.  11:  "We  are  not  informed  of  what  colony  he  was  a 
native  " ;  but  see  Dexter,  Yale  Biographies,  II.  690 ;  also  Adams's  letter  of 
May  2,  mentioned  above.) 
Archibald  Bulloch. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Feb.  2,  1776  (for  the  term  of  nine  months). 

Did  not  attend  in  1776. 
Button  Gwinnett. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Feb.  2,  1776  (for  the  term  of  nine  months)  ; 
Oct.  9,  1776  (for  the  year  ensuing). 

Attended :    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Aug.  2  (  ?),  1776. 

Gwinnett  is  recorded  by  John  Adams  as  taking  part  in  the  debates  July  26  (see 
the  Journals,  VI.  1077),  but  the  Journals  mention  his  absence  Aug.  2.  Inas- 
much as  he  signed  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  could  not  have  signec 
it  earlier  than  Aug.  2,  he  must  have  taken  his  departure  that  day.  _  He  was  at 
all  events  in  North  Carolina  about  Aug.  17  on  his  way  to  Georgia  (McRee, 
Life  of  Iredell,  I.  331),  and  was  in  Georgia  at  the  end  of  the  month  (C.  C. 
Jones,  jr.,  Biographical  Sketches,  p.  51). 
Lyman  Hall. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Feb.  2,  1776  (for  the  term  of  nine  months)  ; 
Oct.  9,  1776  (for  the  ensuing  year)  ;  June  7,  1777. 

Attended  :   (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Nov.  2,  1776 :  Dec.  20.  1776,  to  Feb.  11 
(or  later),  1777. 


xliv  List  of  Members 

The  nine  months'  term  of  the  Georgia  delegates  (Hall  and  Walton)  having 
expired  Nov.  2,  they  retired  from  Congress,  but  waited  in  Philadelphia  for 
new  credentials  (see  nos.  I<>Q,  J15).  Nevertheless  ILtM  coiitiiuicd  to  act 
with  the  committee  of  Sept.  25,  for  he  signed  a  letter  of  the  committee  Nov.  4 
(Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  f.  409,  the  same  committee 
from  whom  emanated  the  letter  of  Oct.  7,  in  Force,  Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II. 
Q25,  III.  248).  Information  of  their  re-election  had  reached  them  Dec.  10  (see 
no.  240).  and  on  the  strength  of  this  Walton  attended  Dec.  12  (the  day  of 
adjournment  from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore).  Dec.  20  (the  day  Congress  met 
at  Baltimore)  the  new  credentials  were  i)roduccd,  and  it  is  presumed  that  both 
Mall  and  Walton  (and  probably  also  Nathan  Brownson)  were  in  attendance. 
At  all  events.  Hall  was  in  attendance  Dec.  25,  for  Oliver  Wolcott  wrote  to  his 
wife  on  that  day:  "  I  am  conveniently  Situated  in  this  Place  and  I^dge  with  a 
couple  of  Friends.  Dr.  Hall  formerly  of  Connecticut  and  Mr.  Fllery  of  R 
Island  "  (Conn.  Hist.  Soc.  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  II.  29).  In  the  Journals  for 
1777  Hall's  name  appears  but  three  times,  and  in  these  three  instances  (com- 
nnttee  appointments  Jan.  20,  Feb.  4,  5)  "  Mr.  Hall  "  is  interpreted  by  the  editor 
of  the  Journals  as  l)cing  John  Hall  of  Maryland.  John  Hall  was  not  a  member 
of  Congress  in  1777.  From  Nov.  12,  1776,  to  Feb.  4.  1777,  he  was  in  the  Mary- 
land Council  of  Safety  (see  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  438,  440,  XVI.  82,  85,  92,  100, 
184).  The  remark  of  Harrison  (no.  295),  "  My  compliments  to  Walton  ...  I 
have  a  wish  that  his  country  was  represented,  but  alas  it  is  not  ",  is  probably 
to  be  understood  as  indicating  the  absence  of  Lyman  Hall  at  the  time  (Jan.  8). 
Certainly  Brownson  was  present  (he  received  committee  appointments  Jan.  3 
and  0)  :  and  both  Brownson  and  Hall  must  have  been  present  about  Jan.  19, 
for  Samuel  Chase  speaks  (no.  318)  of  the  "delegates".  In  any  case,  Harri- 
son appears  to  have  been  in  error  in  stating  that  Georgia  was  not  represented, 
inasmuch  as  one  delegate  had  the  power  to  represent  the  state  (see  the 
credentials  of  Feb.  2,  1776,  in  the  Journals,  May  20,  1776).  The  last  mention 
of  Hall  in  the  Journals  is  the  committee  appointment  of  Feb.  5,  but  a  letter 
from  Hall  and  Brownson  to  Samuel  Stirk,  Feb.  11  (Library  of  J.  Pierpont 
Morgan,  Declaration  of  Independence,  vol.  11."),  shows  that  he  was  yet  in 
attendance.  (John  Adams  mentions  in  his  Diary,  IVorks.  II.  433,  that 
"  Mr.  Hall  "  was  one  of  a  supper  party  Feb.  7,  and  again  Feb.  8,  but  as  Adams 
usually  speaks  of  the  Georgia  delegate  as  "  Dr.  Hall ",  this  may  not  have 
been  Lyman  Hall.)  Hall  probably  left  Congress  shortly  after  Feb.  11,  for 
the  remarks  of  Thomas  Burke  (see  nos.  380,  384,  503)  indicate  that  he  had 
withdrawn  before  Feb.  24.  He  was  at  all  events  in  Georgia  early  in  May  fol- 
lowing; for  he  was  present  in  the  Georgia  assembly  when  the  quarrel  between 
Gwinnett  and  Lachlan  Mcintosh  culminated  in  the  challenge,  May  15,  I777_,  and 
he  wrote  a  letter  to  Roger  Sherman  May  16,  with  a  continuation  June  i,  giving 
an  account  of  the  duel  (Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, II. ;  see  also  Jones,  Biographical  Sketches,  pp.  63,  99). 
John  Houstoun. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  :  Feb.  2,  1776;  Oct.  9,  1776. 

Did  not  attend  in  1776  or  1777. 
Edward  Langivorthy. 

Elected:   June  7,  1777. 

Attended:  Xov.  17  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 

Langworthy's  name  follows  that  of  his  colleague,  Joseph  Wood,  on  the  resolution 
of  secrecy  (see  under  Richard  Law)  and  was  probably  appended  on  the  day 
of  his  first  attendance. 
George  Walton. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  1.)  :  Feb.  2,  1776  (for  the  term  of  nine  months)  ; 
Oct.  9,  1776  (for  the  year  ensuing)  ;  June  7,  1777. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  :  July  5  (?)  to  Nov.  2,  1776:  Dec.  12,  1776; 
Apr.  18  (or  earlier)  to  Oct.  9,  1777. 
Although  the  first  mention  of  Walton  in  the  Journals  is  July  17,  there  are  evi- 
dences pointing  to  his  attendance  as  early  as  June  29  (see  vol.  I.).  The 
Journals,  together  with  letters  of  the  marine  committee  signed  by  him  (see 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  784,  1106,  II.  11 13,  III.  671),  indicate  consecu- 
tive attendance  until  Nov.  2.  Concerning  the  interval  from  Nov.  2  to  Dec.  12, 
see  under  Lyman  Hall.  When  Congress  adjourned  to  Baltimore,  Dec  12, 
Walton  remained  in  Philadelphia,  and  Dec.  21  was  appointed  on  a  committee 


List  of  Members  xlv 

(Morris,  Clymer,  and  Walton)  to  execute  continental  business  in  Philadelphia. 
Jan.  24  he  was  directed  to  repair  (with  George  Taylor)  to  Easton,  Pennsyl- 
vania, on  a  mission  to  the  Indians  (see  the  Journals,  Jan.  24,  Feb.  8,  18,  24, 
27).  He  had  returned  to  Philadelphia  by  Feb.  20  (his  letter  of  Feb.  20,  read 
in  Congress  Feb.  24,  was  written  in  Philadelphia;  see  also  no.  377).  He  does 
not  appear  however  to  have  resumed  his  seat  in  Congress  until  about  the 
middle  of  April  (see  no.  446),  that  is,  until  a  month  or  more  after  the  latter's 
return  to  Philadelphia.  He  is  not,  indeed,  mentioned  in  the  Journals  until 
May  8.  Burke  remarks  in  his  letter  of  May  23  (no.  553).  that  Walton's 
attendance  had  been  interrupted  by  illness,  and  seems  to  suggest  that  he  had 
only  recently  resumed  his  seat.  This  must  however  have  taken  place  before 
the  departure  of  Brownson,  which  was  on  May  i  or  2.  As  Walton  is  not 
recorded  as  voting  between  Aug.  23  and  Sept.  16  (that  is,  his  name  is  not 
among  the  yeas  and  nays  Aug.  25,  27,  Sept.  9,  10,  11),  he  was  probably  absent 
during  most  of  this  period.  Both  Walton  and  Brownson  are  last  recorded 
among  the  yeas  and  nays  Aug.  25,  27,  Sept.  9,  10,  11),  he  was  probably  absent 
and  Walton  at  least  left  Philadelphia  the  next  day  (see  Harnett  to  Wilkinson, 
Oct.  ID,  A^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  781). 
Joseph  Wood. 

Elected:  June  7,  1777. 

Attended:   Nov.  17  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 

Wood  probably  signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  under  Richard  Law)  on 
the  day  of  his  first  attendance,  or  shortly  thereafter.  His  name  follows  that 
of  Clingan  and  precedes  that  of  his  colleague,  Edward  Langworthy.  Wood's 
name  does  not  appear  among  the  yeas  and  nays  Nov.  28  and  Dec.  8 ;  there- 
fore he  may  have  been  absent  for  ten  days  or  more  at  this  time.  He  appears 
to  have  been  present  Dec.  11  (see  the  Journals). 

MARYLAND. 
Robert  Alexander. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  May  21,  1776;  July  4,  1776  (see  under  Chase). 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)     It  does  not  appear  that  Alexander  attended 
Congress  under  either  of  these  elections. 
Charles  Carroll  {"  Barrister  "). 

Elected:    Nov.  10,  1776. 

Attended:   Dec.  7  (or  earlier),  1776,  to  Jan.  19  (or  later),  1777. 

The  Journals  nowhere,  either  in  1776  or  1777,  mention  Charles  Carroll  (Barris- 
terj,  except  in  quoting  the  Maryland  credentials  of  Nov.  10,  1776  (and  that 
item  is  indexed  under  Charles  Carroll  of  CarroUton).  That  he  was  in 
Congress  as  early  as  Dec.  7,  1776,  is  shown  by  his  letter  of  that  date  (no.  237), 
and  it  is  possible  that  he  was  one  of  the  two  delegates  recorded  in  the 
Journals  as  attending  Nov.  19.  In  view,  however,  of  Chase's  statement  Nov. 
21  (no.  219)  this  does  not  seem  probable  (see  the  note  under  Rumsey). 
Letters  from  the  Maryland  council  to  Stone  and  Johnson,  Dec.  12  (see  no. 
237.  n.  3),  show  that  he  was  in  attendance  just  before  the  adjournment  from 
Philadelphia,  but  Rumsey's  statement  in  his  letter  of  Dec.  19  (no.  248)  indi- 
cates that  both  Carroll  and  Tilghman  had  taken  their  departure  before  the 
adjournment.  The  inference  from  Carroll's  letter  of  Dec.  21  (no.  251), 
written  from  his  home  near  Baltimore,  is,  however,  that  he  had  joined 
Congress  upon  its  assembling  in  Baltimore,  That  he  was  in  attendance  about 
the  end  of  December  is  shown  by  a  letter  of  the  Maryland  council,  Jan.  i, 
1777:  "Mr.  Carroll  from  Congress  writes",  etc.  (Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  4), 
and  (phase's  letter  of  Jan.  3  (no.  268)  mentions  Carroll  as  in  attendance  at 
that  time,  as  does  also  a  letter  of  Capt.  George  Cook,  Jan  19  (see  no.  318, 
notes  2  and  3).  Carroll  probably  left  shortly  after  Jan.  19,  for  Chase,  in 
his  letter  of  Jan.  31  (no.  327),  as  also  in  a  letter  of  Jan.  26  (see  no.  327, 
note  3),  pressed  earnestly  for  a  representation  {cf.  no.  332).  This  would 
mean  the  absence  of  Carroll,  even  if  Paca  were  present,  which  is  uncertain. 
Carroll's  signature  to  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  n.  2) 
follows  that  of  George  Clymer  and  precedes  that  of  Jonathan  Elmer.  Cly- 
mer's  signature  was  doubtless  appended  within  the  period  of  about  three 
weeks  before  Congress  adjourned  from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore,  and  Car- 


xlvi  List  of  Members 

roll's  was  prol>ably  appended  at  tlic  same  time ;  hut  as  Rimer's  sinnaturc  may 
have  been  appended  at  any  time  between  Jan.  3  and  I'Vb.  4,  no  definite  infer- 
ence can  be  drawn  from  this  signature  relative  to  Carroll's  attendance. 
Charles  Carroll  of  Carrolltou. 

Elected:   July  4,  i;;^);  Feb.  15,  1777. 

Attended:'  July  17  to  Aug.  10  (?),  1776;  May  5  to  July  21  (?),  1777; 
Sept.  27  to  Oct.  16  (or  later),  1777. 
Carroll  came  to  Philadelphia  July  17  (see  no.  26,  note  4)  and  doubtless  attended 
the  same  day.  The  only  other  evidences  in  the  Journals  of  his  attendance 
(lurinjr  1770  are  two  committee  appointments  July  18.  He  siRned  a  delcRation 
letter  with  Chase  July  27  (no.  41),  and  letters  from  the  Maryland  council 
Au(f.  2  and  9  {Arch,  of  Md..  XII.  161,  190,  dated  "July"  in  each  instance), 
the  latter  in  particular,  lead  to  the  inference  that  Carroll  was  then  in  Congress 
(see  the  note  under  Johnson).  That  he  was  one  of  those  who  left  Congress 
about  .\uR.  10  to  attend  the  Maryland  convention  (see  no.  73)  seems  also 
evident.  He  took  his  seat  in  the  Maryland  convention  Aug.  17  (Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  89;  Rowland,  Life  of  Carroll.  I.  186).  where  he  con- 
tinued until  its  adjournment,  Nov.  Ii.  In  Rowland,  Life  of  Carroll,  I.  197, 
it  is  said  that  Carroll  was  doubtless  in  attendance  when  Congress  met  at 
Baltimore,  but  as  he  was  not  re-elected  Nov.  10  he  was  not  again  entitled  to 
a  seat  in  Congress  until  after  the  election  of  Feb.  15,  1777.  The  credentials 
were  presented  I-Vb.  18.  and  there  is  no  evidence  that  Carroll  took  his  seat 
between  that  date  and  the  removal  from  Baltimore,  Feb.  27.  Besides,  he  was 
during  this  period  (until  Apr.  20)  in  the  Maryland  assembly  (see  Life  of 
Carroll,  I.  197,  199;  cf.  Arch,  of  Md..  XVI.  107.  189.  192,  193)-  A  letter 
of  his,  dated  at  Annapolis,  Feb.  i,  is  in  the  Emmet  Collection  (no.  5774).  He 
appears  to  have  taken  his  seat  in  Congress  May  5  (see  Life  of  Carroll,  1. 
203).  The  Journals  show  his  attendance  from  May  7  to  July  15,  or  there- 
abouts, and  it  is  presumed  that  he  left  upon  the  arrival  of  Cliase,  July  21. 
He  had,  at  all  events,  departed  before  Aug.  12  (see  no.  588).  Sept.  7  he  wrote 
that  he  would  go  to  Congress  if  Mr.  Smith  should  leave  (Life.  I.  215),  but 
Sept.  14,  writing  from  General  Smallwood's  headquarters,  he  indicated  that 
he  might  return  home.  Sept.  22  he  was  however  on  his  way  to  attend 
Congress  (no.  652;  also  Life  of  Carroll,  I.  217),  and  Sept.  27  he  was  in 
attendance  at  Lancaster  (no.  652,  note  3).  The  Journals  show  his  attendance 
until  Oct.  16,  but  he  had  taken  his  departure  before  Oct.  22  (see  Life,  I.  217, 
221,  232;  he  is  not  recorded  among  the  yeas  and  nays  Oct.  23). 
SamticI  Chase. 

Elected:  (See  vol.  T.)  ;  May  21,  1776  ("until  the  end  of  the  next 
session  of  Convention  ":  see  Force,  Am-.  Arch.,  fourth  ser..  V.  1589, 
VI.  462)  ;  July  4,  1776  ("untill  the  next  Convention  shall  make 
farther  order  therein")  :  Nov.  10,  1776  ("until  the  first  Day  of 
March  next,  or  until  the  General  Assembly  shall  make  further 
order  therein")  :  Feb.  15.  1777  (limit  not  specified). 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  17  to  Aug.  10  (?),  1776;  Sept.  16  (?)- 
28,  1776;  Nov.  19  to  Dec.  12,  1776;  Jan.  2  (or  earlier)  to  Feb. 
27,  1777;  July  21  to  Oct.  16  (or  later),  1777. 
Although  the  Maryland  credentials  were  not  laid  before  Congress  until  July  18, 
Chase  was  placed  on  a  committee  July  17,  and  he  himself  says  in  a  letter  to 
General  Gates,  July  18 :  "  On  yesterday,  I  came  to  Congress  with  Mr.  Carroll  " 
(Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  410).  In  the  same  letter  he  says:  "I  am 
compelled  to  return  to  Maryland  on  the  8th  of  August."  He  was  however  in 
Congress  Aug.  9  (see  no.  68;  also  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  864;  cf.  no. 
115),  and  he  probably  remained  until  Aug.  10  {cf.  no.  71,  note  2),  taking  his 
departure  Sunday,  Aug.  11.  At  all  events,  on  Monday  Aug.  12  only  Stone 
among  the  Maryland  delegates  remained  (see  no.  J'i),  Chase  and  Paca,  and 
doubtless  also  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  having  gone  to  attend  the 
Maryland  convention,  Aug.  14  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  83).  Sept. 
II  the  delegates,  "or  any  three  of  them  ",  were  ordered  to  repair  to  Congress 
and  join  Thomas  Stone  (ibid.,  p.  109)  ;  accordingly.  Chase,  Paca,  and  Johnson 
left  Annapolis  Sept.  12  or  13  (they  are  recorded  as  absent  from  the  conven- 
tion Sept.  13;  see  ibid.,  p.  110"),  and  were  doubtless  in  attendance  at  Congress 
bv  Monday  Sept.  16.  "These  three,  together  with  Stone,  signed  a  letter  to  the 
council  Sept.  20  (Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  292;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II. 


List  of  Members  xlvii 

407),  and  Chase  wrote  to  Gates  Sept.  21:  "I  came  from  Annapolis  ten 
days  ago"  (ibid.,  p.  429).  Chase  and  Paca  again  left  Philadelphia  Sunday 
Sept.  29  (letter  of  Stone,  Sept.  30,  Arch  of  Md.,  XII.  311 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  sen,  II.  601),  and  resumed  their  seats  in  the  convention  Oct.  2  {xbid., 
III.  114).  Chase  was  one  of  those  who  attended  Nov.  19,  with  the  credentials 
of  Nov.  ID.  He  had  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  the  afternoon  of  Nov.  18 
(see  no.  216).  Chase  doubtless  remained  in  Philadelphia  until  the  adjourn- 
ment of  Congress  to  Baltimore,  Dec.  12  (see  no.  241),  but  he  had  evidently 
departed  before  Saturday,  Dec.  14  (see  a  letter  from  Amos  Taylor,  written 
from  Philadelphia  on  that  day,  addressed  to  Chase  and  Paca,  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1214).  He  was  in  Annapolis  Dec.  24  (no.  258;  see  also  a  letter 
written  from  "  Strawberry  Mount,"  Dec.  24,  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  552),  but 
was  again  in  Congress  Jan.  2  (see  the  Jourtials;  also  no.  288),  possibly  earlier. 
The  Journah,  his  letters,  etc.,  show  that  he  attended  consecutively  until 
Congress  adjourned  from  Baltimore,  Feb.  27  (a  letter  of  that  date  to  the 
Maryland  council  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  153)-  He  did  not  attend  Congress 
again  until  July  21  (see  the  Journals),  but  appears  to  have  attended  constantly 
from  that  time  until  Oct.  16,  and  probably  a  few  days  later.  He  is  recorded 
as  voting  that  day,  but  does  not  appear  in  the  next  record  of  yeas  and  nays, 
Oct.  23.  He  took  his  seat  in  the  Maryland  house  of  delegates  Oct.  31  Uf- 
no.  679) . 
Thomas  Johnson,  jr. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  May  21,  1776;  July  4,  1776;  Nov.  10,  1776. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Sept.  16  (?)  to  Oct.  4  (?),  1776. 

Johnson  does  not  appear  to  have  taken  his  seat  in  Congress  under  the  election  of 
July  4  until  instructed  by  the  Maryland  convention  (Sept.  11)  to  repair 
thither  (see  under  Chase).  Letters  from  the  Maryland  council  to  the 
delegates  Aug.  2  and  9  (cited  under  Carroll  of  Carrollton),  the  latter  in 
particular,  suggest  that  Johnson  was  then  in  Congress,  but  the  inference  may 
be  wrong,  for  no  other  evidence  of  his  attendance  in  Congress  during  August 
has  been  found.  He  was,  at  all  events,  in  Frederick  July  22  and  23  (Arch,  of 
Md.,  XII.  92,  109,  113;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  490,  522,  57o),  and  he 
had'taken  his  seat  in  the  Maryland  convention  Aug.  30  {ibid..  III.  97).  Inas- 
much as  Stone  mentions  only  the  departure  of  Chase  and  Paca  Sept.  29 
(letter  of  Sept.  30  cited  under  Chase),  it  is  presumed  that  Johnson  (appointed 
on  a  committee  Sept.  24  which  made  its  report  Sept.  27)  did  not  depart  for 
the  convention  until  a  few  days  later.  He  took  his  seat  in  that  body  Oct.  7 
(ibid.,  p.  117)  and  remained  until  Nov.  8  {ibid.,  p.  175)  •  Although  urged 
to  resume  his  seat  in  Congress  (see  no.  237,  note  3)  he  did  not  do  so  (see 
Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  524,  533,  540,  543,  55o,  557;  Force  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
III.  1239,  1289,  1307,  1395,  1457). 
William  Paca. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  May  21,  1776;  July  4,  1776;  Nov.  10,  1776; 

Feb.  15,  1777. 
Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  July  5  to  Aug.  10  (?),  1776;  Sept.  16.  (?)- 
28,  1776;  Nov.  21  to  Dec.  12  (?),  1776;  Jan.  16  (?)  to  Feb.  27  (?), 
1777;  May  5  (?)  to  June  28,  1777;  Aug.  13  (or  earlier)-22,  1777. 
Although  there  are  but  few  positive  records  of  Paca's  presence  in  Congress 
during  the  summer  of  1776,  these  few  indicate  that  he  was  probably  in  con- 
stant attendance  until  he  left,  about  Aug.  10  (see  under  Chase),  to  attend  the 
Maryland  convention.  Stone  says  in  a  postscript  to  his  letter  of  July  12 
(no.  15)  :  "  Our  Province  is  now  unrepresented  tho  matters  of  the  last  conse- 
quence are  coming  on.  I  pray  one  of  the  Delegates  may  be  desired  to  attend. 
Mr.  Paca  is  out  which  occasions  me  alone  to  address  you."  (The  representa- 
tion of  the  state  was  effected  by  the  attendance  of  Chase  July  I7-)  Paca 
was  appointed  on  a  committee  July  17,  and,  in  conjunction  with  Stone,  signed 
a  delegation  letter  July  22  {Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  93).  July  30  Stone  wrote: 
"  My  brothers  are  engaged  in  other  business  and  the  Post  is  going,  so  that 
their  signatures  must  be  dispensed  with"  {ibid.,  XII.  147).  The  "brothers" 
were  of  course  Paca  and  Chase.  The  council  letters  of  Aug  2  and  9  (cited 
under  Carroll  of  Carrollton  and  Johnson)  indicate  that  Paca  was  in  Congress 
when  those  letters  were  written.     His  departure  for  the  convention,  return 


xlviii  List  of  Members 

to  Congress,  and  ck'i)artiirc  for  the  convention  again  (in  August  and  Sep- 
tenibcrj  appear  to  have  bciii,  in  each  instance,  in  company  with  Chase,  liis 
return  to  Congress  after  the  adjournment  of  tlie  convention  was  Nov.  21 
(see  no.  219).  Nov.  22  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee  ( Paca,  Witherspoon, 
and  Ross)  to  confer  witli  Ceneral  Washington,  and  the  committee  departed 
for  camp  on  the  morning  of  Nov.  25  (see  no.  226,  and  Hancock  to  Washing- 
ton, Nov.  24.  l-'orce,  .hn.  .Irch..  tiftli  ser.,  III.  825;  also  the  note  under  Wither- 
spoon). It  is  uncertain  just  wlien  the  committee  returned  (</.  the  Journals, 
Nov.  27;  also  tlie  committee's  e.xpcnsc  account,  ibid.,  Jan.  iH,  1777),  for  the 
army  moved  from  Newark  Nov.  28.  Paca  was,  at  all  events,  in  Congress 
Dec.  7'  (see  nos.  237,  238),  if  not  Dec.  6  (see  no.  236).  I'rom  this  time 
until  May,  1777,  Paca's  record,  whether  in  Congress  or  elsewhere,  is  exceed- 
ingly meagre.  It  does  not  appear  that  he  went  at  once  to  Baltimore  when 
Congress  adjourned  thither  (see  nos.  248,  251),  and  the  statements  of  Chase. 
Jan.  3  and  8  (nos.  288,  294),  and  Hancock,  Jan.  14  (no.  304),  that  Maryland 
was  still  without  a  representation,  show  clearly  that  Paca  had  not  yet  reap- 
peared in  Congress;  for  besides  Chase,  Charles  Carroll  (Barrister)  was 
in  attendance.  However,  Paca  had  presumai)ly  taken  his  seat  by  Jan.  16,  as 
he  was  given  a  committee  appointment  that  day  (see,  however,  the  Journals, 
p.  40 n.,  where  it  is  stated  that  tlie  "corrected  journal"  gives  Paine  as  the 
appointee ;  Paca  is  probably  correct,  for  Paine  was  certainly  not  then  in 
(^onjjress).  Chase's  statements,  Jan.  26  and  31  (see  no.  327  and  note  3).  as 
also  Hooper's  remarks,  Feb.  i  (no.  332),  give  the  decided  impression  that 
Chase  was  then  alone  in  the  delegation.  The  reasonable  inference  from  John 
Adams's  mention  of  Paca  among  the  few  delegates  remaining  over  from  the 
first  Congress  (see  no.  361)  is  that  Paca  was  then  (Feb.  17)  in  attendance; 
yet,  when  the  new  credentials  are  presented,  Feb.  18,  it  is  (Thase  who  is 
recorded  as  attending  and  presenting  them  (although  he  was  already  in 
attendance),  while  Paca  is  not  mentioned  (cf.  the  notes  under  Rumsey  and 
Smith).  Maryland  evidently  had  a  representation  in  Congress  Feb.  26  and 
27  (see  nos.  384,  385,  387),  but  ui^der  the  credentials  of  Feb.  15  (in  the 
Journals,  Feb.  18)  two  delegates  constituted  a  representation,  and  Rush's 
note  (no.  385)  would  indicate  that  only  two  were  present,  as  he  records  that 
the  Maryland  vote  was  divided.  The  other  delegate  besides  Chase  was  prob- 
ably William  Smith.  Paca  probably  resumed  his  seat  in  Congress  May  5 ;  for 
Rumsey,  having  written  to  the  Maryland  council,  May  3 :  "  I  only  wait  for  the 
Arrival  of  Mr.  Paca  to  decamp,  he  is  not  yet  arrived  "  (Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI. 
239),  obtained  leave  of  absence  May  5.  At  all  events,  Maryland  must  have 
had  its  representation  May  13  (see  no.  490),  the  delegates  in  attendance  being 
Paca  and  (Tharles  Carroll  of  CarroUton.  The  first  positive  record  of  his 
presence  is,  however,  his  letter  of  May  24  (no.  505 ;  see  also  Arch,  of  Md., 
XVI.  263,  266).  He  was  doubtless  in  attendance  until  June  28  (see  no.  520 
and  the  Journals,  June  13,  28),  but  was  evidently  absent  June  30  (Maryland 
is  set  down  as  absent  that  day),  and  he  does  not  again  appear  in  the  Journals 
until  Aug.  13  (yeas  and  nays ;  he  is  not  in  the  record  of  yeas  and  nays  Aug. 
8).  He  left  Congress  Aug.  22,  evidently  during  the  session,  for  he  wrote  to 
the  council,  evidently  from  Chester  Town,  Sunday  Aug.  24  (dated  erron- 
eously, "Sunday,  25  Aug.  1777"):  "I  came  here  last  Friday  Evening  to 
take  up  my  family  to  Philadelphia"  {Arch  of  Md.,  XVI.  334;  see  also  ibid., 
PP-  352,  358,  364,  410,  and  nos.  609,  n.  3,  610,  n.  3).  He  had  not,  however, 
returned  to  Congress  Sept.  26,  for  on  that  day  he  wrote  to  (jovernor  Johnson : 
"  Having  done  all  I  could  for  our  State  under  the  Circumstances  I  shall  now 
prepare  for  Congress"  (Maryland  Historical  Society,  Red  Book,  IV.  96). 
It  is  doubtful,  however,  whether  he  returned  to  Congress  as  planned,  for  the 
Journals  do  not  record  his  attendance  again  until  the  end  of  1778-  In  the 
Journals,  under  Oct.  17  (p.  815  n.),  it  is  stated  that  parts  of  a  report  then 
presented  are  in  Paca's  writing ;  but  this  is  incorrect ;  the  writing  is  that  of 
Samuel  Chase. 
John  Rogers. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  :  May  21,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  :  July  5  (?)^ ,  1776. 

Although  Rogers  appears  to  have  been  in  attendance  July  4,  no  record  of  later 
attendance  has  been  found.  He  was  not  included  in  the  election  of  July  4, 
and  therefore  must  have  withdrawn  as  soon  as  the  result  of  that  election 
became  known  to  him.  He  had  evidently  withdrawn  before  July  12,  for 
Stone,  in  his  letter  of  that  date  (see  under  Paca),  speaks  of  Paca  as  the  only 
delegate  present  besides  himself. 


List  of  Members  xlix 

Benjamin  Rmnsey. 

Elected:  Nov.  lo,  1776;  Feb.  15,  1777-  ^    ^  , 

Attended:    Nov.  19  (?),  1776;  Dec.  12,  1776;  Feb.  17  to  (?),  17771 
Apr.  8  (or  earlier)  to  May  5,  I777;  Nov.  5  (or  earlier)  to  Dec. 

24  (?),  1777. 
Rumsey  states  in  his  letter  of  Dec.  19  (no.  248)  that  he  did  not  take  his  seat 
in  Congress  until  Dec.  12  (that  is,  the  day  Congress  adjourned  from  Philadel- 
phia) ;  nevertheless  it  seems  quite  probable  that  he  was  one  of  the  two  dele- 
gates mentioned  in  the  Journals  as  attending  Nov.  19.    This  seems  to  be  the 
only  reasonable  interpretation  of  Chase's  statement  at  the  close  of  his  letter 
of  Nov.  21  (no.  219).    Chase  himself  was  of  course  one  of  the  two,  and  the 
other  would   have  to  be   Paca,   Tilghman,    Charles   Carroll    (Barrister),  or 
Rumsey.     It  was  not  Paca,  because  he  did  not  arrive  until  Nov    21    (see 
Chase's  letter).     So   far  as   anything  appears   to  the  contrary,  other  than 
Chase's  statement,  it  might  have  been  either  Tilghman  or  Carroll,  bgth  ot 
whom  were  in  their  seats  early  in  December,  although  it  is  not  known  just 
when  either  of  them  attended.     If  either  of  them  had,  however    been  in 
attendance  Nov.  21,  Chase  would  most  probably  have  mentioned  the  fact     He 
mentions  only  Rumsey,  and  he  speaks  of  him  as  if  he  were  in  attendance. 
Rumsey  had,  in  fact,  been  in  Philadelphia  since  October  (that  is,  some  time 
prior  to  his  election;  see  no.  191,  n.  3,  and  no.  221),  and,  although  serving 
on  a  special  mission  on  behalf  of  his  state,  was  nevertheless   regarded  by 
Chase  as  one  of  the  state's  delegation.    Even  though  he  may  not  have  appeared 
on  the  floor  of  Congress,  nevertheless  he  was  in  such  intimate  conference 
with  the  members  that  it  is  quite  possible  that  the  secretary  regarded  him  as 
a  delegate  in  attendance,  and  wrote  accordingly  "two  of  them  attending    , 
when  the  credentials  were  produced.     Rumsey  did  not  follow  Congress  to 
Baltimore  (see  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  549.  559^  until  his  re-election  Feb.  15,  1777- 
He  was  given  a  committee  appointment  Feb.  17,  although  the  credentials  of 
the  new  appointment  were  not  produced  in  Congress   until   the  next  day. 
He  may  have  departed  again  immediately  because  of  the  news  just  received 
(see  the  Journals,  Feb.   17)    that  the  enemy  meditated  a  descent  upon  the 
Eastern  Shore.     At  all  events  no  trace  of  him  is  found  in  the  Journals  until 
Apr    13,  when  he  is  appointed  on  a  committee,  but  his  presence  as  early  as 
Apr   8  is  shown  by  a  letter  of  that  date  from  Smith  and  Rumsey  to  Gov. 
Livingston  (N.  J.  Rev.  Corr.,  p.  50).    From  that  time  until  he  obtained  leave 
of  absence.  May  5,  his  attendance  is  well  attested  both  by  the  Journals  and 
and  by  his  letters  (see  nos.  443,  463,  468,  470 ;  also  the  letter  of  May  3,  in 
Arch    of  Md.,  XVI.  239:    "I  only  wait   for   the   arrival   of   Mr    Paca  to 
decamp").    He  was  for  some  time  thereafter  in  the  field  (see  i&id.,  pp.  279, 
342    370)      Chase  says  in  his  letter  of  Oct.  10   (no.  679)  that  Rumsey  had 
agreed  to  relieve  him,  and  Chase  took  his  departure  between  Oct.  16  and  23. 
Rumsey  is  recorded  in  the  Journals  as  voting  Nov.  5 ;  but  as  no  yeas  and  nays 
are  recorded  between  Oct.  31  and  Nov.  5  he  may  have  taken  his  seat  as  early 
as  Nov.  I.    He  seems  pretty  certainly  to  have  been  in  attendance  until  Dec.  24 
(see  the  Journals).    No  Maryland  delegates  appear  in  the  record  of  yeas  and 
nays  Dec.  27,  and  as  Rumsey  was  left  out  in  the  election  of  Dec.  22  (the 
credentials  are  in  the  Journals  of  Jan.  17,  i778)  he  probably  withdrew  as  soon 
as  he  learned  the  results  of  that  election  (see  also  under  William  Smith). 
William  Smith. 

Elected:  Feb.  15.  1777. 

Attended:  Feb.  18  (?)-27  (?•),  1777:  Apr.  2  (?)  to  May  5  (?),  1777 ; 
July  5  (or  earlier)  to  Sept.  18,  1777;  Oct.  4  (or  earlier)  to  Dec. 

19  Vor  later),  1777.  .        .        ^  ■        ■      a 

The  appointment  of  "Mr.  Smith"  on  a  committee  Jan.  16,  1777,  is  assigned 
by  the  editor  of  the  Journals  to  William  Smith,  whereas  it  was  James  Smith 
of  Pennsylvania.  William  Smith  of  Maryland  had  not  as  yet  been  elected 
a  delegate  to  Congress.  The  Journals  do  not  record  his  attendance  until 
Feb.  20  (a  committee  appointment),  but  he  probably  attended  Feb.  18,  when 
the  new  credentials  were  presented  (cf.  the  note  under  Rumsey).  He  received 
another  committee  appointment  Feb.  22,  and  is  not  mentioned  again  m  the 
Journals  until  Apr.  18.  It  is  presumed  that  he  remained  in  attendance  until 
the  adjournment  of  Congress  from  Baltimore,  for,  although  it  appears  that 
no  Maryland  delegate  was  present  Feb.  24  (see  no.  380,  and  the  note  under 


1  List  of  Members 

Paca),  the  state  was  represented  IVb.  26  and  27  (sec  nos.  38^,  385,  387;  also 
the  Journals,  Keb.  26),  and  the  proliabilitics  favor  the  attendance  of  Smith 
rather  than  that  of  I'aca  (in  aildition  to  Chase).  Although  the  Journals  do 
not  again  record  tlie  prosonce  of  Smitli  luitil  Apr.  iS  (a  committee  appoint- 
ment), it  seems  probable  that  he  was  in  attendance  Apr.  2,  for  Roger  .Sherman 
mentitins  him  in  connection  with  a  wmmittee  assignment,  atid,  although  the 
committee  had  been  appointed  I'eb.  20.  the  committee  (Sherman,  Gerry,  and 
Smitli )  must  have  been  in  consultation  at  that  time  (see  no.  423)-  That  he  was 
present  A|)r.  8  is  shown  by  a  letter  from  Smith  and  Rumsey  to  Gov.  Livings- 
ton (.V.  J.  Rcz'.  Corr.,  p.  50).  Moreover,  John  .\dams  mentions  .Apr.  8 
(no.  431.  n.  5)  and  Sherman  .Apr.  ()  (no.  431)  that  every  state  was  then  repre- 
sented (see  also  under  Rumsey).  Smith  also  received  committee  appoint- 
ments .'\pr.  IQ  and  2<),  and  he  probably  took  his  departure  about  May  5,  when 
T'aca  and  Carroll  of  Carrollton  took  their  seats.  His  presence  is  not  again 
recorded  until  July  5,  when  he  was  appointed  on  the  commercial  committee. 
His  signature  to  a  copy  of  a  letter  of  that  committee  June  12  probably  came 
about  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  Laurens  (see  no.  516,  n.  3).  The 
Journals  show  his  attendance  until  Aug.  27  (yeas  and  nays),  and  letters  of 
Giarles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  Sept.  7  and  8  {Life  of  Carroll.  L  215,  216), 
indicate  that  Smith  had  remained  in  attendance  until  about  that  time.  His 
name  is  not  however  among  the  yeas  and  nays  Sept.  9  (the  next  recorded 
after  Aug.  27),  but  appears  again  Sept.  16.  When  Congress  adjourned  to 
I^ncaster,  Sept.  18,  he  evidently  went  home  (see  Carroll's  letter  of  Sept.  27, 
Life,  \.  219)  but  was  again  in  Congress  (at  Yorktown)  Oct.  4  (Journals), 
and  the  Journals  show  his  attendance  until  (probably)  Dec.  19.  It  should  be 
noted  here  that  it  was  William  Smith,  not  Jonathan  Bayard,  who  was 
added  to  the  board  of  war  Nov.  17 ;  therefore  those  reports  of  the  board  of 
war  presented  Nov.  25,  Dec.  6,  13,  19  (pp.  966,  1006,  1008,  1026,  1037),  credited 
in  the  foot-notes  and  in  the  index  to  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  probably 
appertain  to  William  Smith.  For  the  explanation  see  the  note  under  Jonathan 
Bayard  Smith.  William  Smith  was  not  present  at  a  meeting  of  the  board 
of  war  Dec.  20  (see  the  Journals),  and  no  Maryland  delegate  is  recorded  as 
voting  Dec.  27.  He  may  have  withdrawn  about  Dec.  24,  upon  learning  that 
he  had  been  left  out  of  the  delegation  chosen  Dec.  22. 
William  Smith  signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  vol.  L,  no.  363,  n.  2)  next 
after  Thomas  Burke,  which  indicates  that  he  probabh'  appended  his  signature 
during  his  attendance  in  February,  although  he  may  not  have  signed  until 
April. 
Tho}nas  Stone. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.);  ]\Iay  21,  1776;  July  4,  1776;  Nov.  10,   1776; 

Feb.  15,  1777. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  22  (?),  1776. 

Stone's  attendance  in  Congress  until  Oct.  10,  or  later,  is  well  attested  by  the 
Journals,  his  letters,  etc  Besides  the  letter  of  July  12  (no.  15;  see  also  under 
Paca),  and  nos.  85,  109,  note  3,  and  223,  see  Arch,  of  Md.,  XH.  93,  105,  no, 
146,  199,  258,  291,  311  (<-/.  the  notes  under  Chase,  Paca,  and  Johnson).  In 
a  letter  of  Aug.  13  he  says :  "  I  intend  to  leave  this  city  this  Day  week, 
till  which  I  shall  be  ready  to  execute  your  Orders  (Arch,  of  Md.,  XIL  199). 
Evidently  he  did  not  leave  as  he  had  planned  for  he  received  a  committee 
appointment  Aug.  23,  and  again  Sept.  7  and  9  (see  also  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  HL  94,  where  a  letter  of  Aug.  21  is  mentioned;  also  ibid.,  IL  156, 
and  Arch,  of  Md.,  XH.  258).  Again,  Sept.  30,  he  writes:  "Messrs.  Chase 
and  Paca  left  this  on  Sunday  and  I  shall  sett  out  Thursday  if  my  state  of 
Bod}-  will  permit,  tho'  this  I  much  doubt  being  at  present  much  indisposed  " 
{Arch,  of  Md.,  XH.  311).  It  is  to  be  presumed  that  he  did  not  leave  Philadel- 
phia, for  he  was  given  two  committee  appointments  Oct.  10.  How  much  longer 
he  remained  is  uncertain,  but  he  was  evidently  supposed  to  be  in  Philadelphia 
when  the  council's  letter  of  Oct.  22  {Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  393)  was  written, 
for  he  is  asked  to  attend  to  certain  business  in  Philadelphia.  That  is  to  say, 
the  man  "  Sheat "  there  mentioned,  the  "  Mr.  Sheats  "  to  whom  the  council 
wrote  the  same  day  {ibid.,  XII.  394),  was  no  other  than  Henry  Shitz  of 
Philadelphia  {cf.  the  Journals,  Apr.  23,  May  15,  1777).  Stone  must,  however, 
have  departed  before  Oct.  24,  for  Rumse}''s  letter  of  that  date  {Arch,  of  Md., 
XII.  397)  mentions  him  in  such  a  manner  as  to  indicate  that  he  was  not  then  in 
Philadelphia.     By  Oct.  27  Stone,  as  well  as  all  other  Maryland  delegates, 


List  of  Members  li 

had  departed  (see  nos.  185,  199,  215).  Nov.  29  the  council  wrote  to  the 
delegates  that  Stone  could  not  attend  at  present  because  of  Mrs.  Stone's 
illness  (Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  491).  and  although,  at  the  request  of  Carroll, 
Barrister,  they  wrote  him  Dec.  12,  asking  him  to  attend  (ibid.,  p.  524;  see  also 
no.  2^7),  it  does  not  appear  that  he  ai^ain  took  his  seat  in  Congress.  Feb.  22, 
1777,  he  wrote  to  the  governor  declining  re-election  (Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Etting 
Collection,  Signers). 
Matthezv  Tilghman. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  May  21,  1776;  July  4,  1776;  Nov.  10,  1776. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Dec.  2  (or  earlier)-ii  (?),  1776. 

The  Journals  contain  no  record  of  Tilghman's  attendance  either  in  1776  or  1777. 
In  July  and  early  August,  1776,  he  was  at  Talbott  (see  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII. 
94,  95,  115,  188),  and  he  attended  the  Maryland  convention,  of  which  he  was 
made  president,  from  Aug.  12  to  Nov.  11  (see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
III.  83-182).  Just  when  he  first  attended  Congress  is  not  known.  It  is  possible, 
although  it  does  not  seem  probable,  that  he  was  the  delegate  in  addition  to 
Chase  who  attended  Nov.  18,  else  he  would  have  been  mentioned  in  Chase's 
letter  of  Nov.  21  (no.  219;  cf.  the  notes  under  Rumsey  and  Carroll,  Bar- 
rister). A  letter  of  Tilghman,  dated  at  Philadelphia,  Dec.  3  (Arch,  of  Md., 
XII.  503),  shows  that  he  was  then  in  attendance  and  had  been  the  preceding 
day,  if  not  earlier.  Rumsey's  letter  of  Dec.  19  (no.  248)  also  shows  that 
Tilghman  had  been  in  attendance  and  had  taken  his  departure,  probably 
before  the  adjournment  from  Philadelphia.  No  evidence  has  been  discovered 
pointing  to  his  attendance  in  1777. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 
John  Adams. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.);  Jan.  18,  1776  (for  the  period  ending  Jan.  i, 

1777)  ;  Dec.  10,  1776  (until  Jan.  i,  1778). 
Attended  :   (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  12,  1776;  Feb.  4  to  Nov.  10,  1777. 
Adams  was  appointed,  Sept.  6,  one  of  a  committee,  with  Franklin  and  Edward 
Rutledge,  to  confer  with  Lord  Howe,  and  was  absent  on  this  mission  Sept.  9 
to  13  (morning;  see  nos.  116,  117,  129,  132).     He  left  Philadelphia  Sunday, 
Oct.  13  (see  no.  167,  note  2).    Returning  to  Congress  he  arrived  in  Baltimore 
Feb.  I,  1777  (see  no.  340,  note  2),  but  appears  not  to  have  taken  his  seat  until 
Feb.  4  (see  the  Journals).    He  obtained  leave  of  absence  Nov.  7  and  took  his 
departure  Nov.  11.     ("November  11.     Tuesday.     Set  off  from  Yorktown." 
Diary,  Works,  II.  440.)     See  note  under  Samuel  Adams. 
Samuel  Adanus. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Jan.  18,  1776;  Dec.  10,  1776. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Aug.  12,  1776;  Oct.  25,  1776,  to 
Nov.  10,  1777. 
John  Adams  wrote  to  his  wife,  Aug.  12:    "  Mr.  A.  and  Colonel  Whipple  are  at 
length    gone.  .  .  .  They    went    away    about    three    o'clock    this    afternoon " 
(Familiar  Letters,  p.  209,  second  letter  of  the  date ;  see  also  no.  72,  n.  3,  and 
Force,  Am.  Arch,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1172).    Samuel  Adams  himself  records  that  he 
returned  the  evening  of  Oct.  24  (see  no.  158,  n.  8).     He  and  John  Adams 
obtained  leave  of  absence  Nov.  7,  1777,  and  took  their  departure  from  York- 
town  Nov.  II  (see  under  John  Adams). 
In  the  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Cushing),  III.  416,  is  a  letter,  dated 
Dec.  8.  1777,  given  there  as  if  addressed  to  John  Adams  in  Congress,  whereas 
John  Adams  had  accompanied  Samuel  Adams  to  Boston.     The  letter  was 
actually  written  to  James  Lovell,  then  at  Yorktown.     Lovell's  reply,  dated 
Jan.  I,  1778,  is  in  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers. 
Francis  Dana. 

Elected :   Dec.  10,  1776. 
Attended:  Nov.  17  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 

Dana  must  have  signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  under  Richard  Law)  on 
the  day  of  his  first  attendance,  or  soon  thereafter.  His  name  follows  that 
of  John  Harvie  (dated  Oct.  23,  1777)  and  precedes  that  of  William  Clingan, 


Hi  List  of  Members 

nil) ridge  Gerry. 

Elected:    C^ee  vol.  I.)  ;  Jan.  iR,  lyjf^;  Dec.  lo,  i77^>. 

Attended:  (Sec  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5-16.  1776;  Sept.  2,  1776,  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 
John  Adams  wrote  to  his  wife,  July  15.  I77'>:  "Mr.  Cierry  sets  off  to-morrow 
for  Boston"  (Fiwiiliar  Letters,  p.  202;  see  also  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I. 
2fHi)  ;  and  Samuel  .Vdams  wrote  to  James  Warren,  July  16,  "  hy  my  very 
worthy  Friend  and  CoIk-aKue"  {W'rititujs.  ed.  CushiiiR,  111.  299;  foot-note 
in  the  volume  says:  "John  Adams";  hut  this  is  an  error;  it  was  Gerry), 
(icrry  was  in  New  York  July  U)  (horce,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  1.  452),  and 
at  Kingshridse  July  21  (seeno.31).  Aur.  24  he  wrote  from  Hartford  :  "lam 
here  on  my  journey  to  riiiladelphia,  from  which  I  have  heen  ahsent  about  a 
month  for  health"  (l-'orce.  Am.  .Irch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1146).  John  Adams 
wrote  to  James  Warren,  Sept.  4:  "Mr.  Gfcrry]  got  in  the  day  before 
yesterdjiy"  (no.  107;  see  also  Warren-Adams  Letters.  I.  267).  Gerry  was 
absent  on  a  mission  to  headciuarters  (with  Sherman  and  Lewis)  Sept.  21-30 
(see  note  under  Sherman).  A  statement  in  the  letter  of  Samuel  Adams, 
Ian.  16.  1777  (no.  311),  might  be  taken  to  indicate  that  Gerry  was  then 
"absent  in  Boston  ;  but  Adams  probably  means  that  Gerry  was  employed  in 
business  of  the  public  at  his  place  of  residence  in  Baltimore.  He  mentions 
that  three  of  the  Massachusetts  delegates  were  present,  and  these  must  have 
been  himself.  Gerry,  and  Hancock.  Gerry  was,  at  all  events,  present  Jan.  3 
(no.  287)  and  17  {Journals).  He  was  appointed,  July  11,  on  a  committee 
(Philip  Livingston,  Gerry,  and  Clymer)  to  visit  headquarters,  and  was 
absent  on  this  mission  until  the  end  of  July  or  first  of  August.  Clymer  had 
returned  by  July  29,  but  Gerry's  presence  is  not  mentioned  until  Aug.  4  (a 
committee  appointment),  and  the  committee  did  not  give  in  its  report  until 
Aug.  5  (see  no.  554.  n.  3,  4,  and  no.  556).  Gerry  was  appointed,  Nov.  28,  one 
of  a  committee  (with  Robert  Morris  and  Joseph  Jones)  to  confer  with 
General  Washington.  The  committee  was  absent  on  this  mission  probably 
from  Nov.  29  to  Dec.  15  (they  reported  Dec.  16;  see  no.  774;  also  the 
Journals,  Jan.  14,  1778). 
John  Hancock. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Jan.  18,  1776;  Dec.  10,  1776. 

Attended :   (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5.  1776.  to  Oct.  29,  1777. 
James  Lovell. 

Elected:   Dec.  10,  1776. 

Attended:    Feb.  4  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 
Robert  Treat  Paine. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Jan.  18,  1776;  Dec.  10,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Dec.  12,  1776. 

For  the  date  of  Paine's  departure  see  no.  243,  note  2.  He  did  not  return  to 
Congress  in  1777. 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE. 
Josiali  Bartlett. 

Elected :  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Jan.  23,  1776  (for  the  term  of  one  year)  ;  Dec.  24, 
1776  (for  one  year  from  Jan.  23,  1777). 

Attended:    (See  vol.  i)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  26,  1776. 

In  a  letter  of  Sept.  30  Bartlett  wrote :  "  I  have  not  been  able  to  attend  either 
the  Marine  or  Secret  Committee  for  some  time  past,  and  Congress  but  little. 
.  .  .  By  the  advice  of  my  friends  and  physicians,  I  design  to  leave  this  city 
in  a  few  days,  and  try  to  move  homeward"  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II. 
602).  In  his  letter  of  Oct.  19  (no.  174)  he  stated  that  he  would  leave  Congress 
as  soon  as  Whipple  arrived.  Whipple  arrived  Oct.  24,  and  Bartlett  doubtless 
left  on  the  26th.  for  he  was  the  bearer  of  Whipple's  letter  of  that  date  (Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IT.  1248;  see  also  his  letter  of  Nov.  7,  ibid.,  III.  554)- 
He  arrived  at  Kingston,  New  Hampshire,  Nov.  9  (ibid.,  III.  850).  He  did 
not  return  to  Congress  in  1777  (see  nos.  428,  718). 


List  of  Members  liii 

Nathaniel  Folsom. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  i,  1777  (for  one  year  next  ensuing). 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  21  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 

P'olsom  arrived  July  20  (see  no.  561)  and  took  his  scat  July  21  (Journals),  sign- 
ing the  resolution  of  secrecy  the  same  day  (see  under  Richard  Law).  Nov. 
29  he  was  granted  leave  of  absence  "  for  a  few  days,  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health  " ;  but  as  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee  Dec.  2,  and  was  certainly 
in  his  seat  on  Dec.  8  (the  first  record  of  yeas  and  nays  in  December),  his 
absence  must  have  been  of  but  short  duration. 
George  Frost. 

Elected:   Apr.  i,  1777  (see  under  Folsom). 

Attended:    May  16  to  Sept.   17,  1777;  Dec.  20  (or  earlier)-3i,  1777. 
Frost  was  granted  leave  of  absence  Sept.  17,  "  for  the  recovery  of  his  health  ". 
Just  when  he  returned  to  Congress  is  not  known ;  but  he  was  appointed  on  a 
committee  Dec.  20,  and  is  recorded  as  voting  Dec.  27. 
Frost's  signature  is  the  last  found  on  the  original  pledge  of  secrecy  and  was 
evidently  appended  not  earlier  than  June  5,   for  it  follows  those  of  Duer, 
Van  Dyke,  and  Marchant,  and  Duer's  signature  bears  the  date  of  June  5 
(see  the  note  under  Richard  Law  of  Connecticut). 
John  Lang  don. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Jan.  23,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  did  not  again  attend  in  1776  or  1777. 
Matthew  Thornton. 

Elected:    Sept.  12,  1776  (for  one  year  next  ensuing);  Dec.  24,  1776 
(see  under  Bartlett). 

Attended:   Nov.  4,  1776,  to  May  2,  1777. 

Thornton  wrote  to  President  Weare,  Nov.  12  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III. 

652)  :   "  The  3d  instant  we  arrived  safe  in  this  city I  have  attended  the 

Congress_ every  day  yet"  (see  also  no.  197).  His  continued  attendance 
through  the  period  indicated  above  is  fairly  well  attested  by  the  Journals. 
Whipple  remarks  in  a  letter  to  Bartlett  Jan.  13,  1777 :  "  My  Colleague  is  well 
and  desires  his  compliments  to  you.  we  agree  very  well  in  sentiment,  but, 
Inter  nos,  N.  H.  is  oftener  divided  then  she  used  to  be  "  (Dartmouth  College. 
Bartlett  Corr.).  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  May  i  and  took  his  departure 
May  3  (no.  481 ;  see  also  no.  462).  Thornton  did  not  sign  the  resolution  of 
secrecy  until  Feb.  4,  1777  (or  later),  for  his  signature  follows  next  after  that 
of  Brownson,  which  bears  that  date. 
William  Whipple. 

Elected:  Jan.  23,  1776;  Dec.  24,  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Aug.  12,  1776;  Oct.  24,  1776,  to  June  • 
18,  1777. 
Whipple's  departure  in  the  afternoon  of  Aug.  12  is  chronicled  by  Bartlett  in  a 
postscript  (Aug.  13)  to  a  letter  to  John  Langdon,  Aug.  11  (no.  72).  The  date 
of  his  return  to  Congress  is  mentioned  in  a  letter  to  Langdon  Oct.  26:  "I 
arrived  here  the  24th"  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  H.  1248).  The  Journals 
contain  very  meagre  record  of  Whipple's  attendance  in  1777,  but  there  are 
numerous  letters  from  him  which  supply  this  deficiency.  He  wrote  to  Bart- 
lett Jan.  13,  1777:  "  I  shall  set  out  for  home  in  about  a  fortnight  unless  I  am 
re-elected  in  that  case  I  shall  have  no  objection  to  continuing  here  till  the 
season  will  admit  of  travelling  with  more  comfort  then  at  present"  (Dart- 
mouth College,  Bartlett  Correspondence).  The  certificate  of  his  re-election 
was  produced  in  Congress  Jan.  30.  In  a  letter  to  Bartlett  Apr.  23  (ibid.)  he 
says :  "  Col.  Thornton  intends  to  leave  this  place  in  about  ten  days  and  I  wish 
to  follow  him  before  the  weather  is  too  warm."  In  his  letter  of  May  7  (no. 
481)  he  indicates  that  it  is  his  purpose  to  leave  "very  soon  after  Mr.  Frost 
arrives  ".  Frost  took  his  seat  May  16,  but  Whipple  does  not  appear  to  have 
taken  his  departure  until  June  18.  He  was  at  all  events  the  bearer  of  a  letter 
of  that  date  from  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren  (Warren-Adams  Letters, 
I.  331). 


liv  List  of  Members 

NEW  JERSEY. 
Elias  Bondinot. 

l''leotod :    Nov.  20,  1777. 

Did  not  atteiul  in  1777. 
Abraham  Clark. 

Elected:  June  22,  1776  (for  one  year,  unless  a  new  appointment  be 
made  before  tbat  time)  ;  Nov.  30.  1776  (for  one  year,  unless  a  new 
appointment  sball  be  made  before  tbe  expiration  of  that  time)  ; 
Nov.  20,  1777  (imtil  Dec.  i,  177!^.  unless  a  new  ai)pointment  shall 
sooner  take  ])lace). 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  July  5-11,  1776;  July  29  (or  earlier)  to 
.Aug.  17  (or  later),  1770;  Oct.  28  (?)  to  Nov.  9  (?),  1776; 
Dec.  3,  1776,  to  Apr.  14,  1777;  May  29  (or  earlier)  to  Sept.  18  (  ?), 
1777;  Dec.  1 1 -31,  1777. 
Clark  states  in  liis  letter  of  July  14  (no.  17)  :  "I  continued  at  Phila.  till  thursday 
last  when  I  returned  homeward."  He  was  appointed  on  a  committee  July 
29  (he  may  have  returned  to  Congress  earlier),  and  he  took  part  in  the  dehates 
July  30  (John  Adams's  Notes  of  Dehates,  the  Journals,  VI.  1079).  He  prob- 
ahly  remained  in  Congress  until  the  latter  part  of  August,  for  he  indicates  in 
his  letter  to  Dayton  Oct.  26  (no.  184)  that  he  was  present  at  the  time  of  the 
resolution  concerning  Wooster,  Aug.  17.  In  the  same  letter  he  says  (passage 
not  included  in  no.  184)  :  "  It  is  long  since  I  received  a  letter  from  you. 
.  .  .  The  last  I  received  was  by  Mr.  Caldwell.  I  had  just  then  returned  from 
Philadelphia  much  indisposed,  and  was  elected  into  the  assembly;  which, 
though  very  infirm,  I  attended  for  about  ten  days,  and  returned  home  sick, 
where  I  have  remained  ever  since."  If  he  carried  out  the  programme  indi- 
cated in  the  beginning  of  the  extract  given  at  no.  184,  he  attended  from  Oct. 
28  to  Nov.  9,  but  the  Journals  do  not  record  his  presence  during  this  period. 
According  to  the  Journals  he  attended  Dec.  3  with  the  new  credentials.  It  is 
of  course  possible  that  he  had  been  in  attendance  for  some  days  prior  thereto 
under  the  previous  credentials,  and  his  letter  of  Mar.  7,  1777  (no.  397),  suggests 
that  this  was  the  case ;  for  he  says  :  "  I  have  not  seen  any  of  my  family  since 
Novr."  In  the  same  letter  he  says :  "  .  .  .  shall  leave  tomorrow,  If  I  can 
leave  Delegates  to  represent  our  State  in  my  Absence,  otherwise  stay  till  I 
can,  as  I  am  not  sure  there  is  any  but  myself  in  town."  If  he  took  his  depart- 
ure at  the  time  indicated  his  absence  was  brief,  for  he  was  given  a  committee 
appointment  Mar.  14,  and  frequently  thereafter  until  Apr.  11.  (His  presence 
Mar.  31  is  attested  by  a  letter  to  Gov.  Livingston,  signed  by  both  Clark  and 
Sergeant;  extract  copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan. 
V.  Henkels).  Apr.  14  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  "to  visit  his  family". 
He  was  still  absent  May  22  (see  no.  511)  but  had  doubtless  returned  by 
May  29,  as  he  was  given  a  committee  appointment  that  day.  The  Journals 
occasionally  record  his  presence  until  July  2,  when  there  is  a  gap  until  Aug. 
23.  He  is  recorded  as  voting  as  late  as  Sept.  11  (he  evidently  did  not  imme- 
diately follow  Congress  to  Lancaster  and  York  Town)  but  shortly  took 
his  seat  in  the  New  Jersey  assembly.  He  again  appeared  in  Congress  Dec.  11, 
with  the  new  credentials  of  appointment. 
Jonathan  Elmer. 

Elected:    Nov.  30,  1776;  Nov.  20,  1777. 

Attended:  Jan.  3  (or  earlier)  to  Feb.  14,  1777;  Apr.  7  (  ?  or  earlier) 
to  Sept.  18  (?),  1777;  Oct.  14  (or  earlier)  to  Nov.  21,  1777. 
There  is  no  mention  in  the  Journals  of  Elmer's  attendance  prior  to  Jan.  3,  1777, 
when  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee.  Some  time  during  the  month  of 
January  he  signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  n.  2),  for  his 
name  follows  that  of  Charles  Carroll  (Barrister)  and  precedes  that  of 
Mann  Page,  who  did  not  attend  until  Jan.  30.  Elmer  obtained  leave  of 
absence  Feb.  14,  and  from  that  time  until  Aug.  8  there  are  only  scattering 
evidences  of  his  attendance.  Apr.  7  the  medical  committee,  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  was  authorized  to  appoint  any  of  its  members  to  inspect  the  medi- 
cal departments,  and  he  may  have  been  present  at  that  time.  More  definitely 
suggesting  his  presence  is  an  order,  Apr.  11,  for  payment  of  a  bill.  Apr.  18 
he  was  appointed  on  a  committee  consisting  of  one  from  each  state,  indicating 
at  least  the  probability  of  his  presence.     That  he  was  in  attendance  in  May 


List  of  Members  Iv 

and  June  when  the  Schuyler  and  Vermont  affairs  were  under  discussion  is 
evidenced  by  nos.  511  and  539.  During  the  summer  he  was  evidently  occupied 
for  some  time,  as  a  member  of  the  medical  committee,  in  visiting  the  hos- 
pitals, the  expense  bill  for  which  was  paid  Aug.  13  (see  the  Journals).  His 
name  is  in  the  first  record  of  yeas  and  nays,  Aug.  8,  and  those  of  Aug.  13,  22, 
25,  27,  and  Sept.  16,  but  is  missing  from  those  of  Sept.  9,  10,  11.  This  may 
mean  that  he  was  absent  from  Aug.  28  to  Sept.  15,  inclusive.  His  name  is 
likewise  missing  from  the  votes  of  Oct.  3,  7,  and  9.  but  appears  in  that  of 
Oct.  14.  This  would  indicate  that  he  did  not  follow  Congress  immediately  to 
Lancaster  and  York  Town,  but  resumed  his  seat  between  Oct.  9  and  14.  In 
a  letter  to  Governor  Livingston,  Nov.  20  (A''.  /.  Rev.  Corr.,  p.  109)  he  says: 
"  My  expenses  for  the  7  weeks  I  have  attended  Congress  in  this  place,  for 
supporting  myself  and  one  horse,  amounts  to  £63."  If  the  "  7  weeks  "  be  taken 
strictly,  it  would  include  practically  the  whole  time  since  the  removal  to 
York  Town.  The  date  of  his  retirement  (cf.  no.  742)  is  fixed  by  the  letter 
of  Nov.  20,  referred  to  above :  "  As  my  term  of  delegation  expires  in  a  few 
days  and  business  of  importance  requires  my  attendance  elsewhere,  I  propose 
leaving  Congress  tomorrow.  The  state  of  New  Jersey  will  then  be  unrepre- 
sented." 
John  Hart. 

Elected:  June  22,  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  —  to  Aug,  — ,  1776;  Oct.  25  (or  earlier) 
to  Nov.  5  (or  later),  1776. 
Hart's  attendance  is  recorded  only  twice  in  the  Journals,  namely,  Oct.  25  and 
Nov.  5  (committee  appointments).  That  he  attended  in  July  is,  however, 
attested  by  his  signature  to  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363, 
n.  3)  ;  for  it  immediately  precedes  that  of  Benjamin  Rush,  who  appended  to 
his  signature  the  date  July  22,  1777.  Immediately  preceding  the  signature  of 
Hart  are  those  of  Clark  and  Walton,  which  must  have  been  appended  early 
in  July,  and  probably  July  i.  That  he  was  in  Congress  Aug.  6  is  learned  from 
a  letter  of  Abraham  Gark  of  that  date,  wherein  Clark  says :  "  Dr.  Wither- 
spoon,  Mr.  Hart,  and  myself  quarter  together"  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  785;  Hazleton,  Declaration  of  Independence,  p.  226).  Hewas  shortly 
afterward  chosen  speaker  of  the  New  Jersey  assembly.  In  the  index  to  the 
Journals  (Library  of  Congress  edition)  there  is  a  confusion  between  John 
Hart  and  John  De  Hart,  the  few  entries  properly  appertaining  to  the  former 
being  assigned  to  the  latter. 
Francis  Hopkinson. 

Elected:  June  22,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Nov.  18  (?),  1776. 

The  Journals  do  not  record  the  attendance  of  Hopkinson  between  July  17  and 
Sept.  2y,  but  John  Adams  notes  a  motion  by  him  July  25  (Notes  of  Debates, 
the  Journals,  VI.  1077),  and  there  is  a  letter  from  him,  dated  at  Philadelphia, 
July  23,  in  which  he  asks  for  a  copy  of  the  minutes  prescribing  what  number 
of  delegates  shall  represent  the  province  in  Congress.  "  I  am  told  you  have 
made  one  Delegate  sufficient  for  this  Purpose  ;  but  as  I  have  no  good  Authority 
for  this  Opinion  and  was  the  other  Day  the  only  Member  from  Jersey  attend- 
ing in  Congress,  I  was  in  great  Doubt  as  to  the  Propriety  of  giving  my  Vote  " 
{New  Eng.  Hist,  and  Geneal.  Reg.,  XXX.  314).  Also  there  are  letters  of  the 
marine  committee  in  August  signed  by  him  (see,  for  instance,  letters  of  Aug. 
6  and  16,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  784,  977),  and  a  report  presented  to 
Congress  Aug.  16  bears  a  notation  by  him  (see  the  Journals,  p.  662).  He  was 
in  Congress  as  late  as  Nov.  5  and  6,  and  possibly  as  late  as  Nov.  18,  when  he 
was  made  naval  agent. 
Nathaniel  Scudder. 

Elected:   Nov.  20,  1777. 

Did  not  attend  in  1777. 
Jonathan  Dickinson  Sergeant. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  L)  ;  Nov.  30,  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Dec.  20  (?),  1776,  to  Feb.  25,  1777;  Mar.  19 
(or  earlier)  to  Apr.  2,  1777;  Apr.  12  (?)  to  May  8  (or  later), 
1777;  June  12  (or  earlier) -14  (or  later),  1777;  July  i  (or  earlier) 
to  Sept.  2  (or  later),  1777. 


Ivi  List  of  Members 

With  the  exception  of  two  dates,  Feb.  25  and  Apr.  2,  when  he  was  granted  leave 
of  ahscncc,  the  chruiiulony  of  Scrgeatil's  attendance  is  left  in  considerable 
uncertainty.  He  states  in  a  letter  addressed  to  John  Hart  as  speaker  of  the 
asseml)ly,  Feb.  6,  1777:  "  Fnrsnant  to  the  appointninit  of  tlie  Legislature  of 
New  Jersey,  1  have  attended  the  Congress,  as  one  of  the  Delegates,  from  their 
first  sitting  at  Haltiniore  to  this  time  "  {N.  J.  Rev.  Corr.,  p.  25).  The  Journals 
do  not  however  record  his  i)resence  earlier  than  Jan.  2.  In  the  same  letter 
he  asks  that  another  \w  api)oiiited  in  his  i)lace,  that  he  may  attend  to  the 
management  of  his  i)rivate  concerns,  hut  adds:  "I  shall  however  attend  till 
a  person  can  be  appointed  to  succeed  me."  He  appears  to  have  contented 
himself  with  an  absence  from  Feb.  25  to  about  the  middle  of  March.  The 
Journals  record  his  presence  Mar.  19,  he  signed  a  letter  Mar.  .11  (see  under 
Clark),  but  obtained  leave  of  ab.sence  Apr.  2  "to  visit  his  family".  A 
committee  of  which  he  was  a  member  made  a  report  .Apr.  12,  but  it  does  not 
follow  that  he  was  present.  He  was  given  committee  appointments  Apr.  25 
and  May  8,  and  the  Journals  also  show  that  he  was  in  attendance  June  12  to 
14;  but  that  he  was  absent  the  latter  part  of  May  and  the  latter  part  of  June 
seems  clear  from  the  statements  of  Duer  (no.  511)  and  Lovell  (no.  539). 
The  Journals  again  record  his  presence  July  i  and  2,  but  do  not  mention 
him  again  until  Aug.  8,  when  he  appears  among  the  yeas  and  nays.  Until 
Sept.  2  (see  no.  621)  his  attendance  was  consecutive.  He  does  not  appear 
among  the  yeas  and  nays  Sept.  9. 
Richard  Stock' ton. 

Elected:  June  22,  1776;  Nov.  30,  1776. 

Attended :  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  28,  1776;  Nov.  23  (  ?),  1776. 
As  a  member  of  the  committee  on  the  flying  camp,  appointed  July  15,  Stockton 
was  in  New  Jersey  for  a  few  days,  engaged  in  the  service  for  which  the 
committee  was  appointed.  This  is  shown  by  a  letter  from  him  to  Jefferson, 
w-ritten  from  Trenton,  July  19  (Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers). 
The  matter  was  brought  before  the  New  Jersey  convention  July  17  (doubtless 
by  Stockton;  see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  VL  1647-1650).  Stockton 
probably  returned  to  Congress  when  the  business  of  his  mission  had  been 
accomplished.  He  must  have  been  present  Aug.  6,  for  he  despatched  resolu- 
tions of  that  day  to  the  New  Jersey  convention  (see  ibid.,  p.  1659),  and  he 
was  appointed  on  a  committee  Aug.  9.  Sept.  26  Stockton  and  Clymer  were 
appointed  to  go  to  Ticonderoga,  and  took  their  departure  Monday  Sept.  30 
(see  Hancock  to  Gates,  Sept.  27,  ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  H.  562;  cf.  no.  148: 
"tomorrow  or  next  day",  1.  e.,  Saturday  or  Sunday).  The  committee 
returned  between  Nov.  18  and  2;^  (see  the  Journals  for  those  dates;  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HL  784,  is  a  letter  from  the  committee  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  with  the  date  Nov.  20,  but  evidently  the  letter  of  Nov.  10  men- 
tioned in  the  Journals,  Nov.  18;  cf.  Calendar  of  the  Emmet  Collection,  no. 
1581).  About  Nov.  20  Stockton  was  in  New  Jersey  on  his  way  to  Congress 
f  see,  for  instance,  a  letter  from  Witherspoon  to  him,  written  from  Princeton, 
Nov.  21,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  HL  788).  Both  Stockton  and  Qymer 
were  appointed  on  a  committee  Nov.  23,  and  all  the  members  of  this  com- 
mittee except  Stockton  signed  a  document  dated  Nov.  24  (see  the  Journals 
under  Nov.  23,  p.  975  n.).  Stockton  appears  to  have  returned  at  once  to  New 
Jersey,  and  was  shortly  afterward  (Nov.  30)  taken  prisoner  by  the  British 
(see  Sanderson,  Signers,  HL  loi ;  also  nos.  291,  347). 
John  Witherspoon. 

Elected:    June  22,  1776;  Nov.  30,  1776;  Nov.  20,  1777. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  July  5  to  Nov.  18  (?),  1776;  Dec.  9  (or 
earlier),  1776,  to  Feb.  26,  1777;  Mar.  14  (?)  to  May  15  (or  later), 
1777;  Aug.  5  (or  earlier)  to  Oct.  30,  1777;  Dec.  18-31,  1777. 
Although  Witherspoon's  attendance  in  Congress  July,  August,  and  September 
(frequently,  if  not  consecutively),  is  well  attested,  strangely  enough  the 
Journ-als  make  no  record  of  his  presence  until  Oct.  2  (a  committee  appoint- 
ment). The  evidences  of  his  presence  in  Congress  when  the  votes  on  inde- 
pendence were  taken  are  mentioned  in  vol.  L  His  presence  in  Philadelphia 
July  12  is  evidenced  by  a  note  to  Benjamin  Harrison  of  that  date  (Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  L  172;  see  also  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
July  15,  ibid.,  p.  347)  ;  and  John  Adams  records  remarks  made  by  him  in 
debates  July  26,  30,  and  Aug.  i   {Journals,  VI.  1078,  1079,  1082).     Clark's 


List  of  Members  Ivii 

letter  of   Aug.    i    (no.   52)    also  mentions   Witherspoon's   presence,  and  his 
letter  of  Aug.  6  (cited  under  Hart)  says:   "Dr.  Witherspoon,  Mr.  Hart,  and 
myself  quarter  together  ".    An  absence  in  early  August  is  however  indicated 
by  a  letter  of  Francis  Lewis  to  Mrs.  Gates  Aug.  13 :    "I  expect  the  doctor  m 
town  this  day"   (Am.  Arch.,  f^fth  ser.,  I.  945)-     In  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Gates 
Aug.  27  (ibid.,  p.  1 180)  he  indicates  that  Witherspoon  was  then  m  Prmceton. 
His  presence  in  early  September  is  presumably  evidenced  by  his  speech  Sep- 
tember 5,  or  thereabouts  (no.  108).     He  may  have  been  occasionally  absent 
during  this  period.     From  Oct.  2,  1776,  to  Feb.  26,  1777.  his  attendance,  with 
only  brief  absences,  is  fairly  well  attested  by  the  Journals  and  letters  of  him- 
self or  of  a  committee  of  which  he  was  a  member.    His  letter  of  Oct.  30  (no. 
188),  for  instance,  although  written  from  Princeton,  definitely  suggests  that 
he  was  in  Congress  Oct.  23,  for  in  an  omitted  passage  he  speaks  of  General 
Maxwell  as  "just  appointed  a  Brigadier-General".    That  he  was  in  Congress 
again  before  Nov.  8,  but  was  then  leaving  for  Princeton,  is  indicated  by  a 
resolution  of  that  date   (Journals).     He  must  also  have  been  in  attendance 
Nov.  18,  for  the  memorial  of  Ebenezer  Hazard,  read  in  Congress  that  day, 
was  presented  through  him  (see  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HI.  681).     Moreover, 
his  letter  to  Stockton,  written  from  Princeton  Nov.  21  (ibid.,  p.  788)  indicates 
that  he  had  just  come  from  Philadelphia  and  would  probably  return  thither 
within  a  few  days  :  "  I  have  left  some  little  affairs  to  finish  in  Philadelphia,  for 
which  I  may  perhaps  be  in  a  day  or  two  next  week,  but  cannot  be  certain."  His 
appointment  Nov.  22  on  a  committee    (Paca,  Witherspoon,   and   Ross)    to 
confer  with  General  Washington  must  therefore  have  been  in  his  absence. 
As  the  committee  is  said  to  have  left  Philadelphia  Monday  Nov.  25  (see  under 
Paca),  Witherspoon  probably  joined  the  other  members  of  the  committee 
somewhere  in  New  Jersey.     Congress  received  a  letter  from  the  committee 
Nov.  27,  but  its  mission  was  probably  brought  to  a  speedy  conclusion  by  the 
movement  of  the  "army    (see   the   order   for  payment  of   expenses,   in   the 
Journals,  Jan.  18,  1777),  although  the  date  of  their  return  is  uncertain  (see 
under  Paca).     Witherspoon's  presence  is  not  again  recorded  until  Dec.  9, 
and  he  was  in  attendance  at  Baltimore  at  least  as  early  as  Dec.  23.     He 
obtained  leave  of  absence  Feb.  25.  i777,  but  was  in  Congress  Feb.  26  (see  no. 
384).    He  rejoined  Congress  in  Philadelphia  about  Mar.  14  (see  nos.  403,  and 
347,  n.  6),  and  appears  to  have  remained  at  least  until  after  May  IS  (Benja- 
min Rumsey  mentions  his  presence  May  i.  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  236;  and  he 
received  a  committee  appointment  May  15).     No  record  of  his  attendance 
is  found  thereafter  until  Aug.  5,  when  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee.    He 
probably  attended  consecutively  from  that  time  to  Oct.  30.     He  is  recorded 
as  voting  on  that  day,  but  not  on  Oct.  31.    Moreover,  Elmer's  letter  of  Nov.  18 
(no.  742)  shows  that  Witherspoon  had  left  before  Nov.  7.    His  next  appear- 
ance in  the  Journals  is  Dec.  18. 

NEW  YORK. 

John  Also  p. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.);  Apr.  22,  1775   (without  expressed  limitation 

of  term).  * 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  July  5-15  (or  later),  1776. 

There  is  no  record  in  the  Journals  of  Alsop's  attendance  after  July  4;  but.  his 
letter  of  resignation  July  16  (no.  21)  shows  that  he  was  in  attendance  the 
preceding  day.  Indeed,  the  statement  of  Philip  Livingston  (no.  79)  gives  the 
impression  that  Alsop  had  attended  even  some  time  subsequent  to  that  date. 

George  Clinton. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  22,  1775. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  July  5-  (?),  1776. 

ainton  appears  unquestionably  to  have  been  in  Congress  July  4,  and  it  is  pre- 
sumed that  he  must  have  remained  for  at  least  a  day  or  two  thereafter. 
However,  it  is  evident  that  he  could  not  have  tarried  many  days,  for  on  the 
I2th  Washington  addresses  a  letter  to  him  at  New  Windsor  (Writings,  IV. 
242;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  227)  ;  and  on  the  15th  Chnton  himself 
writes  from  Fort  Montgomery  (ibid.,  p.  354)- 


Iviii  List  of  Members 

James  Dunne. 

Klectcd:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  22,  1775;  May  13,  1777;  Oct.  3,  1777. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  Ajjr.  16  to  Dec.  4  (later   ?),  1777. 

None  of  the  New  York  credentials  place  any  limitation  upon  the  term  of  elec- 
tion. AccordinRly  the  delegates  might  hold  their  seats  until  superseded.  For 
the  election  of  Oct.  X  see  the  Journals  under  Nov.  14. 
The  first  record  of  Duane's  attendance  f(jun(l  in  the  Journals  is  a  committee 
appointment  .Apr.  19,  hut  his  arrival  Apr.  16  is  mentioned  hy  Duer  (no.  445)- 
Uec.  3  he  was  K'ven  leave  of  ahsence,  yet  was  placed  on  a  committee  Dec.  4. 
He  liad  evidently  taken  his  departure  hefore  Dec.  8  (sec  no.  76<)).  He  was  in 
fact  sent  on  a  >ecret  nussion  to  (iencral  Starke  (see  nos.  777,  778,  7^)- 
William  Ducr. 

Elected:    Mar.  29,  1777:  May  13,  1777;  Oct.  3,  1777. 

Attended:  Apr.  7  to  Sept.  8.  1777;  Sept.  17  to  Nov.  y,  1777;  Nov.  19  to 
Dec.  31,  1777. 
Duer's  signature  to  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  n.  2)  is  acconi- 
l)anied  hy  the  date  June  5,  1777.  He  was  doubtless  absent  for  a  brief  period 
beginning  Sept.  9,  as  his  name  does  not  appear  among  the  yeas  and  nays 
Sept.  9,  10,  II,  16.  He  was  probably  present  Sept.  17  and  18  (see  the  Journals, 
p.  751  n.),  that  is,  the  last  days  before  the  adjournment  to  Lancaster;  and  he 
is  again  recorded  as  voting  Oct.  3.  He  was  also  absent  for  about  a  week  from 
Nov.  10,  for  his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  Journals  between  Nov.  9  and 
19,  and  Duane  mentions,  about  Nov.  22  (no.  750),  that  Duer  had  been  absent 
a  few  days  "for  the  benefit  of  health".  In  his  letter  of  Nov.  9  (no.  731) 
Duer  indicated  a  purpose  of  taking  leave  about  Nov.  25 ;  but  the  Journals 
show  that  he  was  in  attendance  until  the  end  of  the  year. 
William  Floyd. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  T.)  :  Apr.  22,  1775. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  7  (or  later),  1776;  Nov.  18  (?) 
to  Dec.  12,  1776. 
There  is  no  mention  of  Floyd  in  the  Journals  between  July  6  and  Sept.  25,  but 
there  is  sufficient  evidence  that  he  remained  in  attendance  throughout  this 
period.  For  instance,  letters  of  Aug.  10  and  Sept.  24  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  884,  HI.  208)  bear  his  signature.  Moreover,  in  a  letter  written  from 
Harlem,  Oct.  15,  he  says :  "  I  am  now  going  to  try  to  get  off  some  of  my 
effects  from  the  island  if  it  is  possible,  and  shall  be  absent  from  Congress  for  a 
few  days.  I  beg  you  would  excuse  me,  as  it  is  the  first  time  I  have  absented 
myself,  but  it  happens  at  a  time  when  no  important  matter  was  like  to  come 
before  us  "  {ibid.,  II.  1066).  He  had  left  Philadelphia  about  Oct.  8,  for  he  was 
in  Congress  Oct.  7  (see  no.  163),  and  he  wrote  the  New  York  committee  cf 
safety  from  Harlem  Oct.  11  (see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  244).  His 
absence  appears  to  have  been  in  part  on  behalf  of  the  committee  on  c'othing, 
of  which  he  was  a  member  (see  the  committee's  letter  of  Oct.  7,  ibid.,  II. 
925,  III.  248,  and  the  citations  given  above).  He  evidently  had  not  returned 
to  Congress  Nov.  4,  for  he  did  not  sign  a  letter  of  that  date  from  the  clothing 
committee  (Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  f.  409).  He  is 
next  mentioned  in  the  Journals  Nov.  29,  but  it  is  probable  that  he  was  the 
delegate  expected  Nov.  18  (see  no.  215).  Lewis  mentions,  Dec.  27  (no.  268), 
that  both  Floyd  and  Philip  Livingston  "  departed  for  the  Northward  "  upon 
the  adjournment  of  Congress  from  Philadelphia.  Floyd  does  not  appear  to 
have  attended  at  any  time  in  1777  (cf.  no.  441,  n.  2). 
John  Jay. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  22,  1775. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  :  did  not  attend  again  until  1778. 
Francis  Lewis. 

Elected:   Apr.  22,  1775;  Oct.  3,  1777. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  July  5  to  Sept.  2  (?),  1776;  Sept.  20  (or 
earlier),  1776,  to  Apr.  17,  1777;  Dec.  5-31,  1777. 
The  Journals  contain  but  few  evidences  of  Lewis's  attendance  prior  to  Sept.  20, 
when  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee,  but  a  letter  from  William  Palfrey 
to  him.  July  31  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  696),  presumes  his  presence 
in  Congress,  and  letters  of  the  marine  committee,  Aug.  6,  16,  and  22   {ibid., 


List  of  Members  lix 

I.  784,  977.  1106),  bear  his  signature  (see  also  nos.  75  and  98)      Lewis  Morris 
mentions  Sept.  8  that  Lewis  "has  taken  flight"  toward  New  York  (see  under 
Morris)    but  he  had  probably  returned  before  Sept.  20.    At  all  events   he  was 
on  that  day  made  one  of  a  committee   (Sherman,  Gerry,  and  Lewis)   to  go 
to  headquarters.    The  committee  returned  Sept.  30.     His  attendance  during 
October^is  shown  by  nos.  163,  183,  the  Journals,  Oct.  24  and  letters  of  Oct^ 
18  and  21  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  IL  11 13,  n49-    He  was  doubtless  m 
attendance  also  through  November,  although  the  record  is  meagre     A  letter 
dated  Nov  J;  is  ibid.   111.  347  (see  also  the  Journals,  Nov.  2),  and  thereafter, 
until  Apr    1I.  1777  his  record  of  attendance  is  fairly  clear  iromth.  J ournals 
ana  hf  letters  (see  no.  441).    He  was  in  Baltimore  May  13  (letter  to  Robert 
Purviance,  copied   from  the  original,   then  in  possession   of    Mr    Stan.  V 
Henkels)     As  he  was  not  included  in  the  election  of  May  13,  i777.  he  does  not 
appear  again  in  Congress  until  after  the  election  of  Oct.  3  (see  the  Journals, 
Nov.  14).    He  took  his  seat  Dec.  5- 
Philip  Livingston. 

Elected:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  22,  1775;  May  13,  i777>  Oct.  3,  i777. 
Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Dec.  12.  1776;  Apr.  16  to  July  8  (or 
later),  1777;  July  24  to  Aug.  8  (or  later),  1777. 
The  Journals  contain  no  mention  of  Livingston's  presence  in  Congress  between 
Tulv  1=;  and  Oct.  17,  but  the  letters  in  this  volume  show  that  there  was  at 
least  no  important  gap  in  his  attendance  prior  to  Dec.  12.  when  Congress 
adjourned  to  Baltimir?  (see  no.  268).  The  New  York  cornmittee  of  safety 
had  only  the  preceding  day  passed  a  resolve  ordering  Lewis  Morns  to  take 
Livingston's  place  in  Congress  in  order  that  the  latter  might  be  enabled  o 
visit  his  family  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  370)  •  He  re  umed  « 
Congress  Apr.  16,  i777  (see  no.  441),  and  remained  in  attendance  at  least  until 
July  8  (see  no.  546).  July  n  he  was  appointed  (with  Gerry  and  Clymer)  on 
a  mission  to  headquarters,  but  he  had  already  gone  northward  (see  no  554). 
Livingston  returned  July  24  (see  the  Journals)  and  was  m  attendance  at  least 
uitiT  Aug  8  (his  name  is  among  the  yeas  and  nays  of  that  date,  but  is  absent 
from  the  next  record,  Aug.  13). 
Robert  R.  Livingston. 

Elected:   Apr.  22,  1775. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  July  5-  (?),  1776.    ^.  . 

Evidence  was  presented  in  vol.  L  which  shows  that  Livingston  was  in  Congress 
July  4,  and  probably  also  July  5,  inasmuch  as  a  committee  of  which  he  was  a 
principal  member  made  its  report  that  day.  Nothing  has  been  discovered  to 
show  when  he  left  Philadelphia,  but  he  took  his  seat  in  the  New  York  con- 
vention July  15  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  1401)  and  on  the  i/th  was 
made  a  member  of  a  secret  committee  of  the  convention,  in  the  business  of 
which  he  was  for  some  time  engaged  (see  ibid.,  pp.  225,  392,  423.  »70,  1409)- 
Gouverneur  Morris. 

Elected:  May  13,  i777;  Oct.  3,  i777- 
Did  not  attend  in  1777. 
Lewis  Morris. 

Elected:   Apr.  22,  1775.  /       ,  .    n     r^^f^- 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  Sept.  8  (or  earlier)  -24  (or  later),  1776, 
Mar.  13  (or  earlier)  to  Apr.  18  (or  later),  1777. 
As  a  deoutv  to  the  New  York  convention  Morris  took  his  seat  m  that  body  at 
its  opening  session,  July  9  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  1385),  although 
he  gravitated  between  the  convention  and  the  army.  Aug.  26  the  journal  ot 
the  convention  contains  the  following:  "  General  Morris  suggested  sundry 
reasons  to  the  Convention  for  his  attendance  at  Philadelphia.  Ordered  I  hat 
General  Morris  attend  at  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and  return  with  all  pos- 
sible despatch"  {ibid.,  p.  1541).^  His  letters  of  Sept.  8  ^"d  24  (nos^  118, 
141)  show  that  he  was  in  attendance  during  the  greater  part  of  the  month. 
In  the  letter  of  Sept.  8  he  says:  "I  should  have  gone  off  this  day  but  Mr 
Lewis  has  taken  his  flight  toward  that  Place  in  quest  of  his  family,  that 
we^e  on  Long  Island,  and  there  remain  only  three  of  "s ''  (passage  omit  ed 
from  no  118).  Sept.  16  the  convention  peremptorily  ordered  Morris  to  return 
immedStely  and  resume  command  of  his  brigade  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.. 


Ix  List  of  Members 

II.  693),  and  Oct.  8,  after  tlie  nci-ipt  of  his  letter  of  .Sept.  24,  the  injunction 
was  repeated  (sec  ihid..  II.  y4<;.  IH-  2.11.  232).  Ik-fore  that  time,  however, 
Morris  had  evidently  taken  liis  (lei)arture.  l-rom  that  time  until  Dec.  9,  when 
Ik-  tiH.k  his  seat  in' the  New  York  committee  of  safety,  Morris  ai)pears  to 
have  been  with  the  army.  Dec.  1 1  the  connnittee  of  safety  ordered  him  to  take 
his  scat  in  Congress  in  order  to  relieve  IMiilip  Livingston  (ibid.,  111.  .^70). 
Nevertheless  he  remained  during  the  next  two  days  at  least  in  the  committee 
of  safety  (the  proceedings  after  Dec.  13  are  missing),  but  Dec.  21  he  was 
charged  with  a  letter  from  the  convention  to  Congress  (ibid.,  p.  13.'^";  the 
same  letter,  but  without  date,  is  at  ]).  1404;  '/•  t'l^'  ^^^^^'^  o*^  ^^^^-  ~^'  *'^'<^•• 
p.  1466).  It  has  not  been  discovered  when,  if  at  all,  Morris  delivered  the 
letter  of  Dec.  21  (that  of  Dec.  28  was  read  in  Congress  Jan.  14.  1777)-  Lewis 
states  in  his  letter  of  Dec.  27  (no.  268),  and  again  in  his  letter  of  Jan.  7  (no. 
292).  that  he  was  alone  in  Congress.  Indeed  no  trace  of  Morris  is  found 
until  Mar.  13,  when  he  is  appointed  on  a  committee.  His  last  committee 
appointment  was  Apr.  18,  and  his  letter  of  .\pr.  19  (see  no.  441.  n.  2)  indicates 
a  pur[>ose  to  take  his  departure  very  shortly. 
Philip  Schuyler. 

Elected':    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  22,  1776;  May  13,  1777. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  7  to  May  22,  1777. 

It  is  presumed  that  Schuyler  did  not  attend  Congress  after  the  order  of  May  22 
to  proceed  to  the  army  and  take  command  (for  instance,  he  addressed  a 
letter  to  Congress  May  26).  He  did  not,  however,  leave  Philadelphia  until 
May  28  (see  no.  504,  n.  3,  and  no.  568.  n.  5).  In  an  account  which  he  rendered. 
May  4,  1786,  for  his  several  periods  of  service  in  Congress  from  May  15, 
1775,  the  item  for  1777  is:  "To  my  services  as  a  Delegate  in  Congress  from 
2ist  March  1777  to  27  May  Inclusive,  Including  6  days  for  going  and  6  days 
returning  to  Albany,  is  68  days,  at  34/,  £115.  12"  (copied  from  the  original, 
then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels). 
Henry  IVisner. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Apr.  22.  1775. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  July  5-16  (or  later),  1776. 

Wisner  was  commissioned  by  Congress  July  4  to  make  an  investigation  relative 
to  flint  stones,  and  wrote  a  letter  on  that  subject,  July  5,  to  Joseph  Barton  of 
New  Jersey,  to  which  Barton  replied  July  9  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  I. 
139).  A  further  commission  on  the  same  subject,  recorded  in  the  Journals 
July  16,  seems  to  indicate  his  presence  on  that  date ;  and  an  order,  July  25,  for 
payment  of  expenses  would  normally  carry  the  same  suggestion,  except 
for  the  fact  that  in  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York  convention  it  is 
recorded  that  he  took  his  seat  in  that  body  July  23  (see  Force,  Am.  Arch, 
fifth  sen,  L  I435)- 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 
Thomus  Burke. 

Elected :  Dec.  20,  1776  ("  until  such  time  as  the  General  Assembly  shall 
direct  otherwise")  ;  May  4,  1777  (same  proviso). 
Attended:    Feb.  4  to  Oct.  14,  1777. 

Hooper  says,  in  his  letter  of  Feb.  15  (no.  358)  :  "  Burke  came  to  my  relief  on 
Saturday  the  first  day  of  February."  He  did  not,  however,  present  his 
credentials  until  Tuesday,  Feb.  4,  and  probably  did  not  take  his  seat  until  that 
day.  Burke  wrote  to  Gov.  Caswell  Aug.  21 :  "I  have  been  in  daily  expectation 
of  setting  off  for  the  Southward",  but  was  induced  to  defer  his  journey 
"  until  something  material  shall  happen  between  the  two  grand  armies " 
(AT.  C.  States  Recs.,  XI.  592).  In  his  letter  of  Nov.  4  (no.  725)  he  says: 
"  I  left  York  town  ...  on  the  13th  ulto." ;  but  this  must  be  an  error,  for  he 
is  recorded  as  voting  Oct.  14.  Burke  probably  si^ed  the  resolution  of 
secrecy  on  the  first  day  of  his  attendance.  Brownson's  signature  bears  that 
date,  and  is  immediately  followed  by  those  of  Thornton,  Lovell,  and  Burke. 
Cornelius  Harnett. 

Elected:   May  4.  1777. 

Attended:  July  22  to  Dec.  31,  1777, 

Harnett  wrote  to  William  Wilkinson  July  20  (iV.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  741)  : 
"  I  arrived  here  the  i8th  ",  but  that,  having  taken  the  inoculation  (at  Port 
Tobacco,  Maryland,  where  he  had  been  detained  three  weeks;  ibid.,  p.  569), 
he  had  not  been  able  to  attend  Congress.    He  presented  his  credentials  July  22. 


List  of  Members  Ixi 

The  following  day  he  signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  the  note  under 
Richard  Law). 
Joseph  Hewes. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Sept.  2,  1775  (for  the  term  of  one  year;  see 
N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  190)  ;  Dec.  20,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  26,  1776. 

In  a  letter  of  Sept.  23  (A'^.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  806)  the  delegates  say:  "We  .  .  . 
shall  write  you  very  fully  by  Mr.  Hewes  in  a  few  days"  (see  also  no.  135). 
A  letter  begun  Sept.  18  and  closed  Sept.  26,  signed  by  Hooper  and  Penn,  says : 
"  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  our  worthy  Colleague  Mr.  Hewes  "  {N.  C. 
Col.  Recs.,  X.  810).  It  is  possible  that  he  may  have  been  the  bearer  of  a 
letter  from  Penn  to  Samuel  Johnston,  Sept.  28,  which  begins :  "  As  you  will 
[have  the  pleasure]  of  hearing  from  Mr.  Hewes  all  the  News  that  is  stirring 
this  way"  (Papers  of  C.  E.  Johnson,  Raleigh).  A  letter  from  the  marine 
committee  to  Hewes  and  Smith,  Oct.  3  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  853), 
speaks  of  Hewes  as  having  left  Philadelphia.  James  Iredell  wrote  to  his 
wife,  Apr.  28,  1777 :  "  Mr.  Hewes  was  to-day  left  out  of  the  nomination  of 
delegates ;  he  had  only  40  votes  out  of  90.  The  reasons  alleged,  his  being  so 
long  at  home,  and  his  holding  (as  some  wise  men  supposed)  two  offices 
under  government,  being  a  member  of  Congress  and  a  member  of  one  of 
their  committees."  (McRee,  Life  of  Iredell,  I.  358.) 
William,  Hooper.  ■ 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Sept.  2,  1775  :  Dec.  20,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  24,  1776,  to  Feb.  4,  1777. 

Although  the  Journals  do  not  record  Hooper's  presence  in  Congress  until  Aug. 
20  (a  committee  appointment),  he  probably  attended  as  early  as  July  24,  for 
he  arrived  in  Philadelphia  July  23  (see  no.  48,  n.  4) .  He  is  recorded  by  John 
Adams  as  taking  part  in  the  debates  Aug.  i  (Journals,  VI.  1080).  He  was 
probably  absent  during  the  greater  part  of  January  on  account  of  illness  (see 
nos.  320,  332  n.  2,  358).  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  Feb.  4  and  probably 
took  his  departure  Feb.  5  (see  nos.  ^37-  359)-  James  Iredell  wrote  to  his 
wife  Apr.  29,  1777:  "Mr.  Hooper  to-day  resigned  his  appointment  to  the 
Congress.  Who  may  succeed  him  is  uncertain;  probably  Mr.  Harnett."' 
(McRee,  Life  of  Iredell,  I.  359.) 
John  Penn. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Sept.  8,  1775   (in  place  of  Richard  Caswell, 
excused;  see  the  Journals,  Oct.  12,  1775)  ;  May  4,  1777. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Oct.  26  (later  ?),  1776;  June  23  to 
Dec.  31,  1777. 
Penn's  attendance  in  the  beginning  of  this  period  is  attested  by  his  colleague, 
Joseph  Hewes  (see  no.  7),  although  the  Journals  do  not  record  his  presence 
until  Sept.  7  (a  committee  appointment).  There  are,  moreover,  numerous 
letters  from  him  prior  to  that  date,  beginning  with  that  of  July  29  (no.  48). 
The  date  of  his  departure  in  1776  is  indicated  approximately  by  Hooper's 
letter  of  Oct.  29  (no.  187 ;  cf.  Hooper's  letters  of  Oct.  26,  A^.  C.  Col.  Recs., 

X.  850,  862),  but  probably  more  accurately  by  a  letter  from  Hooper  (ibid., 
p.  889),  which  is  without  date,  but  which  appears  to  be  an  addition  to  his 
letter  of  Nov.  i  (no.  190).  Penn's  first  attendance  in  i777  is  definitely 
recorded  in  the  Journals,  June  23.    A  letter  dated  June  26  (N.  C.  State  Recs., 

XI.  503)  indicates  that  he  had  but  recently  arrived,  although  Gov.  Caswell 
wrote  to  Burke,  June  17:   "Mr.  Penn  left  this  early  in  May"  (ibid.,  p.  500). 

PENNSYLVANIA. 
Andrew  Allen. 

Elected:    Nov.  4,  1775. 

Attended  :   (See  vol,  I.)  ;  did  not  attend  during  the  period  of  this  volume. 
William  Cling  an. 

Elected:   Sept.  14,  1777  (see  below)  ;  Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials  dated 

Dec.  13,  1777). 
Attended:    Nov.  1-28  (or  later),  1777. 

Sept.  14  Joseph  Reed,  William  CHngan,  and  Dr.  Samuel  Duffield  were  elected 
"  instead  of  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  esq.  who  has  resigned,  and  of  James  Wilson, 
and  George  Clymer,  esqrs.  who  are  hereby  superseded " 


Ixii  List  of  Members 

Cliiigan's  attendance  is  sliown  by  the  recorded  votes  as  late  as  Nov.  28  (see  also 
nos.  710.  7J5)-  He  signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  under  Kichard  Law) 
about  Nov.  17;  for  his  luinie  foIlt)ws  that  of  I'Vancis  Dana,  who  lirst  attended 
Nov.  17.  lie  evidently  withdrew  between  Nov.  28  and  Dec.  8,  as  his  name 
is  not  among  the  yeas  and  nays  of  the  latter  date. 
George  Clymer. 

Elected:    July  20,   1776;  Feb.  22,   1777   (credentials  dated  Mar.   10); 

.su])er.seded  Sept.  14,  1777. 
Attended:   July  20  (?)  -23  (or  later),  1776:  Sept.  26  (or  earlier)  -28, 
1776;   Nov.  23    (or  earlier)    to   Dec.    12,    1776;   Mar.    12    (?)    to 
May  19,  1777;  June  9  to  Sept.  9,  1777. 

The  certificate  of  election,  dated  Mar.  10,  1777  (Journals,  Mar.  12),  docs  not 
mention  the  actual  date  of  the  election  of  any  of  the  delegates.  They  were, 
in  fact,  elected  in  two  groups,  Feb.  5  and  22,  and  the  election  of  Clymer  and 
Wilson  was  on  the  date  last  mentioned  (sec  the  note  under  hVanklin). 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Jonathan  Ba.v'ard  Smith  the  assembly  resolved  to  go 
into  an  election  on  the  morrow  for  a  delegate  in  his  place,  "  and  also  the  choice 
of  delegates  in  the  room  and  stead  of  such  other  of  the  present  delegates 
as  they  shall  think  proper  ".  Sept.  14  it  was  "  Resolved,  That  new  delegates 
be  now  elected  instead  of  Jonathan  B.  Smith,  esquire,  who  has  resigned,  and 
of  James  Wilson  and  George  Clymer,  esquires,  who  are  hereby  superseded." 
( Pennsylvariia  Assembly  Journals,  1776-1781,  p.  151.)  The  delegates  elected 
were  Joseph  Reed,  William  Clingan,  and  Dr.  Samuel  Duffield. 

Whether  Clymer  was  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  delegates  who  attended  July  20, 
is  uncertain.  He  was  added  to  the  board  of  treasury  July  23,  and  he  signed 
the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  vol.  I.,  no.  363,  note  2)  not  earlier  than  July 
30  (the  signature  of  William  Williams,  which  immediately  precedes  that  oi 
Clymer,  bears  that  date).  There  is  no  further  record  of  his  presence  in 
Congress  until  Sept.  26,  and  it  is  probable  that  he  was  during  much  of  this 
period  in  attendance  at  the  Pennsylvania  convention,  of  which  he  was  a 
member  (the  convention  sat  from  July  16  to  Sept.  2-7 ;  see  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  H.  1-62).  Clymer  was  appointed  (with  Richard  Stockton),  Sept.  26, 
to  visit  the  northern  army  at  Ticonderoga,  and  was  absent  on  this  mission 
from  Sept.  30  until  about  Nov.  22,  (see  under  Stockton).  When  Congress  re- 
moved to  Baltimore,  Dec.  12,  Clymer  remained  behind  in  Philadelphia  and  was 
appointed  (Dec.  21)  on  a  committee  (with  Robert  Morris  and  George 
Walton)  to  execute  Continental  business  there.  He  did  not  go  to  Baltimore, 
but  under  the  new  credentials  (March  10)  he  took  his  seat  in  Congress  shortly 
after  the  return  to  Philadelphia,  probably  Mar.  12  (the  Journals  do  not  specify 
what  Pennsylvania  delegates  attended  that  day).  He  was  given  a  committee 
appointment  Mar.  19.  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  May  19  "  for  the  recov- 
ery of  his  health",  and  resumed  his  seat  June  9.  He  was  appointed  July  11 
(with  Gerry  and  Philip  Livingston)  on  a  mission  to  headquarters  and  was 
absent  on  that  account  until  about  July  28.  The  Jourtials  record  that  Living- 
ston returned  July  24,  implying  that  the  other  members  of  the  committee  had 
not  then  returned.  Clymer  appears  to  have  been  in  Congress  July  29  (see  the 
Journals).  He  was  in  constant  attendance  from  that  date  until  Sept.  9  (yeas 
and  nays). 
John  Dickinson. 

Elected:     (See  vol.  I.);  Nov.  4,   1775. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.).    Probably  did  not  attend  after  July  4,  1776. 

Dickinson  was  not  among  those  to  whom  payments  were  made  for  attendance 
from  June  14  to  July  20  (see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  545).  More- 
over Josiah  Bartlett  says  in  a  letter  to  John  Langdon,  July  12:  "Colonel 
Dickinson,  Colonel  McKean,  and  Colonel  Cadwalader,  are  gone  with  their 
regiments  to  the  Jersies  "  (ibid.,  I.  348).  He  was  not  included  in  the  election 
of  July  20. 

Dickinson   was  elected   Nov.  8,   1776,  as  a  delegate   from  the  state   of   Dela- 
ware (see  under  Delaware). 
Samuel  Duifield. 

Elected:  Sept.  14,  1777  (see  under  Clingan). 
Did  not  attend. 


List  of  Members  Ixiii 

Benjcnnin  Franklin. 

Elected:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Nov.  4,  1775;  July  20,  1776;  Feb.  5,  1777  (cre- 
dentials dated  Mar.  10,  1777)  ;  Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials  dated 
Dec.  13,  1777). 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  July  5  to  Oct.-  (?),  1776. 

The  certificate  of  election  presented  by  the  Pennsylvania  delegates  Mar.  12, 
1777,  bears  the  date  Mar.  10,  but  the  election  of  the  first  four  delegates  there 
named  (Franklin,  Morris,  Roberdcau,  and  Smith)  took  place  Feb.  5,  while 
that  of  the  other  two  (Clymer  and  Wilson)  occurred  Feb.  22.  In  the  election 
of  Feb.  5  was  included  also  William  Moore,  who,  however,  declined  the  next 
day.  Feb.  18  it  was  agreed  to  elect  a  member  in  the  room  of  William  Moore 
and  also  to  add  one  other  to  the  number  of  delegates,  the  day  for  the  election 
being  sgt  for  Feb.  22.  The  election  that  day  resulted  in  the  choice  of  James 
Wilson  and  George  Clymer.  (See  Pennsylvania  Assembly  Journals,  1776-1781, 
pp.  107-114).  The  election  in  December,  1777,  took  place  on  the  loth,  although 
the  credentials  were  issued  on  the  13th. 
Franklin  was  paid  for  attendance  from  June  14  to  July  20  £30,  t.  e.,  for  30  days 
(see  Force,  Atn.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  545).  He  was  made  president  of  the 
Pennsylvania  convention,  which  sat  from  July  16  to  Sept.  27,  1776  (see  ibid., 
II.  1-62),  but  part  of  the  time  the  convention  was  presided  over  by  the  vice- 
president,  George  Ross.  Franklin  evidently  divided  his  time  between  the 
convention  and  Congress  (see,  for. instance,  no.  28).  He  took  part  in  the 
debates  July  30  and  Aug.  i  (Adams's  and  Jeflferson's  Notes  of  Debates, 
Journals,  VI.  1079-1082,  1102),  and,  besides  serving  on  committees  appointed 
prior  to  July  5  (see,  for  instance,  nos.  26,  n.  2,  and  77;  also  the  Journals 
Aug.  20),  he  was  given  committee  appointments  Aug.  14,  20,  26,  and  Sept.  6. 
On  the  last  mentioned  date  he  was  appointed  on  a  committee,  with  John 
Adams,  and  Edward  Rutledge,  to  confer  with  Lord  Howe,  and  was  absent 
on  that  mission  from  Sept.  9  to  13  (see  under  John  Adams).  Sept.  26  he  was 
chosen  one  of  the  commissioners  to  France,  and  was  evidently  present  at 
the  time  (see  no.  177).  To  what  extent,  if  at  all,  Franklin  attended  Congress 
thereafter  the  Journals  do  not  show,  but  that  he  was  acting  with  the  com- 
mittee of  secret  correspondence  as  late  as  Oct.  i  is  attested  by  nos.  153, 
153A.  He  embarked  for  France  Oct.  26  (see  Works,  ed.  Sparks,  I.  416. 
VIII.  igon. 
Charles  Humphreys. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Nov.  4,  1775. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  L)  ;  July  5-  (?),  1776. 

No  record  of  the  actual  attendance  of  Humphreys  after  July  4,  1776,  has  been 
found ;  nevertheless  he  was  paid  for  attendance  between  June  14  and  July  20 
iig   (i.  e.,  19  days;  see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  545,  where  also  is 
found  the  entry  that  he  was  paid  £172  for  attendance  prior  to  June  14). 
William  Moore. 

Elected:    Feb.  5,  1777. 

Did  not  attend. 

William   Moore  was   the  third   in   the   list   of   delegates  chosen   Feb.   5,    1777 
(Robert  Morris,  Franklin,  Moore,  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith,  and  Daniel  Rober- 
deau).    Feb.  6  he  decHned  (see  under  Franklin). 
Robert  Morris. 

Elected:  Nov.  4,  1775;  July  20,  1776;  Feb.  5,  1777  (credentials  dated 
Mar.  10,  1777)  ;  Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials  dated  Dec.  13,  1777). 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.);  July  5  to  Dec.  12,  1776;  Mar.  12  (?)  to 
Nov.  28,  1777. 
Concerning  Morris's  election  Feb.  5,  1777,  see  under  Franklin.  Notice  of  his 
election  was  transmitted  to  him  by  John  Jacobs,  speaker,  the  same  day  (see 
Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  74). 
Morris  was  paid  for  30  days'  attendance  from  June  14  to  July  20  (Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  545)-  He  appears  to  have  attended  fairly  regularly  until 
the  removal  of  Congress  from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore,  Dec.  12,  1776. 
He  remained  in  Philadelphia  and,  Dec.  21,  Clymer,  Morris,  and  Walton  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  transact  Continental  business  there.  Whether  he 
was  among  the  Pennsylvania  delegates  who  attended  Mar.  12,  or  just  when 


Ixiv  List  of  Members 

he  resumed  his  scat,  is  not  <iuito  certain.  In  his  letter  to  WasliiiiKton,  dated 
Mar.  6  (no.  395,  the  part  written  Mar.  15),  he  nientiuns  tliat  he  was  obliged 
to  absent  himself  from  Congress  on  account  of  his  eyes.  However,  he 
contiinied  Iiis  committee  work  (see,  for  example,  nos.  3^5,  418,  448,  469,  473), 
and  there  are  nutneroiis  entries  in  the  Journals  wliicli  sllg^;est  liis  presence 
in  Congress.  lUgiiming  willi  May  15  he  is  given  inimerous  committee 
appointments.  Al)sences  iiuhcated  I)y  tlic  Journals  are  one  of  tlirec  or  four 
days  from  Oct.  15,  when  lie  obtained  leave  for  the  remainder  of  the  week, 
and  one  from  Oct.  27  to  Nov.  X),  indicated  by  the  absence  of  his  name  from 
the  yeas  and  nays.  Nov.  28  he  was  appointed  (with  (ierry  and  Jones)  on  a 
mission  to  headtpiarters  and  i)r()l)ably  took  bis  departure  witii  tlie  committee 
Nov.  29  (see  under  Cerry  and  Jones).  The  comniittee  made  a  report  Dec.  16, 
but  it  does  not  appear  that  Morris  returned  to  Congress  (that  is,  in  177.7)- 
He  was  at  all  events  in  Maidieim,  his  country  residence,  Dec.  22  (receipt, 
copied  from  the  ori^jinal,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  lienkcls). 
John  Morton. 

Elected:    (See  vol.   1.);  Nov.  4,   1775:  July  20,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.   1.);  July  5  to  Auj^.  20   (or  later),  1776. 

Morton  was  appointed  on  a  committee  July  15,  and  he  was  occasionally  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  the  whole,  the  last  instance  being  Aug.  20,  after  which 
there  is  no  mention  of  him  in  the  Journals.  His  attendance  for  the  period 
June  14  to  July  20' was  16  days  (the  payment  being  £16;  see  Force,  Am. 
.Irch.,  fifth  ser.,  W.  545)- 
Joseph  Reed. 

Elected:   Sept.  14,  1777  (see  under  Clingan)  ;  Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials 
dated  Dec.  13,  1777).  • 

Did  not  attend  in  1777. 
Daniel  Rohcrdeau. 

Elected:   Feb.  5.  1777  (credentials  dated  Mar.  10;  see  under  Franklin)  ; 
Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials  dated  Dec.  13,  1777). 

Attended :  Mar.  12  to  May  9,  1777  ;  May  26  (or  earlier)  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 
The  Pennsylvania  delegates  who  attended  Mar.  12  are  not  named,  but  Roberdeau 
was  doubtless  one  of  them,  as  he  was  given  a  committee  appointment  Mar.  13. 
May  9  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  for  a  few  days  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health,  but  he  had  resumed  his  seat  by  May  26  (see  no.  509).    From  that  date 
to  the  end  of  the  year  the  Journals  and  his  letters  give  him  a  fairly  complete 
record  of  attendance. 
Roberdeau's  signature  to  the  resolution  of  secrecy  (see  the  note  under  Richard 
Law)  follows  that  of  Cornelius  Harnett  (which  is  dated  July  23,  1777)  and 
is  followed  by  that  of  Joseph  Jones  (dated  Aug.  16,  1777). 
George  Ross. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Nov.  4,  1775;  July  20.  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Sept.  6  (  ?  or  earlier)  to  Dec.  12  (?),  1776; 
Jan.  16  (or  earlier)  to  28  (?),  1777. 
The  first  mention  in  the  Journals  of  Ross's  attendance  in  Congress  is  a  com- 
mittee appointment  Sept.  25,  but  if  Rush's  Memorial  may  be  trusted  Ross 
was  present  Sept.  6  and  took  part  in  the  debate  (see  no.  109,  n.  2).  The 
mention  of  him  by  Franklin  Aug.  24  (no.  90)  does  not  necessarily  mean  that 
Ross  was  attending  Congress,  inasmuch  as  the  two  were  associated  in  the 
Pennsylvania  convention,  of  which  Franklin  was  president  and  Ross  vice- 
president.  The  convention  sat  from  July  16  to  Sept.  27  (see  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1-62),  and  Ross  was  doubtless  in  attendance  at  the  con- 
vention the  greater  part  of  the  time.  From  Sept.  25  to  Nov.  22  the  Journals 
indicate  consecutive  attendance.  Other  evidences  are  letters  of  the  com- 
mittee on  clothing  Oct.  7  and  Nov.  4  (see  no.  2:^2),  "•  2).  Nov.  22  he  was 
appointed  on  a  committee  (Paca,  Witherspoon,  and  Ross)  to  go  to  head- 
quarters, and  the  committee  departed  on  their  mission  Nov.  25  (see  under 
Paca).  The  date  of  the  committee's  return  is  uncertain,  and  Ross  is  not 
again  mentioned  prior  to  the  adjournment  from  Philadelphia,  Dec.  12,  but 
he  probably  remained  in  attendance  until  the  removal.  However,  he  was  in 
Reading  Dec.  18  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  III.  1272,  1273).  He  and  his 
colleague.  Tames  Smith  were  both  given  committee  appointments  Jan.  16, 
1777,  and  it  is  evident  that  they  had  just  then  or  only  recently  arrived,  for 


List  of  Members  Ixv 

their  state  was  unrepresented  Jan.  8  (see  no.  295).  Ross  must  have  taken 
his  departure  about  Jan.  28.  He  was  given  a  committee  appointment  Jan.  20, 
but  is  mentioned  as  absent  Jan.  29.  Hooper  remarks  in  his  letter  of  Feb.  i 
(seg  no.  332,  n.  2)  :  "  Ross  has  I  think  acted  uncxceptionably.  Now  and  then 
He  takes  a  whimsical  turn,  perhaps  a  wrong  one,  but  to  do  him  Justice  he 
does  not  persist  in  it."  This  indicates  at  least  recent  attendance. 
Benjamin  Rush. 

Elected:   July  20,  1776. 

Attended:   July  22  to  Dec.  12,  1776;  Jan.  24  to  Feb.  27,  1777. 

The  Journals  record  the  appointment  of  Rush  on  a  committee  July  17,  which 
is  of  course  an  error,  as  he  was  not  elected  until  July  20.  For  the  explanation 
see  no.  37,  n.  3.  An  account  rendered  by  him  to  the  Pennsylvania  assembly 
for  attendance  in  Congress  names  the  dates  given  above,  the  charge  for  the 
first  period  being  ii43,  for  the  second  £34,  to  which  is  added  a  charge  for 
travelling  expenses  to  and  from  Baltimore,  £10.  These  dates  are  approxi- 
mated by  entries  in  the  Journals  and  evidences  presented  in  this  volume. 
His  signature  to  the  resolution  of  secrecy  is  dated  July  22,  1776.  The  diary 
entry  of  Apr.  8,  1777  (no.  429),  is  of  course  subsequent  to  his  period  of  actual 
attendance.  Letters  of  Rush  afford  additional  evidence  that  he  did  not  at 
once  go  to  Baltimore  when  Congress  adjourned  thither  (see,  for  instance, 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HI.  1308,  1487,  1512). 
James  Smith. 

Elected:  July  20,  1776;  Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials  dated  Dec.  13,  1777). 

Attended:  Sept.  30  (or  earlier)  to  Nov.  24  (or  later),  1776;  Jan.  16 
(or  earlier)  to  Feb.  27  (?),  1777;  Dec.  16-31,  1777. 
The  first  mention  in  the  Journals  of  Smith's  attendance  in  Congress  is  Monday, 
Sept.  30  (a  committee  appointment),  and  that  was  probably  his  first  day  of 
attendance.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pennsylvania  convention,  which  sat 
from  July  16  to  Sept.  27.  Smith  may  have  remained  in  attendance  until  the 
removal  of  Congress  to  Baltimore,  but  the  last  record  of  his  attendance  in 
1776  is  his  signature  to  the  resolutions  of  a  committee  of  which  he  was 
a  member,  Nov.  24  (see  the  Journals  under  Nov.  23;  also  no.  218,  n.  3).  He 
may  have  taken  his  departure  at  that  time,  for  he  does  not  sign  a  letter 
of  the  same  committee  to  George  Read,  Nov.  25  (see  no.  226,  n.  4).  His 
first  attendance  in  Baltimore  was  on  or  shortly  before  Jan.  16,  1777-  On  that 
day  "  Mr.  Smith "  was  appointed  on  a  committee,  and  in  the  Library  of 
Congress  edition  of  the  Journals  the  name  "  William "  is  supplied.  The 
appointee  was  evidently  James  Smith,  for  William  Smith  of  Maryland  was 
not  elected  a  delegate  to  Congress  until  Feb.  15-  Rush  records  that  James 
Smith  took  part  in  the  debates  Feb.  14,  and  the  recording  in  the  Journals 
of  the  full  name  of  "Mr.  William  Smith",  in  the  committee  appointment 
Feb.  20,  suggests  that  both  Smiths  were  then  present.  Whether  James  Smith 
remained  until  the  adjournment  from  Baltimore,  Feb.  27,  can  not  be  deter- 
mined. He  had  been  omitted  from  the  delegation  elected  Feb.  5  and  22 
(see  the  note  under  Franklin),  but  he  was  re-elected  Dec.  10  and  took  his 
seat  Dec.  16. 
Jonathan  Bayard  Smith. 

Elected:    Feb.   5,   1777    (credentials  dated  Mar.   10,   1777;  see  under 
Franklin);  Dec.  10,  1777  (credentials  dated  Dec.  13,  1777). 

Attended:  Mar.  12  to  Aug.  22  (or  later),  1777;  Dec.  18-31,  1777. 
Inasmuch  as  Smith  was  given  a  committee  appointment  Mar.  14  it  may  be 
presumed  that  he  was  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  delegates  who  attended  Mar. 
12.  The  Journals  indicate  that  he  attended  consecutively,  at  least  without 
extensive  absences,  until  Aug.  22.  He  is  recorded  as  voting  that  day  but  not 
on  the  day  following.  Sept.  13  he  gave  in  his  resignation  to  the  Pennsylvania 
assembly  {Journals  of  the  Pennsylvania  Assembly,  1776-1781,  p.  151),  and  on 
Sept.  14  his  place  was  filled  by  the  election  of  another  delegate  (see  under 
Qingan).  In  the  Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress,  under  Nov.  17,  it 
is  recorded  that  Mr.  J[onathan]  B[ayard]  Smith  was  added  to  the  board  of 
war.  Inasmuch  as  he  was  not  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  time  of  his 
resignation  until  he  was  again  elected  Dec.  10,  it  seems  evident  that  this  entry 
in  the  Journals  is  an  error.  In  fact,  an  examination  of  the  manuscript  jour- 
nals shows  that  the  original  entry  made  by  Charles  Thomson  says  only  "  Mr. 


Ixvi  List  of  Members 

Smith ",  but  that  the  initials  "J  B "  have  been  inserted  above  the  hnc  by 
another  hand.  It  seems  beyond  question  tijerefore  that  the  Mr.  Smith 
who  w.as  given  this  ai>poiiitment  was  Wifham  Smith  of  Maryland,  the  only 
Smith  in  ConRress  at  that  time.  Accordingly  a  number  of  entries  in  the 
Library  of  Congress  edition  of  tlie  Journals  credited  to  Jonathan  Rayard 
Smith  are  to  be  be  assigned  to  William  Smith  (see  the  Journals,  under  Nov. 
25,  Dec.  6,  13.  10.  pp.  (M\  1006,  1008,  1026,  1037).  Additional  evidence  that 
it  was  not  Jonathan  Hayard  Smitli  who  was  appointed  on  tlie  board  of  war 
Nov.  17  is  the  fact  that  he  was  made  a  member  of  that  !)oard  Jan.  14,  1778. 
Moreover  his  letter  of  Dec.  19  (no.  779)  mentions  his  arrival  in  Yorktown 
Dec.  17  in  such  a  manner  as  to  indicate  clearly  that  he  had  not  been  in  atten- 
dance recently. 
George  Taylor. 

Elected:    July  20,  1776. 

Attended:    jiily  20  (?)  to  (?),  1776. 

There  is  no  mention  in  the  Journals  of  Taylor's  attendance  at  any  time.  Never- 
theless, at  some  time,  Aug.  2  or  thereafter,  he  signed  the  Declaration  of 
Independence.  In  the  sketch  of  him  in  Appleton,  Cyclo.  of  Am.  Biog.,  it  is 
stated  that  he  attended  Congress  on  the  day  of  his  election.  While  the 
credentials  were  presented  on  that  day,  the  Journals  do  not  record  what 
delegates  attended.  It  seems  pretty  certain  that  Clymer,  Franklin,  Morris, 
Morton,  and  Wilson  were  in  attendance  on  that  day,  and  Rush  attended 
July  22.  If  he  was  in  attendance  when  Congress  adjourned  to  Baltimore,  he 
evidently  did  not  follow  it  thither,  for  on  Jan.  24  he  was  appointed,  with 
George  Walton,  who  had  remained  behind  in  Philadelphia,  on  a  commission 
to  the  Indians  at  Easton,  Pennsylvania,  which  engaged  him  until  about  the 
end  of  February  (see  under  Walton).  It  does  not  seem  probable,  however, 
that  Taylor  was  in  Philadelphia  in  December ;  for  Robert  Morris  makes  no 
mention  of  him  in  his  letters  at  this  time,  speaking  of  Clymer  and  Walton 
as  the  only  other  delegates  in  Philadelphia  (see  no.  253). 
Thotnas  Willing. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Nov.  4,  1775. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.);  July  5-  (?),  1776. 

There  is  no  record  in  the  Journals  of  Willing's  attendance  after  Julj'  4 ;  never- 
theless he  was  paid  for  19  days'  attendance  {£19)  between  June  14  and  July  20 
(see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  545;  for  attendance  prior  to  June  14  he 
was  paid  £197.  t.  e.,  for  197  days). 
James  Wilson. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.);  Nov.  4,   1775;  July  20,  1776;  Feb.  22,  1777 
(credentials  dated  Mar.  10,  1777)  ;  superseded  Sept.  14,  1777. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  9  (or  later),  1776;  Oct.  14 
(or  earlier),  1776,  to  Jan.  2  (or  later),  1777;  Jan.  28  (or  earlier) 
to  May  29  (  ?),  1777 ;  June  28  to  Sept.  14  (  ?),  1777. 
Concerning  Wilson's  election  Feb.  22,  ijyy,  and  his  supercession,  Sept.  14,  see 

the  note  under  Clymer. 
Wilson  was  paid  for  attendance  from  June  14  to  July  20,  inclusive,  38  days,  at 
25  shillings  per  diem,  £47  10  shillings  (Force,  A^n.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  11.  545). 
There  is  a  gap  in  his  otherwise  full  record  in  the  Journals  between  Sept.  9 
and  Oct.  14.  and  a  letter  from  James  Smith  to  his  wife,  Oct.  7,  1776  (Emmet 
Coll.,  no.  1605;  Brotherhead,  Book  of  the  Signers,  ed.  1861,  p.  89),  shows 
that  he  had  gone  to  Carlisle  and  had  not  ye^t  returned.  He  was  given  two  com- 
mittee appointments  Oct.  14.  In  a  letter  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  28,  he 
mentions  that  he  will  be  in  Carlisle  in  a  short  time.  He  was  appointed  on 
a  committee  Jan.  2,  but  was  in  Carlisle  Jan.  14  (see  no.  305).  He  was  again 
in  Congress  Jan.  28,  and  remained  until  the  adjournment  from  Baltimore 
(see  nos.  382,  384).  He  wrote  to  Robert  Morris  Feb.  28:  "What  in  the 
Narne  of  Wonder  has  induced  the  Assembly  to  re-appoint  me?  I  am  unde- 
termined how  to  act;  I  really  think  I  could  be  more  useful  to  the  Public  in 
another  Character"  (omitted  from  no.  389).  Apparently  he  did  not  join 
Congress  immediately  after  the  return  to  Philadelphia,  for  he  wrote  to 
General  St.  Clair  Mar.  27 :  "I  have  resumed  my  seat  in  Congress.  My  reason 
is,  that  if  at  any  Time  I  can  be  useful  to  my  Countrj-,  I  can  at  this  "  (copied 
from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels).     He  had 


List  of  Members  Ixvii 

already  been  in  attendance  since  Mar.  19,  at  least.  He  obtained  leave  of 
absence  May  19  "  to  transact  some  private  affairs  ",  but  he  probably  did  not 
avail  himself  of  the  leave  until  ten  days  later;  for  he  was  present  May  22 
to  24,  and  probably  also  May  27  and  29  (see  the  Journals,  pp.  381,  39in., 
404n.).  He  does,  however,  appear  to  have  been  absent  from  about  May  29 
to  June  28.  From  that  time  until  Sept.  11  there  is  abundant  record  of  his 
attendance. 

RHODE  ISLAND. 
William  Bradford. 

Elected:    Oct.  28,  1776. 
Did  not  attend. 

Concerning  Bradford's  election  see  R.  I.  Records,  VHI.  19,  and  Staples,  R.  I. 
in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  92. 
William  Ellery. 

Elected :   (See  vol.  I.)  ;  May  4,  1776  (for  and  during  one  year)  ;  May  7, 

1777  (for  one  year;  modified  Aug.  22;  see  below). 
Attended :  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5,  1776,  to  May  4,  1777 ;  May  31  to  June 
(shortly  after  the  i6th),  1777;  Nov.  17  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 
The  term  for  which  he  was  elected  having  expired  May  4,  1777,  Ellery  remained 
in  Philadelphia  awaiting  the  new  credentials  (see  nos.  482,  490,  491).  These 
were  brought  by  Marchant  May  31.  Because  of  this  gap  in  the  state's  repre- 
sentation, caused  by  the  delay  in  the  election  and  in  the  presentation  of  the 
credentials  to  Congress,  the  term  of  election  was  modified  Aug.  22,  as  follows : 
"  until  they,  or  either  of  them,  shall  have  due  notice  of  their  re-election,  or 
until  the  delegates  who  may  be  appointed  in  their  room,  shall  take  their  seats 
in  Congress".  (See  the  Journals,  under  Sept.  9.)  Ellery  wrote  to  Oliver 
Wolcott  June  16,  1777 :  "  I  expect  to  set  out  for  our  State  in  a  few  days  " 
(Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  I.  13;  similarly  in  a  letter  of  the 
same  date  to  the  Rhode  Island  assembly.  Staples  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  140). 
He  had  evidently  left  before  June  30,  for  Marchant  signs  the  delegation 
letter  alone  {ibid.,  p.  142;  see  also  no.  538). 
Stephen  Hopkins. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  May  4,  1776;  May  7,  1777. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  7  (?),  1776. 

An  omitted  passage  in  Ellery's  letter  of  Sept.  7  (no.  114)  shows  that  Hopkins 
was  either  then  leaving  or  had  just  left  Congress.  He  was  in  Providence 
Oct.  I  (see  a  letter  to  John  Adams,  Force,  Am.  Arch,  fifth  ser.,  II.  837). 
Hopkins  did  not  attend  under  the  election  of  May  7,  1777,  and  inasmuch  as 
the  Rhode  Island  credentials  were  driwn  for  the  delegates  severally  instead 
of  collectively,  as  in  most  instances,  the  fact  of  his  election  does  not  appear 
in  the  Journals  of  Congress.  See  R.  I.  Records,  VIII.  220,  and  Staples,  R.  I. 
in  Cent.  Cong.,  p.  129. 
Henry  Marchant. 

Elected:   May  7,  1777. 

Attended:   May  31  to  Nov.  17,  1777. 

While  Marchant's  commission,  like  that  of  Ellery,  is  dated  May  7,  he  was,  in  the 
first  instance,  elected  by  the  general  assembly  at  its  session  the  "  first 
Monday  in  February"  (that  is,  Feb.  3).  See  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong., 
p.  92,  and  R.  I.  Records,  VIII.  127,  149. 
Marchant  is  recorded  as  voting  Nov.  17,  but  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  that 
day,  and  doubtless  took  his  departure  the  day  after.  In  a  letter  to  the  Rev. 
Ezra  Stiles,  Dec.  19,  he  says :  "  I  reached  my  farm  in  South  Kingston  the 
4th  Instant "  (Literary  Diary  of  Ezra  Stiles,  XL  250). 

SOUTH  CAROLINA. 
Thomas  Heyward,  jr. 

Elected:   Feb.  16,  1776  (for  one  year  next  ensuing)  ;  Jan.  10,  1777. 
Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  4,  1776;  Dec.  24  (or  earlier), 
1776,  to  Oct.  31  (or  iater),  1777. 
Heyward  left  Philadelphia  on  the  morning  of  Sept.  5,  1776  (see  no.  106;  cf. 
nos.  103,  131).    The  next  mention  of  him  in  the  Jourttals  is  Dec.  24  (a  com- 


Ixviii  List  of  Members 

mittee  appointment),  and  thereafter,  barring  two  or  three  intervals,  the 
Journals  show  cuiiscciitive  attendance  until  Oct.  31,  1777;  and  these  gaps  are 
for  the  most  part  tilled  l>y  his  letters.  Hesides  no.  473,  letters  of  May  30, 
June  13,  18,  26,  July  2,  are  in  Whartun,  Rrv.  Dipl.  Corr..  11.  327,  33(),  344,  349. 
361  (see  also  no.  bJi).  It  may  i)roperly  he  noted  here  tliat  in  the  Koherts 
Collection,  at  Haverford  College,  is  tlie  last  sheet  of  the  letter  of  Oct.  18  from 
the  committee  of  foreign  affairs,  printed  in  Wharton,  Rev.  l)i[>l.  Corr.,  II. 
412;  but  whereas  the  text  in  Wharton  i)ur|)orts  to  have  been  signed  by  Harri- 
son, Lee,  Morris,  and  Lovcll,  this  fragment  has  the  signatures :  Richard 
Henry  Lee,  Thos.  Heyward  junr.,  James  Ix)vell,  Jno.  Witherspoon.  Harrison 
had  left  Congress  before  tliis  date.  It  is  further  to  be  remarked  that,  although 
Heyward  obtained  leave  of  absence  Oct.  20,  he  did  not  depart  for  at  least 
ten  days. 
Henry  Laurens. 

Elected:   Jan.  10,  1777. 

Attended:  July  22  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 

Laurens  was  chosen  President  of  Congress  Nov.  i.     Because  of  illness  he  was 
not  in  actual  attendance  from  about  Dec.  8  to  26,  although  he  continued  to 
conduct  the  Presidential  correspondence  (see  no.  793)- 
Thomas  Lynch. 

Election:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Feb.  16,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  ( ?),  1776. 

There  is  no  positive  evidence  that  Thomas  Lynch,  sr.,  attended  Congress  at 
any  time  after  his  paralytic  stroke,  Feb.  18.  It  is  known,  however,  that  he 
remained  in  Philadelphia  for  some  months  thereafter  (see  Hazleton,  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  passim)  ;  and  that  he,  in  some  measure,  continued  his 
service  with  the  South  Carolina  delegation  is  evidenced  by  the  delegation 
letters  of  July  9  and  25  (nos.  10  and  39),  which  he  signed.  His  presence  in 
Philadelphia,  if  not  in  Congress,  is  indicated  by  a  letter  of  Lewis  Morris  to 
John  Jay,  Sept.  8:  "Mr.  Linch  yesterday  asked  me  if  you  would  part  with 
your  chestnut  horse."  (Corr.  of  Jay,  I.  83;  cf.  ibid.,  p.  64).  He  did  not, 
however,  sign  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 
Thomas  Lynch,  jr. 

Elected:    Mar.  23,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Nov.  2  (or  later),  1776. 

It  is  not  at  all  certain  that  Thomas  Lynch,  jr.,  was  in  constant  attendance 
throughout  the  period  indicated,  for  the  Journals  do  not  record  his  presence 
in  August  and  September,  although  an  order  Sept.  13  probably  indicates 
his  presence  on  that  day.  His  last  committee  appointment  was  Oct.  30,  and  the 
committee  made  its  report  Nov.  2. 
Arthur  Middleton. 

Elected:   Feb.  16,  1776;  Jan.  10,  1777. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Nov.  29  (or  later),  1776;  Jan.  21 
(or  earlier)  to  Oct.  16  (or  later),  1777. 
Although  Middleton  was  given  no  committee  appointments  between  June  24  and 
Sept.  25,  there  are  other  occasional  evidences  of  his  attendance.  His  presence 
in  July  is  shown  by  the  delegation  letters  of  July  9  and  25  (nos.  10  and  39), 
John  Adams  records  a  motion  by  him  Aug.  i,  his  name  is  appended  to  a  letter 
of  the  marine  committee  Aug.  6  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  784),  and 
Josiah  Bartlett  indicates  his  attendance  during  the  same  period  (no.  83).  He 
also  signed  letters  Oct.  7  {Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  925,  III.  248),  Oct.  18 
{ibid.,  III.  1113),  and  Nov.  4  (see  no.  233,  n.  2).  He  was  given  committee 
appointments  Nov.  28  and  29  and  not  again  until  Feb.  11,  1777,  but  the 
Journals  indicate  his  presence  Jan.  21  and  Feb  5.  Rush  records  his  presence 
Feb.  20,  but  thereafter,  until  May  24  (see  no.  505),  no  record  of  him  has 
been  found  {cf.  no.  399,  n.  2).  He  was  given  committee  appointments 
May  29  and  June  3,  and  Duer  mentions  his  presence  June  18  (no.  520), 
while  Thomson's  notes  show  that  he  was  present  July  24  and  25  (nos.  S59A, 
559b).  From  Aug.  13  to  Oct.  16  his  attendance  is  well  attested  by  the  j'eas 
and  nays.    He  had  taken  his  departure  prior  to  Oct.  20  (see  no.  698). 


List  of  Members  Ixix 

Charles  Pinckney. 

Elected:   Jan.  21,  1777. 

Did  not  attend  in  1777. 
Edu'ard  Rutledge. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Feb.  16,  1776. 

Attended :    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Nov.  24,  1776. 

Rutledge  was  one  of  the  committee  (Franklin,  John  Adams,  Rutledge) 
appointed  Sept.  6  to  confer  with  Lord  Howe.  The  committee  was  absent 
on  the  mission  from  Sept.  9  to  13.  As  early  as  Sept.  23  Rutledge  was  planning 
to  return  to  South  Carolina  (see  nos.  138,  195),  and  by  Nov.  16  he  had  set 
Nov.  21  as  the  date  for  his  departure  (see  no.  211:  "Rutledge  ...  leaves 
this  Thursday").  Nevertheless,  Nov.  23  he  writes  to  Robert  R.  Livingston: 
"  Having  great  Reason  to  believe  that  ten  thousand  of  General  Howe's 
Army  will  in  a  few  Days  bend  their  Way  to  South  Carolina  I  have  deter- 
mined to  proceed  to  my  native  Home  with  all  possible  Expedition:  to  render 
my  Country  that  Assistance  in  the  Field  which  she  will  have  a  right  to 
expect"  (letter,  in  possession  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning  of  Albany).  Nov. 
24  he  writes  to  John  Jay,  indicating  that  he  was  then  on  the  point  of 
departure  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HL  825). 
John  Rutledge. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Feb.  16,  1776. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  did  not  attend  in  1776  or  1777. 
Paul  Trapier,  jr. 

Elected:    Jan.  21,  1777. 

Did  not  attend. 

VIRGINIA. 
Carter  Braxton. 

Elected:    Dec.  15,  1775  ("in  the  room  of"  Peyton  Randolph). 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Aug.  2  (  ?),  1776. 

Braxton  was  appointed  on  a  committee  July  9,  and  John  Adams  credits  him 
with  remarks  July  26  (Notes  of  Debates,  Journals,  p.  1077).  Jefferson 
mentions  July  30  (no.  49),  that  Braxton  purposes  leaving  "the  day  after 
tomorrow ",  but  he  must  have  remained  until  Aug.  2,  for  he  signed  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  the  engrossed  copy  of  which  was  first  brought 
in  on  that  day.  His  term  would  have  expired  Aug.  11.  In  a  letter  from 
Willing,  Morris,  and  Company  (by  the  hand  of  Robert  Morris)  to  William 
Bingham,  July  24,  is  found  this  passage :  "  The  writer  of  this  is  again  returned 
one  of  the  Delegates  in  Congress.  Colo.  Harrison  and  Colo.  Braxton  are  out 
which  we  are  extremely  sorry  for"  (copied  from  the  original,  then  in  pos- 
session of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels).  This  evidently  means  only  that  Harrison 
and  Braxton  were  not  included  in  the  new  election  of  delegates,  June  20,  1776. 
Benjamin  Harrison. 

Elected:  (See  vol.  I.)  :  Aug,  11,  1775  (for  one  year)  ;  Oct.  10,  1776 
("in  the  room  of"  Thomas  Jefferson)  ;  May  22,  1777  (for  one 
year  from  the  nth  of  August  next). 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Aug.  2  (or  later),  1776;  Nov.  5, 
1776,  to  May  2  (?),  1777:  May  30  (or  earlier)  to  Oct.  9,  1777. 
Concerning  Harrison's  election  Oct.  10,  1776,  see  a  letter  from  Edmund  Ran- 
dolph to  Washington,  Oct.  11,  1776,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  987; 
cf.  nos.  506,  Sii,  539.  Concerning  the  election  of  May  22,  1777,  see  under 
Richard  Henry  Lee. 
Harrison  is  credited  by  John  Adams  with  remarks  in  the  debates  as  late  as 
Aug.  2,  but  that  he  had  taken  his  departure  before  Aug.  9  is  shown  by  a  letter 
of  that  date  from  Jefferson  to  Francis  Eppes  (Writings,  ed.  Ford,  II.  75). 
After  his  return,  Nov.  5,  his  attendance  is  fairly  weft  attested  until  the 
adjournment  of  Congress  from  Baltimore  (he  was  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee of  the  whole  Feb.  24).  From  that  time  until  June  17  (report  of  the 
board  of  war,  dated  June  11)  his  name  is  absent  from  the  Journals.  The 
letter  from  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs  May  2  (no.  473)  bears  Harri- 
son's name  among  the  signers,  as  does  also  a  letter  from  the  committee 
May  30  (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  327)-    The  letter  dated  May  8  {ibid., 


Ixx  List  of  Members 

II.  316)  also  has  Harrison's  name  aiipcndtd  :  hut  tlic  date  there  piveii  to  this 
letter  is  evidently  wronji  (prohahly  it  bhonld  be  Ang.  8),  for  Ixjvell  was  not 
a  member  of  the  conunittee  until  May  26.  It  is  further  to  be  ol)served  that 
Harrison  was  not  one  of  the  signers  of  the  letter  of  May  Q  (ibid.,  II.  317; 
concerning  the.  Utters  of  May  -'.  0,  30,  see  also  Hays,  Calendar  of  1-ranklin 
I'apt-rs,  I.  -'41.  J44,  2^*)).  If  Harrison  was  present  May  2  he  must  have 
taken  his  departure  immediately  thereafter;  for  lie  appears  to  have  been  in 
tlie  Virginia  house  of  delegates  May  8;  he  was  at  all  events  nominated  that 
day  for  the  oflice  of  speaker  of  the  house  (sec  Virginia  House  Journals). 
Richard  Hcnr)-  I-ec'.^  letter  of  May  13,  cited  under  Nelson,  indicates  Harri- 
son's absence  at  that  time,  and  his  name  is  not  signed  to  the  delegation  letter 
of  May  20  (no.  498).  Upon  his  re-election  to  Congress.  May  22.  he  doubtless 
returned  thither  at  once.  The  remark  of  Duanc.  June  24  (no.  522),  definitely 
points  to  an  al)sence  in  April  as  well  as  in  May;  and  I-ovcll  si)eaks,  July  7 
(no.  530).  as  if  Harrison  had  been  in  Virginia  at  the  time  of  the  election. 
From  June  11  to  Oct.  0.  the  last  record  of  yeas  and  nays  in  which  his  name 
appears  (the  next  is  Oct.  14),  his  attendance  is  sulTiciently  attested  l>y  the 
Journals.  Oct.  30,  or  earlier,  he  was  in  attendance  upon  the  Virginia  house 
of  delegates. 
John  Ilari'ic. 

F.lected :    May  22,   1777. 

Attended:  Oct.  15  to  Dec.  31,  1777. 

Harvie's  account  for  attendance  in  1777  and  1778,  rendered  in  May,  1779,  contains 
as  the  first  two  items:  "To  attendance  in  Congress  from  ist.  Scptr.  1777 
till  the  20th  Octr.  at  8  dollars  per  day,  400  dollars ;  to  attendance  in  Do.  from 
20th  Octr.  1777  till  the  loth  Apl.  1778,  at  10  dollars  per  day,  1720  dollars." 
(The  account,  rendered  in  May,  1779,  is  in  Va.  St.  Lib.,  Executive  Papers.) 
According  to  the  Journals  he  did  not  actually  take  his  seat  until  Oct.  15.  He 
signed  the  resolution  of  secrecy  Oct.  23,  1777.  In  a  letter  to  JeflFerson,  Dec.  29, 
he  says :  "  Our  State  is  at  present  unrepresented,  Mr.  Jones  having  left  us  a 
few  days  ago"  (Library  of  Congress,  JeflFerson  Papers).  He  further 
indicates  a  strong  desire  that  he  also  might  be  relieved. 
Thomas  Jciferson. 

Elected:   Aug.  11,  1775  (for  one  year)  ;  June  20,  1776  (for  one  year 
from  the  nth  of  August  next). 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  2,  i77(>. 

According  to  the  itinerary  given  in  Jeflferson's  Writings  (ed.  Ford,  II.  xxii),  he 
left  Philadelphia  Sept.  2;  but  an  erased  entry  in  the  Journals  indicates  that 
he  was  probably  in  attendance  some  part  of  that  day.  Bartlett  merely  states, 
Sept.  3  (no.  103),  that  he  had  taken  leave  of  absence.  Jefferson  resigned, 
and  genjamin  Harrison  was  elected,  Oct.  10,  in  his  stead. 

Joseph  Jones. 

Elected:    May  22,  1777  (for  one  year  from  the  nth  of  August  next). 

Attended:    Aug,  11  to  Dec.  20  (or  later),  1777. 

Jones  was  one  of  a  committee  (Morris,  Gerry,  and  Jones)  appointed  Nov.  28 
to  confer  with  General  Washington  and  was  absent  on  that  mission  from 
about  Nov.  29  to  Dec.  15  (see  under  Gerry).  The  report  of  the  committee, 
which  was  drawn  up  by  Jones,  was  presented  Dec.  16.  The  last  mention  of 
him  in  the  Journals  is  his  participation  in  a  report  of  the  board  of  war, 
Dec.  20.  His  name  is  not  among  the  yeas  and  nays  Dec.  27.  Harvie  states 
in  a  letter  to  Jefferson,  Dec.  29,  that  Jones  left  a  few  days  ago  (see  under 
Harvie). 
Francis  Lightfoot  Lee. 

Elected:   Aug.  15,  1775  ("  in  the  room  of  "  Richard  Bland)  ;  June  20, 
1776;  May  22.  1777. 

Attended:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  July  5,  1776,  to  Feb.  27,  1777;  Apr.  2  to  Dec. 
31.  1777- 

The  first  mention  in  the  Journals  of  the  presence  of  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee 
in  this  period  is  Sept.  7  (a  committee  appointment),  but  a  letter  from  him 
to  his  brother,  Richard  Henrj-  Lee,  written  from  Philadelphia,  July  16,  not 
only  shows  that  he  was  then  in  attendance  at  Congress  but  had  no  purpose 
of  leaving  soon:  "The  nth  of  next  month  Cols.  Harrison  and  Braxton  are 
no  longer  delegates  and  as   Mr.  Jefferson  is  determined  to  go  home   then, 


List  of  Members  Ixxi 

we  shall  be  without  a  representation,  unless  you  join  us.  we  have  not  heard 
when  Mr.  Wythe  intends  to  be  here.  I  have  now  got  a  very  good  house, 
near  the  State  house,  in  which  you  may  have  choice  of  good  rooms  .  .  .  We. 
have  this  house  certainly  till  the  last  of  Octr.  and  a  chance  for  the  winter  " 
(New  York  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1099).  The  evidences  of  his  atten- 
dance during  the  autumn  of  1776  and  the  winter  of  1777  are  not  numerous,  but 
they  are  sufficient  to  indicate  that  his  attendance  was  essentially  without  a 
break.  Between  Feb.  28  (no.  390)  and  .A.pr.  28,  when  he  served  as  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  the  whole,  there  is  a  gap  in  his  record,  but  the  account 
rendered  to  the  commonwealth  of  Virginia  for  his  attendance  in  Congress 
from  September  8,  1775,  to  April  16,  1779  (Emmet  Coll.,  no.  iioo),  gives  the 
date  of  his  attendance  at  Philadelphia,  after  the  adjournment  from  Balti- 
more, as  Apr.  2.  Aside  from  this  absence  his  account  credits  him  with 
consecutive  attendance  until  June  2,  1778.  It  is  to  be  observed,  however,  that 
the  accounts  rendered  by  Virginia  delegates  for  attendance  in  Congress 
charge  for  solid  time;  for  instance:  "To  attendance  from  the  12  Aug: 
1776  to  the  27  Feb:  1777  inclusive  at  30/  a  day,  200  days,  £300."  (To  the 
end  of  the  delegation  year,  Aug.  11,  1776,  the  allowance  was  45  shillings 
per  day;  from  Aug.  12  to  May  4,  1777,  30  shillings;  from  May  5  to  Oct.  19, 
8  dollars  a  day;  and  from  Oct.  20,  1777,  to  June  1778,  10  dollars  a  day.) 

Richard  Henry  Lee. 

Elected:    (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Aug.  11,  1775;  June  20,  1776;  June  24,  1777 

(see  below). 
Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Aug.  27,  1776,  to  Feb.  27,  1777;  Apr.  7  (or 
earlier)  to  June  15,  1777;  Aug.  12  to  Dec.  6,  1777. 
The  certificate  of  Lee's  election  as  found  in  the  Journals  Aug.  11  has  the  date 
June  26.  The  election  was,  however,  on  June  24  (Virginia  House  Journals). 
He  was  chosen  "  in  the  room  of  "  George  Mason,  who  had  declined ;  but  a 
peculiar  feature  of  the  case  is  that,  whereas  Mason  had  been  elected,  first, 
"  in  the  room  of "  Thomas  Nelson,  and  secondly,  for  the  full  delegation 
year,  from  Aug.  11,  1777  (see  under  Mason),  the  term  for  which  Lee  was 
chosen  was  specified  as  "from  the^ith  of  August  next,  until  the  lOth  day 
of  May  following".  For  some  account  of  the  contest  between  the  Lee 
and  the  Harrison  factions,  culminating  in  this  election  of  Richard  Henry  Lee, 
see  a  note  by  Paul  Leicester  Ford,  in  Jefferson's  Writings,  H.  128.  See  also 
the  note  under  Harrison. 
Although  Jefferson  wrote,  Aug.  26,  1776,  that  Lee  had  not  yet  come  (see 
Hazleton,  Declaration  of  Independence,  p.  214;  also  Lee's  Letters,  ed. 
Ballagh,  I.  206,  208,  210,  212,  213),  he  had  no  doubt  arrived  by  the  27th,  for 
he  was  placed  on  a  committee  that  day  (the  credentials  were  not,  however, 
presented  until  Aug.  28).  When  Congress  adjourned  from  Baltimore,  Feb. 
27,  1777,  Lee  went  to  Virginia  for  about  a  month.  In  a  letter  to  John  Page, 
Feb.  19  (ibid.,  I.  263),  after  mentioning  the  proposed  adjournment  to 
Philadelphia,  he  says :  "  In  the  recess,  I  shall  carry  Mrs.  Lee  to  Virginia." 
It  appears  also  that  he  was  the  bearer  of  the  letter  of  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee, 
Feb.  28  (no.  390),  for  it  bears  the  notation,  "  favor'd  by  Col.  R.  H.  Lee"; 
nevertheless  he  was  still  in  Baltimore  Mar.  i  (Letters,  I.  268).  A  letter  to 
Governor  Henry,  written  from  Philadelphia  Apr.  7  (ibid.,  p.  268),  indicates 
that  he  had  just  then  returned  from  Virginia.  He  was  given  a  committee 
appointment  Apr.  9.  He  obtained  leave  of  absence  June  5,  but  in  a  letter 
to  Arthur  Lee,  June  30,  he  says :  "  I  left  Philadelphia  the  iSth  instant,  and 
shall  return  again  to  Congress  the  ist.  of  August"  (ibid.,  p.  305).  He 
appeared  in  the  Virginia  house  of  delegates  June  20,  but  resumed  his  seat 
in  Congress  Aug.  12  (see  the  Journals).  He  was  granted  leave  of  absence 
Nov.  15  "  for  the  recovery  of  his  health  ",  but  he  did  not  at  once  avail  hirn- 
self  of  the  privilege  (see,  for  instance,  no.  748,  n.  8).  On  the  contrary,  his 
presence  in  Congress  is  frequently  recorded  as  late  as  Dec.  4.  In  a  letter 
to  William  Lee,  Jan.  25,  1778  (Letters,  I.  380),  he  states  that  he  left  Congress 
Dec.  6  (cf.  no.  768,  n.  2). 

George  Mason. 

Elected:    May  22,  1777  (see  below). 
Did  not  attend. 

Mason  received  two  elections  to  Congress  on  the  same  day.  one  "  in  the  room 
of  "  Thomas  Nelson,  who  had  resigned  (that  is,  to  fill  out  Nelson's  unex- 


Ixxii  List  of  Members 

pircd  term,  which  ended  Aug.  ii,  1/77),  tl't'  ulhcr  as  one  of  five  di-Iegates 
for  the  full  dikgatioii  year,  Aug.  II,  1777,  to  Aug.  II,  1778  He  declined 
(presumably  both  election.s)  June  nj.  and  June  24  Richard  Henry  l^e  was 
chosen  in  his  stead  (sec  the  nott-  under  Lee). 

Thomas  Nclsun,  jr. 

Klected:    Aug.  11,  1775;  June  20,  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  L)  ;  July  5  to  Sept.  21,  1776;  Nov.  10,  1776,  to 
Jan.  30  (?),  1777;  Apr.  30' to  May  8,  1777. 
Excepting  an  order,  July  11,  for  payment  of  a  hill  of  expenses  there  is  no 
mention  of  Nelson  in  the  Journals  until  Aug.  22,  when  he  appears  as  chair- 
man of  the  conunittee  of  the  whole.  In  this  capacity  he  appears  fre(|uently 
in  the  Journals  until  Sept.  16.  His  letter  of  Sept.  18  (no.  134.  omitted 
passage),  in  which  he  says:  "I  am  almost  overdone  with  such  constant 
attendance  upon  the  business  of  Congress  ",  suggests  a  puri>ose  to  withdraw. 
In  fact  an  account  which  he  rendered  for  his  services  from  1775  to  1777 
(Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1126)  credits  him  with  attendance  from  Sept.  10,  1775, 
to  Feb.  22,  1776,  165  days;  from  June  9,  1776,  to  Aug.  11,  62  days;  from 
Aug.  II  to  Sept.  21,  41  days;  from  Nov.  10,  1776,  to  Jan.  20,  1777,  71  days; 
aiui  under  April,  1777  (besides  a  charge  for  travelling  expenses),  "atten- 
dance 8  days  in  Congress  ".  In  this  account  (which  was  rendered  in  1779) 
Nelson  evidently  made  an  error  in  crediting  himself  for  attendcnce  only  until 
Jan.  20,  1777;  for  he  was  actually  in  attendance  Jan.  24,  .serving  as  chairman 
of  the  committee  of  the  whole.  The  date  should  probably  be  Jan.  30.  At  all 
events.  Nelson  did  not  leave  Baltimore  earlier  than  Feb.  2  (see  no.  332,  n.  2). 
Indeed  it  seems  probable  that  the  proper  date  of  his  letter  to  Robert  Morris 
(no.  320)  is  Feb.  5  instead  of  Jan.  25.  The  last  entry  in  the  account  would 
indicate  that  he  attended  May  8  only  long  enough  to  obtain  leave  of  absence. 
May  8  a  letter  offering  his  resignation  was  presented  in  the  Virginia  house  of 
delegates  (cf.  no.  493).  May  13  Richard  Henry  Lee  wrote  to  Governor 
Henry.:  "  Col.  Nelson  is  gone  home  ill,  so  that  we  three  are  fixed  here  to 
hard  service"  (Letters,  I.  289).  The  three  were  the  two  Lees  and  Mann 
Page  (see  no.  498). 
Mann  Page  jr. 

Elected:   Dec.  4,  1776  (see  below). 

Attended:  Jan.  30  to  Feb.  2y  (?),  1777;  Apr.  15  (or  earlier)  to  May 
20  (or  later),  1777. 
Page  was  elected  "  in  the  room  of  George  Wythe,  Esq.  who  is  nevertheless 
empowered  to  continue  to  Act  in  Congress  until  the  said  Mann  Page  shall 
take  his  seat  therein". 
Page  took  his  seat  in  Congress  Jan.  30  (see  the  Journals),  and  doubtless 
remained  in  attendance  until  the  adjournment  from  Baltimore,  although 
the  last  known  mention  of  his  presence  is  in  Burke's  Abstract  of  Debates, 
Feb.  15  (no.  356).  He  w-as  still  in  Baltimore  Mar.  5  (see  no.  393).  Apr.  15 
he  wrote  from  Philadelphia  to  his  brother,  John  Page,  that  he  had  been 
detained  three  weeks  on  his  way  from  Baltimore  to  Philadelphia  by  his  wife's 
sickness  (copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V. 
Henkels :  see  also  no.  455  and  note  2).  This  suggests  that  he  probably  reached 
Philadelphia  early  in  April,  if  not  by  the  end  of  March.  The  Journals 
credit  him  with  a  committee  appointment  Apr.  18,  and  with  another  May  19. 
The  delegation  letter  of  May  20  (no.  498)  is  the  last  evidence  found  of  his 
presence.  Lovell's  mention  of  his  absence  July  21  (no.  556)  gives  the 
impression  that  Page  had  taken  his  departure  more  recently  than  the  latter 
part  of  May. 
George  Wythe. 

Elected:   Aug.  11,  1775;  June  20,  1776. 

Attended:  (See  vol.  I.)  ;  Sept.  14  (or  earlier)  to  Dec.  12  (?),  1776. 
The  first  mention  of  Wjrthe's  presence  in  Congress  is  in  a  letter  of  Josiah 
Bartlett,  Sept.  14  (no.  128)  :  "  Mr.  Wythe  is  come  to  Congress."  He  had 
probably  arrived  only  a  day  or  so  before.  For  instance,  Richard  Henry  Lee 
wrote  to  Jefferson  July  21 :  "  Our  friend  Mr.  W}i:he  proposes  to  me  by  letter 
that  I  meet  him  at  Hooes  ferry  the  3d  of  September,  and  I  have  agreed  to 
do  so,  unless  some  pressing  call  takes  me  to  Congress  sooner  "  {Letters,  1. 
210);  and  Wythe  himself  wrote  to  Jefferson  July  27:    "I  have  directed  a 


List  of  Members  Ixxiii 

carriage  to  meet  me  at  Hooe's  Ferry  the  third  of  September  "  (Library  of 
Congress,  Jefferson  Papers).  The  programme  was  not,  however,  carried 
out  on  Lee's  part,  for  he  came  on  to  Congress  at  the  end  of  August,  arriving 
probably  the  27th.  A  postscript  to  Lee's  letter  to  Governor  Henry,  Aug.  20 
(Letjers,  I.  213:  "Be  so  kind  as  to  contrive  the  enclosed  to  our  friend. 
I  do  not  know  rightly  where  he  is  "),  probably  refers  to  Wythe.  The  draft  of 
an  address  to  foreign  mercenaries,  from  Wythe's  pen,  placed  by  the  editor 
of  the  Journals  under  Aug.  27  (see  no.  96,  n.  2),  was  probably  prepared  in 
obedience  to  the  resolution  of  May  21,  1776.  Wythe  was  not,  indeed,  a  member 
of  that  committee,  but  Jefferson  was,  and  doubtless  sought  to  make  use  of 
Wythe's  pen.  Inasmuch  as  Wythe  did  not  sign  with  the  other  Virginia  dele- 
gates a  letter  to  the  delegates  from  Pennsylvania,  Sept.  12  (Force,  Am.  Arch. 
fifth  ser.,  IL  42),  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  had  arrived  at  that  time.  The 
precise  time  of  Wythe's  departure  has  not  been  discovered.  He  wrote  to 
Jefferson  Nov.  18  (with  a  postscript  of  Nov.  19)  that  he  was  ready  to  return 
to  Virginia,  whenever  desired,  to  assist  in  the  revision  of  the  laws,  adding: 
"  In  the  mean  time  I  purpose  to  abide  here,  if  the  enemy  do  not  drive  me 
away"  (Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers).  To  the  same  effect  on  the 
same  day  he  wrote  to  Edmund  Pendleton  (Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1627).  The 
last  record  of  his  presence  is  a  committee  appointment  Nov.  29,  but  it  is 
probable  that  he  remained  in  attendance  until  the  adjournment  to  Baltimore. 
A  committee  of  which  he  was  a  member  made  a  report,  Dec.  28,  which  had 
been  drawn  up  by  Wythe,  but  it  had  probably  been  prepared  at  an  earlier  date. 
He  was,  at  all  events,  absent  Jan.  4,  1777  (see  the  Journals). 


I.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
New  Jersey  Convention.^ 

Philada.  July  5th.  1776. 
Gentlemen: 

You  will  perceive,  by  the  enclosed  Resolve  that  the  Congress  have 
judged  it  necessary  to  remove  the  Prisoners  from  your  Colony  to  York 
Town  in  Pennsylvania,  and  have  directed  me  to  request  you  to  carry  the 
same  into  Execution  immediately.  Their  Vicinity  to  our  Enemies,  and 
the  opportunity  of  deserting  to  them,  or  keeping  up  a  Communication 
dangerous  to  the  Interest  of  these  United  States,  render  this  Step  not 
only  prudent  but  absolutely  necessary.^ 

I  do  myself  the  Honour  to  enclose,  in  Obedience  to  the  Commands  of 
Congress,  a  copy  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  which  you  will 
please  to  have  proclaimed  in  your  Colony  in  such  a  Way  and  Manner  as 
you  shall  judge  best. 

The  important  Consequences  to  the  American  States  from  this  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  considered  as  the  Ground  and  Foundation  of  a 
future  Government,  will  naturally  suggest  the  Propriety  of  proclaiming 
it  in  such  a  Mode,  as  that  the  People  may  be  universally  informed  of  it.* 

2.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  5,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  a  determined  resolution  of  the 
Delegates  from  some  of  the  Colonies  to  push  the  question  of  Indepen- 
dency has  had  a  most  happy  effect,  and,  after  a  day's  debate,  all  the  Colo- 
nies, excepting  New  York,  whose  Delegates  are  not  empowered  to  give 
either  an  affirmative  or  negative  voice,"  united  in  a  declaration  long  sought 
for,  solicited,  and  necessary — the  Declaration  of  Independency. 

New  York  will  most  probably,  on  Monday  next,  when  its  Convention 
meets  for  forming  a  constitution,  join  in  the  measure,  and  then  it  will 
be  entitled  The  Unanimous  Declaration  of  the  Thirteen  United 
States  of  America 

3.  John  Hancock  to  William  Cooper.^ 

Philada.  6  July,  1776 
My  dear  Sir 

....  I  hope  we  shall  be  a  free  and  happy  people,  totally  unfetter'd, 
and  Releas'd  from  the  Bonds  of  Slavery.     That  we  may  be  thus  free, 

[i]i  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  IV.  212 ;  Force, '.^^m.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  11. 
-  On  the  same  day  Captain  Crawford,  a  British  prisoner  on  parole,  was  refused 
permission  to  visit  the  prisoners,  probably  for  the  same  reason.     See  vol.  I.  of  these 
Letters,  no.  704,  note  2. 

3  See  no.  4,  note  2,  post. 
[2]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  14;  Austin,  Life  of  Elbridge  Gerry,  I.  202. 

2  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  752,  note  2;  cf.  nos.  7,  10,  18,  21,  post. 
[3]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  C  81  H  48. 

I 


2  Continental  Congress 

Congress  have  done,  and  will  still  do.  more,  to  promote  it.  Inclos'd 
voii  have  the  Declaration  of  Indcpciulence,  to  which  Refer  yon.  I  write 
the  Assemhly,  and  it  is  the  wisii  of  Conj^rcss  the  Declaration  may  he 
proclaim'd  in  the  State  of  Massachnsetts  Bay 

4.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.* 

Philadelphia  Jnly  6,  1776. 

Sir 

The  Congress,  for  some  Time  past,  have  had  their  Attention  occupied 
by  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  important  Subjects  that  could  possibly 
come  before  them ;  or  any  other  Assembly  of  Men. 

Altho  it  is  not  possible  to  foresee  the  Consequences  of  Human  Actions, 
yet  it  is  nevertheless  a  Duty  we  owe  ourselves  and  Posterity,  in  all  our 
public  Counsels,  to  decide  in  the  best  Manner  we  are  able,  and  to  leave  the 
Event  to  that  Being  who  controuls  both  Causes  and  Events  to  bring  about 
his  own  determinations. 

Impressed  with  this  Sentiment,  and  at  the  same  Time  fully  convinced, 
that  our  Affairs  may  take  a  more  favourable  Turn  the  Congress  have 
judged  it  necessary  to  dissolve  the  Connection  between  Great  Britain 
and  the  American  Colonies,  and  to  declare  them  free  and  independent 
States;  as  you  will  perceive  by  the  enclosed  Declaration,  which  I  am 
directed  to  transmit  to  you,  and  to  request  you  will  have  it  proclaimed 
at  the  Head  of  the  Army  in  the  way  you  shall  think  most  proper.^ .... 

5.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.* 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

For  news,  I  refer  you  to  your  brother,  who  writes  on  that  head.  I 
enclose  a  copy  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  as  agreed  to  by  the 
House,  and  also  as  originally  framed :  you  will  judge  whether  it  is  the 
better  or  worse  for  the  critics.  I  shall  return  to  Virginia  after  the  nth 
of  August.    I  wish  my  successor  may  be  certain  to  come  before  that  time : 

f 4]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  LXXXIX.  210;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  1.  32;  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  L  256. 

2  To  New  York,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  New  Hampshire  was  written 
a  letter  comprising  the  last  two  paragraphs  above,  plus  a  third  paragraph,  identical  with 
the  last  paragraph  of  the  letter  to  the  New  Jersey  convention,  no.  i,  ante.  See  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  33,  1397;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  521,  IL  313;  N.  Y.  State 
Lib..  Revolutionary  Papers,  VII.  371 ;  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCIII.  73.  The  letter  to  the 
convention  of  Maryland,  dated  July  8,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  13,  and  Scharf,  Hist,  of 
Md.,  II.  233.  The  letter  to  the  Pennsylvania  committee  of  safety,  July  5  (Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  12),  is  differently  expressed.  The  Declaration  was  proclaimed  before 
the  army  under  Washington,  July  10.  See  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress, 
July  10,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  224.  and  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  173.  Some 
account  of  the  event  is  in  the  Pennsylvania  Journal.  July  17;  also  in  Moore,  Diary  of  the 
Revolution,  I.  270.  Concerning  the  reception  of  the  Declaration  and  its  proclamation 
in  different  parts  of  the  country-,  see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.,  passim  (index. 
Independence).    Cf.  no.  12,  post. 

[5]^  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  II.  59;  Lee,  Life  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  I.  275;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  118. 


July,  1176  3 

in  that  case,  I  shall  hope  to  see  you,  and  not  Wythe,  in  Convention,  that 
the  business  of  Government,  which  is  of  everlasting  concern,  may  receive 
your  aid.^ 

6.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  Horatio  Gates/ 

Philadelphia,  July  8th,  1776. 
Sir: 

The  Congress  being  informed  by  Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to 
General  Washington,  which  was  laid  before  them  at  the  Request  of  the 
former  and  by  your  own  Consent,  that  a  difference  of  Opinion  had  arisen 
between  General  Schuyler  and  yourself  with  Regard  to  the  Command  of 
the  Army  in  the  Northern  Department,  they  immediately  took  the  Matter 
into  Consideration,  and  have  this  Day  come  to  the  enclosed  Resolution, 
which  I  do  myself  the  Honour  of  transmitting  in  Obedience  to  their 
Commands. 

You  will  there  preceive,  that  Congress  are  of  Opinion  your  Command 
was  totally  independent  of  Genl.  Schuyler,  while  the  Army  was  in  Canada, 
but  no  longer  and  indeed,  the  Terms  in  which  the  Resolve,  relative  to 
your  Appointment,  is  conceived,  seem  to  shew  that  this  was  their  Inten- 
tion. You  were  expressly,  by  that  Resolve,  to  take  the  Command  of  the 
Troops  in  Canada;  Words,  which  strongly  imply,  that  they  had  no 
Design  to  divest  Genl.  Schuyler  of  the  Command  while  the  Troops  were 
on  this  side  Canada.  I  am  however  to  inform  you,  that  Congress  highly 
approve  your  Resolution  and  Magnanimity  that  the  public  Service  should 
receive  no  Detriment  from  any  Difference  of  Opinion  on  the  Occasion. 
It  is  their  most  earnest  Desire,  you  will  go  on  to  act  in  the  same  Manner, 
and  cultivate  Harmony  in  all  your  military  Operations.  A  good  Under- 
standing and  mutual  Confidence  are  so  essentially  necessary  in  Order  to 
give  Success  to  our  Measures,  that  I  am  convinced,  they  will  take  Place 
on  all  Occasions  between  you. 

He  deserves  most  of  his  Country,  and  will  undoubtedly  meet  with  the 
greatest  applause,  in  whatever  Rank  or  Station  he  may  be,  who  renders 
her  the  most  useful  and  signal  Services.^ 

2  In  a  letter  to  Edmund  Pendleton,  of  which  only  a  fragment,  without  date,  exists, 
Jefferson  says :  "  I  am  sorry  the  situation  of  my  domestic  affairs  renders  it  indispensably 
necessary  that  I  should  solicit  the  substitution  of  some  other  person  here  in  my  room. 
....  I  would  not  urge  it  again  were  it  not  unavoidable.  I  shall  with  cheerfulness 
continue  my  duty  here  till  the  expiration  of  our  year  by  which  time  I  hope  it  will  be 
convenient  for  my  successor  to  attend"  {Writings,  ed.  Ford,  II.  6i).  The  end  of  the 
delegation  year  was  Aug.  11.  See  the  Virginia  credentials,  the  Journals,  Aug.  28.  As 
Richard  Henry  Lee  was  given  a  committee  appointment  Aug.  27,  he  probably  attended 
on  that  day.    Jefferson  left  Philadelphia  Sept.  2. 

L6]i  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VI.;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  IV. 
220;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  I.  il. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  8.  Schuyler's  letter  to  Washington,  dated  July  i,  and  a 
record  of  a  conversation  between  Schuyler  and  Gates,  dated  June  30,  are  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fourth  sen,  VI.  1199,  1202,  and  also  ibid.,  VI.  1266-1269.  Washington's  letter  in 
which  they  were  enclosed  is  ibid.,  VI.  1264.  They  were  read  in  Congress  July  6.  A 
letter  similar  to  this  was  written  on  the  same  day  to  Schuyler,  ibid.,  fifth  sen,  I.  115. 
See  also  Hancock  to  Washington,  same  date,  ibid.,  I.  115;  and  Gates  to  Congress,  and 
to  Washington,  July  16,  ibid.,  I.  375,  2>7^.    Cf.  nos.  18,  75,  post. 


Continental  Congress 


JS' 


7.  Joseph  Hewes  to  Samuel  Johnston/ 

Philadelphia,  July  8th,  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

....  I  received  a  Letter  from  your  Committee  of  Secrecy  War  and 
iiitellig-ence  respect iui,'-  the  e.xpediency  of  Fortifying-  the  harbour  of  Cape 
Lookout.-  I  laid  the  matter  before  a  Committee  ^  of  Cong:ress  appointed 
to  consider  what  i)laces  were  proper  to  be  I'Ortifyed  but  before  they  con- 
sider and  make  report  thereon  it  is  absolutely  Necessary  they  should 
have  a  plan  or  Map  of  the  harbour  with  proper  e.\i)lanations  and  dis- 
criptions.  These  should  be  taken  by  an  engineer  on  the  spot  who  should 
form  a  plan  of  the  Fortilications  necessary  to  be  made  and  the  expence 
that  would  attend  it.  I  have  wrote  to  Mr.  Harnett  twice  on  the  subject 
but  as  I  have  reason  to  believe  many  Letters  Miscarry  I  now  mention  the 
matter  to  you,  in  hopes  you  will  endeavour  to  prevail  on  the  Council  of 
Safety  to  get  the  matter  done  as  early  as  possible.  I  find  a  disposition  in 
most  of  the  Members  of  Congress  to  grant  to  our  Province  all  that  can  be 
reasonably  expected,  it  is  not  in  their  power  to  assist  us  at  present  with 
Cannon,  but  as  several  Forges  are  beginning-  to  Cast  twelve  and  eighteen 
pounders  I  hope  towards  Winter  they  will  not  only  have  it  in  their  power 
but  be  heartily  disposed  to  assist  us  with  some  heavy  pieces  to  put  into 
such  places  as  may  be  thought  ^lost  advisable.  This  is  all  you  can  expect, 
it  is  all  that  is  done  in  the  like  cases,  the  works  must  be  done  At  your 
ow'n  expence  or  by  such  Continental  Troops  as  may  be  in  the  province  for 
the  time  being.  I  give  you  this  as  my  opinion,  perhaps  tliey  may  do 
more  for  our  Province,  it  stands  high  in  Rank,  and  high  in  estimation. 
I  wish  it  may  be  able  to  support  its  good  character  in  future 

My  friend  Penn  came  time  enough  to  give  his  vote  for  independance. 
I  send  you  the  declaration  inclosed,  all  the  Colonies  voted  for  it  except 
New  York,  that  Colony  was  prevented  from  Joining  in  it  by  an  old 
Instruction.  Their  Convention  meets  this  da}'^  and  it  is  expected  they  will 
follow  the  example  of  the  other  Colonies.* 

I  had  the  weight  of  North  Carolina  on  my  shoulders  within  a  day  or 
two  of  three  months,  the  service  w^as  too  severe.  I  have  sat  some  days 
from  Six  in  the  morning  till  five,  and  sometimes  Six  in  the  afternoon 
without  eating  or  drinking.  My  health  was  bad,  such  close  attention 
made  it  worse,  I  nevertheless  obstinately  persisted  in  doing  my  duty  to 
the  best  of  my  Judgment  and  abilities  and  attended  Congress  the  whole 
time,  one  day  only  excepted,  this  I  did  contrary  to  the  repeated  solicita- 
tions of  my  friends,  some  of  whom  I  believe  thought  I  should  not  be  able 
to  keep  Soul  and  body  together  'till  this  time,  duty,  inclination  and  self 
preservation  call  on  me  now  to  make  a  little  excursion  in  the  Country  to 

[7]!  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  720;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  117;  North 
Carolina  Booklet,  vol.  IV.,  no.  5,  p.  32. 

2  This  letter  has  not  been  found.  The  committee  was  first  styled  "  Committee  of 
Secrecy,  Intelligence,  and  Observation " ;  once  "  Committee  of  Secrecy,  War,  and 
Correspondence  ".    See  A'.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  507.  519,  527.  544,  XI.  293-297. 

3  This  committee  made  a  partial  report  June  24.     Cf.  ibid.,  X.  354,  443,  590, 

*  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  752 ;  also  no.  2,  ante,  and  nos.  10,  18,  21,  post. 


July,  1776  6 

see  my  mother,  this  is  a  duty  which  I  have  not  allowed  my  self  to  per- 
form during  almost  nine  months  tiiat  I  have  been  here. 

....  we  are  endeavouring  to  get  the  Lakes  fortified  in  the  best 
manner  we  can  to  prevent  Burgoyne  from  passing  tliem  and  entering  the 
Colonies  on  that  side.'^ 

A  paper  has  been  privately  laid  on  the  Congress  Table  importing  that 
some  dark  designs  were  forming  for  our  distruction,  and  advising  us  to 
take  care  of  ourselves,  some  were  for  examining  the  Cellars  under  the 
Room  where  we  set.*^  I  was  against  it  and  urged  that  we  ought  to  treat 
such  information  with  Contempt  and  not  show  any  marks  of  fear  or 
Jealousy.  I  told  some  of  them  I  had  almost  as  soon  be  blown  up  as  to 
discover  to  the  world  that  I  thought  my  self  in  danger,  no  notice  has 
been  taken  of  this  piece  of  information  which  I  think  is  right 

8.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  8,  1776. 
My  dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  24th  ultimo  I  liave  received.  It  grieved  me  that  the 
frigates  cannot  be  got  to  sea,  which  I  am  sensible  they  might  before  this, 
had  proper  attention  been  paid  to  cannon  in  season.  I  have  been  a  long 
time  endeavouring  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  Committee  to  the  regula- 
tion of  the  Navy,  but  hitherto  without  success.  The  present  establish- 
ment certainly  needs  amendment,  but  business  is  so  exceedingly  pressing 
that  it  is  impossible  to  form  a  judgment  when  it  will  be  done 

I  must  refer  you  to  the  papers  for  news,  as  time  just  now  is  very* 
precious.  The  Declaration  will  no  doubt  give  you  pleasure.  It  will  be 
published  next  Thursday  at  the  head  of  the  Army  at  New  York.^  I  am 
told  it  is  to  be  published  this  day  in  form  in  this  city.^ .... 

[P.  S.]  I  hope  you  will  take  care  that  the  Declaration  is  properly 
treated.* .... 


9.  The  New  Hampshire  Delegates  to  the  President  of 

New  Hampshire.^ 

Philadelphia  9th  July,  1776. 
Sir 

Your  highly  Esteem'd  favour  of  the  18  Ulto  inclosing  Instructions  to 
join  with  the  other  Colonies  in  Declaring  these  United  Colonies,  Free 

5  See  the  Journals,  July  11  (p.  542). 

6  An  allusion  to  the  Gunpowder  Plot  (1605),  and  the  subsequent  practice  of  search- 
ing the  cellars  of  the  Parliament  building  for  explosives.  It  is  not  known  what  this 
paper  was. 

[8]i  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  I.  118. 

2  Thursday  was  the  nth.     The  Declaration  was  proclaimed  before  the  army  on 
the  loth.     See  no.  4,  note  2,  ante,  and  no.  9,  post. 
2  See  nos.  9,  12,  note  2,  post. 
*  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  381,  427. 
[g]!  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1074,  item  51;  Force  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  136. 


6  Continental  Congress 

and  Intlependent  States,  came  very  Seasonably  to  hand.'*  as  we  were  so 
happy  as  to  agree  in  sentiment  with  our  Constituents  it  gave  us  the 
greater  Pleasure  to  concur  with  the  Delegates  of  the  other  Colonies  in 
the  inclos'd  Declaration,  which  was  Yesterday  puhlish'd  in  form  in  this 
City,  and  is  to  be  Publish'd  at  the  Head  of  the  Army  at  New  York  next 
Thursday.' 

A  plan  of  Confederation  is  now  forming,  which  when  finished  will  be 
transmited  to  each  Colony  for  their  aprobation. 

Major  Rogers  (whose  Conduct,  it  seems,  was  suspicious)  was  taken  up 
some  time  since  by  order  of  General  Washington,  and  sent  under  Guard 
to  this  City.  He  requested  leave  to  go  to  England,  by  way  of  the  West 
Indies  but  Congress  not  thinking  it  proper,  have  directed  him  to  be  sent 
to  New  Hampshire,  to  be  dispos'd  of  as  the  Authority  there  shall  think 
Best.* 

We  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  Great  Respect, 

Your  Most  obt  Servts, 
JosiAH  Bartlett, 
Wm.  Whipple. 
Colo.  Weare. 


lo.  The  South  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  President  of 

South  Carolina.^ 

Philadelphia  9th  July  1776 
Sir 

Inclosed  are  the  Resolutions  of  Congress  respecting  our  Provincial 
Forces  ^  We  wish  they  may  be  agreeable  to  your  Excellency  to  our 
Assembly  and  to  the  officers  of  our  Army  if  they  are  not  there  is  nothing 
compulsory  in  them  Congress  would  not  strictly  comply  with  the  Request 
we  were  ordered  to  make  on  this  Subject  lest  they  should  establish  a  Pre- 
cedent which  might  be  injurious  to  the  General  Interest  of  America.  We 
have  therefore  been  obliged  to  vary  our  application  and  to  adopt  such 
Resolutions  as  seemed  most  conformable  to  the  Intentions  of  our  Congress 
and  most  likely  to  give  Satisfaction  to  the  Of^cers  of  our  Army. 

Inclosed  also  are  some  other  occasional  Resolutions  of  Congress  and 
a  very  important  Declaration  which  the  King  of  Great-Britain  has  at  last 
reduced  us  to  the  necessity  of  making,  all  the  colonies  were  united  upon 
this  great  Subject  except  New- York  whose  Delegates  were  restrained  by 
an  Instruction  given  several  ]\Ionths  ago.  their  Convention  is  to  meet  in 
a  few  days  when  it  is  expected  that  Instruction  will  be  immediately  with- 

-  The  letter  and  instructions  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  1029-1030. 
3  See  no.  8,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  i.  6.  Washington  to  Congress,  June  27  (Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fourth  ser.,  VI.  1108),  Hancock  to  Washington,  July  i  (ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  i),  and  no.  19, 
post.    See  also  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  289,  note  5. 

[10]^  MS.  Journal  of  the  South  Carolina  General  Assembly,  1776,  p.  116  (copy); 
Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXXVI.  71  (copy)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
III.  7. 

-  See  the  Journals,  June  18;  cf.  ibid..  May  20,  25,  29. 


July,  1 7 yd  7 

drawn  and  the  Declaration  unanimously  agreed  to  by  the  Thirteen  United 
States  of  America.^ 

We  have  procured  an  Order  from  Congress  for  Three  Hundred  Thou- 
sand Dollars  for  the  Payment  and  Disbursments  of  our  Troops  which  will 
be  forwarded  to  you  as  soon  as  possible.  Congress  have  also  given  Direc- 
tions to  the  Commanding  officer  in  Virginia  about  a  Fortnight  ago  to 
send  forward  Five  Thousand  Pounds  of  Gun  Powder  to  our  Colony.* 

•      •      •     • 

With  the  greatest  Respect  we  are 

Your  Excellency's  Most  obedient  Servants 

Thomas  Lynch 
Edward  Rutledge 
Arthur  Middleton 
Thomas  Heyward  junior 
Thomas  Lynch  junior. 
His  Excellency  John  Rutledge  Esquire. 

II.  Abraham  Clark  to  Samuel  Tucker.^ 

Philadelphia  July  9th  1776. 
Sir, 

Your  Letter  of  the  6th  Inst :  wherein  you  mention  the  want  of  Ammu- 
nition was  yesterday  before  Congress.  Upon  Motion  of  your  Delegates 
four  Tons  were  Ordered  to  be  sent  immediately,  on  Continental  Acct  for 
the  use  of  the  Militia  who  March  out  to  guard  the  Province  untill  the 
Flying  Camp  is  formed,  or  for  the  use  of  the  flying  Camp  if  not  expended 
before  they  take  the  field."  I  have  the  Pleasure  to  Assure  you  Congress 
pay  particular  Attention  to  the  Defence  of  New  Jersey,  and  hitherto  have 
denied  us  nothing  which  we  have  Asked  for  that  Purpose— they  look 
upon  our  Province  in  great  danger  of  being  ravaged  by  the  Enemy,  and 
it  is  hoped  you  will  not  esteem  it  so  far  free  from  danger  as  to  make  your 
Continuing  together  unnecessary 

12.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Chase.^ 

Philadelphia,  9  July,  1776. 

Yours  of  the  5th  came  to  me  the  8th.  You  will  see  by  this  post,  that 
the  river  is  passed,  and  the  bridge  cut  away.  The  Declaration  was  yester- 
day published  and  proclaimed  from  that  awful  stage  in  the  State-house 
yard;  by  whom,  do  you  think?  By  the  Committee  of  Safety,  the  Com- 
mittee of  Inspection,  and  a  great  crowd  of  people.    Three  cheers  rended 

^  Cf.  nos.  2,  7,  ante.  The  affirmative  action  of  the  New  York  convention  was 
taken  July  9.  See  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  515-518;  also  the  Journals,  July  15,  and 
nos.  18,  21,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  15,  21. 
[ii]i  Me.  Hist.  Soc,  Signers  of  the  Declaration,  I.:  N.  E.  Hist,  and  Geneal.  Register, 
XXX.  314. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  8.    The  New  Jersey  letter  of  July  6,  accompanied  by  a 
subsequent  note  of  the  same  date,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  2>7-    Cf.  ibid.,  p.  346. 
[i2]'^Works,  IX.  420;  Biddle,  Old  Family  Letters,  p.  8. 

6 


8  Continental  Congress 

the  welkin.  'JMie  hattali<nis  paraded  on  the  Common,  and  pave  us  the 
feu  dc  joic,  notwithstandinp^  the  scarcity  of  powder.  The  hells  rang  all 
day  and  almost  all  nijj^ht.     Kven  the  chimcrs  chimed  away."  .... 

As  soon  as  an  American  seal  is  prepared,"  I  conjecture  the  I)eclarati(-)n 
will  he  suhscrihed  by  all  the  members,  which  will  pfive  you  the  ojjportunity 
you  wish  for,  of  transmitting  your  name  among  the  votaries  of  inde- 
pendence.* .... 

Your  mention  last  fall  for  sendini^  ambassadors  to  France  with  condi- 
tional instructions,  was  murdered;  terminating  in  a  committee  of  secret 
correspondence,  which  came  to  nothing.'' .... 

13.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  July  loth.  1776. 

The  enclosed  Letter  from  Mr.  Ephraim  Anderson,  I  am  directed  to 
transmit  by  Order  of  Congress. 

As  Mr.  Anderson  appears  to  be  an  ingenious  Man,  and  proposes  to 
destroy  the  British  Fleet  at  New  York,  tlie  Congress  are  willing  to  give 
him  an  opportunity  of  trying  the  Experiment,  and  have  therefore  thought 
proper  to  refer  him  to  you. 

The  Event  only  can  shew  whether  his  Scheme  is  visionary  or  practic- 
able. Should  it  be  attended  with  Success,  (and  the  very  Chance  of  it  is 
sufficient  to  justify  the  Attempt)  the  infinite  Service  to  the  American 
States  arising  therefrom,  cannot  be  described.  Or  should  it  fail,  our 
Situation  will  be,  in  every  Respect  the  same  as  before." .... 

2  See  Christopher  Marshall's  Diary,  July  6,  8 ;  Pa.  Col.  Rccs.,  X.  635 ;  and  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  119. 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  4,  Aug.  20;  also  Adams's  letter  to  his  wife,  Aug.  14,  no. 
77,  post. 

*  The  editor  of  John  Adams's  Works  quotes  from  the  letter  of  Chase  to  which 
Adams  is  replying:  "I  hope  ere  this  time  the  decisive  blow  is  struck.  Oppression, 
inhumanity,  and  perfidy  have  compelled  us  to  it.  Blessed  be  men  who  effect  the  work! 
I  en\-y  you.  How  shall  I  transmit  to  posterity  that  I  gave  my  assent?  "  Cf.  no.  31,  post, 
and  see  the  Journals,  July  19,  Aug.  2.  In  regard  to  the  signing  of  the  Declaration,  see 
vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  758. 

5  The  committee  of  secret  correspondence  was  appointed  Nov.  29,  1775.  Chase 
was  then  absent  (see  the  Journals,  Nov.  27).  The  suggestion  that  the  committee  had 
done  nothing  is  not  quite  correct.  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  277,  39i.  534.  535.  546, 
and  Wharton.  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  63,  64,  etc.  Cf.  the  Journals,  Dec.  11,  1775,  Jan.  26,  30, 
May  10,  18.  July  9,  1776.  It  would  appear  from  this  statement  of  Adams  that  it  was 
Chase's  motion  that  led  to  the  appointment  of  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence. 
See  no.  18,  post. 

[13]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  X.  179;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  155. 

2  See  the  Journals.  July  10,  22;  also  no.  14,  post.  Anderson's  letter,  dated  July  9, 
proposing  to  destroy  the  British  fleet  by  means  of  fire-ships,  is  in  the  Library  of  Congress, 
Letters  to  Washington,  X.  181,  and  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  155,  See  also  his 
letters  to  the  President  of  Congress,  July  19,  31,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  451,  692, 
and  Washington's  letters  to  Congress,  July  14,  27,  ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  329,  620.  Cf.  ibid., 
I.  983 ;  also  Read,  Life  of  George  Read,  p.  154.  It  was  probably  Ephraim  Anderson  who, 
over  the  signature  "A",  Nov.  4.  1775,  proposed  to  the  New  York  committee  of  safety 
a  scheme  for  the  destruction  of  British  vessels.  See  Force,  Am,  Arch.,  fourth  ser..  III. 
1351.  1757-    On  July  11  the  Pennsylvania  committee  of  safety  sent  Captain  Hazlewood 


July,  1776  9 

14.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

PiiiLADA.  July  nth.  1776. 
Sir 

....  Agreeable  to  the  Resolve  herewith  transmitted,  I  have  enclosed 
Mr.  Anderson's  Letter  to  you,  and  wrote  you  on  the  Subject.  He  will 
present  you  the  Letter  himself.' 

The  Postmaster  having-  established  a  double  Post  in  Obedience  to  the 
Resolve  of  Congress,  a  Post  will,  after  Monday  next,  leave  New  York 
every  Morning,  subject  however  to  be  detained,  or  hastened  whenever 
you  think  the  Publick  Service  requires  it.' .... 

15.  Thomas  Stone  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Phila  July  1 2th  1776. 
Gent. 

Yours  by  Capt.  Strieker  was  this  morning  delivered  to  me,  and  I  shall 
pay  particular  attention  to  its  contents,  tho  I  much  fear  our  endeavour 
to  procure  an  Engineer  to  suit  your  purpose  will  not  be  successful.  Every 
man  who  ever  fired  a  Cannon  or  was  present  at  erecting  any  kind  of 
fortification  has  been  taken  up  for  the  Continental  Service 

Capt.  Strieker  will  I  think  be  appointed  a  field  Officer  in  the  German 
Battalion,  for  which  I  have  no  doubt  but  he  is  well  qualified  from  what 
I  have  heard  of  him.^ .... 

16.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  13,  1776. 
Sir: 

I  am  to  acknowledge  the  Receipt  of  your  Favour  of  the  loth  Inst. ;  and 
to  acquaint  you  that  it  is  now  under  the  Consideration  of  Congress.^ 

The  enclosed  Resolves  I  do  myself  the  Honour  to  transmit,  as  necessary 
for  your  Information.  I  have  wrote  to  General  Schuyler,  and  the  Com- 
missioners for  Indian  Affairs  respecting  the  same. 

to  Washington  with  a  similar  object.  See  ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  186;  cf.  ibid.,  pp.  337,  338, 
601,  728,  1454,  1548,  1556.  About  the  same  time  Joseph  Belton  offered  his  services  for 
the  same  purpose.  See  Franklin's  letter  of  July  22,  no.  33,  post.  Cf.  vol.  I.  of  these 
Letters,  no.  340,  note  2,  where  several  other  projects  are  mentioned.  Some  account  of 
the  work  of  the  fire-ships  is  found  in  a  monograph  by  Reginald  P.  Bolton,  The  Bombard- 
ment of  New  York. 

[14]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  X.  184;  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  185. 

2  See  no.  13,  ante. 

3  Cf.  the  Journals,  July  5. 

[i!^Y  Arch,  of  Md.,  XIL  35;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  219. 

2  The  council's  letter,  dated  July  7,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XIL  12.  Capt.  George 
Strieker  was  made  lieutenant-colonel  of  a  German  regiment,  July  17.  Cf.  Stone  and 
Paca  to  the  council,  July  22,  ibid.,  XIL  93;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  492. 

[  16]  1  Furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning,  of  Albany;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  253. 

2  Washington's  letter  of  July  10  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  224,  and  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  173.  Together  with  Washington's  letters  of  July  11  and  12,  it 
was  referred  to  the  board  of  war  July  15. 


10  Continental  Congress 

In  obctlience  to  the  Comniatids  of  Conprcss.  I  have  enclosed  you  two 
Copies  of  sundry  Resolves  they  have  passed,  relative  to  the  Treatment  of 
our  Prisoners  by  Captain  l'\)Ster  in  Canada.  I  am  to  request  you  will 
take  the  proper  Steps  to  send  one  of  them  to  (leneral  Howe,  and  the  other 
to  Genl.   Burgfoyne.     I   transmit  also  a  third  copy  for  your  own  use.' 

Should  the  United  States  of  America  give  tiieir  Sanction  to  the  Jesuiti- 
cal and  villanous  Distinction  which  Cajjtain  lH)Stcr  adopts  to  justify  his 
Conduct,  there  would  he  no  End  to  butchering  our  Prisoners.  They  have 
thereft)rc  very  properly  reprobated  it,  and  in  the  genuine  Spirit  of  Free- 
dom, resolved,  that  such  Cruelty  as  shall  be  inllicted  on  Pri.soners  in  their 
Possession,  by  Savages  or  Foreigners  taken  into  Pay  by  the  King  of 
Great  Britain,  shall  l3e  considered  as  done  by  his  Orders,  and  Recourse 
be  immediately  had  to  Retaliation.  It  is  to  be  hoped  this  Determination 
will  have  the  desired  Effect;  and  that  for  the  future,  such  barbarous 
Scenes  will  never  be  acted  under  the  Eye  and  Approbation  of  a  British 
•Officer.  I  say,  under  the  Approbation  of  a  British  Officer :  For  there  is 
the  greatest  Reason  to  believe,  that  Captain  Foster  engaged  the  Indians 
to  join  him,  on  the  express  Condition  of  giving  up  to  them  all  such 
Prisoners  as  might  fall  into  his  Hands.  His  subsequent  Conduct  indeed 
renders  this  Conjecture  more  than  probable. 

I  o'clock  P.  M.  This  Moment  your  Favour  per  Post  of  the  nth 
Inst,  came  to  Hand.    I  shall  lay  it  before  Congress  on  Monday  Morning.* 

17.  Abraham  Clark  to  Elias  Dayton.^ 

Eliz*.  Town  July  14th.  1776. 
My  Dear  friend, 

....  I  continued  at  Phila.  till  thursday  last  when  I  returned  home- 
ward, We  having  first  Obtained  of  Congress  all  the  Assistance  they  could 
afford  for  our  Province.  Near  half  the  Militia  of  Pennsyla.  Chearfully 
offered  to  March  to  the  Aid  of  this  Province  and  indeed,  their  Ardour 
was  such  Congress  was  Obliged  to  stop  part  of  the  Militia  of  Phila.  or 
the  City  would  have  been  left  wholly  defenceless." .... 

Our  Declaration  of  Independance  I  dare  say  you  have  seen,  a  few  weeks 
will  probably  determine  our  fate — perfect  freedom,  or  Absolute  Slavery — 
to  some  of  us  freedom  or  a  halter.^ .... 

'  See  the  Journals,  July  lo.  The  original  report  of  the  committee  on  the  cartel 
entered  into  between  General  Arnold  and  Capt.  George  Forster  is  in  the  Journals  (ed. 
Ford),  June  17.  See  also  ibid.,  June  6,  16,  20,  24.  Concerning  the  affair  at  the  Cedars, 
see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser..  VI.  576,  587,  589-592,  598-600,  fifth  ser.,  I.  158-169,  398, 
1 103,  1 1 67- 1 168. 

*  Subsequently  Washington's  letter  of  July  12  arrived,  in  consequence  of  which 
Congress  was  called  together  on  Sunday,  and  both  letters  were  laid  before  them.  The 
letters  are  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  237,  242,  and,  with  enclosures,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  188,  223.    See  also  note  2,  above. 

[17]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1590,  Declaration  of  Independence.  Addressed. 
"  To  Elias  Dayton  Esquire.  Colonel  of  a  battalion  of  Jersey  Troops,  at  the  German 
Flatts  ". 

-  See  the  Journals,  July  3,  6.  ir.  the  letter  from  the  New  Jersey  congress,  July  9, 
in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  138,  sundry  letters,  July  6,  ibid.,  I.  37-38,  and  Hancock 
to  the  N'ew  Jersey  convention,  July  15,  ibid.,  I.  346  (original  in  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Myers 
Coll.,  Distinguished  Americans,  p.  801). 

3  Cf.  Clark  to  Dayton,  July  4.  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  757. 


July,  1776  11 

18.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.^ 

Philada  July  15  1776 

My  dear  Sir 

....  The  Truth  is,  I  hardly  know  how  to  write  without  saying  some- 
thing of  our  Canadian  Afifairs ;  and  this  is  a  Subject  so  thoroughly  morti- 
fying to  me,  that  I  could  wish  totally  to  forget  all  that  has  past  in  that 
Country.  Let  me  however  just  mention  to  you  that  Schuyler  and  Gates 
are  to  command  the  Troops  to  be  employ'd  there ;  the  former,  while  they 
are  without,  and  the  latter,  while  they  are  within  the  Bounds  of  Canada.^ 
Admitting  both  these  Generals  to  have  the  military  Accomplishments  of 
Marlborough  and  Eugene,  I  cannot  conceive  that  such  a  Disposition  of 
them  can  be  attended  with  any  happy  Effects,  unless  Harmony  subsists 
between  them.  Alass!  I  fear  this  is  not  the  Case — Already  Disputes 
have  arisen,  which  they  have  referrd  to  Congress!  And  though  they 
appear  to  treat  each  other  with  a  Politeness  becoming  their  Rank,  in  my 
Mind,  Altercations  between  Commanders  who  have  Pretensions  so  nearly 
equal,  I  mean  in  Point  of  Command,  forebode  a  Repetition  of  Misfor- 
tunes. I  sincerely  wish  my  Apprehensions  may  prove  to  be  ground- 
less  

Our  Declaration  of  Independency  has  given  Vigor  to  the  Spirits  of  the 
People.  Had  this  decisive  Measure  been  taken  Nine  Months  ago,  it  is 
my  opinion  that  Canada  would  at  this  time  have  been  in  our  hands.^  But 
what  does  it  avail  to  find  fault  with  what  is  past.  Let  us  do  better  for  the 
future.  We  were  more  fortunate  than  expected  in  having  12  of  the  13 
Colonies  in  favor  of  the  all  important  Question.  The  Delegates  of  N. 
York  were  not  impowered  to  give  their  Voice  on  either  Side.  Their  Con- 
vention has  since  acceeded  to  the  Declaration  and  publishd  it  even  before 
they  received  it  from  Congress.* .... 

A  Plan  for  Confederation  has  been  brot  into  Congress  wch  I  hope 
will  be  speedily  digested  and  made  ready  to  be  laid  before  the  several 
States  for  their  approbation.^  A  Committee  has  now  under  Consideration 
the  Business  of  foreign  Alliance. 

It  is  high  time  for  us  to  have  Ambassadors  in  foreign  Courts.  I  fear 
we  have  already  suffered  too  much  by  Delay.  You  know  upon  whom  our 
Thoughts  were  turnd  when  you  was  with  us.^ .... 

[i8]i  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  296;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  347. 

~  See  no.  6,  ante. 

^  Cf.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  July  3,  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  755. 

*  See  nos.  2,  7,  10,  ante,  and  no.  21,  post.  "  Our  Declaration  of  Independence  has 
already  been  attended  with  good  Effects.  It  is  fortunate  beyond  our  Expectation  to  have 
the  Voice  of  every  Colony  in  favor  of  so  important  a  Question."  Samuel  Adams  to 
James  Warren,  July  16,  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  299. 

^  See  Richard  Henry  Lee's  resolutions,  the  Journals,  June  7.  The  resolutions  to 
appoint  committees  on  the  confederation  and  treaties  with  foreign  powers  were  passed 
June  II,  the  committees  appointed  June  12.  Francis  Hopkinson  was  added  to  the 
confederation  committee  June  28.  The  draft  of  the  Articles  of  Gonfederation  was 
reported  July  12.  Cf.  the  Journals,  July  21,  1775,  and  see  John  Adams's  Notes  of  Debates, 
July  25,  26,  30,  Aug.  I,  2,  in  the  Journals,  VI.  1076-1083,  and  Jefferson's  Notes,  ibid.,  VI. 
I 098- II 06. 

^  See  the  Journals,  June  7,  11,  12.  A  plan  of  treaties  was  brought  in  July  18. 
Cf.  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  687,  690,  727,  744,  and  no.  12,  ante ;  see  no.  26,  note  2,  post. 


12  Continental  Congress 

19.  JosiAii  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon/ 

Philadelphia,  July  15,  1776. 
Afy  dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  ist  instant  is  now  hcfore  me,  and  I  am  ohlic^ed  to  you  for 
your  intelligence.  The  alTair  of  the  agency  you  have  heard  is  settled,  and 
in  your  favour,  and  I  hope  another  Delegate  will  be  appointed  to  attend 
Congress,  as  you  have  resigned.' .... 

Major  Rogers  was  taken  up  by  order  of  General  Washington,  and 
having  your  letters  of  recommendation  to  us,  the  General  ordered  him  to 
Congress  to  be  examined ;  and  though  no  absolute  proof  was  made  of  hi^ 
ill  designs,  his  conduct  appeared  so  very  suspicious  that  he  was  ordered 
to  be  sent  to  New  Hampshire,  to  be  disposed  of  by  our  Legislature ;  but 
before  he  was  sent  off,  he  found  means  to  make  his  escape,  and  has  not 
been  retaken  yet.' 

The  Colony  of  New  York  have  fully  acceded  to  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  so  that  it  now  has  the  sanction  of  the  Thirteen  United 
States.  The  unparalleled  conduct  of  our  enemies  have  united  the  Colonies 
more  firmly  than  ever.* .... 

20.  Robert  Treat  Paine  to  Henry  Knox.^ 

Philada,  July  i6th  1776 
Dear  Sr. 

the  Approach  of  the  Enemy  has  rendered  it  necessary  to  find  some 
other  place  to  cast  brass  Cannon  than  yr  Air  Furnace;  this  Colony  are 
about  Setting  up  an  Air  Furnace  for  that  Purpose,  but  the  Congress  I 
believe  will  employ  Mr  Byers  if  it  be  found  practicable,  and  he  will  make 
a  reasonable  bargain.* .... 

21.  John  Alsop  to  the  New  York  Convention.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  16,  1776. 
Honourable  Gentlemen: 

Yesterday  our  President  read  in  Congress  a  resolve  of  your  honourable 
body,  dated  the  9th  instant,  in  which  you  declare  New  York  a  free  and 

[ig]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  I.  348. 

2  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  729,  738. 

3  See  no.  9,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  15 ;  cf.  no.  18,  note  4,  ante. 

[20]  1  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Knox  Papers,  II.  161.  Addressed  to  "Henry  Knox,  Esq. 
Col  of  Artillery  at  New  York". 

-  Paine  was  a  member  of  the  cannon  committee,  appointed  Jan.  15.  Cf.  the 
Journals,  June  17  (p.  453),  July  19  (p.  593).  22;  also  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  483, 
and  no.  35,  post.  The  succeeding  part  of  this  letter  relates  to  Byers  and  the  casting  of 
cannon.  A  previous  letter  from  Paine  to  Knox,  June  20,  on  the  same  subject,  is  in  the 
Knox  Papers,  II.  103,  and  one  from  Gerry  to  Knox,  July  23,  is  ihid.,  II.  169.  Concerning 
the  contract  with  James  Byers,  see  no.  310,  post.  About  the  same  time  Daniel  Hughes  of 
Maryland  was  seeking  a  contract  for  the  casting  of  cannon.  See  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  40; 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  219. 

[2i]i  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1428,  368;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  536;  N.  Y. 
State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  VI.  117  (copy). 


July,  1776  13 

independent  State."  I  can't  help  saying  that  I  was  much  surprised  to  find 
it  come  through  that  channel.  The  usual  method  hitherto  practised  has 
been  for  the  Convention  of  each  Colony  to  give  their  Delegates  instruc- 
tions to  act  and  vote  upon  all  and  any  important  questions.  And  from 
the  last  letter  we  were  favoured  with  from  your  body,  you  told  us  that 
you  were  not  competent  or  authorized  to  give  us  instructions  on  that 
grand  question ; '  nor  have  you  been  pleased  to  answer  our  letter  of  the 
2d  instant,  any  otherwise  than  by  your  said  resolve  transmitted  to  the 
President.    I  think  we  were  entitled  to  an  answer. 

I  am  compelled,  therefore,  to  declare,  that  it  is  against  my  judgment 
and  inclination.  As  long  as  a  door  was  left  open  for  a  reconciliation  with 
Great  Britain  upon  honourable  and  just  terms,  I  was  willing  and  ready 
to  render  my  country  all  the  service  in  my  power,  and  for  which  purpose 
I  was  appointed  and  sent  to  this  Congress ;  but  as  you  have,  I  presume, 
by  that  declaration,  closed  the  door  of  reconciliation,  I  must  beg  leave 
to  resign  my  seat  as  a  Delegate  from  New  York,  and  that  I  may  be 
favoured  with  an  answer  and  my  dismission. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

John  Alsop. 

22,  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Massachusetts  Assembly.^ 

Philadelphia  July  i6th  1776. 
Honhle  Gentlemen, 

Since  I  had  the  Honour  of  addressing  you,  on  the  fourth  of  June,  at 
which  Time  I  transmitted  sundry  Resolves  of  Congress  requesting  you 
to  call  forth  your  Militia,  our  Aflfairs  have  assumed  a  much  more  serious 
Complexion.^  If  we  turn  our  Attention  towards  the  Northern  Depart- 
ment, we  behold  an  Army  reduced  by  Sickness,  and  obliged  to  flee  before 
an  Enemy  of  vastly  superior  Force.  If  we  cast  our  Eyes  to  Head- 
Quarters,  we  see  the  British  Army  reinforced  under  Lord  Howe,  and 
ready  to  strike  a  Blow,  which  may  be  attended  with  the  most  fatal  Con- 
sequences, if  not  timely  resisted.  The  Situation  of  our  Country  at  this 
Season,  calls  therefore  for  all  the  Vigour  and  Wisdom  among  us ;  and  if 
we  do  not  mean  to  desert  her  at  this  alarming  Crisis,  it  is  high  Time  to 
rouse  every  Spark  of  Virtue;  and  forgetting  all  inferior  Considerations, 
to  exert  ourselves  in  a  Manner  becoming  Freemen. 

The  Intelligence  received  this  Day  from  General  Washington,  points 
out  the  absolute,  the  indispensible  Necessity  of  sending  forward  all  the 

2  See  the  letter  of  the  New  York  delegates,  July  2,  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  752, 
and  note  2;  also  nos.  2,  7,  10,  18,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  July  15.  The  proceedings  of 
the  New  York  convention  on  this  letter,  July  22,  are  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  536, 
537,  and  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1429,  1431.    See  also  nos.  61,  79,  post. 

3  The  letter  referred  to,  dated  June  11,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  814; 
cf.  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  490.    See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  688,  714. 

[22]!  Mass.  Arch.  CXCV.   iii;  Mass.   Hist.   Soc,   Hancock  Letter-Book,  IV.  239; 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  367;  id.  to  New  Jersey,  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll., 
Signers,  I.  12;  Smith,  Am.  Hist,  and  Lit.  Curiosities,  second  ser.,  pi.  ix. 
2  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  682. 


14  Continental  Congress 

Troops  that  can  possibly  be  collected,  to  streng-thcn  both  the  Army  in 
New  York,  and  that  on  this  Side  of  Canada.^  1  do  therefore,  once  more, 
in  the  Name  and  bv  the  Authority  of  Congress,  retjuest  and  beseecii  you, 
as  you  regard  the  Liberties  of  your  Country,  and  the  Happiness  of  Pos- 
terity ;  and  as  you  stand  engaged,  by  the  most  solemn  Ties  of  Honour,  to 
support  the  Common  Cause,  to  strain  every  Nerve  to  send  forward  your 
Militia,  agreeably  to  the  former  Requisitions  of  Congress.  This  is  a  Step 
of  such  infinite  Moment,  that,  in  all  Human  Pro1)a1)ility,  it  will  be  the 
Salvation  of  America,  and,  as  it  is  the  only  effectual  Stej),  that  can  possibly 
be  taken,  at  this  Juncture,  you  will  suffer  me  again,  most  ardently  to 
entreat  your  speedy  Compliance  with  it.  In  short,  the  Critical  Period  is 
arrived,  that  will  seal  the  Fate  not  only  of  ourselves,  but  of  Posterity. 
Whether  they  shall  arise  the  generous  Heirs  of  Freedom,  or  the  dastardly 
Slaves  of  imperious  Task-Masters,  it  is  in  your  Power  now  to  determine ; 
and  I  am  sure,  as  freemen,  you  will  not  hesitate  a  moment  about  the 
Choice. 

Honble  Assembly  of  Massachusetts  Bay.* 


2^.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Patrick  Henry. ^ 

Philada  July  i6,  1776. 

Sir 

....  Several  vacancies  having  happened  in  our  battalions,  we  are 
unable  to  have  them  filled  for  want  of  a  list  of  the  officers  stating  their 
seniority.  We  must  beg  the  favor  of  you  to  furnish  us  with  one.  We 
received  from  Colo  R.  H.  Lee  a  resolution  of  Convention  recommending 
us  to  endeavor  that  the  promotions  of  the  officers  be  according  to  seniority 
without  regard  to  regiments  or  companies  this  is  the  standing  rule  of 
promotion.'  in  one  instance  indeed  the  Congress  have  reserved  to  them- 
selves a  right  of  departing  from  seniority ;  that  is  where  a  person  either 
out  of  the  line  of  command,  or  in  an  inferior  part  of  it  has  displayed 
eminent  talents,  most  of  the  general  officers  have  been  promoted  in  this 
way.  without  this  reservation  the  whole  continent  must  have  been  sup- 
plied with  general  officers  from  the  Eastern  colonies  where  a  large  army 
was  formed  and  officered  before  any  other  colony  had  occasion  to  raise 
troops  at  all  and  a  number  of  experienced,  able  and  valuable  officers  must 
have  been  lost  to  the  public  merely  from  the  locality  of  their  situation. 


3  The  letter  of  Washington  which  was  read  July  16  is  that  of  July  14,  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  IV.  247;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  329.  But  see  his  letters  of  July  11 
and  12,  ibid.,  I.  188,  223 ;  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  237,  242;  see  also  the  Journals,  July  14, 
16,  and  no.  27,  post. 

*  Identical  letters  were  sent  also  to  Connecticut  and  New  Jersey. 
[23]!  Library    of    Congress,    Jefferson    Papers,   fifth    ser.,    IX.   72    (draft);    Works 
(Memorial  ed.),  IV.  263. 

-  The  resolve  of  the  Virginia  convention,  July  5,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth 
ser.,  VI.  1613.     Cf.  no.  59,  post. 


July,  1776  15 

24.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the  New 

Jersey  Convention/ 

Philada.  July  19,  1776. 

Gentlemen: 

The  Congress  being  informed  that  there  is  a  large  Quantity  of  Stock 
on  the  Sea  Coast  of  your  Colony,  which  are  much  exposed  to  the  Incur- 
sions of  the  Enemy;  and  that  many  of  the  Proprietors  of  them,  actuated 
by  Motives  of  Interest,  or  disaffected  to  the  Cause  of  their  Country,  would 
be  glad  to  dispose  of  them  to  the  Enemy,  I  am  ordered  to  forward  to  you 
the  enclosed  Resolution,  and  earnestly  recommend  it  to  you  to  cause  the 
Stock  to  be  removed  back  into  the  Country  to  a  place  of  Safety.^ 


25.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the  New 

Jersey  Convention.^ 

Philada.  July  19th,  1776. 

Gentlemen: 

I  have  only  time  to  acquaint  you  that  a  Letter  from  your  Agent  to  Mr. 
Kinsey  was  read  in  Congress ;  in  Consequence  of  which,  I  am  desired  to 
forward  you  the  enclosed  Resolve;  and  enclose  you  Copies  of  Lord 
Howe's  Letter  and  Declaration,  which  require  no  Comment.  I  am  to 
inform  you  that  Congress  wish  to  know  by  what  Means  that  Letter  to 
Mr.  Kinsey  reached  his  Hands,  and  am  to  desire  you  will  take  every 
Method  to  prevent  any  Communication  with  the  Enemy  from  your 
Colony.  This  I  have  in  Charge  most  earnestly  to  recommend  to  you,  and 
beg  your  immediate  Attention  to  it.' .... 

[24]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  IV.  246  (first  letter)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  sen,  I.  440. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  17.    Cf.  the  action  of  the  New  York  convention,  July  11, 
17,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1398,  1414. 

[25]^  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  IV.  246  (second  letter) ;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  440. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  18,  19,  20,  and  no.  28,  post.  The  letter  to  Mr.  ICinsey, 
evidently  among  the  numerous  letters  read  on  July  18,  was  from  Dennis  De  Berdt,  then 
agent  of  New  Jersey  in  England.  A  similar,  if  not  identical,  letter  to  Joseph  Reed 
(brother-in-law  of  De  Berdt),  dated  May  3,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  ^l'^- 
See  Joseph  Reed's  letter  to  Mrs.  Reed,  July  16,  to  Robert  Morris,  July  18,  James  Kinsey 
to  Samuel  Tucker,  July  19,  Tucker  to  the  President  of  Congress,  July  20,  ihid.,  I.  2>7^> 
'415,  469,  468,  respectively,  and  Morris  to  Reed,  July  21,  no.  30,  post.  Concerning  the 
communications  from  Lord  Howe,  see  Washington's  letters  to  Congress,  July  14,  15, 
Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  247,  258,  and  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  329,  350,  and 
Reed  to  Pettit  (extract),  July  15,  ibid.,  I.  352.  Lord  Howe's  circular  letter  to  the 
governors  and  his  declaration,  both  dated  June  20,  are  ibid.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  looi.  See 
also  Howe's  letter  to  Lord  George  Germain,  Aug.  11,  ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  895.  A  letter 
from  Howe  to  Franklin,  June  20  (the  date  of  the  circular  letter  and  declaration), 
IS  ibid.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  1000;  Franklin's  reply,  July  21  (see  the  Journals,  July  20),  is 
ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  482;  Howe's  reply,  Aug.  16,  is  ibid.,  I.  979;  Franklin's  reply  to  this  is 
ibid.,  II.  234.  The  letters  are  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  98,  103,  iii,  136.  The 
correspondence  is  also  found  in  Franklin's  Writings  (ed.  Smyth),  VI.  457-466.  See  also 
no.  88,  post.  In  regard  to  the  conference  between  Lord  Howe  and  a  committee  of 
Congress,  see  no.  102,  note  2,  post. 


16  Continental  Congress 

26.  Samuel  Chase  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  19th.  1776 
Aly  Dear  Sir, 

....  Our  Confederation,  and  plan  of  a  forcig'n  Treaty  engages  all 
our  attention.'  I  am  afraid  our  military  Operations  have  been  too  much 
neglected 

I  am  anxious  to  know  the  Situation  of  our  AfTairs  with  You.  on  our 
Return  We  informed  Congress  of  the  abuses  and  Misconduct,  the  want 
of  Discipline  and  the  Condition  of  the  Army,  and  our  observations  and 
the  Methods  to  be  adopted  to  remedy  in  some  Measure  the  Grievances, 
and  to  defend  the  Entrance  into  these  Colonies,  if  expelled  Canada,  which 
We  then  suspected  would  happen.^ .... 

[a6]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  248. 

2  On  June  12,  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the  day  before,  Congress  appointed 
a  committee  to  prepare  a  plan  of  foreign  treaties.  The  committee  brought  in  a  report 
July  18.  The  plan  as  reported  is  printed  in  the  Journals,  under  that  date;  as  amended 
it  is  found  in  the  Journals,  under  Sept.  17.  See  no.  18,  note  6,  ante,  and  the  Journals, 
July  20,  Aug.  22,  27,  29,  Sept.  17,  24,  26.  Concerning  the  work  of  the  committee,  John 
Adams  says  in  his  Autobiography: 

"  The  committee  for  preparing  the  model  of  a  treaty  to  be  proposed  to  France, 
consisted  of  Mr.  Dickinson,  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr.  John  Adams,  Mr.  Harrison,  and  Mr. 
Robert  Morris.  When  we  met  to  deliberate  on  the  subject,  I  contended  for  the  same 
principles  which  I  had  before  avowed  and  defended  in  Congress,  namely,  that  we  should 
avoid  all  alliance  which  might  embarrass  us  in  after  times,  and  involve  us  in  future 
European  wars ;  that  a  treaty  of  commerce  which  would  operate  as  a  repeal  of  the 
British  acts  of  navigation  so  far  as  respected  us,  and  admit  France  into  an  equal  partici- 
pation of  the  benefits  of  our  commerce,  would  encourage  her  manufactures,  increase 
her  exports  of  the  produce  of  her  soil  and  agriculture,  extend  her  navigation  and  trade, 
augment  her  resources  of  naval  power,  raise  her  from  her  present  deep  humiliation, 
distress,  and  decay,  and  place  her  on  a  more  equal  footing  with  England,  for  the  pro- 
tection of  her  foreign  possessions;  and  maintaining  her  independence  at  sea,  would  be 
an  ample  compensation  to  France  for  acknowledging  our  independence,  and  for  furnish- 
ing us,  for  our  money,  or  upon  credit  for  a  time,  with  such  supplies  of  necessaries  as 
we  should  want,  even  if  this  conduct  should  involve  her  in  a  war ;  if  a  war  should  ensue, 
which  did  not  necessarily  follow,  for  a  bare  acknowledgment  of  our  independence,  after 
we  had  asserted  it,  was  not  by  the  law  of  nations  an  act  of  hostility,  which  would  be  a 
legitimate  cause  of  war.  Franklin,  although  he  was  commonly  as  silent  on  committees 
as  in  Congress,  upon  this  occasion,  ventured  so  far  as  to  intimate  his  concurrence  with 
me  in  these  sentiments ;  though,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter,  he  shifted  them  as  easily  as 
the  wind  ever  shifted,  and  assumed  a  dogmatical  tone  in  favor  of  an  opposite  system. 
The  committee,  after  as  much  deliberation  upon  the  subject  as  they  chose  to  employ, 
appointed  me  to  draw  up  a  plan  and  report.  Franklin  had  made  some  marks  with  a 
pencil  against  some  articles  in  a  printed  volume  of  treaties,  which  he  put  into  my  hand. 
Some  of  these  were  judiciously  selected,  and  I  took  them,  with  others  which  I  found 
necessary,  into  the  draught,  and  made  my  report  to  the  committee  at  large,  who,  after 
a  reasonable  examination  of  it,  agreed  to  report  it.  When  it  came  before  Congress,  it 
occupied  the  attention  of  that  body  for  several  days.  Many  motions  were  made  to 
insert  in  it  articles  of  entangling  alliance,  of  exclusive  privileges,  and  of  warranties  of 
possessions ;  and  it  was  argued  that  the  present  plan  reported  by  the  committee  held 
out  no  sufficient  temptation  to  France,  who  would  despise  it  and  refuse  to  receive  our 
Ambassador.  It  was  chiefly  left  to  me  to  defend  my  report,  though  I  had  some  able 
assistance,  and  we  did  defend  it  with  so  much  success  that  the  treaty  passed  without  one 
particle  of  alliance,  exclusive  privilege,  or  warranty."     Works,  II.  516. 

The  discussion  to  which  Adams  refers  doubtless  took  place  Aug.  22-29.  Cf-  nos.  43, 
44,  50,  68,  post.  See  also  the  Bibliographical  Notes,  in  the  Journals,  VI.  1124.  For  some 
account  of  the  further  development  of  the  model  treaty  and  its  extended  use  in  treatj' 
making  see  Edmimd  C.  Burnett.  "  Note  on  American  Negotiations  for  Commercial 
Treaties,  1776-1786",  in  Am.  Hist.  Rev.,  XVI,  579-587.    See  nos.  94,  loi,  146,  post. 

3  Chase  was  one  of  the  commissioners  sent  to  Canada.  They  made  a  verbal 
report  June  11,  and  brought  in  a  written  report  June  12. 


July,  1776  17 

I  am  sory  to  find  how  egregiously  you  have  been  represented  to  the 
Members  of  Congress.  You  have  many  Enemies.  I  wrote  freely  to 
General  Gates,  did  he  communicate  to  you  ?  * 

I  shall  esteem  Myself  among  the  Number  of  your  friends,  and  am 

Your  affectionate  Servant 

S  Chase 

27.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

Philadelphia  July  20,  1776. 

Dear  Livingston, 

I  should  have  answered  my  friend's  obliging  favor  sooner,  had  I  not 
thought  that  he  would  cheerfully  excuse  me  until  I  had  called  the  attention 
of  the  House  effectually  to  the  Support  of  his  country.  I  trust  this  is  in 
some  measure  now  done.  We  have  sent  off  Expresses  to  the  Eastern 
States  and  to  Maryland  with  very  strong  requests  and  in  order  to  compel 
the  Jerseys  to  afford  a  further  assistance  we  have  directed  (not  permitted) 
General  Washington  to  call  into  your  city  from  the  flying  camp  2000  men, 
judging,  I  should  suppose  truly  that  the  people  of  that  colony  would  not 
suffer  to  be  overrun,  but  when  convinced  that  they  must  contribute  to  the 
common  cause,  they  would  do  it  at  once.^ .... 

28.  William  Ellery  to  Ezra  Stiles.^ 

[Philadelphia,  July  20,  1776.] 

Ld.  Howe  is  arrived  in  the  Eagle  Man  o'  War.  The  Reinforcmt  is  not 
arrived  and  I  hope  will  never  arrive.  His  Ldship  sent  a  Flag  o'  truce 
a  few  days  ago  with  Letters  to  Gen.  Washington  directed  "  to  George 
Washington  Esq."  which  were  not  received  because  his  proper  Title  was 
not  given  him :  since  that  some  others  have  been  sent  to  him  with  a  similar 
Superscription  and  were  for  the  same  Reason  not  received.  After  this 
a  flag  was  sent  to  Amboy  with  Letters  to  all  the  late  Governors  S°  of 
N.  York  inclos^  written  Declarations  containing  his  and  his  brother's 
(Genl  Howe)  appointmt  as  Commissioners  to  receive  the  Submission 
of  the  Colonies  or  private  Persons  and  grant  Pardons  agreeable  to  the 
late  act  of  the  Brit.  Parliament,  and  a  number  of  Letters  principally  from 
Friends  in  London  to  Friends  here  placing  the  Character  of  the  Howes 
in  the  most  amiable  point  of  View,  and  recommending  Reconciliation  with 
G.  Britain.  These  Letters  were  all  sent  by  the  commanding  Officer  at 
Amboy  to  G.  Washington,  and  were  transmitted  by  him  to  Congress,  and 
were  opened  and  read,  that  part  of  them,  I  mean  which  related  to  our 
Affairs.  Among  the  Letters  were  some  to  Dr  Franklin,  one  to  the 
Farmer,  and  one  to  Mr  Stockton.     Dr  Franklin  was  not  in  Congress 

*  See  his  letter  to  Gates,  July  18,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  410.    "  On  yester- 
day, I  came  to  Congress  with  Mr.  Carroll ",  etc. 

[27]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  I.  191  (copy  of  part). 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  16,  19  (Maryland).    Cf.  no.  22,  ante. 
[28]^ Literary  Diary  of  Ezra  Stiles,  II.  31  (extract). 


18  Continental  Congress 

when  the  Letters  were  bro't  in,  but  was  sent  for.  When  he  entered,  his 
Letters  were  dehvered  to  him  scaled.  He  opened  them,  looked  over  them, 
and  handed  them  to  the  President  desiring  him  to  read  them.  They  were 
according''  read  to  Congress  and  contained  much  the  same  Sentiments 
with  those  to  Friends,  as  did  that  to  Mr  Stockton,  who  is  a  Member  of 
Congress,  and  who  was  treated  and  behaved  in  the  same  manner  that 
Dr  Franklin  did.  As  the  Farmer  is  in  the  Jersey  at  the  Head  of  his 
Battalion,  his  Letter  is  kept  sealed  by  the  President  until  he  shall  retufn 
and  receive  it  in  Congress."  The  Letters  to  the  late  Governors  and  the 
Declarations  are  ordered  to  be  printed  to  let  the  People  see  upon  what 
Terms  Reconciliation  is  proposed  to  them  : — Odi  Danaos,  etiam  Dona 
fcrentes:  but  when  what  some  People,  Tories,  may  call  the  Olive-plant 
is  handed  to  us  at  the  point  of  the  Bayonet,  or  is  hurled  to  us  from  the 
Mouths  of  Canon,  if  possible  I  should  more  than  hate  it.  The  Truth  is 
the  Door  is  shut,  and  it  would  now  be  in  vain,  to  talk  of  any  sort  of 
Alliance  with  Britain  but  a  Commercial  One.  We  have  been  driven  into 
a  Declar^  of  Independency  and  must  forget  our  former  Love  for  our 
British  Brethren.    The  Sword  must  determine  our  Quarrel.'  .... 

29.  James  Wilsox  to  the  Commissioners  for  Indian  Affairs.^ 

[Philadelphia,  July  20,  1776.] 
Doctor  Franklin  and  I  have  been  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the 
14th  instant.  At  his  request  I  write  this  answer  for  him  and  myself. 
I  believe  the  Congress  have  no  particular  views  which  they  would  wish 
to  accomplish  at  the  ensuing  Treaty.  Their  intention  and  their  earnest 
desire  is  that  Peace  and  Friendship  may  be  preserved  and  cultivated 
between  the  United  States  and  the  Indian  Tribes.  Presents  are  the  most 
prevailing  arguments  that  can  be  used  with  the  Savages  for  this  purpose.^ 


30.  Robert  Morris  to  Joseph  Reed.^ 

From  the  Hills  on  Schuylkill 

July  2 1  St.  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

I  received  your  obliging  letter  of  the  i8th.  yesterday  in  Congress,  and 
shou'd  have  been  tempted  to  have  laid  the  enclosure  immediately  before 
the  House,  had  not  a  letter  from  the  same  person  on  the  same  subject 
and  in  a  similar  style  addressed  to  J.  Kinsey  Esqr  of  New  Jersey,  been 
read  in  Congress  the  day  before,    the  Temper  of  the  House  was  plain  and 

2  The  "  Farmer  "  was  John  Dickinson. 

3  See  no.  25,  ante. 

[29]!  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  738.  item  140  (extract). 

2  The  commissioners  for  Indian  affairs  in  the  Middle  department  were  Jasper 
Yeates  and  John  Montgomery,  appointed  July  4  {Journals,  V.  51?) •  See  also  ibid., 
July  20.    Cf.  nos.  60,  70,  post. 

[30]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  MSS.  of  Joseph  Reed,  IV.;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I. 
467  (dated  July  20). 


July,  1776  19 

you  may  judge  what  it  was,  when  I  tell  you,  the  only  enquiry  that  letter 
produced  was,  ?  how  it  got  to  Mr.  Kinseys  hands. ^ 

I  am  sorry  to  say  there  are  some  amongst  us  that  cannot  bear  the 
thought  of  reconciliation  on  any  terms,  to  these  men  all  propositions  of 
the  kind,  sound  like  high  Treason  against  the  States  and  I  really  believe 
they  wou'd  sooner  punish  a  Man  for  this  Crime  than  for  bearing  arms 
against  us. 

I  cannot  help  Condemning  this  disposition  as  it  must  be  founded  in 
keen  resentment  or  on  interested  Views  whereas  we  ought  to  have  the 
Interest  of  our  Country  and  the  Good  of  Mankind  to  Act  as  the  Main 
Spring  in  all  our  Public  Conduct.  I  think  with  you  that  if  the  Com- 
missioners have  any  propositions  to  make  they  ought  to  be  heard,  shou'd 
they  disclose  powers  different  from  what  we  imagine  them  to  be  Vested 
with,  and  an  inclination  to  employ  those  powers  favourably  for  America, 
it  is  our  duty  to  attend  to  such  offers,  weigh  well  the  Consequences  of 
every  determination  we  come  to  and  in  short  to  lay  aside  all  prejudices, 
resentments  and  sanguine  Notions  of  our  own  Strength  in  order  that 
Reason  may  influence  and  Wisdom  guide  our  Councils.  If  the  Admiral 
and  General  are  really  desirous  of  a  Conference  I  think  and  hope  they  will 
address  our  General  properly,  this  may  be  expected  if  they  have  powers 
beyond  granting  pardons ;  if  they  have  not,  it  is  Idle  for  them  to  solicit 
any  intercourse  as  no  good  can  possibly  arise  to  them  or  their  Cause  from 
it,  but  on  our  parts  I  think  good  Policy  requires  that  we  shou'd  hear  all 
they  have  to  say.  I  am  not  for  making  any  Sacrifice  of  Dignity ;  but  still 
I  wou'd  hear  them  if  possible,  because,  if  they  can  offer  Peace  on  admissi- 
ble terms  I  believe  the  great  Majority  of  America  wou'd  still  be  for 
accepting  it.  If  they  can  only  offer  Pardons  and  that  is  fully  ascertained 
it  will  firmly  Unite  all  America  in  their  exertions  to  support  the  Indepen- 
dence they  have  declared,  and  it  must  be  obvious  to  everybody  that  our 
United  Efforts  will  be  absolutely  necessary  this  being  the  case  ?  why 
shoud  we  fear  to  Treat  of  Peace  or  to  hear  the  Commissioners  on  that 
Subject,  if  they  can  offer  terms  that  are  advantageous  and  honorable 
for  this  Country,  let  us  meet  them,  if  they  cannot,  We  are  not  in  a  situa- 
tion or  temper  to  ask  or  receive  pardons,  and  all  who  'dont  mean  to  stoop 
to  this  Ignominious  submission  will  consequently  take  up  their  Arms  with 
a  determination  to  Conquer  or  die.  If  they  offer  or  desire  a  Conference 
and  we  reject  it,  those  who  are  already  dissatisfyed  will  become  more  so 
others  will  follow  their  example  and  we  may  expect  daily  greater  disunion 
and  defection  in  every  part  of  these  States,  at  least  such  are  my  appre- 
hensions on  this  Subject.  I  have  uniformly  Voted  against  and  opposed 
the  declaration  of  Independance  because  in  my  poor  oppinion  it  was  an 
improper  time  and  will  neither  promote  the  interest  or  redound  to  the 
honor  of  America,  for  it  has  caused  division  when  we  wanted  Union, 
and  will  be  ascribed  to  very  different  principles  than  those,  which  ought' 
to  give  rise  to  such  an  Important  measure 

P.  S.    I  will  lay  the  London  Letter  before  Congress  tomorrow 

-  The  letter  from  Dennis  De  Berdt,  May  3.    See  nos.  25,  28,  ante. 


20  Continental  Congress 

31.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Adams.* 

Kings  Bridge  July  21,  1776 
Dear  Sirs 

....  Prav  subscribe  for  me  the  Declaration  of  Independence  if  the 
same  is  to  be  sijjfned  as  proposed.  I  think  We  ought  to  have  the  privilege 
when  necessarily  absent  of  voting  and  signing  by  proxy.^ .... 

32.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  George  Washington.* 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 
Sir: 

The  bearer,  Mr.  Joseph  Belton,  some  time  since  petitioned  the  Congress 
for  encouragement  to  destroy  the  enemy's  ships  of  war  by  some  con- 
trivances of  his  invention.  They  came  to  no  resolution  on  his  petition; 
and,  as  they  appear  to  have  no  great  opinion  of  such  proposals,  it  is  not 
easy,  in  the  multiplicity  of  business  before  them,  to  get  them  to  bestow 
any  part  of  their  attention  on  his  request.  He  is  now  desirous  of  trying 
his  hand  on  the  ships  that  are  gone  up  the  North  River;  and,  as  he  pro- 
poses to  work  entirely  at  his  own  expense,  and  only  desires  your  counte- 
nance and  permission,  I  could  not  refuse  his  desire  of  a  line  of  introduc- 
tion to  you,  the  trouble  of  which  I  beg  you  to  excuse.  As  he  appears  to 
be  a  very  ingenious  man,  I  hope  his  project  may  be  attended  with 
success.^ 

With  the  sincerest  esteem  and  respect,  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  etc. 

B.  Franklin. 

33.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon.* 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 
My  Friend: 

....  Lord  Howe's  Proclamation  has  now  convinced  everybody  that 
no  offers  are  to  be  made  us  but  absolute  submission.  I  think  it  very 
happy  for  America  that  Britain  has  insisted  on  those  terms;  for  had  she 
proposed  a  treaty,  and  offered  some  concessions,  there  would  have  been 

[31]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers. 

-  Cf.  the  query  of  Samuel  Chase,  no.  12,  note  4,  ante,  and  see  the  Journals,  July  19, 
Aug.  2;  see  also  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  p.  530. 

[32]^  Works  Ced.  Smyth),  VI.  450;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  496;  Letters  10 
Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  I.  263. 

2  In  September,  1775,  and  earlier,  Belton  had  proposed  to  the  Pennsylvania  com- 
mittee of  safety  to  destroy  British  ships  by  means  of  a  submarine  vessel.  See  Pa.  Arch., 
first  ser.,  W.  650,  654.  It  v^'as  only  a  short  time  after  Belton  went  to  New  York  on 
this  mission  that  David  Bushnell  put  his  submarine,  the  American  Turtle,  to  the  test 
in  an  attempt  to  destroy  the  British  fleet.  An  account  of  this  affair  is  related  by  David 
Humphreys  in  his  Life  of  General  Israel  Putnam,  pp.  123-129.  See  also  Am.  Jour,  of 
Science,  II.  94;  Abbot,  The  Beginning  of  Submarine  Warfare  under  Captain-Lieutenant 
David  Bushnell;  Fyfe,  Submarine  Warfare,  Past,  Present,  and  Future:  and  Burgoyne, 
Submarine  Nazigation,  Past  and  Present.  Cf.  no.  64,  note  7.  post.  Nothing  further 
has  been  learned  concerning  the  outcome  of  Belton's  application  to  Washington,  but  it 
is  not  improbable  that  the  superiority  of  Bushnell's  scheme  effectually  forestalled  the 
consideration  of  that  proposed  by  Belton.  Cf.  Washington  to  Jefferson,  Sept.  26,  1785, 
in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  X.  501.  Concerning  Ephraim  Anderson's  plans  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  British  fleet  by  means  of  fire-ships,  see  no.  13,  ante.  See  also  vol.  I.  of  these 
Letters,  no.  340,  note  2. 

[33]^  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  496. 


July,  1776  21 

danger  of  divisions,  or  at  least  of  our  not  acting  with  unanimity  and 
spirit,  as  I  think  will  now  be  the  case.^ 

The  Convention  here  have  taken  on  them  the  government  of  this 
Colony,  and  have  appointed  Delegates  for  Congress,  men  who  will  for- 
ward, and  not  hinder,  spirited  measures.  In  short,  there  is  a  far  greater 
harmony  in  carrying  on  spirited  measures  in  Congress  than  heretofore. 
The  Conventions  even  of  Maryland  and  New  York  seem  now  to  be  in 
earnest. 

The  Confederation  is  now  before  a  Committee  of  the  Whole.  By 
reason  of  so  much  other  business,  it  goes  on  but  slowly.'  When  it  is 
laid  before  our  Legislature,  brother  Whipple  expects  to  be  at  home,  and 
can  inform  them  of  some  things  they  may  want  to  be  informed  of  con- 
cerning it.*    Our  Court,  I  hear,  is  to  sit  again  the  ist  of  September 

34.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  22,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  have  your  favour  of  the  6th  instant.  In  answer  to  the  part  of  it 
respecting  the  commissions,  I  can  only  say,  I  am  perpetually  dunning  the 
President  to  send  them.  If  any  alteration  in  the  wages  of  the  commission 
officers,  they  will  be  higher;  so  there  can  be  no  difficulty  with  them.  If 
any  are  lowered,  it  will  be  the  mates,  midshipmen,  coopers,  sailmakers, 
and  perhaps  some  other  of  the  petty  officers,  and  perhaps  boatswain, 
carpenter,  and  gunner.  If  the  three  last  are  altered,  it  will  be  but  a 
trifle — say  one  dollar.^ .... 

I  shall  not  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  so  soon  as  I  hoped,  as  some 
very  important  matters  are  now  on  the  tapis,  which  I  want  to  hear 
debated;  besides,  I  would  fain  have  the  marine  matters  settled  before  I 
leave  this.  I  therefore  think  it  will  be  the  latter  end  of  August  before  I 
shall  be  able  to  enjoy  that  satisfaction  which  I  have  flattered  myself  would 
be  much  earlier.' .... 

I  have  Mr.  Hancock's  promise  that  the  commission  and  blank  warrants 
shall  go  ofif  in  a  day  or  two  by  express.  The  gentlemen  are  appointed 
agreeable  to  your  recommendations.*  There  can  be  no  difficulty  in  their 
acting,  though  they  have  not  their  commissions,  as  they  will  soon  have 
them 

P.  S.  The  order  the  Officers  stand  appointed :  Peter  Shores  First 
Lieutenant,  John  Wheelright  Second  Lieutenant,  Josiah  Shackford  Third 

2  See  no.  25,  ante.  "  I  will  likewise  send  you  by  this  post,  Lord  Howe's  letter  and 
proclamation,  which  has  let  the  cat  out  of  the  bag.  These  tricks  deceive  no  longer. 
Gentlemen  here,  who  either  were  or  pretended  to  be  deceived  heretofore,  now  see  or 
pretend  to  see  through  such  artifices.  I  apprehend  his  Lordship  is  afraid  of  being 
attacked  upon  Staten  Island,  and  is  throwing  out  his  barrels  to  amuse  Leviathan,  imtil 
his  reinforcements  shall  arrive."  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams,  July  20,  Familiar  Letters, 
p.  202. 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  12,  22,  and  passim  (index,  Confederation).  Cf.  nos.  9, 
18,  26,  ante,  43,  44,  45,  47,  50,  52,  68,  73,  83-85,  94,  post. 

4  Cf.  nos.  34,  Sz,  94,  post. 

[34]  1  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  497. 

2  C/.  the  Journals,  Dec.  9,  1775,  and  Nov.  15,  1776. 

3  See  no.  22,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  22. 


22  Continental  Congress 

Lieutenant;  Georpfe  Jerry   Osborne   Cajitain    Marines.    Stephen   Meads 
First  Lieutenant.  Xatlianid  'riuiinn-   [Thwin}^^!   Second  Lieutenant. 
W'arrants  will  he  tilled  up  with  the  names  you  sent. 

35.  JosKi'ii  IIkwks  to  Samuel  Pukvianci:,  jk.' 

PniLADKLiMiiA  23d.  July  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

I  received  your  favour  per  Mr.  Huj^jlies  and  immediately  went  with 
him  to  a  Memher  of  Committee  for  the  Cannon  Contracts,  they  have 
agreed  with  him  for  a  large  (piantity  of  Cannon."  My  ill  state  of  healtii 
has  i)revented  me  from  attending  nuich  to  business  lately  and  has  obliged 
nie  for  some  time  past  to  make  an  excursion  or  two  into  the  Country. 
I  propo.se  to  return  to  North  Carolina  shortly  where  I  mean  to  retire  from 
public  business  for  a  month  or  two.  I  have  laid  your  accounts  before  the 
Marine  Committee  and  shall  see  that  they  are  properly  setled 

36.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Francis  Eppes.* 

Philadelphia,  July  23,  1776. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  When  I  wrote  you  last,  we  were  deceived  in  General  Washing- 
ton's numbers.  By  a  return  which  came  to  hand  a  day  or  two  after,  he 
then  had  but  15,000  effective  men.  His  reinforcements  have  come  in 
pretty  well  since.  The  flying  camp  in  the  Jerseys  under  General  Mercer 
begins  to  form,  but  not  as  fast  as  exigencies  require.  The  Congress  have, 
therefore,  been  obliged  to  send  for  two  of  our  battalions  from  Virginia.^ 

•      •      •      • 

37.  [Benjamin  Rush?]  to  Charles  Lee.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  23,  1776. 
Dear  General: 

It  would  take  a  volume  to  tell  you  how  many  clever  things  were  said 
of  you  and  the  brave  troops  under  your  command,  after  hearing  of  your 
late  victory.  It  has  given  a  w'onderful  turn  to  our  affairs.  The  loss  of 
Canada  had  struck  the  spirits  of  many  people,  who  now^  begin  to  think 
our  cause  is  not  abandoned,  and  that  we  shall  yet  triumph  over  our 
enemies." 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  has  produced  a  new  era  in  this  part 
of  America 

[35]^  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Portfolio,  VIII.  (i)  ;  Purviance,  Baltimore  in  the  Revolution, 
p.  202. 

2  Cf.  no.  20,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  July  22. 
[36]!  Works  (Memorial  ed.),  IV.  269. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  20  (p.  597). 
[37]  1  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  532. 

2  A  letter  from  General  Lee,  dated  July  2  (see  the  Journals,  July  19,  20),  had 
announced  a  victory  over  the  British  at  Sullivan's  Island  June  28.  The  letter  and  its 
enclosures  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  435-440.  They  were  enclosed  in  a  letter  of 
Hancock  to  Washington,  July  19,  ibid.,  I.  434.    See  also  ibid.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  1205-1208. 


July,  17/(5  23 

The  papers  will  inform  you  that  1  have  been  thrust  into  Conj^ress.  I 
find  there  is  a  great  deal  of  difference  between  sporting  a  sentiment  in 
a  letter,  or  over  a  glass  of  wine  upon  politicks,  and  discharging  properly 
the  duty  of  a  Senator.  I  feel  myself  unequal  to  every  part  of  my  new 
situation,  except  where  plain  integrity  is  required. 

My  former  letters  to  you  may  pass  hereafter  for  a  leaf  of  the  Sibyls. 
They  are  full  of  predictions ;  and  what  is  still  more  uncommon,  some  of 
them  have  proved  true.  I  shall  go  on,  and  add,  that  I  think  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  will  produce  union  and  new  exertions  in  England 
in  the  sa^ne  ratio  that  they  have  done  in  this  country.  The  present  cam- 
paign, I  believe,  is  only  designed  to  train  us  for  the  duties  of  next  summer. 

Adieu ;  yours  sincerely, 

An  old  Friend.' 
To  Major-General  Lee. 


38.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
President  of  South  Carolina  (John  Rutledge).^ 

Philada.  July  24th.  1776. 
Sir: 

The  Congress  being  of  Opinion,  that  the  Service  of  the  United  States 
will  be  promoted  by  taking  into  Pay  a  Number  of  Troops,  in  the  State 
of  South  Carolina,  who  are  to  act  either  as  Infantry  or  light  Horse,  as 
Occasion  may  require,  have  come  to  the  enclosed  Resolves,  which  I  do 
myself  the  Honour  of  transmitting  in  Obedience  to  their  Commands. 

In  Consideration  that  these  Troops  will  go  through  more  than  ordinary 
Duty,  and  be  put  to  greater  Expence  than  others,  the  Congress  have 
augmented  their  Pay  in  Proportion. 

I  have  delivered  blank  Commissions  to  the  Delegates  of  your  State.^ 


3  The  writer  of  this  letter  was  probably  Benjamin  Rush.  That  it  was  one  of  the 
new  delegates  of  Pennsylvania  is  evidenced  by  a  reference  (in  a  passage  omitted  here) 
to  Pennsylvania  as  "  our  State  ".  The  style  of  the  letter  definitely  suggests  Rush.  The 
election  of  the  delegates  by  the  Pennsylvania  convention  took  place  July  20,  and  the 
credentials  were  presented  to  Congress  the  same  day  (see  the  Journals).  Rush  himself 
says :  "  On  the  20th  of  July  I  took  my  seat  in  Congress  in  consequence  of  an  appoint- 
ment received  from  the  Convention  that  met  to  form  a  constitution  for  Pennsylvania. 
A  few  days  afterwards  I  subscribed  a  copy  upon  parchment  of  the  declaration  of  inde- 
pendence." {Memorial,  p.  92).  Strangely  enough  the  Journals  record  the  appointment  of 
Rush  on  a  committee  July  17.  An  examination  of  the  "  Rough  Journal "  shows  that  the 
names  of  the  committee  are  entered  in  a  different  ink  from  that  used  in  recording  the  reso- 
lution, and  that  the  resolution  itself  has  been  altered  by  erasures  (chiefly  with  a  knife) 
and  by  emendations  in  the  same  ink  with  which  the  names  are  written.  The  original 
entry  appears  to  have  been  "  that  it  be  referred  to  the  committee  appointed  [on  the  mis- 
carriages in  Canada?]".  It  would  appear  therefore  that  on  a  subsequent  day,  after 
Rush  had  taken  his  seat,  Congress  revised  its  action  and  appointed  a  new  committee,  and 
that  this  revision  was  recorded  only  by  an  alteration  in  the  original  resolution.  In  this 
way  Rush  is  made  to  appear  to  have  been  in  Congress  three  days  prior  to  his  election. 

IsSl^Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  4;  MS.  Journal  of  the  South 
Carolina  General  Assembly,  1776,  p.  133  (copy)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  555, 
III.  16. 

2  An  identical  letter  was  sent  to  the  convention  of  Georgia.  Cf.  the  Journals, 
July  24. 


24  Continental  Congress 

39.  The  South  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  President  of 
South  Carolina  (John  Rutledge)/ 

Philadelphia  2Stli  Julv  1776 
Sir 

Immediately  upon  llic  Receipt  of  your  Letter  we  apjilied  to  Congress 
for  Permission  to  order  the  Kast  India  Tea  now  in  your  stores  to  be  sold 
and  to  direct  the  Produce  thereof  to  be  carried  into  the  Colony  Treasury 
to  be  appropriated  in  such  manner  as  your  Assembly  should  jndg^e  rij^ht. 
In  Consequence  of  this  Application  a  Debate  of  some  Lcnj^th  ensued  in 
which  the  House  indicatccl  a  strone;-  Inclination  to  lay  their  Hands  upon 
the  Profits  which  should  arise  from  the  Sale  either  for  the  Use  of  the 
Continent  at  large  or  to  be  carried  into  a  Fund  to  reimburse  those  Col- 
onies whose  Property  should  be  seized  in  England  There  appeared 
neither  Reason  nor  Justice  in  these  Measures  and  we  endeavoured  to 
obviate  the  objections  which  were  made  to  the  Application  and  to  answer 
the  Arguments  which  had  been  advanced  against  it. 

We  observed  That  this  Property  should  be  looked  upon  as  belonging 
to  the  King  of  Great-Britain  and  not  to  the  East-India  Company  as  the 
latter  had  been  divested  of  it  both  by  the  Seizure  which  the  Custom- 
House  ofificers  had  made  of  it  and  by  the  indemnification  of  the  Parlia- 
ment, that  the  Congress  had  therefore  no  more  Right  to  apply  this  Tea 
to  the  use  of  the  Continent  at  large  than  they  had  to  dispose  of  the  Cannon 
in  our  Forts  or  the  Crown  Lands  within  the  Limits  of  the  Colony — But 
that  if  it  was  the  East-India  Company's  Property  they  had  occasioned 
such  an  Expence  to  the  State  of  Carolina  as  to  justify  them  fully  in  the 
Seizures.  That  it  w-ould  be  repugnent  [sic]  to  the  Principles  of  Justice 
to  insist  that  this  Tea  should  be  sold  for  the  Benefit  of  those  whose  Prop- 
erty had  been  or  might  be  seized  in  England  in  Exclusion  of  those  whose 
Property  had  been  seized  in  America  and  that  it  would  be  impracticable 
to  bring  every  species  of  Loss  into  one  common  Account  That  the 
Seizure  of  Property  had  been  a  common  misfortune  of  which  as  well  as 
of  public  Expences  we  have  had  our  full  Proportion  and  that  therefore  it 
would  be  injurious  to  our  State  not  to  be  permitted  to  make  use  of  the 
Advantage  in  this  Instance  which  the  Possession  of  the  Tea  had  given. 
It  was  confessed  that  we  had  a  Right  to  sell  it  if  we  chose  and  apply  the 
Profits  as  we  pleased  But  as  we  had  asked  the  opinion  of  the  House 
upon  the  Subject  we  should  now  be  governed  by  the  Disposition  which 
they  should  think  proper  to  make  and  that  they  should  take  Time  to  con- 
sider of  it.  The  Delegates  being  by  this  Time  fully  convinced  that  there 
were  many  in  the  House  who  wished  to  dispose  of  it  in  a  Manner  injuri- 
ous to  the  Interest  and  the  Right  of  our  State  agreed  to  withdraw  the 
Motion  for  which  they  obtained  the  Leave  of  Congress  and  we  now  with 
one  Voice  advise  you  to  recommend  to  your  assembly  immediately  to  sell 
the  same  and  apply  the  Profits  thereof  to  Colonial  Purposes.  Indeed 
we  were  not  a  little  surprised  at  your  requesting  us  to  lay  the  same  before 

[39]!  MS.  Journal  of  the  South  Carolina  General  Assembly,  1776,  p.  131  (copy); 
Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  36,  p.  74  (copy)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
III.  16. 


July,  I J  J  6  25 

Congress  and  we  hope  that  you  will  determine  for  yourselves  in  future  in 
all  cases  where  the  concern  is  of  a  Provincial  and  not  of  a  Continental 
Nature    we  are  with  Regard  ^ 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedt.  huml.  Servts. 

Thomas  Lynch 
Edward  Rutledge 
Arthur  Middleton 
Thomas  Heyward  Junior 
Thomas  Lynch  Junior. 

39A.  The  President  of  Congress  to  John  Bradford.^ 

Philadelphia  July  25th  1776 

Sir 

Your  letters  to  15th  Inst,  inclusive,  I  have  duly  receiv'd.  Matters  of 
very  great  moment,  in  which  the  Interest  of  the  United  States  is  involv'd, 
having  been  for  sometime  under  the  Consideration  of  Congress,  have 
prevented  my  regularly  Replying  to  your  Letters,  and  forwarding  your 
Commission.  I  am  greatly  surpriz'd  at  what  you  relate  of  the  Conduct  of 
the  late  Agents,  and  at  their  insisting  on  Acting,  untill  your  Commission 
should  arrive;  Sir,  the  very  moment  you  reed  my  first  letter  under  the 
Sanction  of  Congress,  informing  you  of  your  Appointment  as  Agent,  that 
very  moment  they  were  Superceeded,  and  were  Accountable  to  you  for 
all  monies  then  in  their  hands  belonging  to  the  United  States,  in  Conse- 
quence of  any  Captures,  and  Sales  of  Continental  Property.  However  as 
I  am  always  dispos'd  to  Accommodate  matters,  and  to  put  things  on  a 
stable  footing,  I  now  enclose  your  Commission,  and  now  not  only  Au- 
thorise, but  Direct,  you  to  call  upon  the  Gentlemen,  who  have  hitherto 
Acted  as  Agents,  to  render  their  Acco[u]nts  to  you,  and  to  pay  what 
monies  they  may  have  in  their  hands  belonging  to  the  Public  to  you,  and 
to  cease  all  further  proceedings  in  that  Department,  the  sd.  Accts.  with  the 
vouchers  to  be  Transmitted  to  me,  to  be  laid  before  the  Marine  Com- 
mittee, for  their  Examination  and  Approbation,  you  to  render  an  Accott. 
of  such  monies  reed,  and  to  be  accountable  therefor.  And  the  former 
Agents  are  hereby  directed  immediately  on  your  Application  to  Render 
their  Accotts.  and  pay  the  monies  they  may  have  in  their  hands  to  you ;  I 
wish  to  settle  this  matter  as  early  as  possible,  for  altho'  their  Conduct  is 
highly  Reprehensible  yet  I  would  gladly  pass  it  over  without  a  public  men- 
tion, but  with  respect  to  the  Arms,  order'd  by  Congress  to  be  sent  to  Genl. 
Washington,  and  which  Mr.  Glover  mentions  he  without  Consulting  you 
had  dispos'd  of  among  the  Troops,  in  his  Brothers  Regiment,  I  must 
insist  that  you  immediately  carry  that  Resolution  into  Execution,  and 
that  the  Arms  be  forwarded  to  the  Genl.  as  at  first  order'd  by  Congress, 

-  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  424,  441,  444,  477,  484,  486,  488.  490,  500,  595 ;  also 
the  Journals,  Feb.  13,  Apr.  6,  13.    The  letter  from  Rutledge  has  not  been  found. 

[39  Ap  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Charles  E.  Goodspeed 
of  Boston. 


26  Continental  Congress 

it  being;-  my  Duty  to  see  every  Resolve  of  Congress  executed,  [about  60 
ivords  torn  out  here]  now  in  the  hands  of  the  former  A<,aMits.  you  wil! 
have  sufticient  to  answer  present  demands,  and  to  pay  for  the  Vessell 
bought  by  order  of  Mr.  Morris,  if  a  deficiency  yet  should  happen  you  must 
draw  on  me. 

You  will  please  keep  me  duly  advis'd  of  all  matters. 

I  inclose  you  the  papers  to  which  I  refer  you.    Do  p^ive  me  all  the  news. 

1  wish  you  and  l"\amily  well,  and  happy,  and  am  with  Sentiments  of 
Esteem 

Sir  Your  very  Hum''  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

John  Bratlford  Esqr." 

40.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

Fridav  July  26th.  4  oClock,  P.  M. 
Sir: 

Cong^ress  being  adjourned,  I  have  to  acknowledge  the  Rect.  of  yr.  favr. 
of  25th  this  moment  come  to  hand.  The  Subject  of  it  is  so  just  that  I 
will  venture  to  say  that  it  will  be  Complied  wnth  in  its  fullest  lattitude.^ 
The  Preamble  to  the  Resolutions  for  Confiscating  the  Property  of  the 
Subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  having  been  this  day  expung'd, 
and  the  Resolution  alterd,  agreable  to  the  one  now  Inclos'd  you.  I  am  to 
request  you  will  please  to  Erase  that  from  the  Resolves,  I  enclos'd  you  a 
few  days  past,  and  substitute  the  one  I  now  transmit  in  its  place.^ 
With  every  wish  in  yr.  favr.  and  every  Sentiment  of  Esteem, 

I  am.  Sr.,  vr.  verv  Hble  Servt 

J.  H.  Prest. 

[P.  S.]  Brigadr.  Genl.  Sullivan  this  day  sent  me  a  letter  of  Resigna- 
tion, wch.  is  order'd  to  lie  on  the  Table  untill  Monday.  I  have  not  yet 
seen  him.* 

Genl.  Washington 

-John  Bradford  was  elected  agent  for  prizes  for  Massachusetts  Apr.  23  (see  the 
Journals).  His  letters  to  which  Hancock  here  refers  have  not  been  found,  but  the  con- 
troversy with  Jonathan  Glover  is  set  forth,  from  the  point  of  view  of  the  latter,  in  a 
letter  from  Glover  to  Washington.  July  20  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  478,  817), 
which  Washington  transmitted  to  Congress  in  a  letter  of  Aug.  7  {ibid.,  p.  814),  read  in 
Congress  Aug.  8.  See  also  ibid.,  pp.  34.  209,  625,  662,  670.  Letters  from  Bradford  to 
Robert  Morris  July  14,  Aug.  8,  Sept.  5  (Library  of  Congress,  Morris  Papers,  Accession 
1805)  relate  in  part  to  this  controversy.  The  affair  appears  to  have  been  handled  by  the 
marine  committee,  for  there  is  no  reference  to  it  in  the  Journals. 

[40]^  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VL  5;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L 
594;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  738.  item  76. 

2  Washington's  letter  of  July  25  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford).  IV.  297,  and  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  575.     See  no.  46,  post,  and  the  Journals,  July  29. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Jul}'  17,  19,  24.  "A  resolution  for  confiscating  West  India 
property-  has  been  some  time  prepared  :  but  Congress  has  been  so  extremely  engaged,  they 
have  not  yet  passed  it."  William  Whipple  to  Joshua  Brackett,  July  23,  1776,  Mass. 
Hist.  Soc,  Proceedings,  first  ser..  V.  5. 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  26.  29  (erased  entries).    Cf.  nos.  44,  47,  51,  75,  post. 


July,  1776  27 

41.  The  Maryland  Delegates  to  the  Maryland 
Council  of  Safety.^ 

Phila.  27th  July  1776. 
Gent. 

....  The  Congress  has  allowed  a  regimental  paymaster  to  each  bat- 
talion in  the  flying  Camp,  the  appointment  of  which  officer  is  left  to  the 
Several  States  from  which  those  battalions  come.  In  the  Recess  of  our 
Convention  the  appointment  is  in  you,  and  we  beg  you  will  appoint  one 
as  soon  as  may  be.^ .... 

We  are  informed  that  there  are  large  quantities  of  flint  stones  at  the 
landings  on  Wye  and  Choptank  rivers:  these  were  brought  by  the  ships 
as  ballast  and  thrown  out  on  the  banks.  The  Congress  has  desired  us  to 
write  to  you  on  the  subject  and  to  procure  some  person,  who  understands 
flints,  to  look  after  them  and  report  to  Congress  whether  they  are  good 
or  not.^ .... 

We  are  with  regard 

Gentlemen  yr.  most  hum.  Servants 
Saml.  Chase 
Ch.  Carroll  of  Carrollton 

42.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  July  27th.  1776. 

Sir, 

Inclosed  you  have  a  Resolution  ^  of  Congress  for  the  Supply  of  Pro- 
visions to  the  Frigates  in  the  Eastern  Department,  out  of  the  Stock  of 
Provisions  in  that  Quarter:  And  I  am  to  request,  you  will,  by  the  next 
Post,  issue  your  Orders  to  your  Deputy  there,  to  furnish  such  Quantities 
as  shall  be  applied  for  by  Mr.  Cushing  and  others  who  have  the  Care  of 
the  Ships. 

I  have  paid  all  your  Bills  that  have  been  presented.  Money  will  soon 
be  sent  to  the  Paymaster. 

I  wish  you  happy,  and  am 
Sir,  your  very  hble  Servt. 
John  Hancock  Presidt 

Joseph  Trumbull  Esqr.  Com^.  Genl.  New  York. 

[41]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  XV.  20;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  129;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  618;  Rowland,  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  I.  184;  Taggart,  Biographical 
Sketches  of  Eminent  American  Patriots. 

2  See  the  Journals,  June  5  (p.  418). 

3  There  is  no  record  of  this  in  the  Journals,  but  cf.  entries  of  July  4  (pp.  509. 
516,  517).    See  also  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  34,  139,  410,  533,  633,  807. 

[42]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  127;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  618. 

2  The  resolution  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  May  25  {Journals,  p.  393),  passed 
in  consequence  of  a  letter  of  Charles  Miller,  the  deputy  commissary  in  Boston,  to 
Joseph  Trumbull,  May  8.  The  letter  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  V.  1238. 
Trumbull's  reply  to  this  letter  of  Hancock,  dated  July  29,  is  ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  643.  Mr. 
Cushing  is  probably  Thomas  Cushing. 


28  Continental  Congress 

43.  Joseph  Hewes  to  Samuel  Johnston.^ 

Philadelphia  28th  July  1776 
Dear  Sir 

....  Much  of  our  time  is  taken  up  in  forniinjj^  and  delxitinj^f  a  Con- 
federation for  the  uniteil  States,  what  we  shall  make  of  it  God  only 
knows.  I  am  inclined  to  think  we  shall  never  modell  it  .so  as  to  he  agreed 
to  bv  all  the  Colonies,  a  plan  for  foreign  Alliances  is  also  formed  and  I 
expect  will  he  the  subject  of  much  debate  before  it  is  agreed  to.  these 
two  Capital  points  ought  to  have  been  setlcd  before  our  declaration  of 
Independance  went  forth  to  the  world,  this  was  my  opinion  long  ago 
and  every  tlays  exi)erience  serves  to  confirm  me  in  that  opinion.  I  think 
it  probable  tliat  we  may  Split  on  these  great  points,  if  so  our  mighty 
Colossus  falls  to  pieces  when  (as  our  old  friend  Mr  Gordon  used  to  say) 
we  shall  be  in  a  whimsical  Situation." .... 

44.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.^ 

Philadelphl\  July  29,  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

....  our  army  from  Canada  is  now^  at  Tyconderoga  but  in  a  shattered 
condition.  Gen.  Sullivan  left  it  and  came  here  to  resign  on  Gate's  ap- 
pointment, his  letter  of  resignation  was  just  in  on  Friday,  it  was 
referred  to  this  morning  that  a  proper  rap  of  the  knuckles  might  be  pre- 
pared, but  on  the  advice  of  his  friends  he  asked  leave  to  withdraw  it  and 
repair  to  his  duty.^  The  minutiae  of  the  Confederation  have  hitherto 
engaged  us ;  the  great  points  of  representation,  boundaries,  taxation,  etc. 
being  left  open.^  for  god's  sake,  for  your  country's  sake,  and  for  my 
sake.  come.  I  receive  by  every  post  such  accounts  of  the  state  of  Mrs 
Jefferson's  health  that  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  disappoint  her 
expectation  of  seeing  me  at  the  time  I  have  promised,  which  supposed 
my  leaving  this  place  on  the  nth.  of  next  month.*  the  plan  of  [treaties]  ' 
is  yet  untouched,  after  being  read  it  was  privately  printed  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  members,  and  will  come  on  when  we  shall  have  got 
through  the  confederation. 

[P.  S. ]    I  pray  you  to  come.    I  am  under  a  sacred  obligation  to  go  home. 

45.  JoHX  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  29  July,  1776. 
....  We  have  no  news.     It  is  very  hard  that  half  a  dozen  or  half  a 
score  armies  can't  supply  us  with  news.     Wo.  have  a  famine,  a  perfect 
dearth  of  this  necessary  article.     I  am,  at  this  present  w'riting,  perplexed 

[43]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1644,  Declaration  of  Independence. 

-  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  674,  687,  690,  y2j,  744,  and  nos.  18,  26,  ante,  nos. 
44i  45.  A7-,  50,  52,  68,  72>,  85,  post.  See  especially  John  Adams's  Notes  of  Debates,  July  25, 
26,  30,  Aug.  I,  2,  in  the  Journals,  VI.  1076-1083,  and  Jefferson's  Notes,  ibid.,  VI.  1098- 1 106. 

[44]^  Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  I.  46  (original)  ;  ibid.,  Lee  Transcripts,  IV.  99,  V.  55. 

-  Cf.  no.  40,  ante,  and  nos.  47,  51,  75,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  12,  July  22-Aug.  9,  20;  also  Adams's  and  Jefferson's  Notes 
of  Debates.  July  25-Aug.  2,  Journals,  VI.  1076-1083,  1098-1106.    Cf.  no.  43,  note  2,  ante. 
*  See  no.  49,  post. 

^  See  the  Journals,  July  18,  20,  and  no.  26.  note  2.  ante. 
[45]  1  Fatniliar  Letters,  p.  205  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  637  (extract). 


July,  iyy6  29 

and  plagued  with  two  knotty  problems  in  politics.  You  love  to  pick  a 
political  bone.     So  I  will  even  throw  it  to  you. 

If  a  confederation  should  take  place,  one  great  question  is,  how  we 
shall  vote.  Whether  each  colony  shall  count  one?  or  whether  each  shall 
have  a  weight  in  proportion  to  its  number,  or  wealth,  or  exports  and 
imports,  or  a  compound  ratio  of  all  ?  Another  is,  whether  Congress  shall 
have  authority  to  limit  the  dimensions  of  each  colony,  to  prevent  those, 
which  claim  by  charter,  or  proclamation,  or  commission  to  the  south 
sea,  from  growing  too  great  and  powerful,  so  as  to  be  dangerous  to 
the  rest? 

Shall  I  write  you  a  sheet  upon  each  of  these  questions?  When  you 
are  well  enough  to  read,  and  I  can  find  leisure  enough  to  write,  perhaps 
I  may.^ .... 

46.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  July  29th.  1776 
Sir: 

I  have  been  honour'd  with  your  favrs  of  22d.  25th  and  27th  Inst.  I 
hope  by  to  morrow's  Post  to  Transmitt  you  Answers  to  the  whole  of  your 
Letters  which  are  yet  unanswer'd.  The  exceeding  warm  Season,  and 
the  constant  Attention  of  Congress  to  Business  the  last  week,  induc'd 
Congress  to  Adjourn  from  Friday  Eveng.  to  this  morning.  I  shall 
dir&ctly  lay  your  Letters  before  them,  and  request  their  immediate  Atten- 
tion to  them.^ 

Congress  having  indulg'd  me  to  make  a  Demand  of  Money  from  Mr. 
Brimer  who  I  Judge  to  be  with  Mr.  Howe  on  Staten  Island,  I  have  Sent 
the  Bill  to  Mr.  Palfrey  and  desir'd  him  to  apply  to  you,  and  I  Request 
you  will  please  to  suffer  him  to  Conduct  this  matter  for  me.^ 

47.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  29,  1776. 
My  Friend: 

....  Our  friend  General  Sullivan  is  disgusted  at  the  appointment  of 
General  Gates  to  be  a  Major-General,  and  being  sent  to  the  Northern 

-  See  no.  43,  note  2,  ante.  Two  letters  of  Adams  at  this  time  are  of  interest  as 
regards  the  Massachusetts  delegation.  One  of  them,  dated  July  25,  requests  the  general 
court  for  leave  to  return  home ;  the  other  is  to  James  Warren,  and  is  dated  July  27. 
In  the  letter  he  says :  "  You  must  be  very  speedy  in  appointing  other  delegates,  or  you 
will  not  be  represented  here.  Go  home  I  will,  if  I  leave  the  Massachusetts  without  a 
member  here."  Works,  IX.  426,  427.  Cf.  his  letter  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Aug.  14,  Familiar 
Letters,  p.  210.    See  also  no.  167,  post. 

[46]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XI.  17;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  636. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  29;  also  no.  40,  ante.  Washington's  letters  are  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  499,  575,  620.  Those  of  July  25  and  27  are  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford), 
IV.  297,  301.  Later  the  same  day  Hancock  wrote  to  Washington :  "  Since  I  sent  off  my 
letter  of  this  morning  the  Congress  has  met,  before  whom  I  laid  your  letter,  and  I  have 
the  pleasure  to  inform  you  the  Congress  readily  agreed  to  your  having  another  aid  de 
camp."    Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  636. 

3  There  is  no  reference  to  this  matter  in  the  Journals.  The  claim  was  probably  a 
private  one.    Cf.  Washington  to  Hancock,  July  30,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  675. 

[47]  1  Force,  Anu  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  6z7. 


30  Continental  Congress 

Army.  Hy  permission  of  the  Generals  Scluiyler  and  Washinp^ton,  he 
(General  Snllivan)  has  left  the  Army,  and  is  \\u\\  here,  and  has  petitioned 
Cong-ress  for  leave  to  resign  his  commission.  What  will  be  done  in  the 
case  I  cannot  say,  hnt  hope  it  will  be  settled  without  his  dismission. 

Brother  Whipple  is  here  yet,  and  will  not  set  out  for  home  till  the 
Confederation  is  settletl,  which  may  possibly  take  a  week  or  ten  days' 
time,  as  there  is  a  j^reat  deal  of  other  business  to  be  done  in  tiie  mean 
time,  ami  the  sentiments  of  the  members  of  Cone^ress  very  different  on 
many  of  the  articles.  I  should  be  glad  he  might  hear  the  whole  of  the 
debates  here,  and  be  present  in  our  Colony  when  it  is  laid  before  our 
Legislature  for  their  concurrence,  to  answer  any  questions  and  remarks 
that  may  be  made  upon  it.  It  is  a  matter  of  the  greatest  importance, 
but  the  interests  and  opinions  of  the  several  members  are  so  various  that 
I  see  it  will  not  be  settled  agreeable  to  my  mind.* 

It  is  a  very  still  time  as  to  news  here.  The  fleet  and  Armies  at  New 
York  and  Staten  Island  remain  in  statu  quo.  The  Army  in  the  Jerseys 
is  increasing  very  fast,  so  that  there  will  soon  be  a  powerful  body  of 
men  there. 

July  Sist. — I  can  now  inform  you  that  the  afTair  with  General  Sullivan 
is  settled,  and  he  is  to  return  to  New  York,  to  be  employed  by  General 
Washington  in  that  department;  so  hope  you  will  not  make  many  words 
about  it.' .... 

48.  The  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina 

Council  of  Safety.^ 

Dear  Sir, 

This  morning  in  consequence  of  a  letter  from  Governor  Rutlege 
informing  the  Congress  that  the  Cherokee  nation  had  begun  Hostilities, 
a  Resolve  has  passed  recommending  to  the  Provinces  of  Virginia  North 
Carolina  and  Georgia  to  assist  and  co-operate  with  South  Carolina  in 
carrying  on  a  War  with  all  possible  vigor  against  those  savages.^  This 
however  is  by  no  means  intended  to  alter  the  plan  of  military  operations 
which  you  have  begun  or  to  draw  off  the  Strength  of  our  back  Country 
to  a  distant  part  merely  for  the  sake  of  acting  in  the  same  place  with  the 
South  Carolinians,  if  the  Opposition  can  be  made  as  effectually  in  any 
manner  devised  by  yourselves  and  from  a  part  of  your  province  from 
whence  hostilities  may  successfully  be  carried  into  the  bosom  of  the 
Cherokee  Country.    In  fact  nothing  is  meant  but  to  subdue  the  Cherokees. 

We  have  taken  advantage  of  a  moment's  leisure  from  the  Business 
of  New  York  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Congress  to  the  State  of  North 

2  Cf.  no.  2>Z,  ante.    See  also  no.  72,  note  3,  post. 

3  Cf.  nos.  40,  44,  ante,  51,  post. 

[48]  1  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm.   (in  Hooper's  writing)  ;  A''.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  679. 

'  The  resolve  is  in  the  Journals,  July  30,  and  this  letter  should  doubtless  bear  that 
date.  Cf.  Hancock  to  the  North  Carolina  council  of  safety,  July  30,  in  N.  C.  Col.  Recs., 
X.  681.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Aug.  5,  and  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  95,  481, 
488,  568,  610-613,  749;  also  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  650,  651,  657-661,  662,  665,  669,  671,  726, 
729.  745,  748,  751,  758. 


July,  lyyd  31 

Carolina.  This  Evening  they  meet  and  from  the  disposition  of  the  con- 
gress We  flatter  ourselves  the  very  reasonable  requisitions  signified  in 
your  Letter  and  some  other  matters  which  have  occurred  to  us  since  as 
necessary  for  the  safety  of  our  Colony  will  be  duely  attended  to.' 

Pray  make  our  best  respects  to  your  honourable  Board  and  believe  us 
to  be  with  great  Regard, 

Your  most  obedt  Hum  Servts 

Wm   Hooper  * 
Joseph   Hewes 
John  Penn. 
Philadelphia  July  29  1776, 

49.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  John  Page.^ 

Philadelphia,  July  20  [30?],  1776.^ 
Dear  Page, 

....  I  would  not  advise  that  the  French  gentlemen  should  come  here. 
We  have  so  many  of  that  country,  and  have  been  so  much  imposed  on, 
that  the  Congress  begins  to  be  sore  on  that  head.^  Besides  there  is  no 
prospect  of  raising  horse  this  way.  But  if  you  approve  of  the  Chevalier 
de  St.  Aubin,  why  not  appoint  him  yourselves,  as  your  troops  of  horse 
are  Colonial  not  Continental  ? 

The  8th  battalion  w^ill  no  doubt  be  taken  into  Continental  pay  from 
the  date  you  mention.  So  also  will  be  the  two  written  for  lately  to  come 
to  the  Jersies.*  The  7th  should  have  been  moved  in  Congress  long  e'er 
now,  but  the  muster  roll  sent  us  by  Mr.  Yates  was  so  miserably  defective 
that  it  would  not  have  been  received,  and  would  have  exposed  him. 
We  therefore  desired  him  to  send  one  more  full,  still  giving  it  the  same 
date,  and  I  enclosed  him  a  proper  form.^ .... 

Having  declined  serving  here  the  next  year,  I  shall  be  with  you  at  the 
first  session  of  our  assembly.  I  purpose  to  leave  this  place  the  nth  of 
August,  having  so  advised  Mrs.  Jefferson  by  last  post,  and  every  letter 
brings  me  such  an  account  of  the  state  of  her  health,  that  it  is  w'ith  great 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  30,  31,  and  no.  55.  post. 

*  This  letter  was  written  by  Hooper  originally  in  the  first  person  singular  and 
afterward  changed  to  the  plural,  "  we  "  being  substituted  for  "I ",  and  "  ourselves  "  for 
"  myself  ". 

In  a  letter  to  Samuel  Johnston,  July  24,  Hewes  says :  "  Mr.  Hooper  came  to  town  last 
evening"  (Pa.  Mag.  of  Hist,  and  Biog.,  XLHI.  263).  He  probably  took  his  seat  in 
Congress  the  24th,  as  the  letter  of  the  North  Carolina  council,  was  presented  on  that  day. 

[49]!  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  H.  69;  Works  (Memorial  ed.),  IV.  266;  .V.  E.  Hist,  and 
Geneal.  Register,  XX.  68. 

2  There  are  several  evidences  that  the  date  of  this  letter  as  found  in  the  printed 
texts  is  incorrect :  First,  Page's  letter  to  Jefferson  (Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson 
Papers,  second  ser.,  LXV.  8),  to  which  this  is  a  reply,  is  clearly  dated  July  20;  second,  the 
statement  in  the  letter  concerning  the  two  Virginia  battalions  "  written  for  lately  to  come 
to  the  Jersies  "  refers  to  a  resolution  of  Congress  July  20 ;  third,  a  paragraph,  omitted 
here,  evidently  was  written  in  the  light  of  Washington's  letter  of  July  27,  read  in  Congress 
July  29.    The  date  of  the  letter  should  probably  therefore  be  July  30. 

3  Cf.  Washington  to  Nathaniel  Shaw,  jr.,  of  New  London,  Aug.  5,  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  770.    See  also  nos.  136,  360A,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  20. 
5  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  13. 


32  ContincHtdl  Congress 

pain  I  can  stay  here  till  then.  But  Rraxton  purposing  to  leave  us  the  day 
after  tomorrow,  the  colony  would  be  uincprcsented  were  I  to  go,  before 
the  iith.     I  hope  to  see  Col.  Lee  and  Mr.  Wythe  here.".  .  .  . 

50.    S.VMl'KL    ClI.\SK    TO    RlCII.\UD    IIeNRY    LeE.^ 

Piiii.ADr.i.i'iiiA.  July  30,  1776. 
My  dear  Sir: 

Your  letter  of  the  14th  instant  followed  me  to  this  city,  and  your  other 
favour,  of  the  21st.  was  delivered  by  yesterday's  post.  I  hurried  to  Con- 
gress, to  give  my  little  assistance  to  the  framing  a  Confederacy,  and  a 
plan  for  a  foreign  alliance — both  of  them  subjects  of  the  utmost  impor- 
tance, and  which,  in  my  judgment,  demand  immediate  despatch.  The 
Confederacy  has  engaged  our  close  attention  for  a  week.  Three  great 
difficulties  occur :  Representation,  the  mode  of  voting,  and  the  claims  to 
the  South  Sea.  The  whole  might,  in  my  opinion,  be  settled,  if  candour, 
justice,  and  the  real  interests  of  America  were  attended  to.  We  do  not 
all  see  the  importance,  nay,  the  necessity,  of  a  Confederacy.  We  shall 
remain  weak,  distracted,  and  divided  in  our  councils;  our  strength. will 
decrease ;  we  shall  be  open  to  all  the  arts  of  the  insidious  Court  of  Britain, 
and  no  foreign  Court  \\\\\  attend  to  our  applications  for  assistance  before 
we  are  confederated.  What  contract  will  a  foreign  State  make  with  us, 
when  we  cannot  agree  among  ourselves  ?".... 


51.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  July  31  1776. 
Sir, 

....  P.  S.  Upon  conversing  with  Genl.  Sullivan,  and  stating  to  him 
the  Reasons  of  Congress  promoting  Genl.  Gates  over  him,  he  desired  Me 
to  move  for  Leave  to  withdraw  his  Application  to  resign,  in  which  the 
Congress  have  acquiesced.  He  has  now  Orders  to  repair  to  New  York, 
where  you  will  please  to  assign  him  such  Post  of  Duty  as  you  shall  think 
proper.^ .... 

52.  Abraham  Clark  to  James  Caldwell.^ 

Phila.  August  I,  1776. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  Our  Congress  have  now  under  Consideration  a  Confederation 
of  the  States.  Two  Articles  give  great  trouble,  the  one  for  fixing  the 
Quotas  of  the  States  towards  the  Public  expence,  and  the  other  whether 

^  Cf.  no  44,  ante,  and  no.  60,  post. 
[50]!  Force,  Ajn.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  672 ;  R.  H.  Lee,  Life  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  II.  180. 

-  See  no.  43,  note  2,  ante,  and  no.  68,  note  2,  post. 
[51]!  Library   of    Congress,    Letters    to    Washington,    LXXXIX.    262;    Force,    Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  690. 

2  See  nos.  40,  44,  47,  ante,  75,  post. 
[52]!  Harvard  L'niv.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  II.,  p.  168  (original). 


August,  iyy6  33 

Each  State  shall  have  a  Single  Vote  or  in  proportion  to  the  Sums  they 
raise  or  the  Num''  of  Inhabitants  they  contain.  I  assure  you  the  diffi- 
culties attending  these  Powers  at  Times  appear  very  Alarming.  Nothing 
but  Present  danger  will  ever  make  us  all  Agree,  and  I  sometimes  even 
fear  that  will  be  insufficient."  .... 

I  Notice  what  you  say  About  the  want  of  Cash.  The  Post  that  brought 
your  Letter,  brought  one  from  Genl.  Schuyler  directed  to  Genl.  Washing- 
ton and  by  him  sent  forward  making  the  same  Complaint,  which  was 
referred  to  the  board  of  War.  your  wants  in  that  respect  I  hope  will 
soon  be  Supplied.^  There  hath  been  no  complaint  on  that  head  from  your 
Quarter  before  that  I  have  heard  of.  Money  is  not  such  a  trifling  Article 
with  the  "  States  General  "  as  to  make  them  thoughtless  about  it,  tho' 
in  some  respects  the  value  of  it  seems  trifling,  as  it  is  no  uncommon  case 
to  order  five  hundred  thousand  [dollars]  sent  of  \_sic\  at  a  Time  notwith- 
standing "  our  daily  feasting  in  the  City  ".* 

As  to  your  Regts.  inlisting  for  3  years  upon  Condition  of  leaving  that 
Country  before  Winter,  I  must  Observe  your  Campain  is  but  beginning, 
and  the  issue  very  uncertain,  it  is  impossible  to  foresee  the  State  of  affairs 
with  you  next  fall.  Necessity  may  require  your  comeing  away  by  thai! 
Time,  and  may  also  require  your  staying  there,  but  this  you  may  rest 
assured  of  that  any  service  within  my  Scanty  powers,  and  wh[ich]  you 
desire,  so  far  as  the  Public  service  will  admit  you  may  most  assuredly 
rely  upon,  but  at  present  I  think  it  a  Subject  improper  to  mention  in 
public  but  shall  nevertheless,  communicate  the  matter  to  particular  friends, 
as  opportunity  offers.^ .... 

I  am  Dear  Sir  your  and  Colo.  Daytons  Sincere  and  affectionate  Friend  * 
and  Hum.  Servt. 

Abra  :  Clark 

P.  S.    Doctor  \\'itherspoon  sends  you  his  compliments 

2  Cj.  nos.  18,  26,  43,  44,  45,  47,  50,  ante,  68,  "jz,  85,  posi.  See  especially  John 
Adams's  Notes  of  Debates,  July  25- Aug.  2,  in  the  Journals,  VI.  1076- 1083,  and  Jefferson's 
Notes  of  Debates,  ibid.,  pp.  1098-1106.  Among  those  recorded  by  both  Adams  and 
Jefferson  as  taking  part  in  the  debate  on  the  Confederation  Aug.  i,  was  Benjamin  Rush. 
Rush  himself  records  in  his  Memorial  (p.  92)  :  "  In  the  debates  upon  the  Confederation 
of  the  States  I  took  part  with  those  gentlemen  who  objected  to  the  small  States  having 
an  equal  vote  with  the  large  ones,  and  urged  the  necessity  of  the  States  being  repre- 
sented according  to  numbers,  in  order  to  render  liberty  equal  and  durable  in  our  country." 

3  The  letter  of  Schuyler  referred  to  is  to  Washington,  July  24,  enclosed  by  Wash- 
ington in  his  letter  of  July  30.  These  letters,  laid  before  Congress  Aug.  i,  are  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  559,  675,  respectively.  See  also  Schuyler's  letter  to  Washington, 
July  20,  ihid.,  I.  473 ;  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  2,  15.  In  a  letter  to  Col.  Elias  Dayton, 
Aug.  6,  Clark  says :  "  General  Schuyler  makes  the  same  complaint  as  you  do  for  want 
of  cash.  His  letter  came  to  Congress  the  same  day  with  yours  and  Mr.  Caldwell's  from 
the  German-Flats.  Two  hundred  thousand  dollars  were  immediately  sent  to  the  Pay- 
master-General, being  part  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  ordered  to  be  sent.  The 
Congress,  or  rather  some  of  the  Members,  tell  me,  that  if  your  regiment  is  near  three 
months  in  arrear  of  pay,  it  is  not  a  neglect  of  Congress,  but  a  neglect  somewhere  else, 
as  they  have  sent  seasonable  supplies."  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  785-786.  See  also 
Clark  to  Caldwell,  Aug.  7,  ibid.,  I.  811.    Cf.  nos.  63,  64.  80,  post. 

*  See  Qark  to  Caldwell,  Aug.  7,  cited  in  note  3,  above. 

^  "  What  you  say  respecting  your  regiment  returning  in  the  fall,  will  be  attended 
to  in  a  proper  time."    Qark  to  Dayton,  Aug.  6,  cited  in  note  3  above. 

^  "  Remember,  sir,  (what  I  frequently  mention.)  that  when  I  write  to  you  or  Mr. 
Caldwell,  I  mean  always  to  address  you  both."    Clark  to  Dayton,  Aug.  6. 


34  Continental  Congress 

53.  Abraham  Clark  to  Jamics  Caldwell.* 

Phila.  Auj,'t.  j(l.  1776' 
Sir, 

....  At  my  coininp;-  to  Congress,  I  moved  for  a  Cliajjlain  to  Attend 
Prayers  every  moniiiiir  whicli  was  carried,  and  some  of  mv  Starch 
breathren  will  scarcely  f()r<^ive  me  for  Naming  Mr  Duchc.  This  I  did 
knowing  without  such  a  one  many  would  not  Attend,  he  hath  Composed 
a  form  of  Prayer  Unexceptionable  to  all  parties.'' 

[Addressed:] 

To  the  Revd.  James  Caldwell  Chaplain  of  the  Army  at  Fort  Stanwix 

54.  The  President  oe  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.* 

Philadelphia  2d.  August  1776 
Sir 

I  am  particularly  instructed  by  Congress  to  answer  that  part  of  your 
letter  of  29th.  Ulto.  directed  to  the  Board  of  War,  which  Relates  to  the 
filling  up  Vacancies  in  the  Army.  The  Congress  are  Concern'd  to  find  that 
an  opinion  is  Entertain'd  that  greater  Confidence  has  been  plac'd  in,  and 
larger  powers  given  to  other  Commanders  in  that  respect,  than  to  your- 
self. They  have  in  no  instance  except  in  the  late  Api^ointment  of  General 
Gates  to  the  Command  in  Canada,  parted  with  the  power  of  filling  up 
Vacancies.  The  great  Confusion  and  many  Disorders  prevalent  in  that 
Army  and  its  Distance,  induc'd  Congress  to  lodge  such  a  power  in  that 
General,  for  the  limited  space  of  three  months,  and  only  during  his  Con- 
tinuance in  Canada.  Should  Congress  ever  empower  its  Generals  to  fill 
up  the  Vacancies  in  the  Army,  they  know  of  no  one  in  whom  they  would 
so  soon  Repose  a  Trust  of  such  Importance  as  in  yourself ;  but  future 
Generals  may  make  a  bad  use  of  it.  The  Danger  of  the  Precedent,  not 
any  suspicion  of  their  present  Commander  in  Chief,  prompts  them  to 
Retain  a  Pow-er,  that,  by  you.  Sir,  might  be  exercised  w-ith  the  greatest 
public  Advantage.^ .... 

[P.  S.]  Your  fav.  of  5  Inst,  just  Come  to  hand  will  be  Replied  to  by 
to-morrow's  Post.^ 

I53]*  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  II.,  p.  170  (original). 

2  This  letter  was  probably  a  postscript  to  the  letter  of  Aug.  i,  no.  52,  ante.  In 
Clark's  letter  to  Dayton,  Aug.  6,  and  that  to  Caldwell,  Aug.  7  (see  ante,  no.  52,  notes 
3,  4,  6),  the  two  letters  are  spoken  of  as  one. 

3  See  the  Journals.  July  9.    See  also  vol.  J.  of  these  Letters,  no.  12,  note  8. 
[54]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  LXXXIX.,  264;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 

fifth  ser.,  I.  725;  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  I.  267. 

2  This  part  of  Hancock's  letter  was  drafted  by  the  board  of  war  in  reply  to 
Washington's  letter  to  the  board,  July  29.  See  the  Journals,  July  30  (p.  621)  and  Aug.  i. 
The  letter-book  copy  of  Washington's  letter  is  in  the  Washington  MSS.  in  the  Library 
of  Congress.  It  is  printed  in  Force,  Atn.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  641.  Concerning  the  powers 
given  to  Gates,  see  the  Journals.  June  17;  cf.  John  Adams  to  Gates,  June  18,  in  vol.  I.  of 
these  Letters,  no.  718;  also  ibid.,  nos.  692,  702.  Action  upon  one  part  of  Washington's 
letter  was  taken  Aug.  10  (see  the  Journals,  p.  644).     Cf.  no  75,  post. 

3  This  postscript  was  probably  appended  in  the  evening  of  Aug.  5.  See  the 
Journals,  Aug.  6.  One  of  the  omitted  paragraphs  also  refers  to  a  resolve  recorded  in 
the  Journals,  Aug.  5.  Washington's  letter  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  317;  the  letter 
and  enclosures  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  762-767. 


August,  iy/6  35 

55.  The  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina 

Council  of  Safety/ 

Honoured  Sir, 

Permit  us,  thro'  you,  to  address  the  lionourable  body  in  which  you 
preside,  and  inform  them  that  we  were  favoured  with  their  two  last 
letters  by  Mr  Hooper,  and  have  seized  the  earliest,  and  most  probable 
method  to  carry  the  contents  of  them  into  execution.  We  have  stated  to 
the  continental  congress,  with  all  the  energy  we  are  capable  of,  the  present 
distress  and  necessitous  State  of  our  Province,  and  the  means  which  may 
tend  most  effectually  to  relieve  it.  We  have  been  as  fortunate  as  your 
most  Sanguine  expectations,  and  the  inclosed  Resolve  will  convince  you, 
that  North  Carolina  bears  no  inconsiderable  weight  in  the  favour  of  the 
Continental  Congress.  The  readiness  which  they  discover  upon  all 
occasions  to  comply  with  the  just  requisitions  of  our  State,  evince  that 
they  entertain  a  grateful  sense  of  our  patriotick  exertions,  and  wish  to 
furnish  to  us  every  inducement  to  persist  in  a  conduct  from  which  we 
have  to  expect  liberty,  peace,  and  happiness.^ .... 

With  great  respect 

Sir  Your  most  obedt  Humble  Servts 

Will.  Hooper 
Joseph   Hewes 
John  Penn 
Philadelphia  August  2  1776 

56.  Samuel  Adams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philade  Augt  3  1776 
My  dear  Sir 

Our  Friend  Coll.  W — ^  (not  Mr  Lewis)  brought  and  delivered  to  us 
your  Letter  of  the  25th  of  July  directed  to  Mr  J  A  and  my  self.  The 
Inclosures  clearly  show  the  deplorable  State  of  our  Affairs  in  the  Northern 
Department,  and  it  is  easy  to  trace  the  Source  of  them.  I  am  fully  of 
Opinion  that  one  Man  ^  must  be  removd  to  some  other  Department  to 
put  an  End  to  our  Misfortunes  there.  This  has  been  attempted  and  urgd, 
but  has  hitherto  been  impracticable.  A  little  Time  may  perhaps  unravel 
Mysteries  and  convince  Gentlemen  that  they  have  been  under  certain 
Prejudices  to  which  the  wisest  Men  are  lyable.  It  appears  to  me  very 
extraordinary  that  Mr  L  should  insist  upon  acting  after  being  apprizd 
of  the  Resolve  of  Congress,  and  it  is  still  more  surprising  that  he  is 
supported  by *  in  this  Conduct.    I  am  very  sure  that  our  Affairs  must 

[55]^  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm.;  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  718. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  30,  31.    Cf.  no.  48,  ante. 
LsSJ^Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  i. 

2  Doubtless  William  Williams,  who  had  come  to  Congress  a  few  days  before. 
Cf.  nos.  63,  7S,  post.  Mr.  Lewis  was  probably  Morgan  Lewis,  who  was  sent  to  Congress 
in  July  by  General  Gates.  See  Gates  to  Congress,  July  16,  and  to  Washington,  same 
date.  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  375,  376;  also  no.  75,  post. 

3  Walter  Livingston.  See  vol.  I.  of  the  Letters,  nos.  689,  719,  720,  and  nos.  123, 
124,  145,  162,  164,  post. 

*  Doubtless  Schuyler. 


86  Continental  Congress 

suffer  j^reatly  if  lie  is  allowd  to  persist  in  so  doinpf.  You  are  tlie  best 
juclt;e  of  the  Part  i)roper  for  you  to  take  on  this  Occasion  in  your  own 
I  )ci)artineiU ;  but  as  your  own  I\oputation  in  your  office  as  well  as  the 
publick  Service  is  at  Stake  would  it  be  amiss  for  you  to  State  the  Matter 
to  the  General  ?  By  this  Means  it  might  come  before  Congress.  I  shall 
certainly  do  all  in  my  Power  to  have  the  Evils  you  mention  corrected. 
I  have  communicated  your  Letter  to  several  Gentlemen  who  will  joyn 
with  me  in  every  practicable  Method  for  this  Purpose.  Congress  have 
this  day  passed  several  Resolutions  which  I  hope  will  be  attended  with  a 
good  Effect.'  .... 

These  Resolutions  perhaps  may  not  please  every  Body,  but  if  they  are 
duly  executed  they  may  detect  Mistakes,  or  Frauds  if  any  should  happen. 
As  to  what  has  passd  in  Canada  and  near  it,  some  Person  has  in  my 
opinion  been  most  egregiously  to  blame,  and,  to  use  a  homely  Proverb, 
the  Saddle  has  been  laid,  or  attempted  to  be  laid  on  the  wrong  horse.  I 
hope  by  strict  Scrutiny  the  Causes  will  be  found  out  and  the  guilty  Man 
be  made  to  suffer.  My  Regards  to  General  Mifflin  and  all  Friends.  I 
am  very  respectfully 

Yours 
S  A 
Jos  Trumbull  Esqr 

Since  writing  the  foregoing  I  have  turnd  to  the  printed  Journals  of 
Congress  and  find  that  on  the  17  July  1775  Walter  Livingston  Esqr  was 
appointed  "  Commissary  of  Stores  and  Provisions  for  the  New  York 
Department  during  the  present  Campaign."  Upon  what  Grounds  then 
does  he  speak  of  himself  as  vested  by  Congress  with  full  Powers  to  act 
////  revoked.  The  last  Campaign  which  limitted  his  power  to  act,  is 
finishd.  Under  what  Pretence  can  he  be  supported  by  his  Patron,  espec- 
ially since  by  the  Resolution  of  Congress  of  the  8th  of  July  last,  you  have 
"  full  Power  to  supply  both  Armies,  that  upon  the  Lakes  as  well  as  that 
at  New  York,  and  also  to  appoint  and  employ  such  Persons  under  you 
and  to  remove  any  Deputy  Commissary  as  you  shall  think  proper  and 
expedient,"  and  for  this  express  Reason  "  it  being  absolutely  necessary 
that  the  supply  of  both  Armies  should  be  under  one  Direction.®  Has  not 
General  S  seen  this  Resolution?  or,  if  he  has  seen  it.  Does  he  judge  that 
the  supply  of  the  two  Armies  should  be  under  different  Directions,  and 
undertake  to  order  the  Matter  accordingly.  If  the  Persons  whom  you 
send  to  act  under  you  in  the  Northern  Army,  are  confined  and  limited 
by  any  other  Person  after  they  arrive  there,  unless  by  order  of  Congress, 
and  without  giving  you  Notice  in  Case  such  order  should  be  made,  We 
must  expect  a  Repetition  of  the  most  mortifying  Disappointment.  Upon 
my  Word,  I  think  it  your  Duty  to  remonstrate  this  either  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  or  the  Congress.  The  former  I  should  suppose  you 
\vd  prefer. 

5  The  resolutions  which  Adams  here  summarizes  are  in  the  Jottrnals  under  Aug.  2. 
8  Cf.  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  720,  note  3. 


August,  i'jy6  37 

57.  The  President  of  Congress  to  John  Haslet.* 

Philada.  3d  Augst.  1776. 
Sir 

You  are  hereby  Directed  to  order  the  Company  of  your  P>attalion 
posted  at  Lewis  Town  as  soon  as  possible  to  march  to  Philada.  and  Join 
their  Battalion  now  Station'd  at  the  Barracks  in  this  City.^ 

I  am  Sir 

Your  very  hum*  se* 

John  Hancock,  President. 

To  the  Officer  Commdg  the  Battalion  of  Continental 
Troops  now  in  this  City    Colonel  Haslet's  Battalion.^ 

58.  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney.^ 

Philada.  August  3d  1776. 
Sir 

Since  I  finished  my  other  Letter  have  been  up  at  Congress  where  we 
rec'd  Intelligence  by  letter  from  Captn.  Weeks  ^  in  the  Congress  Ship  the 
Reprisal  that  he  has  at  sea  on  the  13th  of  July  taken  two  prizes,  a  ship 
and  a  Schooner  bound  for  Liverpool  Loaded  with  Cotton,  Sugar,  Rum, 
etc.  The  Letters  came  by  the  Prize  Schooner  which  arrived  at  an  Inlet 
near  Egg  Harbour,  and  the  Ship  Prize  has  been  seen  off  the  Capes  of 
Delaware  and  Supposed  by  this  time  got  in.  This  days  post  is  not  yet 
Come  in  from  New- York.  It  is  past  his  Usual  time  of  Coming,  and  there- 
fore Imagined  there  will  be  something  important,  which  delayed  him. 
I  wish  it  may  be  Good.  The  Delaware  [battalion]  came  to  town  this 
Morning  and  there  passed  an  Order  of  Congress  Yesterday  Morning  for 
Captain  Darby  and  his  Company  now  at  Lewis,  to  Come  up  and  join  the 
Battalion,  or  at  least  to  follow  them,^  for  as  Congress  have  now  Got 
Arms,  I  imagine  t'hey  will  not  stay  long  here.  Let  not  the  Contents  of 
my  other  letter  be  seen  by  any,  Unless  a  friend  in  whom  you  can  confide. 


[57]  1  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book.  VI.  14;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 

^-  739-  ,      , 

2  Haslet's  battalion  had  been  ordered  to  Philadelphia,  July  20  (see  the  Journals). 
Troops  were  stationed  in  Lewes,  Del.,  in  consequence  of  a  resolve  of  Apr.  3  {cf.  Apr.  12). 
See  no.  58.  post. 

3  The  words  "  Colonel  Haslet's  Battalion "  were  added  by  Hancock's  secretary. 
The  letter  is  otherwise  in  Hancock's  writing.  The  conclusion  therefore  is  that  Hancock 
did  not,  when  he  wrote  the  letter,  know  the  name  of  the  commanding  officer. 

[58]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Signers,  H.  2>^]  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  741. 

2  The  letter  of  Capt.  Lambert  Wickes  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Journals,  but  see 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  706,  741,  759.  Rodney's  "  other  letter  ",  also  dated  Aug.  3, 
is  ibid.,  L  740. 

3  The  order  is  not  recorded  in  the  Journals  Aug.  2.  See  however  no.  57,  ante, 
also  the  Journals,  Aug.  5,  8.  In  a  letter  to  Thomas  Rodney,  Aug.  8,  Caesar  Rodney 
says:     "The   Delaware   battalion   is   under    marching   orders    for    Amboy,   subject   to 

General  Washington's  further  orders Mr.  McKean  is  still  in  the  Jerseys,  and  not 

likely  soon  to  return.  The  terms  of  Confederation  now  before  the  Congress,  and  our 
Colony  not  represented  without  Read  and  me  both,  therefore  cannot  expect  to  see  you 
in  Kent  very  soon."    Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  833.    See  no.  90,  note  2,  post. 


38  Continental  Congress 

59.  John  Adams  to  William  Heath.* 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  3,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

Yours  of  the  20th  ult.  is  before  me 

Congress  has  not  determined  to  liave  no  regard  to  the  hue  of  succession 
in  promotions,  but  only  that  this  hnc  shall  not  be  an  invariable  rule; 
eaeteris  f^arihus,  the  line  will  be  pursued,  but  they  mean  to  reserve  a  right 
of  distinguishing  extraordinary  merit,  or  demerit.-  This  rule  may  be 
abu.sed.  But  is  it  not  necessary?  all  good  things  are  liable  to  abuse. 
I  am  afraid,  nay  I  know  it  will  be  abused  in  particular  instances.  But 
if  we  make  the  succession  an  invariable  rule,  will  not  the  abuse  be  greater? 

Is  it  not  common  in  the  British  Army  to  promote  junior  officers  over 
the  heads  of  their  supcriours  ?  nay  even  officers  in  the  same  regiment,  and 
on  the  same  commaml?  I  have  been  told  of  several  instances.  This 
however  is  wrong 


By  some  expressions  in  the  close  of  your  letter,  I  conclude  you  were 
not  perfectly  satisfied  with  a  late  promotion.  Be  assured.  Sir,  if  that  was 
raising  a  junior  officer,  over  the  head  of  any  superiour,  it  was  not  con- 
sidered in  that  light  by  the  gentlemen  who  did  it ;  the  person  promoted 
was  thought  to  be  the  oldest  Brigadier,  and  intituled  to  advancement  by 
the  line  of  succession.  And  it  is  my  opinion  he  would  have  been  made  a 
Major  General  much  sooner  if  his  experience  had  not  been  thought  indis- 
pensible  in  the  Adjutant  General's  Department.^ 


60.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  John  Page.^ 

Philadelphia,  Aug.  5,  1776. 
Dear  Page, 

....  The  Congress  having  had  reason  to  suspect  the  Six  nations 
intended  war,  instructed  their  commissioners  to  declare  to  them  peremp- 
torily that  if  they  chose  to  go  to  war  with  us,  they  should  be  at  liberty  to 
remove  their  families  out  of  our  settlements,  but  to  remember  that  they 
should  not  only  never  more  return  to  their  dwellings  on  any  terms  but 
that  we  would  never  cease  pursuing  them  with  war  w^hile  one  remained 
on  the  face  of  the  earth ;  and  moreover,  to  avoid  equivocation,  to  let  them 
know  they  must  recall  their  young  men  from  Canada,  or  we  should  con- 
sider them  as  acting  against  us  nationally.  This  decisive  declaration 
produced  an  equally  decisive  act  on  their  part ;  they  have  recalled  their 
young  men,  and  are  stirring  themselves  with  anxiety  to  keep  their  people 

[59]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Heath  Papers,  I.  142;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh 
ser.,  IV.  14;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I  739. 

-  Cf.  no.  23,  ante.  Heath's  letter  of  July  20,  to  which  Adams  is  replying,  is  in 
Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  IV.  11. 

3  The  allusion  is  to  Gates,  who  was  made  adjutant-general  with  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general  June  17.  1775,  and  was  made  major-general  May  16,  1776.  Cf.  vol.  I. 
of  these  Letters,  nos.  620,  643,  644.    Heath  was  elected  major-general  Aug.  Q. 

[boY  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  II.  7i;  Works  (Memorial  ed.),  IV.  270;  Va.  Hist.  Soc, 
Lee  Transcripts,  IV.  (copy). 


August,  I//6  39 

quiet,  so  that  the  storm  we  apprehended  to  be  brewing  there  it  is  hoped 
is  blown  over."  Colo.  Lee  being-  unable  to  attend  here  till  the  20th  inst 
I  am  under  the  painful  necessity  of  putting  off  my  departure,  notwith- 
standing the  unfavorable  situation  of  Mrs.  Jefferson's  health 

I  enclose  you  (to  amuse  your  curiosity)  the^  form  of  the  prayer  substi- 
tuted in  the  room  of  the  prayer  for  the  King  by  Mr.  Duche,  chaplain  to 
the  Congress.  I  think  by  making  it  so  general  as  to  take  in  Conventions, 
assemblies,  etc.,  it  might  be  used  instearl  of  that  for  the  parliament. 
Adieu. 

61.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  John  Langdox.^ 

Philadelphia,  August  5,  1776. 
Sir: 

....  Since  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  your  friend  John  Alsop 
has  written  to  the  Convention  of  New- York  to  resign  his  seat  in  Con- 
gress, and  made  some  reflections  on  the  Convention  for  their  agreeing 
so  unanimously  to  that  Declaration.  The  Convention,  in  return,  voted 
cheerfully  and  unanimously  to  accept  of  his  resignation,  with  some  severe 
and  cutting  reflections  on  him  for  his  conduct;  which  were  all  sent  to 
Congress.^  I  believe  his  boarding  with  our  friend  Wharton  has  been  no 
advantage  to  him;  possibly,  he  was  obliged  to  resign  his  seat  as  a  previous 
condition  to  his  taking  full  possession  of  the  lady 


62.  The  Board  of  War  to  the  Maryland  Convention  or 

Committee  of  Safety.^ 

War  Office  6th  Augst.  1776  Philada. 
Gentlemen 

By  a  Resolve  of  Congress  on  the  Subject  of  Prisoners,  it  is  determined 
"  That  a  list  of  the  prisoners  in  each  Colony  be  made  out  by  the  Com- 
mittees of  the  Counties  Towns  or  Districts  where  they  reside  and  trans- 
mitted to  the  Assembly,  Convention  or  Council  or  Committee  of  Safety 
of  such  Colony  respectively  who  shall  send  a  Copy  thereof  to  Congress." 
The  Board  of  War  who  have  by  Direction  of  Congress,  the  Care  of  all 
Prisoners,  are  much  obstructed  in  that  Business  by  the  Resolution  before 
quoted  not  having  been  Complied  with.  I  am  therefore  to  press  you  by 
all  Means  to  Prevail  on  the  several  Committees  in  your  State  to  enable 
you  immediately  to  transmitt  an  accurate  List  of  all  prisoners  of  war  now 

2  See  the  Journals,  June  14,  Aug.  6,  19,  26.  Cf.  ibid.,  Apr.  10,  15,  May  6,  11,  25, 
June  17;  also  no.  29,  ante,  and  no.  70,  post.  See  especially  Schuyler  to  Congress,  June  8, 
with  enclosure  from  Samuel  Kirkland,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  sen,  VI.  762-764, 
Washington  to  Congress,  July  13,  ibid.,  VI.  837,  to  Schuyler,  June  13,  ibid.,  VI.  837. 
Cf.  ibid.,  VI.  795,  796,  819,  914,  926,  976-977,  992,  fifth  ser.,  I.  36,  137-138,  394,  395,  396, 
480,  856,  867,  983,  1030-1049. 

[6i]i  Force,  Atn.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  758. 

2  See  Alsop's  letter,  July  16,  no.  21,  ante,  and  cf.  no.  79,  post. 
l62]iMd.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  41;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  178;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser..  I.  784;  id.  to  Massachusetts,  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCV.  174;  id.  to  North  Carolina, 
N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  726. 
8 


40  Continental  Congress 

in  your  State  to  the  Board  that  this  matter  which  has  heretofore  been  in 
Confusion  may  be  reduced  to  projjer  {)r<ler.* 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  most  obed  humble  Sert. 

Richard  Peters  Secy. 

Honouriible  C'cMivention  or  Committee  of  Safety  of  Maryland. 

P.  S 

63.  WiLLi.xM  Hooper  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.* 
Dear  Sir 

Col  Williams  oblie^ingley  .j^ave  me  a  sij^ht  of  a  letter  from  you.^  I  am 
sorry  to  find  you  so  much  in  the  plaintive  strain  and  that  you  have  such 
just  occasion  for  it.^  You  mention  that  you  had  wrote  me.  be  assured 
that  I  have  not  received  a  line  from  you,  or  I  should  have  used  my  small 
abilities  to  lessen  the  difficulties  with  which  your  department  is  so  griev- 
ously embarrassed.  Congress  is  not  well  informed  of  the  state  of  the 
Northern  Army — the  distance  of  that  Station,  the  variety  of  Impediments 
which  Sickness,  Climate,  the  failure  of  duty  in  officers  and  men  have 
thrown  in  the  way  have  been  insurmountable  even  to  the  most  spirited 
and  well  meant  intentions  of  this  Congress.  Unless  some  measures  are 
immediately  taken  to  strengthen  your  post  I  augur  that  Burgoygn  will 
soon  set  foot  in  Albany.  The  Stars  in  their  courses  seem  to  fight  against 
our  attempts  in  your  Quarter.  And  What  the  enemy  and  desertion  have 
spared  seem  to  be  reserved  only  for  the  horrid  depredations  of  Sickness. 
Heaven  watch  over  the  remains  of  what  from  its  numbers  was  once 
formidable 

Philadelphia  August  6,  1776 

64.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  Augi.  7th  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  gratefully  acknowledge  your  favors  of  30th  ult.  and  4  Inst  the  first 
enclosing  the  well  grounded  Complaints  of  our  Bror  Jon^  of  his  and  the 
N — rn  Armys  unjust  and  strange  Treatment,  a  Letter  came  to  Congress 
at  the  same  Time  from  Genl  Schuyler,  containing  2  or  3  sheets  Justifica- 
tion of  the  plan  of  Deserting  Crown  Point,  and  possesing  the  east  of  Ty : 
which  to  my  apprehension  and  by  my  OAvn  personal  Knowledge  I  judge, 
insufficient.  He  also  expresses  in  pretty  strong  Terms  the  want  of 
^loney  that  and  many  other  Letters  were  comitted  to  the  board  of  War. 
I  comunicated  Yours  and  the  inclosed  to  many  Members  whom  I  co*^ 

-  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  2,  7,  Apr.  6.  9,  Aug.  5. 
[63]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  I.,  no.  122.    Addressed 
to  "Jonathan  Trumbull  esqr.  Paymaster  etc  etc  Albany". 

2  Cf.  no.  56,  note  2,  ante. 

3  Trumbull's  complaints  were  probably  of  a  lack  of  money.  See  Schuyler's  letter 
to  Washington,  July  24,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  559,  and  the  Journals,  Aug.  2,  15. 
Cf.  no.  52,  ante,  and  nos.  64,  80,  post. 

"  What  can  be  the  reason  that  Congress  does  not  Supply  your  Chest,  do  they  Imagine 
that  an  Army  can  be  Supported  and  Supplyed  without  that  Necessary  Article.  _  I 
believe  I  may  Be  Justified  in  saying  that  this  department  is  Much  Neglected."  Philip 
Schuyler  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Aug.  7,  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  jr.,  I.  124. 

[6^]^  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  563. 


August,  iyy6  41 

trust  who  all  seem  to  feel  keenly,  but  also  seem  utterly  at  a  loss  how  to 
redress  the  Grievances  radically.  I  pressed  some  of  that  Board  on  the 
Subject,  and  lent  Them  the  Letter  in  Consequence  of  which  They  brot 
in  the  inclosed  Resolutions,  which  were  pasd  some  days  since,  almost 
unanimously  contrary  to  Expectation,  as  the  original  of  the  Design  is  to 
find  out  what  Schuyler  has  done  with  his  Money,  it  extends  also  further 
etc.  I  endeavored  immediately  to  get  a  Copy  to  send  you,  but  the 
Secrety  \s\c\  under  pretence  of  Hurry  etc.  put  me  off,  which  I  did  not 
like  very  much,  and  finally  obtain  [ed]  the  original  from  the  Board  of 
War  and  put  off  writing  'till  I  co^  get  them,  as  I  had  nothing  material, 
tho'  I  am  sensible  the  Presidt.  has  sent  Copys  to  Each  as  due.  They  are 
not  attested  but  true  Copys.^ .... 

Congress  seem  to  be  infatuated,  are  seeking  after  a  thousand  Reasons 
of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada  by  a  Com*  of  that  purpose  etc.^  while  the 
Fault  is  in  themselves,  in  neglecting  and  abandoning  That  Army  to  inevi- 
table Destruction,  and  then  severely  censure  Officers  and  Soldiers  for 
their  ill  Conduct,  in  not  making  Brick  without  Straw  or  even  Stubble, 
poor  Wooster  *  a  faithful  Officer  is  lashed  most  inhumanly  by  Mr.  ^ 

and  sundry  more  in  Congress  tho  they  cant  support  any  thing  against 
him,  by  Any  Proof  but  the  most  confident  Assertions  of  their  own. 
many  of  Us  grieve  and  lament  the  Fate  of  that  unhappy  Army,  but  as  yet 
see  not  how  nor  what  to  do.  G.  Schuyler  how  good  so  ever  he  might  be 
if  present  etc.  will  be  their  Ruin  to  Comand  and  guide  Affairs  at  a  lOO 
or  two  miles  off,  but  I  dont  see  at  present  that  it  wo^  be  possible  to  remove 
him,  if  the  utter  ruin  of  the  Continent  was  to  be  the  known  Consequence 
of  his  Continuance  in  Office.  Endeavors  will  not  be  wanting  however 
to  save  them  but  I  believe  They  will  be  too  late,  for  I  dont  not  \^sic\ 
expect  Eyes  will  be  opened  till  Burgoyne  gets  to  Albany,  and  then,  but 
I  will  forbear. 

the  Dayly  Business  of  Congress  after  dispatching  a  constant  seriees 
of  Business  contained  in  Letters,  receiving  Reports,  attending  to  Motions 
etc.  is  by  a  Com*^  of  the  whole  House  to  endeavor  to  settle  Articles  of 
Confederation,  which  are  drawn  up  and  printed  for  the  use  of  the  Mem- 
bers only.  We  make  slow  Progress  in  them  as  every  Inch  of  Ground  is 
disputed,  and  very  jarring  Claims  and  Literests  are  to  be  adjusted  among 
us,  and  then  all  to  be  agreed  to  by  the  sev'  Legislatures,  so  that  between 
both,  I  almost  Despair  of  seeing  it  accomplished.  I  have  not  heard  a 
word  of  your  Affairs.  Congress  have  been,  and  in  some  things  are  now 
very  Lavish  of  Money  and  in  others  very  close.  There  seems  to  be  Spirit 
in  some  of  the  Southern  agst.  the  no[r]thern  Colonies  and  all  their 

'  Cf.  nos.  52,  56,  ante,  and  no.  80,  post.  The  resolutions  referred  to  are  those  of 
Aug.  2. 

^  A  committee  to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  the  miscarriages  in  Canada  was 
appointed  June  24,  and  continued  its  investigations  until  October.  Cf.  vol.  I.  of  these 
Letters,  nos.  719,  720. 

*  See  nos.  71,  84,  post. 

5  In  his  letter  to  Trumbull.  Aug.  10,  no.  71,  post,  Williams  speaks  of  this  person 
as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  Canada.  This  was  evidently  Samuel  Chase.  In  regard 
to  a  bit  of  controversy  between  Chase  and  General  Gates,  see  Chase's  letter  to  Arnold, 
Aug.  7,  and  to  Gates,  Aug.  9,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  810,  864.    Cf.  ibid.,  II.  429. 


42  Continental  Congress 

Officers  and  Affairs,  so  that  you  wo**  stand  a  worse  Chance  for  belonging 
to  them. 

You  will  see  the  Resolves  are  calculated  to  keep  you  all  honest.  They 
were  occasioned  by  Yr  Bro"  Letter  and  had  a  primary  Reference  to  a 
Northern  Gent." 

if  you  think  it  convenient  you  will  furnish  our  Bro*"  Jonathan  with  a 
Copy  of  the  whole  to  whom  also  make  my  kind  Compliments,  and  to 
Colo.  Ilnntington,  from  whom  I  never  expect  to  hear  another  Word. 
Sho"^  be  glad  to  hear  frecjuently  from  you.  and  will  not  he  in  your  Debt 
if  I  can  find  any  thing  worth  writing 

Your  most  affectionate  Friend  and  Brother 

Wm.  Williams 
Col  Trumbull 

P.  S.  I  was  sorry  to  forget  asking  you  at  N  Y.  and  I  had  again  forgot 
to  ask  you  where  is  Bushnel,  and  why  dont  he  attempt  something  when 
will  or  can  be  a  more  proper  Time  than  is  or  has  been  etc  I  was  knowing 
to  his  coming  etc  and  that  you  was  acquainted  with  the  Plan  etc' 

6^.  The  Secret  Committee  to  Silas  Deaxe.^ 

Philadelphia,  August  7,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

....  The  Declaration  of  Independence  meets  with  universal  approba- 
tion, and  the  people  everywhere  seem  more  animated  by  it  in  defense  of 
their  country. 

Most  of  our  frigates  are  launched  in  the  different  provinces,  and  are 
fitting  for  sea  with  all  the  expedition  in  our  power.  They  are  fine  ships 
and  will  be  capable  of  good  service.  Our  small  privateers  and  continental 
armed  vessels  have  already  had  great  success,  as  the  papers  will  show  you ; 
and  by  abstaining  from  trade  ourselves,  while  we  distress  that  of  our 
enemies,  we  expect  to  make  their  men-of-war  weary  of  their  unprofitable 
and  hopeless  cruises,  and  their  merchants  sick  of  a  contest  in  which  so 
much  is  risked  and  nothing  gained.  The  forming  a  Navy  is  a  capital 
object  with  us,  and  the  marine  committee  is  ordered  to  bring  in  a  plan  for 
increasing  it  very  considerably." .... 

66.  The  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina 

Council  of  Safety.^ 
Gentlemen : 

....  We  send  you  inclosed  a  Copy  of  a  letter  which  this  day  came  to 
Congress  from  General  Washington.-     We  thot  it  interesting  to  you, 

6  Such  a  letter  from  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  is  not  found.  In  regard  to  his 
want  of  money,  see  no.  52,  note  2,  ante.  The  "  Northern  Gent."  was  doubtless  Schuyler. 
Cf.  the  statement  concerning  Schuyler,  above. 

"^  The  reference  is  to  David  Bushnell  and  his  plan  to  destroy  the  British  ships  by 
means  of  a  submarine  vessel.     See  no.  32,  note  2,  ante. 

[65]  1  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  107;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  809. 

-  The  instruction  first  appears  of  record  in  the  Journals  Aug.  23.  See  also  ibid., 
Nov.  20. 

[66]  lA^  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  730. 

2  The  letter  referred  to  was  evidently  Washington's  second  letter  of  Aug.  7,  read 
in  Congress  Aug.  8.    It  is  in  Force,  Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  818.    See  no.  67,  post. 


August,  1776  43 

as  it  tends  to  free  the  Southern  Colonies  from  the  apprehensions  of 
immediate  injury,  and  will,  from  Clinton's  removal,  give  them  an  oppor- 
tunity to  provide  for  their  defence  in  case  of  a  Winter  Campaign  against 
them.  We  must  most  earnestly  importune  you  to  compleat  the  Con- 
tinental Battalions.  You  will  now  have  leisure  to  recruit  them,  and  in  our 
next  to  you  we  hope  in  behalf  of  Congress  to  hold  forth  such  Encourage- 
ment as  will  make  that  Task  very  easy.  The  circumstance  of  being  com- 
fortably cloathed,  for  which  we  are  making  all  tlie  provision  we  can,  will 
no  doubt  weigh  much  with  men  to  enlist,  tho'  you  will  remember  the  value 
of  the  Cloathing  is  to  be  deducted  from  their  pay.^ .... 
We  are  Gentlemen  with  great  Respect, 

Your  most  Obedt  Humble  Servants, 

Wm  Hooper, 
Joseph  Hewes, 
John  Penn. 
Philadelphia,  August  7th,  1776.'* 

67.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  Aug.  8,  1776 
Sir 

Your  letters  of  the  7  with  the  papers  enclosed  are  received  and  now 
under  consideration  of  Congress.^ 

Enclosed  I  send  you  a  resolution  passed  respecting  lieutenant  Josiah. 
He  was  first  lieutenant  of  captain  Nicholas  Biddle  and  was  taken  in  a  ship 
capt  Biddle  had  made  prize  of,  by  the  Cerberus  frigate 

By  a  letter  which  he  found  means  to  convey  he  informs  that  "  he  is 
used  worse  than  he  ever  thought  one  englishman  could  use  another — that 
he  was  sent  before  the  mast  with  the  rest,  but  upon  refusing  to  do  duty 
was  given  under  the  charge  of  three  boatswains  mates  and  expects  the 
gangway  soon  as  he  is  daily  threatened."  ' 

An  Order  is  this  moment  pass'd  for  calling  General  Lee  from  the 
southward,  and  tomorrow  is  appointed  for  electing  a  number  of  major 
generals  and  brig""  generals.* 

I  am  Sir  Your  very  Hum^  servt. 

John  Hancock  Presi'. 
His  Excell*^^  Genl  Washington 

You  will  please  to  mention  the  matter  of  Lieut.  Josiah  as  real  informa- 
tion, but  not  discover  that  it  was  by  Letter,  as  it  may  prove  injurious,  in 
case  he  is  not  exchang'd. 

3  See  no.  69,  post. 

*  The  date  of  this  letter  should  probably  be  Aug.  8,  as  the  letter  of  Washington 
to  which  reference  in  made  (see  note  2,  above)   was  read  in  Congress  that  day. 

[67]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  LXXXIX.  269;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser..  L  832. 

2  Washington's  letters  of  Aug.  7  and  enclosures  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
sen,  L  814-819.  The  earlier  of  the  two,  relative  to  the  appointment  of  general  officers, 
etc.,  is  also  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  421.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8.  Concerning  the 
second  letter,  see  no.  66,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals.  Aug.  7,  and  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  L  659,  910.  Washing- 
ton's correspondence  with  Lord  Howe  relative  to  the  exchange  of  Lieutenant  Josiah 
and  other  prisoners  is  ibid.,  I.  1094,  1095.    Cf.  the  Journals,  Oct.  10. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8,  9.  and  nos.  71,  72,  85,  92,  post. 


44  Continental  Congress 

68.  Samuel  Chase  to  Piiilii»  Schuyler.^ 

Philadelphia,  Augst.  9th.  1776. 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  I  have  great  reason  to  believe  that  France  would  readily  listen 
to  an  application  from  the  united  States  of  amcrica,  but  when  we  shall  be 
confederated  States,  I  know  not.  I  am  afraid  the  Day  is  far  distant, 
three  great  DiHiculties  occur — The  Mode  of  Voting,  whether  by  Colonies, 
or  by  an  equal  Representation ;  The  Rule  by  which  each  Colony  is  to  pay 
its  Quota,  and  the  Claim  of  several  Colonies  to  extend  to  the  South  Seas. 
a  considerable  Diversity  of  opinion  prevails  on  each  Head.  '^Fhe  Con- 
federacy is  to  be  transmitted  to  each  State  for  their  Concurrence. 

It  is  probable  I'^ance  will  not  enter  into  an  alliance  with  Us  before  we 
have  confederated,  if  ever  we  do,  it  will  take  a  considerable  Time  to 
effect  it,  and  the  opportunity  may  be  lost  of  striking  some  great  and 
decisive  blow." .... 

69.  The  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina 

Council  of  Safety,^ 

Ge)itlenien 

We  wrote  you  yesterday  "  by  express  to  General  Lee  with  dispatches 
requesting  his  immediate  return  to  the  Eastern  Colonies.*  We  then  men- 
tioned to  you  that  Congress  in  ordet  to  encourage  the  completion  of  the 
Continental  Regiments  had  ofifered  a  considerable  bounty  to  all  non  com- 
missioned Officers  and  soldiers  who  would  enlist  for  the  space  of  three 
years.  Congress  are  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  making 
enlistments  if  possible  during  the  War  but  at  any  rate  for  the  space  of 
three  years,  as  frequent  enlistments  prevent  soldiers  ever  becoming  expert 
in  discipline  and  often  put  it  in  their  power  to  quit  their  Stations  at  a 
time  when  their  Services  are  most  necessary  for  the  publick  Safety.*  We 
recollect  that  our  State  hath  given  a  bounty  of  40s.  to  every  man  who  has 
engaged  in  the  Continental  Regts.  raised  in  No.  Carolina.  By  way  of 
Oeconomy  and  to  save  that  Bounty  to  the  Colony  in  part  by  making  it  a 
continental  charge  We  would  propose  that  5  dollars  more  be  given  to 
every  non  commissioned  Officer  and  soldier  already  enlisted  who  will 
engage  for  the  space  of  the  War  and  if  that  cannot  be  effected,  for  a 
limited  time.    We  wish  a  longer  at  any  rate  than  three  years,  tho  that  will 

[68]  ^N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  249. 

-  Cf.  nos.  18,  26,  43,  44,  45,  47,  50,  52,  ante,  73,  83,  84,  85,  94,  post.  See  also  the 
Journals,  July  12,  July  22-Aug.  9,  20;  also  Adams's  and  Jefferson's  Notes  of  Debates, 
July  25-Aug.  2,  the  Journals,  VI.  1076-1083,  1098- 1 106.  In  regard  to  Maryland's  posi- 
tion on  the  question  of  colonial  claims  to  western  territory  and  the  disposition  of  the 
lands,  see  nos.  191,  205,  216,  219-221,  226,  248,  359,  post.  See  also  Charles  Carroll  of 
Carrollton  to  Governor  Johnson,  June  22,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

[69]!  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm.;  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  740. 

2  The  letter  of  Aug.  9,  merely  a  few  lines,  enclosing  resolves,  is  in  N.  C.  Col. 
Recs.,  X.  740. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8,  and  Hancock  to  Lee,  Aug.  8,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
sen,  I.  832.    Cf.  no.  85,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  26,  July  30  (pp.  483,  617,  620)  ;  also  the  circular  letter, 
Sept.  24,  no.  139,  post. 


August,  iy'j6  46 

come  within  the  intention  of  Congress.  In  increasing  the  Regts.  begun 
to  tiieir  proper  number  the  new  Recruits  will  be  entitled  to  the  lo  dollars 
bounty  in  case  of  the  proposed  extension  of  time  in  the  enlistment.  We 
imagine  that  this  will  operate  to  produce  a  very  happy  alteration  in  the 
State  of  our  Carolina  army  especially  as  the  Soldiers  will  in  a  short  time 
receive  decent  and  comfortable  Cloathing. 

We  are  Gentlemen, 

With  great  Respect, 

Your  obedt  Humble  Servants, 

Wm  Hooper 
Joseph  Hewes 
John  Penn 
Philadelphia  Aug.  lo,  1776 

[Address:] 

The  Honourable 

The  President  and  Members  of  the  Council  of  Safetv 

Halif'ax 

North  Carolina 

70.  James  Wilson  to  Jasper  Yeates  and  John  Montgomery,^ 

Dear  Gentlemen 

In  my  letter  to  you  and  the  other  Commissioners  I  have  enclosed  a 
Resolution  of  Congress  mentioning  a  Matter  to  be  enquired  into  by  you 
and  them.^  I  enclose  to  you  Major  Blaine's  Proposals  upon  the  Subject. 
You  know,  as  well  as  I  do,  his  peculiar  Activity  and  Fitness  for  an  Em- 
ployment of  this  Kind.     He  is  now  at  the  Camp  in  New  Jersey,  where  I 

expect  to  be  in  a  few  Days Colonel  St  Clair  was  yesterday  made 

a  General  Officer.     His  Character  stands  deservedly  high. 

It  will  give  me  Pleasure  to  hear  from  you. 

Philada  loth  Augt  1776 

Jasper  Yeates  and 
John  Montgomery  Esqr. 

71.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  Augt.  loth.  1776 
Dear  Sir 

On  the  repeated  Request  of  Genii  Washington,  for  an  additional  num- 
ber of  ]\Iajor  and  Brigadier  Generals,  and  representing  the  necessity  of 

[70]  1  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  720. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  6.  The  letter  referred  to  has  not  been  found.  Yeates 
and  Montgomery  were  commissioners  for  Indian  affairs  in  the  Middle  department, 
elected  July  4  {Journals,  V.  517).     Cf.  nos.  29,  60,  ante. 

In  the  Literary  Diary  of  Ezra  Stiles  (vol.  II.,  p.  47),  under  date  of  Aug.  30,  appears 
the  following  entry:  "A  Letter  from  Mr.  Ellery  in  Congress  dated  Philada.  Aug  ir, 
1776.  The  Congress  lately  had  an  Interview  with  some  of  the  Seneca  Chiefs — '  The 
Name  by  which  the  oldest  Sachem  said  the  President  would  hereafter  be  known  amongst 
them. — It  was  Karanduawyi ,  the  Meaning  of  which  is  the  Great  Tree.'  Quere,  did  the 
Trees  of  Liberty  suggest  this  Idea  to  the  Indians  ?  "  The  interview  referred  to  may 
have  been  that  of  May  27. 

(71]^  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  564. 


46  Continental  Congress 

Them  to  assist  in  Command  in  a  day  of  Action,  which  He  is  daily  expect- 
ing, Congress  yesterday  took  uji  the  matter  and  have  apptjintcd  a  niimher 
of  each  sntliciently  large  viz  Maj  Cienerals  Heath,  Spencer,  Snllivan  and 
Green,  and  Brigadier  Generals  Reed  of  N.  H.  Nixon  of  Mass:  St  Clair 
of  Pena :  McDougall.  Parsons,  whom  you  know,  and  Clinton,  N.  Y.* 
poor  Wooster  a  worthy  Officer  is  neglected,  boundless  ICfforts  have  been 
used  to  blast  his  Character  in  Congress  by  one  of  the  Canada  Commis- 
sioners '  he  has  been  represented  by  him  as  a  most  worthless  contemptible 
Fellow  and  the  most  illiberal  Abuse  thrown  out  against  him  in  Congress, 
such  as  I  think  totally  inconsistent  with  their  Honor  and  Justice  to  suffer 
but  so  it  is ;  nor  has  the  author  escaped  severe  Remarks  by  the  Friends  of 
Wooster  but  the  former  undauntedly  persisted  in  his  Reflections,  and  has 
fixed  a  deep  Prejudice  against  him  in  a  majority;  tho  not  a  single  Charge 
can  be  supported  against  him.  and  he  has  been  honorably  acquitted  by  a 
Com'*,  whose  Report  by  address  etc.  has  been  yet  kept  of  [f]  and  recom- 
itted  however  on  the  Tryal  for  Maj  Gs.  he  carried  six  votes  twice  agst. 
the  same  No.  for  Heath,  and  one  for  Sullivan  with  much  opposition  a  3d 
ballot  was  had  and  Heath  carried  it  by  7  vs  6.  the  other  Majr  Genlls 
were  all  unanimously  chosen,  there  was  no  intention  to  make  more  than 
three,  but  as  it  was  thot  necessary  to  take  Them  in  succession,  Green  w-as 
so  worthy  and  high  in  Esteem,  that  on  motion  He  was  added  with  an 
eager  unanimity.  Reed  carried  10  votes,  Nixon  8,  St  Clair  8,  McDougal 
7.  Parsons  11,  and  Clinton  7.  thus  a  Door  is  opened  [for?]  a  fine  parcel 
of  Promotions.  I  know  not  whether  any  thing  will  be  done  about  Them 
at  present,  nothing  yet  moved.  I  hope  in  God,  They  and  all  will  accquit 
Themselves  like  Men  and  be  Strong  in  the  Day  of  approaching  Conflict, 
and  may  the  Lord  of  Hosts  be  on  our  Side  and  vindicate  our  righteous 
Cause  agt  our  most  unjust  and  more  than  Savage  Foes. 

I  am  Dear  Sir  your  afTec*^  Friend  and  Brother 

W  Williams 

Genl  Gates  has  wrote  a  more  favorable  Acc°  of  our  Northern  Army. 
It  is  talked  out  of  Doors  of  adjourning  to  the  Jerseys,     please  to  let  me 

-  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8,  9.  also  Washington's  letters  of  July  29,  Aug.  5,  7, 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  I.  641,  762,  814.    Cf.  no.  67,  aute.  and  nos.  72,  85,  post. 

3  Evidently  Samuel  Giase.  Cf.  a  letter  of  Chase  and  Carroll,  the  commissioners 
in  Canada,  to  Congress,  May  27:  "  General  Wooster  is,  in  our  opinion,  unfit,  totally  unfit, 
to  command  your  Army  and  conduct  the  war ;  we  have  hitherto  prevailed  on  him  to 
remain  in  Montreal.  His  stay  in  this  Colony  is  unnecessary  and  even  prejudicial  to  our 
affairs;  we  would  therefore  humbly  advise  his  recall."  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.. 
\'l.  589.  It  was  doubtless  in  one  of  the  debates  at  this  time  on  the  miscarriages  in 
Canada  (see  the  Journals,  July  19,  30,  31,  Aug.  3,  5,  10)  that  the  incident  occurred  which 

Benjamin  Rush  relates  in  his  Memorial   (p.  104)  :    "  In  a  debate  in  which  Mr.  

criminated  the  New  England  troops  as  the  principal  cause  of  the  failure  of  the  expedi- 
tion into  Canada  in  1775,  he  [John  Adams]  said,  'the  cause  of  the  failure  of  that  expedi- 
tion was  chiefly  to  be  ascribed  to  the  imprudence  of  the  gentleman  from  Marj-land  who 
had  fomented  jealousies  and  quarrels  between  the  troops  from  the  New  England  and 
Southern  States,  in  his  visit  to  Canada,  and  (said  Mr.  Adams)  if  he  were  now  pene- 
trated, as  he  ought  to  be,  with  a  sense  of  his  improper  and  wicked  conduct,  he  would 
fall  down  upon  his  knees,  on  this  floor,  and  ask  our  forgiveness.  He  would  afterwards 
retire  with  shame,  and  spend  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  sackcloth  and  ashes,  deploring 

the  mischief  he  had  done  his  country.'  "    "  Mr. "  could  scarcely  be  any  other  than 

Samuel  Chase.    Cf.  no.  64,  ante. 


August,  I J  "J  6  47 

know  Cap :  Dyers  best  arguments,  for  a  majority,  his  present  Rank  etc. 
I  wo''  gladly  serve  him/ 

'J2.    JOSIAH    BaRTLETT    TO    JoiIN    LaNGDON.^ 

Philadelphia,  August  ii,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

....  By  the  publick  prints  you  will  see  there  is  a  new  emission  of 
Brigadier-Generals,  and  four  of  the  former  Brigadiers  promoted  to 
Major-Generals.  We  find  some  difficulty  to  give  satisfaction  in  the 
appointment  of  officers;  and,  on  the  whole,  it  was  thought  the  appointing 
the  first  Continental  Colonel  in  the  respective  States  to  the  rank  of  Brig- 
adiers was  the  least  liable  to  objection.- .... 

August  JJ.  Colonel  Whipple  left  us  for  New  Hampshire  yesterday 
at  two  o'clock.' 

y^.  William  Williams  to  Oliver  Wolcott.^ 

Philadela.  Augt.  1 2th.  1776- 
Hon'^.  and  dear  Sir 

....  with  great  Reluctance  I  set  out  for  this  place  and  reached  it  near 
the  last  of  July,  after  the  most  sultry  and  fatigueing  Journey  that  I  ever 
performed,  by  much.' .... 

^  Capt.  Thomas  Dyer,  son  of  Eliphalet  Dyer,  delegate  in  Congress  from   Con- 
necticut.   He  was  assigned  by  Washington  to  duty  as  brigade-major  in  General  Parson's 
brigade,  Aug.  15,  and  was  appointed  major  by  Congress  Aug.  19.    Cf.  nos.  78,  86,  87,  post. 
[72]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  893. 

2  See  no.  71,  ante,  and  no.  85,  post. 

3  Samuel  Adams  also  left  Congress  Aug.  12.  "  Mr.  A.  sets  off  to-day,  if  the  rain 
should  not  prevent  him,  with  Colonel  Whipple  of  Portsmouth,  a  brother  of  the  cele- 
brated Miss  Hannah  Whipple,  a  sensible  and  worthy  man."  John  Adams  to  his  wife, 
Aug.  12,  Familiar  Letters,  p.  208;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  907.  In  a  letter  to 
James  Warren.  Feb.  11,  1777  (Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  290),  Samuel  Adams  gives  a 
statement  of  his  services  in  Congress  in  1775  and  1776. 

Under  date  of  Aug.  14  Ezra  Stiles  records  in  his  Diary  (H.  198)  :  "  Dined  with  Col 
Whipple.  He  shewed  me  the  Articles  of  Confederation  of  the  United  States,  first  drafted 
by  a  Committee,  and  then  received  by  a  Committee  of  the  whole  Congress  but  not  passed, 
but  printed  only  for  every  Member  to  have  a  Copy  for  his  own  Consider*.  He  might  shew 
it  but  suffer  no  Copies.  Two  or  3  Articles  had  been  considered  in  Congress  as  Congress 
and  acted  upon.  And  they  were  proceeding  upon  the  rest  when  Col  Whipple  came  away." 
There  follows  a  brief  analysis  of  the  Confederation  as  it  then  stood. 

173]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  I.,  no.  2. 

2  "  Monday,  Augidst  12 Commodore  Hopkins  had  his  hearing.  _  as  in  the 

Journal.  On  this  occasion  I  had  a  very  laborious  task  against  all  the  prejudices  of  the 
gentlemen  from  the  Southern  and  Middle  States,  and  of  many  from  New  England. 
I  thought,  however,  that  Hopkins  had  done  great  service,  and  made  an  important 
beginning  of  naval  operations 

"  It  appeared  to  me  that  the  Commodore  was  pursued  and  persecuted  by  that  anti-New- 
England  spirit  which  haunted  Congress  in  many  other  of  their  proceedings,  as  well  as 
in  this  case  and  that  of  General  Wooster.  I  saw  nothing  in  the  conduct  of  Hopkins, 
which  indicated  corruption  or  want  of  integrity.  Experience  and  skill  might  have  been 
deficient  in  several  particulars ;  but  where  could  we  find  greater  experience  or  skill  ? 
I  knew  of  none  to  be  found.  The  other  captains  had  not  so  much,  and  it  was  afterwards 
found  they  had  not  more  success.  I  therefore  entered  into  a  full  and  candid  investiga- 
tion of  the  whole  subject ;  considered  all  the  charges  a:id  all  the  evidence,  as  well  as  his 
answers  and  proofs ;  and  exerted  all  the  talents  and  eloquence  I  had,  in  justifying  him 
where  he  was  justifiable,  and  excusing  him  where  he  was  excusable  ",  etc.  John  Adams, 
Autobiography,  in  Works,  III.  65.  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  630,  also  nos.  81,  83, 
84,  89,  post. 

3  See  no.  56,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  222,  post. 


48  Continental  Congress 

T  cannot  give  you  any  acceptaMe  News.  Congress  are  yet  bussie  at 
all  Intervals  of  croiuling  Business,  in  Selling  a  Confederation,  it  seems 
to  labour  hard,  and  I  fear  a  jx^rniancnt  one  will  never  be  settled ;  tho  the 
most  material  articles  are  I  think  got  thro',  so  as  to  give  great  offence  to 
some,  but  to  my  Satisfaction,  the  bold  and  sonorous  Cha.se  (and  some 
or  all  his  Colleagues)  solemnly  protest  against  the  Taxation  Article  etc. 
and  declare  that  they  consider  Maryland  as  having  no  further  Concern 
in  it.  and  that  his  Colony  never  will  nor  never  shall  agree  to  it.  They  are 
all  gone  home,  except  Mr  Stone,  to  attend  (they  say)  their  Convention 
which  sits  this  Day.  most  of  the  Southern  Colonies  are  as  uneasie  as 
they,  but  dont  scold  quite  so  hard.* 

What  will  be  the  event  of  Things  God  only  knows.  If  we  were  to  view 
only  the  rage  and  Strength  of  our  Enemies,  our  Divisions  and  the  wicked- 
ness of  the  People,  We  might  well  despair,  but  they  are  wicked  also, 
their  cause  is  certainly  most  unjust,  the  Judge  of  all  the  Earth  will  do 
right.  He  has  done  great  Things  for  Us.  He  will  not  yet  forsake  Us 
I  believe,  tho  most  of  Us  have  forsaken  him,  but  I  trust  many  many 
thousands,  have  not  bowed  the  Knee  to  Baal 

74.  Thomas  Jefferson  to  Edmund  Pendleton.^ 

Philadelphia.  Aug.  13.  1776. 
Dear  Sir, — 

....  The  idea  of  Congress  selling  our  unlocated  lands  has  been  some- 
times dropped,  but  we  have  alwais  met  the  hint  with  such  determined 
opposition  that  I  believe  it  will  never  be  proposed. — I  am  against  selling 
the  lands  at  all.^ .... 

75.  Francis  Lewis  to  [Mrs.  Gates ?].^ 

Dear  Madam 

....  I   perceive  by  your  letter   that  you  are  alarmed   at  my   son 

Morgan's   comming  down   Express   to   Congress The   principal 

reason  for  Morgans  comming  down  was.  briefly  this,  Genl.  Gates  when 
appointed  to  the  Command  of  the  Army  in  Cannada  was  impowered  to 
appoint  such  officers  as  He  thought  proper  ^  in  consequence  thereof  he 
nominated  Morgan  Depy.  Qr.  Masr.  Genl.  w'hen  Genl.  Gates  got  to 
Albany  the  Troops  under  Sulivan  had  evacuated  Cannada  therefor  Genl 
Schuyler  claimed  the  Command  of  that  Army  whilest  in  the  Colony  of 

*  See  no.  68,  note  2,  ante. 
[74]^  IVrUings  (ed.  Ford),  II.  78;   JVorks   (Memorial  ed.),  IV.  275.     The  letter  is 
unquestionably  to  Edmund  Pendleton,  for  Jefferson  is  replying  to  a  letter  from  Pendle- 
ton, dated  Aug.  3,  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers. 

2  Jefferson  proceeds  to  give  his  reasons.  See  an  extract  from  a  letter  of  Pendleton 
to  Madison,  Sept.  25,  1780,  quoted  in  a  foot-note  in  the  Journals,  VI.  505  (July  i,  1776). 
Cf.  no.  86,  post,  and  see  the  Journals,  Sept.  16,  Oct.  30,  Nov.  12,  13. 

The  printed  texts  of  this  letter  have,  in  the  first  line  above,  "  selling  out  " ;  but  Pendle- 
ton was  speaking  of  Virginia's  unlocated  lands,  therefore  "  out "  is  doubtless  an  erroneous 
reading  of  our. 

[75]^  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VI.;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  945. 
2  See  the  Journals,  June  17.     Cf.  no.  54,  ante. 


August,  J//6  49 

Nw.  York  as  Senior  Officer,  and  of  course  Genl.  Gates's  appointments  for 
Cannada  were  Niil  *  this  brot.  Morgan  down  to  sollissit  redress  from  the 
Congress  as  he  had  been  put  to  a  considerable  expence  in  equiping  himself 
for  the  appointment.*  General  Sulivan  was  also  disgusted  at  Gl.  Gates's 
being  appointed  to  that  Command  the[n]  he  requested  to  resigne  how- 
ever that  he  has  withdrawn. ° 

Phila.  13  Augt.  76. 

yG.  The  Secret  Committee  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada  August  14,  1776 
Sir: 

You  have  annexed  an  extract  of  a  letter,  we  have  just  reed  from  Messr. 
Clarke  and  Nightingale  Merch*^  in  Providence  Rhode  Island,  this  letter 
was  laid  before  Congress  who  ordered  this  Committee  to  inform  your 
Excellency  of  the  powder  therein  mentioned  and  to  desire  you  would  take 
possession  of  it  granting  a  Receipt  for  the  same  to  those  who  have  it  in 
Keeping  in  order  that  we  may  Account  hereafter  for  the  Value  of  such 
part  as  may  be  adjudged  to  the  privateer  that  retook  it.^ 

By  order  and  on  behalf  of  the  Secret  Committee  I  have  the  honour 
to  be 

Your  Excellencys  most  obedt  Servant, 

RoBT.  Morris,  Chairman 
His  Excell^  Genl.  Washington 

yy.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  14  August,  1776. 

....  I  am  put  upon  a  committee,  to  prepare  a  device  for  a  golden 
medal,  to  commemorate  the  surrender  of  Boston  to  the  American  arms,^ 
and  upon  another,  to  prepare  devices  for  a  great  seal,  for  the  confed- 
erated States.^  There  is  a  gentleman  here  of  French  extraction,  whose 
name  is  Du  Simitiere,  a  painter  by  profession,  whose  designs  are  very 
ingenious,  and  his  drawings  well  executed.  He  has  been  applied  to  for 
his  advice.     I  waited  on  him  yesterday,  and  saw  his  sketches.     For  the 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  8.  and  no.  6,  ante. 

*  Cf.  Gates  to  the  President  of  Congress,  July  16,  and  to  Washington,  same  date, 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  I.  375,  376.  Lewis  received  the  appointment  from  Congress 
Sept.  12.     Cf.  the  general  orders,  Aug.  25,  ibid.,  I.  1270. 

5  See  nos.  40,  44,  47,  Si,  ante. 
[76]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XL  136;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  943. 

2  The  extract  of  Clarke  and  Nightingale's  letter  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  943.  It  relates  to  the  cargo  of  the  sloop  Nancy,  retaken  by  the  privateer  Schuyler. 
No  mention  of  the  letter  is  found  in  the  Journals. 

[jj]^ Familiar  Letters,  p.  210;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  I.  943. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  25,  Nov.  29;  also  vol.  L  of  these  Letters,  nos.  576,  586. 

3  See  the  Journals.  July  4,  Aug.  20  (pp.  689-691);  also  Jan.  23,  1777.  Mar.  25, 
May  II,  17,  Oct.  27  (p.  985  n.).  1780,  June  20,  1782.  Cf.  no.  12,  ante.  A  History  of  the 
Seal  of  the  United  States,  by  Gaillard  Hunt,  was  published  by  the  Department  of  State 
in  1909. 


)0  Coiiliiu'iilal  Coiti'it'ss 


{*' 


medal  he  proposes,  Liberty,  with  her  spear  and  pileus,  leaning  on  General 
Washington.  The  British  fleet  in  Boston  harbor  with  all  their  sterns 
towards  the  town,  the  American  troops  marcliing  in.  For  the  seal,  he 
l)roposes.  The  arms  of  the  several  nations  from  whence  America  has 
been  peopled,  as  English,  Scotch,  Irish,  Dutch,  German,  etc.,  each  in  a 
.shield.  On  one  side  of  them.  Liberty  with  her  pileus,  on  the  other,  a  rifler 
in  his  uniform,  with  his  rifle  gim  in  one  hand,  and  his  tomahawk  in  the 
other.  This  dress  and  these  troops  with  this  kind  of  armor  being  peculiar 
to  America,  unless  the  dress  was  known  to  the  Romans.  Dr.  Franklin 
showed  me  yesterday  a  book,  containing  an  account  of  the  dresses  of  all 
the  Roman  soldiers,  one  of  which  appeared  exactly  like  it.  This  M.  du 
Simitierc  is  a  verv  curious  man.  He  has  begun  a  collection  of  materials 
for  a  history  of  this  revolution.  He  begins  with  the  first  advices  of  the 
tea  ships.  He  cuts  out  of  the  newspapers  every  scrap  of  intelligence,  and 
every  piece  of  speculation,  and  pastes  it  upon  clean  paper,  arranging  them 
under  the  head  of  that  State  to  which  they  belong,  and  intends  to  bind 
them  up  in  volumes.  He  has  a  list  of  every  speculation  and  pamphlet 
concerning  independence  and  another  of  those  concerning  forms  of 
government. 

Doctor  F.  proposes  a  device  for  a  seal.  Moses  lifting  up  his  wand, 
and  dividing  the  red  sea,  and  Pharaoh  in  his  chariot  overwhelmed  with 
the  waters.     This  motto.     "  Rebellion  to  tyrants  is  obedience  to  God." 

Mr.  Jefferson  proposed,  The  children  of  Israel  in  the  wilderness,  led  by 
a  cloud  by  day,  and  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night — and  on  the  other  side, 
Hengist  and  Horsa,  the  Saxon  chiefs,  from  whom  we  claim  the  honor  of 
being  descended,  and  wdiose  political  principles  and  form  of  government 
we  have  assumed. 

I  proposed,  The  choice  of  Hercules,  as  engraved  by  Gribelin,  in  some 
editions  of  Lord  Shaftesbury's  works.  The  hero  resting  on  his  club. 
Virtue  pointing  to  her  rugged  mountain  on  one  hand,  and  persuading 
him  to  ascend.  Sloth,  glancing  at  her  flowery  paths  of  pleasure,  wantonly 
reclining  on  the  ground,  displaying  the  charms  both  of  her  eloquence  and 
person,  to  seduce  him  into  vice.  But  this  is  too  complicated  a  group  for 
a  seal  or  medal,  and  it  is  not  original 

78.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelp*  Aug  15  1776 
Dear  Sir 

Yours  of  the  12th.  I  have  reed,  my  avocations  this  morn^  are  so 
many,  I  can  write  but  verry  little  if  I  had  any  thing  worth  w^riting  about. 
I  cant  get  my  Bretheren  to  join  in  a  Motion  for  Cap  Dyer,^  tho  they  pro- 
fess a  hearty  willingness  to  serve  him.  they  say  Congress  will  expect  a 
Recomend"  from  the  Genl.  and  tis  not  safe  to  venture  without.  I  dont 
know  but  it  is  necessary,  and  I  wish  one  co'^  be  obtaind,  and  I  am  certain 

[78]iConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers.     Addressed,  "To  Joseph  Trumbull 
Esqr  Commissary  General  of  the  American  Army  New  York  ". 
-  See  no.  71,  ante,  and  no.  87,  post. 


August,  1776  51 

it  can  be  carried,  if  from  some  others  it  may  serve,  if  Col  Dyer  is  there 
He  will  certainly  g^et  it  if  possible  and  I  sho*^  think  he  may.  I  wrote 
him  by  the  same  Post  I  wrote  you,  but  knew  nothing  of  his  being  at 
N  York  perhaps  it  went  on  if  there  yet  give  him  my  Complim**  (and 
Mr  Law)  ^  and  desire  him  to  write  let  me  know  his  Errant  and  how 
matters  go  on  in  our  Congress  etc 

79.  Philip  Livingston  to  the  New  York  Convention.'- 

Philada.  1 6th  August  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

Your  favours  dat^  the  22d.  July  Incloseing  Copy  of  Mr.  Alsops  Lettr. 
to  the  Convention  and  a  Resolve  of  your  body  accept^  his  resignation  of 
his  seat  in  Congress  we  reed,  and  agreable  to  your  directions  Comunicated 
the  same  to  Congress  and  delivered  a  copy  to  Mr.  Alsop,  who  had  not 
attended  for  some  days  before,  tho'  we  did  not  then  know  the  reason  of 
his  absenting  himself."  Your  favours  of  the  7th  Instant  wth.  Inclosures 
we  reed,  and  communicatd  to  Congress  ' — the  Spirited  behaviour  of  your 
body,  so  very  Conspicuous  in  your  Resolves  was  very  pleasing  indeed. 
....  there  is  not  the  least  doubt  but  your  Rangers  will  be  taken  into 
Continental  pay.  the  Southern  Colonies  are  raising  Troops  for  the  like 
purpose  and  we  intend  in  Conjunction  with  them  to  Apply  to  Congress 
on  that  head,  the  Gentn.  represent^  those  Colonies  wish  to  have  the 
Application  deferred  for  sometime,  but  we  are  of  opinion  you  ought  not 
to  defer  raising  the  Men.  the  People  on  the  frontiers  !Most  Certainly  will 
not  be  Easy  nor,  we  fear,  safe,  without  such  security,  we  are  Confident 
Congress  Means  to  be  at  the  Expence  Incurred  and  to  be  Incurred  in 
Obstruct^  the  Navigation  of  Hudsons  river  and  will  in  Our  next  Acqt. 
you  with  their  Explicit  Ansr.  on  that  head.*  .... 

We  remain.  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedt.  Servants. 

Phil.  Livingston.^ 
The  Honble.  Convention  of  New  York 

80.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.^ 

Philadelphia  August  i6th  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

....  There  have  been  great  complaints  for  want  of  money  in  the 
Northern  department.     That  want  has  been  partly  owing  to  a  neglect  of 

3  Richard  Law,  delegate  from  Connecticut  in  1774  and  again  in  1782. 
l79]iN.  Y.  Hist.  Sec,  Duer  Papers,  I.;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXXIX. 
158  (copy)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  977. 

-  See  no.  21,  ante.  The  letter  of  the  New  York  convention  is  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov. 
Cong.,  L  537,  and  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  1431.  It  was  probably  presented  to 
Congress  before  Aug.  5.     Cf.  no.  61,  ante. 

3  The  convention's  letter  of  Aug.  7  is  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  560,  and 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1483.    It  was  probably  presented  to  Congress  Aug.  12. 

*  C/.  no.  100,  post.  Concerning  the  project  of  obstructing  the  navigation  of  the 
Hudson,  see  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  392,  423,  448,  484,  998,  1028,  1409,  1514,  1518, 
1522,  1547,  1548,  1564,  and  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  526,  575,  577,  578,  594,  596.  See 
also  E.  M.  Ruttenber.  Obstructions  to  the  Navigation  of  Hudson's  River  (Albany,  i860). 

5  Although  this  letter  uses  the  first  person  plural,  only  Philip  Livingston  signed  it. 
[80]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  I.,  no.  135. 


!j'2  Continental  Congress 

makings  api)lication  to  Congress  for  it,  as  Paper  currency  might  have  been 
sent  at  any  time,  but  a  Sufticicnt  Sujjply  of  Specie  could  not  be  obtained 
to  support  the  Arniv  in  Canada  therefore  suppHes  or  provisions  etc.  oug^lit 
to  have  been  sent  from  the  C"olonies.  Who  is  most  blameworthy  for  the 
ncj^dect  I  shall  iR>t  undertake  to  say.  5CX),oO{)  Dollars  were  .sent  forward 
to  You  about  a  fort-niji;ht  ag^o  which  I  hope  are  safe  arrived — as  many 
more,  were  ordered  yesterday,"  to  be  forwarded  immediately,  so  that  I 
hope  you  will  in  future  have  sufficient  supplies  of  that  article,  especially 
as  Cong'ress  has  directed  the  Paymasters  to  make  returns  weekly  of  the 
State  of  their  Military  Chests,  which  returns  'tis  expected  will  be  sent 
by  the  Post 

8i.  The  Rhode  Island  Delegates  to  the  Governor  of 
Rhode  Island  (Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia  Augt.  17th.  1776 
Sir 

....  Commodore  Hopkins,  who  was  charged  with  Disobedience  of 
Orders,  hath  been  heard  in  his  Defence.  Congress  Resolved  that  his 
Answers  were  by  no  means  satisfactory,  and  thereupon  further  Resolved 
"  that  he  should  be  censured  and  he  is  censured  accordingly."  ^  Judge 
Greene  arrived  here  yesterday.  We  shall  move  Congress  for  the  Pay- 
ment of  the  Money  requested  by  the  General  Assembly.^ 

We  have  not  urged  an  Appointment  of  a  Brigadier  General  to  the 
Command  of  the  Troops  in  our  State ;  because  We  think  it  would  be 
imprudent  to  bring  them  in  View  at  this  Time  least  they  should  be  ordered 
to  New  York  and  our  State  be  left  defenceless.* .... 
with  great  Respect 

Your  Honor's  most  obedient  humble  Servants, 

Step.  Hopkins 
William   Ellery 

82.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  August  17th  1776,  5  O'Clock  P.  M. 
Sir, 

Your  Favour  of  the  i6th  Inst :  per  Post  this  minute  came  to  Hand, 
and  shall  be  laid  before  Congress  on  Monday.^ .... 

2  According  to  the  Journals.  $200,000  was  ordered  sent  to  Trumbull  Aug.  2,  and 
$500,000  Aug.  15.  In  his  letter  to  Schuyler,  Aug.  7  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  L 
820),  Washington  also  says  he  understood  that  $500,000  had  been  sent.  Cf.  nos.  52,  63, 
64,  ante. 

[8i]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib..  Emmet  Coll..  no.  1562,  Declaration  of  Independence. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  15,  16;  also  no.  84,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  3,  7. 
[82]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  LXXXIX.  284;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  994. 

2  Washington's  letter  of  Aug.  16  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  980.  It  is 
not  mentioned  in  the  Journals. 


August,  iyy6  5.') 

P.  S.     This  Morns^  I  Rec'cl  the  Box  by  Coll  Reed,  and  am  Directed 
by  Congress  to  Take  Care  of  it,  which  is  done." 

83.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Philadelphia,  August  18,  1776. 
Sir: 

....  I  fear  the  Confederation  will  not  be  finished  in  time  to  be  laid 
before  our  Assembly  at  their  next  sitting.  Last  week  passed  without 
looking  at  it.^  Other  affairs  have  taken  up  the  whole  time.  Near  two 
days  were  taken  up  about  Commodore  Hopkins ;  and  we  had  the  pleasure 
to  be  for  the  greatest  part  of  that  time  entertained  by  the  eloquence  of 
some  of  our  Southern  brethren,  particularly  that  polite  speaker,  Middle- 
ton.  The  Congress  at  last  found  Hopkins  guilty  of  not  paying  proper 
attention  to  his  orders,  and  have  ordered  him  to  be  censured.  Thus 
stands  that  affair  at  present.^ .... 

84.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia  August  18  1776 
Dear  Sir 

....  Confederation  has  not  been  mentioned  since  you  left  us.'     We 
have  spent  the  Time  upon  the  two  old  Bones  of  Contention,  the  old 

3  This  was  a  box  containing  Washington's  military  papers,  which  he  sent  to 
Congress  for  safe-keeping.  See  his  letter  of  Aug.  13  (Writings,  ed.  Sparks,  IV.  45; 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  932),  read  in  Congress  Aug.  17. 

[83]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1024;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52, 
vol.  II.,  p.  1491   (copy). 

2  It  was  last  considered  on  Aug.  8  and  was  taken  up  again  on  Aug.  20.  Cf.  nos. 
33,  34.  43-  ante,  and  nos.  84,  85,  94,  post. 

3  See  no.  81,  ante,  and  nos.  84,  85,  89,  post. 

[84]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Letters  of  John  Adams  and  John  Quincy  Adams 
(original)  ;  ibid.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers,  Wells  Trans. ;  Bulletin  of  the  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib., 
vol.  X.,  no.  4227. 

2  Samuel  Adams  left  Congress  Aug.  12.  See  no.  72,  note  3,  ante.  On  Aug.  20  Con- 
gress went  into  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  Confederation.  In  his  Autobiography, 
under  that  date,  John  Adams  rails  at  the  brevity  of  the  record  in  the  Journals  :  "  Thus  we 
see  the  whole  record  of  this  momentous  transaction.  No  motions  recorded,  no  yeas  and 
nays  taken  down,  no  alterations  proposed,  no  debates  preserved,  no  names  mentioned ;  ail 
in  profound  secrecy.  Nothing  suffered  to  transpire,  no  opportunity  to  consult  constituents : 
no  room  for  advice  or  criticisms  in  pamphlets,  papers,  or  private  conversation.  I  was 
very  uneasy  under  all  this,  but  could  not  avoid  it.  In  the  course  of  this  confederation  a 
few  others  were  as  anxious  as  myself.  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania,  upon  one 
occasion,  moved  that  the  debates  should  be  public,  the  doors  opened,  galleries  erected, 
or  an  adjournment  made  to  some  public  building,  where  the  people  might  be  accom- 
modated. Mr.  John  Adams  seconded  the  motion,  and  supported  it  with  zeal.  But 
no!  neither  party  was  willing;  some  were  afraid  of  divisions  among  the  people; 
but  more  were  afraid  to  let  the  people  see  the  insignificant  figures  they  made  in  that 
assembly.  Nothing,  indeed,  was  less  understood  abroad,  among  the  people,  than  the 
real  constitution  of  Congress,  and  the  characters  of  those  who  conducted  the  business 
of  it.  The  truth  is,  the  motions,  plans,  debates,  amendments,  which  were  every  day 
brought  forward,  in  those  committees  of  the  whole  house,  if  committed  to  writing, 
would  be  very  voluminous ;  but  they  are  lost  forever.  The  preservation  of  them,  indeed, 
might,  for  any  thing  I  recollect,  be  of  more  curiosity  than  use."     Works,  III.  69. 

Adams  had  before  him  when  writing  his  Autobiography  (1805)  only  the  public 
Journals,  the  secret  Journals  not  having  been  published  until  1821.  The  same  error  of 
misapprehension  is  in  part  responsible  for  frequent  criticisms  of  the  method  of  keeping 
the  record  of  proceedings. 

It  has  not  been  discovered  when  the  motion  of  James  Wilson,  referred  to  by  Adams, 
was  made.    The  rule  of  closed  doors  was  adopted  Sept.  6,  1774,  and  May  11,  I775-    Cf. 


54  Continental  Congress 

Gen."  and  the  Comnioclorc/  The  first  we  voted  bhiiiieless,  the  last  we 
voted  censurable,  because  the  Reasons  fjiven  for  not  comi)lyinjj  litterally 
with  his  Instructions,  were  by  no  Means  Satisfactory.  My  two  Collcat^ues 
dilTerod  in  opinion  from  me.  upon  these  Questions  conccrninj:;-  the 
ad[miral]  6  Colonies  Ay.  3  No.  3  divided.  I  am  afraid  this  will  hurt 
the  I'^eet.  but  Time  must  determine.  \\c  have  ordered  the  old  Hero  to 
his  Command. 

Before  the  Receipt  of  your  Letter."'  what  you  advise  concerning^  Meigs 
and  Dearborne  was  done.  The  Board  of  War  recommended  it  and  it  was 
done,  but  not  without  opposition  from  5  or  6  Colonies,  who  thouj^ht  that 
there  ought  to  be  no  Distinctions  made,  but  a  general  Exchange  of  the 
Prisoners  of  Arnolds  Party,  or  none 

85.  Edw.vrd  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

[August  i9(?)-'  1776-] 
My  dear  Robert, 

....  The  Promotion  of  General  Officers  gave  us  a  good  deal  of 
Trouble.^    Woostcr  had  more  Advocates  for  his  Advancement  than  his 

an  erased  order  in  the  Journals,  Sept.  8,  1777 :  "  That  the  door  of  the  lobby  be  kept 
locked  during  the  sitting  of  Congress." 

3  David  Wooster.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  17.  In  his  Autobiography  {Works, 
III.  67)  Adams  says,  concerning  the  vote  to  agree  to  the  committee  report  on  Wooster: 

"  But  not,  however,  without  a  great  struggle.  In  this  instance,  again,  as  in  many 
others,  wliere  the  same  anti-New-England  spirit  which  pursued  Commodore  Hopkins, 
persecuted  General  Wooster,  I  had  to  contend  with  the  whole  host  of  their  enemies, 
and  with  the  utmost  anxiety,  and  most  ardous  efforts,  was  scarcely  able  to  preserve  them 
from  disgrace  and  ruin,  which  Wooster  had  merited  even  less  than  Hopkins.  In 
Wooster's  case,  there  was  a  manifest  endeavor  to  lay  upon  him  the  blame  of  their  own 
misconduct,  in  Congress,  in  embarrassing  and  starving  the  war  in  Canada.  Wooster 
was  calumniated  for  incapacity,  want  of  application,  and  even  for  cowardice,  without 
a  color  of  proof  of  either.  The  charge  of  cowardice  he  soon  confuted,  by  a  glorious 
and  voluntary  sacrifice  of  his  life,  which  compelled  his  enemies  to  confess  he  was  a 
hero."    Cf.  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  630;  also  nos.  64,  71,  ante,  and  no.  85,  post. 

*  Esek  Hopkins.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  15,  16. 
"Although  this  resolution  of  censure  was  not  in  my  opinion  demanded  by  justice,  and 
consequently  was  inconsistent  with  good  policy,  as  it  tended  to  discourage  an  officer,  and 
diminish  his  authority,  by  tarnishing  his  reputation,  yet,  as  it  went  not  so  far  as  to 
cashier  him.  which  had  been  the  object  intended  by  the  spirit  that  dictated  the  prosecu- 
tion, I  had  the  satisfaction  to  think  that  I  had  not  labored  wholly  in  vain  in  his  defence." 
Adams's  Autobiography,  Works,  III.  67.  See  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  630;  also  nos. 
7^.  81,  83,  ante,  and  nos.  85,  89,  post.  An  account  of  the  Hopkins  affair  is  found  in 
Edward  Field,  Esek  Hopkins,  ch.  v.,  and  Allen,  A  Naval  History  of  the  American  Revo- 
lution, I.  90-115.    See  also  Paullin,  The  Navy  of  the  American  Revolution,  pp.  53-60. 

s  The  letter,  dated  Aug.  16,  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Cushing),  III.  310.  A.  resolution 
authorizing  the  exchange  of  Maj.  Return  Jonathan  Meigs  and  Capt.  Henry  Dearborn 
was  passed  Aug.  17.  A  petition  from  Meigs  and  others  for  exchange,  presented  to 
Congress  Aug.  15,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  962.  Cf.  ibid.,  I.  553,  777,  853, 
902,  997. 

[85]^  Furnished  by  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning,  of  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  N.  Y.  Pub. 
Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  I.  203  (copy). 

-  The  date  of  this  letter  is  probably  Aug.  19.  That  it  could  not  have  been  earlier 
than  Sunday  the  18th  is  evident  from  the  reference  to  the  Hopkins  case:  "  Most  of  the 
last  week  was  taken  up  in  trying  old  Hopkins."  It  could  not  have  been  after  the  session 
of  Aug.  20,  for  on  that  day  consideration  of  the  Confederation,  which  had  been  suspended 
since  the  8th,  was  resumed.  The  reference  to  the  Articles  of  War  would  seem  to  have 
in  view  the  proceedings  of  Aug.  19.  The  letter  bears  the  endorsement,  "  Edward  Rut- 
ledge  Esqr  Reed  Augt.  1776  ". 

3  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  9;  cf.  nos.  71,  72,  ante. 


August,  1/^6  55 

Abilities  entitled  him  to.  his  Friends  threaten'd  us  with  his  Resig-nation 
if  he  was  passed  by,  this  was  conclusive  with  some  of  us,  but  he  has  not  yet 
gratified  our  Expectations,  and  we  begin  to  fear  that  his  Attachment  to 
1 20  Dollars  a  Month  will  prevent  the  good  work.*  We  found  some  diffi- 
culty in  getting  Clynton  made  a  general,  Phil :  Livingston  proposed  him 
and  I  advocated  his  Promotion ;  it  was  confessed  on  all  Hands  that  he  had 
done  more  and  suffered  more  than  Mc:Dougal,  but  a  Mr.  Varnum  of 
Rhode-Island  and  Maxwell  of  Jerseys  were  opposed  to  him,  our  Exertions 
however  prevailed.  I  shall  be  doubly  fortunate  if  by  my  Endeavours  two 
valuable  officers  can  be  rewarded.  You  who  have  served  so  long  in  Con- 
gress, will  confess,  it  is  not  often  that  we  do  much  good  in  one  day.  Most 
of  the  last  Week  was  taken  up  in  trying  old  Hopkins,  for  a  Breach  of 
Orders,  the  Fact  was  clearly  proved,  his  Excuses  were  trifling  to  the  last 
Degree,  to  say  the  least  of  them,  the  Congress  in  opposition  to  the  Eastern 
Colonies  found  him  guilty  and  have  censured  him  for  his  Conduct :  Some 
of  us  Pressed  his  Removal  from  the  Command,  but  a  tenderness  or  rather 
weakness  for  his  Brother,  and  an  Opinion  that  he  would  resign  in  Con- 
sequence of  the  Thunder  of  the  House,  obstructed  the  passing  of  the 
Motion.  I  wish  he  would  resign,  for  I  am  satisfied  that  he  is  totally  unfit 
for  the  Department,  and  that  we  shall  be  disgraced  so  long  as  he  shall 
continue  at  the  Head  of  our  naval  Affairs.^  We  are  doing  everything  in 
our  power  to  reform  the  Vices  of  the  Army  and  put  the  Forces  under 
better  Regulations  than  they  have  yet  been.  The  Committee  of  which 
you  Jefferson  Adams  and  I  were  Members  who  were  desired  to  revise 
the  Articles  of  War  and  bring  in  such  Amendments  as  they  thought 
proper,  have  reported  to  the  House  the  British  Articles  as  far  as  local 
Circumstances  will  admit,  and  the  Congress  is  in  a  fair  way  of  adopting 
them.®    If  we  can  carry  them  thro'  compleatly  it  will  have  a  most  happy 

*  See  no.  84,  note  3,  ante.    Cf.  no.  173,  note  2,  post. 

5  See  no.  84,  note  4,  ante. 

8  The  so-called  committee  on  spies  was  appointed  June  5  ("  to  consider  what  is 
proper  to  be  done  with  persons  giving  inteUigence  to  the  enemy",  etc.).  The  duty  of 
preparing  articles  of  war  was  assigned  to  the  committee  June  14.  It  brought  in  a  report 
on  Aug.  7,  and  the  articles  were  further  considered  Aug.  13,  19,  and  Sept.  19,  and 
adopted  Sept.  20.  Concerning  this  report,  John  Adams  says  in  his  Autobiography 
(Works,  III.  68)  :  "This  report  was  made  by  me  and  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  consequence  of 
a  letter  from  General  Washington,  sent  by  Colonel  Tudor,  Judge  Advocate-General, 
representing  the  insufficiency  of  the  articles  of  war,  and  requesting  a  revision  of  them. 
Mr.  John  Adams  and  Mr.  Jefferson  were  appointed  a  committee  to  hear  Tudor,  and 
revise  the  articles.  It  was  a  very  difficult  and  unpopular  subject,  and  I  observed  to 
Jefferson,  that  whatever  alteration  we  should  report  with  the  least  energy  in  it,  or  the 
least  tendency  to  a  necessary  discipline  of  the  army,  would  be  opposed  with  as  much 
vehemence,  as  if  it  were  the  most  perfect ;  we  might  as  well,  therefore,  report  a  complete 
system  at  once,  and  let  it  meet  its  fate.  Something  perhaps  might  be  gained.  There 
was  extant  one  system  of  articles  of  war  which  had  carried  two  empires  to  the  head  of 
mankind,  the  Roman  and  the  British ;  for  the  British  articles  of  war  were  only  a 
literal  translation  of  the  Roman.  It  would  be  in  vain  for  us  to  seek  in  our  own  inven- 
tions, or  the  records  of  warlike  nations,  for  a  more  complete  system  of  military  discipline. 
It  was  an  observation  founded  in  undoubted  facts,  that  the  prosperity  of  nations  had 
been  in  proportion  to  the  discipline  of  their  forces  by  sea  and  land ;  I  was,  therefore, 
for  reporting  the  British  articles  of  war,  totidem  z'crbis.  Jefferson;  in  those  days,  never 
failed  to  agree  with  me,  in  every  thing  of  a  political  nature,  and  he  very  cordially  con- 
curred in  this.  The  British  articles  of  war  were,  accordingly,  reported,  and  defended 
in  Congress  by  me  assisted  by  some  others,  and  finally  carried.    They  laid  the  foundation 


56  Co)itiiiC)ilal  Cotii^ircss 

Effect.  I  know  not  how  wc  shall  so  soon  purj^c  the  Army  of  the  Men 
you  mention,  as  by  prevaiUnj^  upon  them  to  resent  their  own  quarrels. 
To  show  you  how  exactly  we  concurrd  in  sentiment  u\xm  this  Subject, 
I  nuist  tell  you  that  when  the  Conj^ress  were  employing,'  a  little  Leisure 
Time  some  days  ago  in  considerinq-  new  Articles,  and  before  I  received 
your  Letter.  I  proposed  to  strike  out  tliat  Article  which  ])revents  the  send- 
ing" of  Challenges,  and  pressed  it  as  a  Measure  that  would  tend  to  make 
their  Officers  Gentlemen,  or  at  least  induce  them  to  act  as  such,  whilst  in 
Company  with  Gentlemen;  Stone  seconded  and  supported  the  Motion,  but 
we  could  not  carry  the  Point. ^  I  believe  we  must  leave  it  to  Time.  We 
have  done  nothing  with  the  Confederation  for  some  Days,  and  it  is  of 
little  Consequence  if  we  never  see  it  again ;  for  we  have  made  such  a  Devil 
of  it  already  that  the  Colonies  can  never  agree  to  it.  If  my  opinion  was 
likely  to  be  taken  I  would  propose  that  the  States  should  appoint  a  special 
Congress  to  be  composed  of  new  Members  for  this  purpose — and  that  no 
Person  should  disclose  any  part  of  the  present  plan.  If  that  was  done  we 
might  then  stand  some  Chance  of  a  Confederation,  at  present  we  stand 
none  at  all.^  We  have  not  as  yet  touched  the  Treaty  " — and  Independence 
has  been  declared  upward  of  Six  Weeks!  We  have  heard  of  Deane's 
arrival  in  France  but  no  letters  from  him.  I  am  much  pleased  with  the 
Spirit  of  your  Convention,  God  grant  they  may  receive  the  Blessings  of 
Liberty,  and  by  a  wise  Government  fix  those  Blessings  upon  a  strong  and 
lasting  Foundation.  Exert  my  good  Friend  all  your  Abilities  in  the 
accomplishing  of  this  delicate  Business,  so  that  you  will  be  beloved  by 
Posterity  as  truly  as  you  are  by  your  most  affectionate 

Edward  Rutledge. 

P.  S.    Remember  me  affectionately  to  Jay.    We  have  sent  to  the  South- 
ward for  General  Lee,  lest  any  accident  should  befall  Washington,^" 


of  a  discipline  which,  in  time,  brought  our  troops  to  a  capacity  of  contending  with  British 
veterans,  and  a  rivalry  with  the  best  troops  of  France." 

The  letter  to  which  Adams  here  refers  was  probably  the  letter  of  Joseph  Reed,  July 
25  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  I.  576),  referred,  July  29,  to  the  committee  appointed 
to  revise  the  Articles  of  War.  The  articles  are  printed  in  the  Journals  under  Sept.  20. 
See  also  the  Bibliographical  Notes,  ibid.,  VI.  1125-1126.  The  articles  were  somewhat 
revised  Apr.  14,  1777.     Cf.  nos.  92,  142,  post. 

''  Articles  of  War,  section  VII.,  articles  2  and  3  (Journals,  V.  792).  The  discussion 
was  probably  on  Aug.  13. 

8  See  nos.  43,  83,  84,  note  2,  ante,  and  nos.  94,  138,  155,  post.  Rutledge's  suggestion 
that  "  a  special  Congress  to  be  composed  of  new  members  "  ought  to  be  chosen  to  draw 
up  articles  of  confederation  is  one  of  the  earliest  expressions  of  what  presently  came  to 
be  the  fundamental  idea  of  a  constitutional  convention,  the  doctrine,  namely,  that  a 
consitution  should  be  framed  by  a  body  of  delegates  specially  chosen  for  the  purpose. 
Jefferson  had,  indeed,  a  few  months  earlier,  enunciated  the  doctrine  in  a  letter  to  Edmund 
Randolph,  then  in  attendance  at  the  Virginia  convention  (see  Writings,  ed.  Ford,  II.  7-9)  ; 
and  the  Delaware  convention,  which  met  August  27  (only  a  few  days  after  Rutledge's 
letter  was  penned)  to  frame  a  constitution  for  that  state,  appears  to  have  been  chosen 
with  that  principle  definitely  in  view.  See  Van  Tyne,  American  Revolution  (American 
Nation  series),  pp.  139-140. 

8  See  the  Journals.  July  18,  20,  Aug.  22,  27.  Sept.  17;  also  no.  26,  note  2,  ante. 

^°  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8,  and  Hancock  to  Lee,  Aug.  8,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
sen,  I.  832. 


August,  lyyd  57 

(which  God  prevent)  and  our  Army  be  without  a  proper  Head.    You  did 
not  enclose  me  Mr.  Cortland's  Letter  as  you  thought. 

86.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Holden  Parsons.^ 

Philadelphia,  19  August,  1776. 

Your  favors  of  the  13th  and  15th  are  before  me.  The  gentlemen  you 
recommend  for  Majors,  Chapman  and  Dyer,  will  be  recommended  by  the 
Board  of  War,  and  I  hope  agreed  to  in  Congress 

With  regard  to  encouragements  in  money  and  in  land  for  soldiers  to 
enlist  during  the  war,  I  have  ever  been  in  favor  of  it,  as  the  best  economy 
and  the  best  policy,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  rewards  in  land  will  be 
given,  after  the  war  is  over.  But  the  majority  are  not  of  my  mind  for 
promising  it  now.  I  am  the  less  anxious  about  it,  for  a  reason  which 
does  not  seem  to  have  much  weight  however  with  the  majority.  Although 
it  may  cost  us  more,  and  we  may  put  now  and  then  a  battle  to  hazard  by 
the  method  we  are  in,  yet  we  shall  be  less  in  danger  of  corruption  and 
violence  from  a  standing  army,  and  our  militia  will  acquire  courage, 
experience,  discipline,  and  hardiness  in  actual  service.^ 

I  wish  every  man  upon  the  continent  was  a  soldier,  and  obliged,  upon 
occasion,  to  fight,  and  determined  to  conquer  or  to  die.  Flight  was 
unknown  to  the  Romans.  I  wish  it  was  to  Americans.  There  was  a 
flight  from  Quebec,  and  worse  than  a  flight  at  the  Cedars.  If  we  do  not 
atone  for  these  disgraces,  we  are  undone. 

A  more  exalted  love  of  their  country,  a  more  enthusiastic  ardor  for 
military  glory,  and  deeper  detestation,  disdain,  and  horror  of  martial 
disgrace  must  be  excited  among  our  people,  or  we  shall  perish  in  infancy. 
I  will  certainly  give  my  voice  for  devoting  to  the  infernal  gods  every 
man,  high  or  low,  who  shall  be  convicted  of  bashfulness  on  the  day  of 
battle.' 

P.  S.  Since  the  above  was  written  Congress  has  accepted  the  report 
of  the  Board  of  War,  and  appointed  Dyer  and  Chapman,  Majors.  I  had 
much  pleasure  in  promoting  Dyer,  not  only  from  his  own  excellent  charac- 
ter, but  from  respect  to  my  good  friend  his  father.* 

87.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadel  :  Augt  20  1776 
Dear  Sir 

....  convinced  that  it  was  the  surest  way  I  had  sundry  times  pressed 
sevl.  of  the  board  of  War,  to  recomend  Cap  Dyer  for  a  Majr.  they 
promised  to  consider  it  etc.  and  yesterday  brot  in  a  report  reccomending 
him  and  Cap  Chapman  of  Tylers,  and  after  some  Consideration,  the  Votes 

[S6V  Works,  IX.  431. 

2  Cf.  no.  74,  ante. 

3  Cf.  no.  92,  post.    These  expressions  are  no  doubt  the  outcome  in  great  measure 
of  Adams's  work  on  the  Articles  of  War.    See  no.  85,  note  6,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  19.    Cf.  nos.  71,  78,  ante,  and  no.  87,  post. 
[87]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  565. 


58  Continental  Congress 

were  calld  for  and  They  are  both  appointd.  conchide  the  Prest.  has  or 
will  send  their  Coniissions.  Your  Letter  came  just  Time  enow  for  me 
to  Strcni^^then  the  Recomcnd"  by  informincf  the  House  that  the  Objection 
of  Rank  was  removed."  I  just  knew  of  liie  Conveyance  by  Mr.  Colt,  and 
had  but  a  minutes  Time,  pray  let  me  know  every  thing  material  pass- 
ing among  you,  and  am  your  affect.  P>iend  atid  Bro'. 

W  Williams 


88.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Lord  Howe.^ 

Phila  Aug  20,  76 

My  Lord 

The  Temper  of  the  Colonies  as  professed  in  their  several  Petitions  to 
the  Crown  was  sincere.  The  Terms  they  proposed  should  then  have  been 
closed  with,  and  all  might  have  been  Peace.  I  dare  say  your  L^'  as  well  as 
my  self,  laments  they  were  not  accepted.  I  remember  I  told  you,  that 
better  wd  never  be  offered,  and  I  have  not  forgotten  your  just  Comparison 
of  the  Sybyl's  Leaves. 

But  the  Contempt  with  which  those  Petitions  were  treated,  none  of 
them  being  vouchsaf'd  an  Answer;  and  the  cruel  Measures  since  taken, 
have  chang'd  that  Temper.  It  could  not  be  otherwise  To  propose  now 
to  the  Colonies  a  Submission  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain,  would  be 
fruitless.  The  Time  is  past.  One  might  as  well  propose  it  to  France,  on 
the  Footing  of  a  former  title. ■ .... 

89.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  August  21,  1776 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  Aug.  11  reached  me  Yesterday.'^  Mrs.  Temple  shall  have 
all  the  assistance  which  I  can  give  her,  but  I  fear  it  will  be  without  success. 
It  will  be  a  Precedent  for  So  many  others,  that  there  is  no  seeing  the  End 
of  it.  I  shall  answer  her  Letter  by  the  next  Post,  and  if  I  cannot  promise 
her  any  Relief,  I  can  assure  her  of  Mr.  Temple's  Arrival,  and  of  his 
having  Leave  to  go  home,  which  I  presume  will  be  more  welcome  News.' 

2  Cf.  nos.  71,  78,  86,  ante. 
[88]iAm.  Phil.  Soc,  Franklin  Papers,  vol.  XLV.,  no.  no. 

2  See  no.  25,  note  2,  ante,  no.  94,  post, 
[i^]'^  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  270. 

-  Warren's  letter  is   found  in   Warren-Adams  Letters,   I.  267. 

3  See  the  statement  at  the  close  of  the  letter,  and  the  Journals,  Aug.  23-28;  also 
no.  107,  post.  The  Temple  claim  was  not  finally  settled  until  1779.  See  a  letter  from 
James  Bowdoin  to  Washington,  Apr.  22,  1778  (Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  sixth  ser., 
IX.  415),  and  the  Journals,  Feb.  27,  Mar.  6,  1779.  Concerning  Robert  Temple  see  Sabin, 
American  Loyalists,  and  Winsor,  Memorial  History  of  Boston,  II.  540.  General  Howe 
wrote  Washington,  Aug.  13  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  932),  asking  permission  for 
Temple  to  land  at  New  York  and  go  to  his  family  in  Massachusetts.  The  permission 
was  granted  by  Washington  in  a  letter  to  Howe,  Aug.  17.  A  copy  of  this  letter  (Library 
of  Congress,  Washington  MSS.)  was  enclosed  in  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress, 
Aug.  18,  read  in  Congress  Aug.  20.  An  entry  in  the  Diary  of  John  Rowe  (Mass.  Hist. 
Soc,  Proceedings,  second  ser.,  X.  104)  reads :  "  Sept.  26— Robt.  Temple  is  come  to  town." 


August,  7/7(5  69 

There  is  a  Marine  Committee,  who  have  the  Care  of  every  Thing  rela- 
ting to  the  Navy.  Hopkins  and  his  Captains,  Saltonstall,  and  Whipple, 
have  been  summoned  here,  and  here  they  have  lingered  and  their  ships  laid 
idle.  I  cannot,  I  will  not  explain  this  Business  to  you ;  because  if  I  should, 
it  would  get  into  a  News  Paper,  I  suppose.    You  must  come  and  see.* 

We  suffer  inexpressibly  for  Want  of  Men  of  Business. — Men  ac- 
quainted with  War  by  Sea  and  Land,  Men  who  have  no  Pleasure  but  in 
Business.    You  have  them,  send  them  along."^ 

....  I  took  a  Hint  from  your  Letter  and  this  day  obtained  a  Resolu- 
tion authorising  and  desiring  General  Ward  to  continue  in  the  Command 
in  the  Eastern  Department,  untill  further  orders."  .... 

[P.  S.]  Since  the  foregoing  was  written  I  have  procured  Mrs. 
Temple's  Letter  to  be  committed 


90.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Thomas  McKean.^ 

Philada.  Augt.  24,  1776 

Dear  Sir, 

I  heard  your  Letter  read  in  Congress  relating  to  the  Disposition  of  the 
German  Troops ;  ^  and  understanding  from  Col.  Ross,^  that  they  are 
canton'd  on  the  Island  opposite  to  the  Jersey  Shore,  I  send  you  herewith 
some  of  the  Resolutions  of  the  Congress  translated  into  their  Language, 
as  possibly  you  may  find  some  Opportunity  of  conveying  them  over  the 
Water,  to  those  People.  Some  of  the  Papers  have  Tobacco  Marks  on 
the  Back,  it  being  suppos'd  by  the  Committee,  that  if  a  little  Tobacco 
were  put  up  in  each  as  the  Tobacconists  use  to  do,  and  a  Quantity  made 
to  fall  into  the  Hands  of  that  Soldiery,  by  being  put  into  a  Drift  Canoe  » 
among  some  other  little  Things,  it  would  be  divided  among  them  as 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  13  and  passim ;  also  nos.  73,  83,  84,  85,  ante. 

5  Cf.  Adam's  letter  to  Joseph  Hawley,  Aug.  25  {Works,  IX.  433),  also  his  letter  to 
Samuel  H.  Parsons,  Aug.  19  (ibid.,  IX.  431). 

^  See  no.  93,  post. 
[goJiHist.  Soc.  of  Pa..  McKean  Papers,  I.  8.    Addressed,  "To  The  honble  Colonel 
McKean  of  the  Pennsylvania  Forces,  East  Jersey". 

2  There  is  no  mention  of  McKean's  letter  in  the  Journals,  nor  has  the  letter  itself 
been  found.  From  a  letter  of  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney,  Aug.  28,  it  would 
appear  that  McKean  was  in  Philadelphia  within  a  few  hours  after  Franklin's  letter  had 
been  written.  Caesar  Rodney  had  written  to  Thomas  Rodney,  Aug.  21 :  "  As  Mr.  Read 
will  go  to  the  Convention,  and  our  Colony  requires  two  Delegates  to  make  a  representa- 
tion, I  shall  come  home  next  week  if  possible."  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1092. 
Aug.  28  he  wrote :  "  I  intended  to  come  down,  but  have  been  prevailed  on  by  the  other 
Delegates  to  stay  and  attend  Congress  during  their  absence,  the  business  in  Congress 

being  important  to  each  Colony,  especially  ours As  soon  as  I  received  the  accounts 

from  Kent  and  New  Castle  of  the  elections,  I  wrote  to  Mr.  McKean  at  Amboy,  and 
desired  he  would  give  immediate  attendance  at  the  Convention.  He  got  my  letter,  and 
in  consequence  thereof  came  to  Philadelphia  on  Sunday  night  last,  and  set  out  yesterday 
morning  very  early  to  New  Castle."    Ibid.,  I.  1192.    See  no.  58,  note  3,  ante. 

3  George  Ross,  delegate  from  Pennsylvania. 


liO  Continental  Con^rrss 

PliuKler  before  the  Ofikers  could  know  the  Contents  of  the  Paper  and 
prevent  it.* 

With  great  Esteem,  I  am,  Sir, 

Your  most  obcdt  hum*  Servt 

B  Franklin 

[P.  S.]    Inclos'd  is  the  EngHsh  Copy,  wch.  is  requested  to  be  return'd, 
it  belonging  to  tlie  Congress — mislaid  * 

Col  McKean 


01.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  August  24,  1776. 

Sir. 

The  late  Conduct  of  Lord  Drummond  is  as  extraordinary,  as  his 
motives  are  dark  and  mysterious.  To  judge  the  most  favourably  of  his 
Intentions,  it  should  seem  that  an  overweening  Vanity  has  betrayed  him 
into  a  criminal  Breach  of  Honour.  But  whether  his  Views  were  upright, 
or  intended  only  to  mislead  and  deceive,  cannot  at  present  be  a  Matter  of 
any  importance.  In  the  mean  Time,  I  have  the  Pleasure  to  acquaint  you. 
that  Congress  highly  approve  of  the  Manner  in  which  you  have  checked 
the  ofticious  and  intemperate  Zeal  of  his  Lordship.  Whether  his  Designs 
were  hostile,  or  friendly,  he  equally  merited  the  Reproof  you  have  given 
him;  and  I  hope  for  the  future  he  will  be  convinced,  that  it  is  highly 
imprudent  to  attract  the  Attention  of  the  publick  to  a  Character,  which 
will  only  pass  without  Censure,  when  it  passes  without  Notice. 

The  Congress  having  considered  the  Matter  thoroughly,  are  of  Opinion 
to  decline  taking  any  public  or  farther  Notice  of  his  Lordship,  or  his 
Letters;  and  particularly  as  you  have  so  fully  expressed  their  Sentiments 
on  the  subject  in  your  Letter  to  him.  It  was  the  Consideration  of  this 
Point  that  induced  Congress  to  detain  the  Express  till  now.^ 

Genl  ^^'ashingto^. 


*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  9,  14,  and  no.  96,  post.  Cf.  Washington  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  Aug.  26  {Writings,  ed.  Ford,  IV.  369).  Lieutenant-Colonel  Zedtwitz.  who 
was  employed  by  Washington  to  translate  the  document  into  German,  sent  the  contents 
to  Governor  Tryon  and  offered  to  become  a  spy  (see  ibid.,  p.  370  n.).  The  court-martial 
of  Zedtwitz  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1159-1163.    Cf.  the  Journals,  Nov.  18,  22. 

5  This  postscript  is  erased  in  the  original. 
[91  ]i  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XL  200;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  L  1135. 

2  See  Washington's  letter  to  Congress  of  Aug.  18,  and  the  propositions  of  Lord 
Drummond.  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  1025-1028;  also  Washington's  letter  of  Aug. 
26,  enclosing  a  letter  from  Lord  Drummond,  dated  Aug.  19,  ibid.,  L  1158-1159,  and 
Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  369.  See  also  the  Journals.  Aug.  20,  22,  28.  Cf.  no.  94,  post. 
For  an  earlier  Drummond  episode,  see  the  Journals,  Feb.  29,  Mar.  5,  and  vol.  I.  of  these 
Letters,  nos.  527,  536.  Cf.  the  conference  with  Lord  Howe  in  September  (nos.  102-132, 
passim,  post). 


August,  iy/6  61 

92.  John  Adams  to  Henry  Knox.' 

Philadelphia  August  25.  1776 

Dear  Sir 

.  .  .  .  T  am  a  constant  Advocate  for  a  regular  Army,  and  the  most 
masterly  Discipline,  because,  I  know,  that  without  these  We  cannot 
reasonably  hope  to  be  a  powcrfull,  a  prosperous,  or  a  free  People,  and 
therefore,  I  have  been  constantly  labouring  to  obtain  an  handsome  En- 
couragement for  inlisting  a  permanent  Body  of  Troops.  But  have  not 
as  yet  prevailed,  and  indeed,  I  despair  of  ever  Succeeding,  unless  the 
General,  and  the  officers  from  the  Southward,  should  convince  Gentlemen 
here ;  or  unless  two  or  three  horrid  Defeats,  should  bring  a  more  melan- 
cholly  Conviction,  which  I  expect  and  believe  will  one  day,  or  other  be 
the  Case.^ 

Coll  Knox ' 


93.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Artemas  Ward.^ 

Philada.  August  26th  1776. 

Sir: 

The  Service  in  the  Eastern  Department  requiring  an  Officer  of  Rank 
and  Experience,  and  Colonel  Whitcomb  having  declined  accepting  his 
Commission,  the  Congress  have  been  induced,  both  from  a  Regard  to 
your  Merit  while  in  the  Army,  and  your  Zeal  and  Attention  since  you  left 
it,  to  request  you  will,  if  consistent  with  your  Health,  take  the  Command 
of  the  Forces  in  that  Quarter.  As  soon  as  Congress  can  fix  on  some 
Officer  to  relieve  you,  they  will  do  it,  and  only  desire  you,  in  the  mean 
Time  to  continue  in  Command  until  such  Appointment.  Your  readiness 
to  comply  with  the  Wishes  of  your  Country,  gives  me  the  strongest 
Reason  to  believe,  you  will  not  resist  their  Application  at  this  Juncture." 


[92]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Knox  Papers,  III.  25. 

2  Cf.  no.  86,  ante. 

3  Knox  was  made  brigadier-general  Dec.  27.  "  I  am  ashamed  and  grieved  to  my 
inmost  soul  for  the  disgrace  brought  upon  the  Massachusetts  in  not  having  its  proportion 
of  general  officers.  But  there  is  not  a  single  man  among  all  our  Colonels  that  I  dare  to 
recommend  for  a  general  officer,  except  Knox  and  Porter,  and  these  are  so  low  down  in 
the  list,  that  it  is  dangerous  promoting  them  over  the  heads  of  so  many."  Adams  to 
Joseph  HawleJ^  Aug.  25,  Works,  IX.  433.    Cf.  nos.  71,  72,  85,  ante. 

[93]  1  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  23;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I. 
1156. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  21,  and  a  letter  from  the  Massachusetts  council,  Aug.  8, 
signed  "Richard  Derby,  Junr.,  chairman",  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  I.  859.  Ward's 
resignation  had  been  accepted  by  Congress  Apr.  23.  See  vol.  i.  of  these  Letters,  no.  615  ; 
also  the  Journals,  Nov.  7. 

A  recent  life  of  Ward,  by  Charles  Martyn  (The  Life  of  Artemas  Ward,  the  First  Coin- 
vwnder-in-Chief  of  the  American  Revolution,  New  York,  Artemas  Ward,  1921),  avo\ys 
the  purpose  of  both  author  and  publisher  of  assuring  General  Ward  his  proper  place  in 
American  history,  which,  in  their  opinion,  has  hitherto  been  lower  than  he  deserved. 


62  Continental  Congress 

94.  JosiAii  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple.* 

Philadelphia,  August  27,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

Last  week  tlie  Articles  of  Confederation  were  fniislied  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Wliole  House.  They  are  a,l,^'lin  printed  as  now  amended  by 
the  Committee,  and  are  deHvered  to  the  members  in  the  same  manner  as 
before,  and  are  to  undergo  one  operation  through  Congress  more  before 
they  are  sent  to  the  several  States  for  confirmation.  What  alterations 
will  be  made  in  them  I  know  not ;  but  am  afraid  none  for  the  better.  This 
will  occasion  such  a  delay  that  there  is  no  probability  it  will  be  sent  in 
time  to  be  laid  before  our  Assembly  before  your  return  here :  so  I  would 
not  have  you  wait  for  it,  but  return  as  soon  as  convenient.^  The  new 
Articles  of  War  have  passed  Congress.'  The  plan  of  a  treaty  of  foreign 
alliance  has  passed  in  the  Committee  of  the  Whole.* 

By  the  leave  of  Lord  Howe,  the  famous  Lord  Drummond  has,  by  a 
f^ag  to  General  Washington,  proposed  sundry  articles  as  the  basis  of  a 
negotiation  or  conference,  (they  are  nearly  the  same  as  those  proposed 
by  Lord  North,  called  Lord  North's  Conciliatory  Propositions;)  and  he 
requested  leave  of  General  Washington  for  himself  and  one  or  two  more 
to  repair  to  this  city  to  propose  those  terms,  which  he  had  the  impudence 
to  say  would  have  been  accepted  by  the  Colonies  a  few  months  ago.  The 
General  did  not  think  proper  to  give  him  leave  to  come  here,  but  in  his 
answer  told  him  he  should  send  the  papers  to  the  Congress  and  wait  their 
answer.  He  severely  reprimanded  Lord  Drummond  for  his  ofificiousness 
in  meddling  w-ith  the  business,  but  especially  for  his  going  to  the  Army 
under  General  Howe,  contrary  to  his  parole  of  honour  which  he  gave 
when  he  was  permitted  to  leave  the  Continent.  I  need  not  tell  you  the 
Congress  have  not  accepted  the  proposed  conference  with  his  Lordship." 

Lord  Howe  has  wrote  an  answer  to  Dr.  Franklin's  letter  to  him  which 
you  saw.  It  is  full  of  professions  of  friendship  for  America,  and  of 
esteem  and  regard  for  the  Doctor — very  polite,  but  very  artful. ° .... 


95.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Weedon.* 

Philada.  August  28th.  1776. 
Sir: 

The  Congress  being  informed  that  you  are  on  your  March  to  New 
Jersey,  with  Intention  to  pass  through  York  Town  and  Philada,  I  have 
it  in  Charge  to  direct,  that  you  continue  your  March  from  York  Town 
by  the  nearest  Route  to  New  Jersey,  (avoiding  Philada  on  acct  of  the 

[94]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1179. 

2  See  X\\t  Journals,  Aug.  20.    Cf.  nos.  33,  34,  43,  68,  y^,  83-85,  ante. 

3  This  is  incorrect.    See  the  Journals,  Aug.  19,  Sept.  20;  cf.  no.  85,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  27,  Sept.  17.    Cf.  nos.  26,  note  2,  ante,  loi,  146,  post. 
^  See  no.  91,  ante. 

^  See  no.  25,  note  2,  and  no.  88,  ante. 
[95]^  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  24;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
L  1191. 


August,  lyyd  G3 

Small  Pox)   where  on  your  Arrival  you  will  execute  such  Orders  as 
Genl.  Washington  shall  think  proper  to  give  you.^ 

I  am  Sir 

your  most  obedt  and  very  hble  sert, 

J.  H.  Prest. 
To  Colo.  [George  Weedon]  ' 

96.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Horatio  Gates/ 

Philadelphia,  August  28,  1776. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  Congress  being  advised,  that  there  was  a  probability  that  the 
Hessians  might  be  induced  to  quit  the  British  service  by  offers  of  land, 
came  to  two  resolves  for  this  purpose,  which,  being  translated  into 
German  and  printed,  are  sent  to  Staten  Island  to  be  distributed,  if  practi- 
cable, among  those  people.  Some  of  them  have  tobacco  marks  on  the 
back,  that  so  tobacco  being  put  up  in  them  in  small  quantities,  as  the 
tobacconists  use,  and  suffered  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  these  people,  they 
might  divide  the  papers  as  plunder,  before  their  officers  could  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  contents,  and  prevent  their  being  read  by  the  men. 
That  was  the  first  resolve.  A  second  has  since  been  made  for  the  officers 
themselves.  I  am  desired  to  send  some  of  both  sorts  to  you,  that,  if  you 
find  it  practicable,  you  may  convey  them  among  the  Germans  that  shall 
come  against  you.^ .... 

97.  William  Hooper  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.* 

Dear  Sir 

....  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  we  have  all  the  reason 
in  the  World  to  believe  that  France  will  soon  take  an  active  part  in  our 
favour.     She  has  opened  all  her  ports  to  our  Merchandize,  privateers  and 

2  Cf.  the  Journals,  Aug.  28,  where  the  reason  for  the  order  is  not  given.  This 
order  was  modified  Aug.  30.  See  no.  99,  post.  For  the  original  order  to  march,  see  the 
Journals,  July  21,  and  Hancock's  letters  to  Gov.  Henry  and  Gen.  Lewis,  July  22,  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  494. 

3  The  name  of  the  colonel  is  not  found  in  the  original.  When  the  resolution  was 
passed  Congress  was  apparently  not  informed  as  to  which  one  of  the  Virginia  battalions 
was  marching  toward  New  Jersey,  or  who  was  its  commander.  From  a  letter  of  Gen. 
Andrew  Lewis  to  Congress  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  L  1053),  read  in  Congress 
Aug.  22,  it  is  learned  that  the  battalion  was  the  third,  and  imder  the  command  of  Col. 
George  Weedon. 

[g6]^  Writings  (ed.  Smyth),  VL  451;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  IL  133;  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  1193. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  9,  14,  27,  and  Franklin  to  McKean,  Aug.  24,  no.  90,  ante. 
The  action  of  Aug.  27  was  taken  in  consequence  of  a  letter  from  Col.  James  Wilson, 
Aug.  22  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  L  mo),  read  in  Congress  Aug.  26.  (This  Col. 
James  Wilson  was  not  the  delegate,  who  was  himself  a  member  of  the  committee 
appointed  on  this  business.  The  index  to  the  Journals  shows  some  confusion  of  the 
two  men.)  See  also  two  documents  printed  as  foot-notes  in  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford) 
under  Aug.  14  and  27  (pp.  655,  708-709),  the  one  a  preamble  written  by  John  Adams, 
the  other  an  address  prepared  by  George  Wythe.  Both  documents  are  found  among 
the  Jefferson  Papers.  Wythe's  address  was  probably  an  outcome  of  the  resolution  of 
May  21.  He  was  not  a  member  of  that  committee,  but  Jefferson  was.  Cf.  the  Journals, 
Nov.  27. 

[97]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  L,  no.  145. 


(»4-  Contiucutal  Congress 

prizes,  and  has  offered  us  Warlike  Stores  in  the  Islands  and  every  otiier 
Article  which  may  tend  to  induce  an  intercourse  with  her,' 

....  I  write  in  the  C'onj^rcss  lohhy  and  am  called  for  in  Conj^ress 
must  therefore  conclude  this  Scrawl.  1  beg"  a  very  particular  account  of 
the  State  of  your  N(jrthern  Army  and  Navy. 

Philadelfhi.v  August  28  1776 

98.  Francis  Lewis  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.' 

PniLA.  29th  Augt.  1776 
Sir 

1  have  been  duly  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  8th  Inst 

Upon  the  Apf^lication  in  your  Letter.  I  moved  Congress  and  obtained 
a  Resolve  for  500,000  dollars,^  to  be  Issued  for  your  department,  when- 
ever I  can  render  you  any  Services  here  please  to  Command, 

J.  Trumbell  Jur.  Esqr. 

99.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Weedon.^ 

In  Congress  30  Augt.  1776 
Sir 

You  are  Directed  (notwithstanding  a  former  order  to  March  to  New 
Jersey  and  wait  the  orders  of  General  Washington)  to  March  your 
Battalion  immediately  on  Receipt  of  this  to  New  York,  and  inform  the 
General  of  your  Arrival. 

I  am  Sir,  Your  very  hum  Servt 

John  Hancock  Pres 

To  The  Officer  command^  the  3d  Batt"  of  Virginia  Troops." 

TOO.  Philip  Livingston  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention   (Abraham  Yates,  JR.)-^ 

Philadelphia,  August  30,  1776. 
Sir: 

Your  favour,  dated  28th,  came  to  hand  by  the  post,  who  returned  before 
we  had  any  opportunity  to  apply  to  Congress,  as  you  desired.  The  appli- 

2  Josiah  Bartlett  mentions  in  his  letter  to  William  Whipple,  Aug.  27  (no.  94,  ante; 
paragraph  omitted  there),  that  this  information  was  received  in  a  letter  from  the  agent 
who  was  sent  to  Martinico  in  the  Reprisal,  Captain  Wickes.  This  agent  was  William 
Bingham.  See  the  secret  committee  to  Bingham  and  to  Capt.  Lambert  Wickes,  June  10, 
in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  783.  See  also  nos.  136,  153,  178-180,  224,  post. 
[98]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  I.,  no.  151. 

-  This  presumably  has  reference  to  the  appropriation  Aug.  15.    Cf.  nos.  63,  80,  ante. 
[99]!  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  720. 

-  This  was  Col.  George  Weedon.  See  no.  95,  ante.  The  address  on  the  wrapper 
is :  '■  To  The  Officer  Commands,  the  Third  Battalion  of  Virginia  Troops  in  the  Conti- 
nental Service,  On  the  Road  to  New  York."  Besides  the  visual  endorsement,  "  On  Publick 
Service ",  it  bears  also  the  endorsement :  "  Congress,  Philada,  John  Hancock."  This 
modification  of.  the  order  of  Aug.  28  is  not  found  in  the  Journals.  The  new  order 
was  doubtless  given  in  consequence  of  the  action  on  Long  Island  Aug.  27,  and  particularly 
in  view  of  General  Mercer's  letter  of  Aug.  28  (Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1193). 
See  also  the  letter  of  R.  H.  Harrison,  Aug.  27,  read  in  Congress  Aug.  29,  and  Washing- 
ton's letter  of  Aug.  29,  read  in  Congress  Aug.  30  (ibid.,  I.  1183,  1211). 

[ioo]i  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1564;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  605,  II.  494; 
N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  I.  449  (copy). 


September,  iyj6  65 

cation  was  immediately  agreed  to,  and  their  resolve  to  employ  the  black- 
smiths (who  are  now  engaged  in  building  the  frigates)  for  the  purpose 
of  obstructing  the  navigation  of  Hudson's  River,  is  here  enclosed.  We 
wish  much  to  hear  from  you  what  is  done  in  that  affair,  and  what  more 
is  proposed  to  be  done.^ .... 

loi.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Philip  Mazzei.^ 

Philadelphia.  [August  ?  1776.]^ 
Dear  Sir, 

....  The  Congress  have  not  yet  extended  their  views  much  towards 
foreign  powers.  They  are  nevertheless  obliged  by  your  kind  offers  of 
your  service,  which  perhaps  in  a  year  or  two  more  may  become  very 
useful  to  them.  I  am  myself  much  pleased,  that  you  have  sent  a  transla- 
tion of  our  Declaration  of  Independence  to  the  Grand  Duke ;  ^  because, 
having  high  esteem  for  the  character  of  that  prince,  and  of  the  whole 
imperial  family,  from  the  accounts  given  me  of  them  by  my  friend,  Dr. 
Ingenhousz,*  and  yourself,  I  should  be  happy  to  find,  that  we  stood  well  in 
the  opinion  of  that  court 

102.  Josiah  Bartlett  to  Nathaniel  Folsom.^ 

Philadelphia  Septembr  2nd  1776 
My  Dear  Sir 

....  After  writing  the  above  Genl  Sullivan  came  to  my  Lodgings  in 
this  City  and  by  his  Account  the  affair  of  Long  Island  was  much  as  I 
had  heard.  He  says  he  has  two  verbal  Messages  from  Lord  Howe  which 
he  is  per[mitted]  on  his  parole  to  Come  to  Congress  to  propose,  one  is 
the  Exchange  of  himself  and  Lord  Sterling  for  Genls.  Prescot  and 
McDonald,  the  other  is  to  propose  a  meeting  with  some  of  the  members 
of  Congress  (as  private  Gentlemen  for  he  Cant  acknowledge  any  such 
Body  as  Congress)  to  see  if  they  Can't  agree  on  some  propositions  for 
an  accomodation  without  further  Bloodshed  and  says  he  will  meet  at 
almost  any  place  for  the  purpose,  these  are  but  verbal  messages  and  I 
Can  Easily  forsee  great  Difficulties  that  may  arise  let  the  Congress  accept 
or  refuse  the  proposed  Conference,  what  the  Congress  will  Do  is  at 
present  uncertain  but  hope  they  will  be  Directed  by  the  Supreme  Disposer 

2  The  letter  from  the  New  York  convention,  dated  Aug.  28,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  1548.    Cf.  no.  79,  ante. 

[loiji  Writings  (ed.  Smyth),  VI.  455. 

2  This  letter  was  evidently  written  some  time  after  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence and  before  the  election  of  Franklin  as  one  of  the  commissioners  to  the  court  of 
France  (Sept.  26).  The  plan  of  foreign  treaties  had  however  been  under  consideration 
for  some  time.  See  no.  94,  note  4,  ante.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  service  offered 
by  Mazzei,  it  is  doubtful  whether  it  was  ever  even  considered  by  Congress.  For  a 
sketch  of  Philip  Mazzei,  see  a  note  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  III.  825. 

3  The  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany. 

*Jan  Ingenhousz  (1730-1799),  a  Dutch  phj'^sician  and  scientist,  sotne  years 
attached  to  the  Austrian  court.     He  was  a  frequent  correspondent  of  Frankhn. 

[i02]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Myers  Coll..  Declaration  of  Independence;  Hist.  Mag.,  XIV. 
213;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  118. 


66  Continental  Congress 

of  all  Events,  to  Do  in  this  and  Every  other  affair  before  them  what  will 
be  Most  Conducive  to  the  Safety  and  Hapiness  of  these  American  States.^ 

So  wishes  your  friend 

and  most  obednt  Humble  Servt 

JosiAn  Bartlett 

Genl  Folsom 


103.  JosiAii  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  3,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

By  that  time  this  reaches  you  I  expect  you  will  be  near  ready  to  set  out 
on  your  return  to  this  city.  Make  all  convenient  haste.  The  Congress 
is,  at  this  time,  very  thin.  Colonel  Lee  is  arrived  here,*  but  several  others 
have  taken  leave  of  absence,  among  them  Mr.  Jefferson  and  Mr.  Hay- 
wood.' The  unhappy  affair  of  the  27th,  on  Long  Island,  has  occasioned 
the  evacuation  of  our  works  there  and  on  Governour's  Island.  Our 
people  were  ensnared,  and,   what  vexes  me,  in  a  very  careless  manner. 

Yesterday  General  Sullivan  arrived  at  my  lodgings,  being  on  his  parole. 
He  says  he  has  a  verbal  message  to  Congress,  to  propose  himself  and  Lord 
Sterling  in  exchange  for  Generals  Prescott  and  McDonald.  He  also  says 
that  Lord  Howe  expressed  himself  very  desirous  of  an  accommodation 
with  America,  without  any  more  bloodshed — that  he  was  very  willing  to 
meet,  at  almost  any  place,  a  number  of  the  members  of  Congress,  (as 
private  gentlemen,  for  he  could  not  own  any  such  body  as  Congress,) 
to  try  if  they  could  make  any  proposals  for  an  accommodation;  that  he 
said  he  had  waited  near  two  months  longer  in  England  than  he  should 
have  otherwise  done,  to  procure  proper  powers  for  a  final  accommodation, 
with  which  he  said  he  was  now  vested,  etc.,  and  he  allow'ed  General 
Sullivan  to  come  here  to  propose  the  aforesaid  conference  to  Congress. 
What  will  be  done  in  the  affair  by  Congress  I  know  not,  but  think  there 
are  difficulties  on  both  sides.  If  the  Congress  should  accept  of  the  pro- 
posed conference,  only  on  a  verbal  message,  when  at  the  same  time  Lord 
Howe  declares  he  can  consider  them  only  as  private  gentlemen,  especially 
when  we  are  certain  he  can  have  no  powder  to  grant  any  terms  we  can 
possibly  accept,  this,  I  fear,  will  lessen  the  Congress  in  the  eye  of  the 
publick,  and  perhaps  at  this  time  intimidate  people  when  they  see  us  catch- 
ing hold  of  so  slender  a  thread  to  bring  about  a  settlement.  On  the  other 
hand,  General  Sullivan's  arrival  from  Lord  Howe  with  proposals  of  an 
accommodation,  with  thirty  falsehoods  in  addition,  are  now  spread  over 

2  Cf.  Bartlett  to  Langdon,  Sept.  i,  2,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  105.    See 
the  Journals,  Sept.  2,  3,  4,  5,  6;  also  nos.  103,  105,  107-113,  116-119,  121,  122,  125,  126, 
128,  129,  130,  131,  132,  252,  post.     Cf.  no.  25,  note  2,  ante. 
[103]!  Force,  Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  137. 

2  The  Virginia  credentials  were  presented  Aug.  28,  but  as  Richard  Henry  Lee 
was  appointed  on  a  committee  Aug.  27  he  probably  attended  on  that  day.  See  no.  128, 
note  4,  post. 

3  Thomas  Heyward  of  South  Carolina.     See  no.  106,  post. 


September,  1776  67 

this  city,  and  will  soon  be  over  the  Continent;  and  if  we  should  refuse 
the  conference,  I  fear  the  Tories,  and  moderate  men,  so  called,  will  try 
to  represent  the  Congress  as  obstinate,  and  so  desirous  of  war  and  blood- 
shed that  we  would  not  so  much  as  hear  the  proposals  Lord  Howe  had 
to  make,  which  they  will  represent  (as  they  already  do)  to  be  highly 
advantageous  for  America, — even  that  he  would  consent  that  we  should 
be  independent  provided  we  would  grant  some  advantages  as  to  trade. 
Such  an  idea,  spread  among  the  people,  especially  the  soldiers,  at  this 
time,  might  be  of  the  most  fatal  consequence.  Whatever  is  done  by  Con- 
gress in  the  affair  will,  I  hope,  be  ordered  for  the  benefit  of  America.* 


104.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Maryland  Convention.^ 

Philada.  Sepr.  3d.  1776. 

Gentlemen, 

Our  enemies  being  determined  to  make  a  powerful  Attack  on  New 
York,  and  the  States  adjoining  thereto;  and  having  for  this  Purpose, 
collected  their  whole  Force  from  every  Part  of  the  Continent,  it  is  incum- 
bent on  the  United  States  of  America  to  take  the  most  effectual  Measures 
to  defeat  their  deep  laid  Schemes  agt  their  Country. 

The  Congress  have  just  receiv'd  Information  from  General  Washing- 
ton of  the  very  great  and  Superior  Strength  of  the  Enemy;  and  if  we 
consider  the  recent  Change  in  the  Situation  of  our  Affairs  at  New  York, 
we  shall  soon  be  convinced  that  nothing  will  prove  an  Adequate  Remedy 
in  our  present  Circumstances  but  the  most  vigorous  Exertions  on  our 
Part.  I  am  therefore  by  Order  of  Congress  to  request  you  will  immedi- 
ately send  all  the  Aid  in  your  power  to  our  Army  at  New  York. 

The  State  of  our  Affairs  is  so  extremely  critical,  that  Delay  may  be 
attended  with  fatal  Consequences.  Suffer  me  therefore  to  press  you  in 
the  Name  and  by  the  Authority  of  your  Country,  to  an  immediate  Com- 
pliance, and  with  all  the  Earnestness  so  naturally  suggested  by  the  Im- 
portance of  the  Cause.  Altho'  I  doubt  not  your  own  Ardor  would  be  a 
sufficient  Stimulus  when  called  on  by  the  voice  of  Liberty,  yet  my  anxiety 
is  so  great  I  cannot  refrain  on  the  present  Occasion  from  beseeching  you 
to  exert  yourselves.  Every  Thing  is  at  Stake ;  our  Religion,  Our  Liberty, 
the  Peace  and  Happiness  of  Posterity,  are  the  grand  Objects  in  Dispute; 

4  See  no.  102,  note  2,  ante.  On  the  same  day  that  this  letter  was  written,  but 
subsequently,  it  would  appear,  Congress  received  Sullivan,  heard  his  verbal  message, 
and  required  him  to  put  it  in  writing.  Concerning  the  written  statement  John  Adams 
remarks  in  his  Autobiography  (Works,  III.  73"):  "In  this  written  statement  of  the 
message  it  ought  to  be  observed,  that  General  Sullivan  has  not  inserted,  what  he  had 
reported  verbally,  that  Lord  Howe  had  told  him  'he  would  set  the  act  of  Parliament 
wholly  aside,  and  that  Parliament  had  no  right  to  tax  America,  or  meddle  with  her 
internal  polity'."  ,      ,,  ,  ^ 

[104]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  56  (L.  S.)  ;  Am.  Antiq.  Soc.  (to  Massachusetts)  ; 
Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  27;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  II.  136; 
N.  H.  State  Papers,  VIII.  361. 


C8  Continental  Congress 

which  that  \vc  may  be  able  to  prcsorxc  and  transmit  to  fntme  Generations 
— is  the  constant  and  uninterru])tcd  Wish  of, 

Gentlemen,  Your  Most  Obedt  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

To  The  Honble  The  Convention  of  the  State  of  Maryland.^ 

105.  Caesar  Rodney  to  George  Read.^ 

Philadelphia  September  4th.  1776 
Sir, 

....  I  mentioned  in  my  last  the  arrival  of  General  Sullivan,  and 
then  hinted  the  business  of  his  coming.  The  day  I  wrote  you  last  he 
was  admitted  in  Congress,  and  informed  them  that  he  had  been  on  board 
of  the  Eagle,  and  there  had  private  conversation  with  Lord  Howe;  the 
substance  of  which  was  that  his  Lordship  declared  that  he  had  ample 
powers,  together  with  the  General,  to  settle  matters  between  Great  Britain 
and  Colonies,  in  such  a  manner  as  should  be  for  the  true  interest  and 
benefit  of  both,  and  to  make  such  settlement  permanent;  that  he  wished 
for  nothing  more  than  to  converse  with  General  Washington,  or  some 
one  or  more  members  of  Congress,  on  that  head,  but  that  there  was  a 
difficulty  in  the  way  which  prevents  it,  for  that  his  rank  and  situation  was 
attended  w-ith  that  kind  of  delicacy  that  he  could  not  treat  with  the  Con- 
gress as  such,  and  had  no  doubt  that  the  Congress  from  their  situation 
lay  under  the  same  difficulty — therefore  [he]  proposed  his  having  conver- 
sation, of  an  hour  or  two,  with  some  of  the  members,  as  private  gentle- 
men; that  he  w^ould  meet  them  in  that  character,  also  wherever  they 
pleased ;  that  he  did  not  doubt  by  this  step  matters  might  be  put  in  a  train 
of  accomodation,  if  not,  that  it  would  only  be  so  much  time  lost ;  that  his 
Lordship  further  said  that  he  had  staid  in  England  two  months  after  he 
was  otherwise  ready  to  come  on  purpose  to  obtain  those  ample  powers 
before  mentioned,  by  which  means  the  declaration  of  Independence  had 
taken  place  before  his  arrival. 

There  was  other  conversation,  such  as  that  his  Lordship  thought  this 
a  fine  country,  that  he  had  many  friends  and  acquaintances  here,  and  that 
he  should  be  pleased  much  to  have  an  opportunity  to  ride  through  the 
country  to  see  them  etc.  You,  Sir,  may  be  desirous  to  know  what  Con- 
gress think  of  this  message,  delivered  by  Sullivan  at  the  request  of  Lord 
Howe.  To  satisfy  your  desire  I  think  I  may  venture  to  say  that  a  very 
great  majority  of  the  members  look  on  it  as  an  insult,  and  [I]  believe  a 
Resolution  will  pass  that  no  proposals  for  the  future  be  received  unless 
reduced  to  writing,  and  signed  [by]  some  person  who  has  authority  to 

-  This  letter,  in  compliance  with  instructions,  Sept.  3,  was  written  to  the  states 
northward  of  Virginia.  The  notation  in  the  letter-book  states  that  it  was  sent  to  the 
assemblies  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island,  and  the 
conventions  of  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  and  Maryland.  It  does  not  appear  to  have  been 
sent  to  New  York  or  New  Jersey. 

[losl^N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  183  (copy);  Read, 
Life  of  George  Read,  p.  174. 


September,  i^y6  69 

treat  with  Conji^ress  as  an  assembly  of  the  United  Independent  States  of 
America,  or  to  that  effect." .... 

P.  S.  You  will  communicate  the  matter  relating  to  Sullivan's  message 
to  Mr.  McKean. 

io6.  Thomas  Heyward,  jr.,  to  John  Morgan.^ 

Dear  Sir 

....  The  Contents  of  your  several  Letters  have  been  laid  before  the 
Medical  Committee  and  Congress  have  come  into  several  Resolutions 
which  I  imagine  you  must  have  received  long  before  this  time.  I  wish 
they  may  answer  the  good  Purposes  intended  by  them  and  be  equally 
satisfactory  to  you  and  the  Gentlemen  in  the  different  Departments.^ 

Your  Commands  I  shall  always  be  glad  to  recieve  but  it  will  for  some- 
time be  out  of  my  Power  to  execute  any  of  them  in  Congress  as  I  purpose 
to  set  out  for  So.  Carolina  in  the  Morning.^ .... 


Philada.  4th.  Septr.  1776 

107.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  Septr.  4,  1776 
Dear  Sir, 

....  Mr.  G[erry]  got  in  the  day  before  yesterday,  very  well. 

There  has  been  a  Change  in  our  Affairs  at  New  York.  What  Effects 
it  will  produce  I  cant  pretend  to  foretell.  I  confess,  I  do  not  clearly  foresee. 
Lord  Howe  is  surrounded  with  disaffected  American  Machiavellians, 
Exiles  from  Boston  and  elsewhere,  who  are  instigating  him  to  mingle 
Art  with  Force.  He  has  sent  Sullivan  here,  upon  his  Parol,  with  the  most 
insidious,  'tho  ridiculous  Message  which  you  can  conceive.  It  has  put  Us 
rather  in  a  delicate  Situation,  and  gives  Us  much  Trouble.^    Before  this 

2  See  no.  102.  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  112,  post. 
[106]^  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Signers,  II.  97. 

2  See  a  letter  from  Dr.  Morgan  to  the  President  of  Congress,  dated  Aug.  12, 
in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  919;  also  the  Journals,  June  18,  July  12,  17,  Aug.  20, 
Oct.  9. 

3  Cf.  no.  103,  ante. 

[107]^  Warren-Adams  Letters.  I.  272. 

2  In  his  Autobiography  (IVorks.  III.  80),  Adams  makes  this  comment  on  Sulli- 
van's mission :  "  The  conduct  of  General  Sullivan,  in  consenting  to  come  to  Philadelphia, 
upon  so  confused  an  errand  from  Lord  Howe,  though  his  situation,  as  a  prisoner,  was 
a  temptation,  and  may  be  considered  as  some  apology  for  it,  appeared  to  me  to  betray  such 
want  of  penetration  and  fortitude,  and  there  was  so  little  precision  in  the  information 
he  communicated,  that  I  felt  much  resentment,  and  more  contempt,  upon  the  occasion, 
than  was  perhaps  just.  The  time  was  extremely  critical.  The  attention  of  Congress,  the 
army,  the  States,  and  the  people,  ought  to  have  been  wholly  directed  to  the  defence  of  the 
country.  To  have  it  diverted  and  relaxed,  by  such  a  poor  artifice  and  confused  tale, 
appeared  very  reprehensible.  To  a  few  of  my  most  confidential  friends,  I  expressed  my 
feelings,  in  a  very  few  w^ords,  which  I  found  time  to  write,  and  all  the  letters  of  which 
I  find  copies  in  my  letter  book,  are  here  subjoined,  relative  to  this  transaction,  from  its 
beginning  to  its  end."  See,  for  instance,  his  letter  to  William  Tudor,  Aug.  29.  IVorks,  IX. 
436  (the  paragraph  dated  Sept.  2)  ;  also  no.  117,  post. 

Benjamin  Rush,  in  his  Memorial  (p.  103),  remarks  concerning  Adams's  attitude  toward 
the  Sullivan  mission :  "  I  sat  next  to  him  while  Gen'l  Sullivan  w-as  delivering  a  request 
to  Congress  from  Lord  Howe  for  an  interview  with  a  committee  of  the  house  in  their 


70  Continental  Congress 

day  no  doubt  you  have  appointed  some  other  Persons  to  come  here,  and 
I  shall  embrace  the  fust  Opportunity,  after  our  Affairs  shall  get  into  a 

more  settled  Train  to  return 

Upon  the  Receipt  of  yours  and  Mrs.  Temple's  Letters  I  communicated 
the  Contents  of  them  to  Congress,  who  appointed  a  Committee  to  consider 
them,  who  reported  that  the  Trees  should  be  paid  for  as  Wood.  The 
President  I  suppose  has  communicated  the  Resolution  upon  it,  which 
agrees  with  the  Report.  I  should  be  glad  to  write  Mrs.  Temple  an 
Account  of  this,  but  have  not  Time.  You  will  be  so  good  as  to  let  her 
know  it.    I  answered  her  Letter  before  her  affair  was  determined.' 

io8.  John  Witherspoon,  Speech  on  the  Message  from 

Lord  Howe.^ 

[September  5  (?),  1776.] 
Mr.  President: 

The  subject  we  are  now  upon  is  felt  and  confessed  by  us  all  to  be  of  the 
utmost  consequence,  and  perhaps  I  may  also  say,  of  delicacy  and  difii- 
culty.  I  have  not  been  accustomed  in  such  cases  to  make  solemn  profes- 
sions of  impartiality,  and  shall  not  do  it  now,  because  I  will  not  suppose 
that  there  are  any  suspicions  to  the  contrary  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
hear  me.  Besides,  the  variety  of  opinions  that  have  been  formed  and 
delivered  upon  it,  seem  to  prove  that  we  are  giving  our  own  proper 
judgment  without  prejudice  or  influence,  which  I  hope  will  lead  to  the 
discovery  of  what  is  most  wise  and  expedient  upon  the  whole. 

As  the  deliberation  arises  from  a  message  sent  to  us  by  Lord  Howe,  at 
least  by  his  permission,  I  think  it  is  of  importance  to  attend  with  greater 
exactness  to  all  the  circumstances  of  that  message  than  has  been  done  by 
any  gentleman  who  has  yet  spoken  on  the  subject.  It  comes  from  the 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  forces  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain,  and  one 
who  is  said  to  carry  a  commission  to  give  peace  to  America. 

From  the  conduct  of  the  Ministry  at  home,  from  the  acts  of  Parliament, 
and  from  Lord  Howe's  proclamation  in  conformity  to  both,  it  is  plain  that 
absolute,  unconditional  submission  is  what  they  require  us  to  agree  to,  or 
mean  to  force  us  to.  And  from  the  most  authentick  private  intelligence, 
the  King  has  not  laid  aside  his  personal  rancour;  it  is  rather  increasing 
every  day.  In  these  circumstances  Lord  Howe  has  evidently  a  great 
desire  to  engage  us  in  a  treaty ;  and  yet  he  has  constantly  avoided  giving 
up  the  least  punctilio  on  his  side.  He  could  never  be  induced  to  give 
General  Washington  his  title.  He  plainly  tells  us  he  cannot  treat  with 
Congress  as  such ;  but  he  has  allowed  a  prisoner  of  war  to  come  and  tell 
us  he  would  be  glad  to  see  us  as  private  gentlemen. 

private  capacities,  after  the  defeat  of  the  American  Army  on  Long  Island  on  the  26 
of  August  1776.  Mr.  Adams  under  a  sudden  impression  and  dread  of  the  consequences 
of  the  measure,  whispered  to  me  a  wish  '  that  the  first  ball  that  had  been  fired  on  the  day 
of  the  defeat  of  our  Army  had  gone  through  his  head '.  When  he  rose  to  speak  against 
the  proposed  interview,  he  called  Gen'l  Sullivan  a  '  decoy  duck  whom  Lord  Howe  has 
sent  among  us  to  seduce  us  into  a  renunciation  of  our  independence'," 
3  See  no.  89,  ante. 
[108]^  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  178.  The  speech  is  also  printed  in  an  appendix 
to  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford),  VL  1109-1113. 


September,  iy/6  71 

It  has  been  said  that  this  is  no  insult  or  disgrace  to  the  Congress ;  that 
the  point  of  honour  is  hard  to  be  got  over  in  making  the  first  advances. 
This,  sir,  is  mistaking  the  matter  wholly.  He  has  got  over  this  point  of 
honour;  he  has  made  the  first  overtures ;  he  has  told  General  Washington, 
by  Colonel  Putnam,  that  he  wished  that  message  to  be  considered  as 
making  the  first  step.  His  renewed  attempts  by  Lord  Drummond,  and 
now  by  General  SulHvan,  point  out  to  all  the  world  that  he  has  made  the 
first  step.  It  w'\\\,  doubtless,  be  related  at  home;  and  I  am  of  opinion  it 
is  already  written  and  boasted  of  to  the  ^Ministry  at  home  that  he  has 
taken  such  a  part.  Therefore  any  evil  or  condescension  that  can  attend 
seeking  peace  first,  has  been  submitted  to  by  him.  Yet  has  he  uniformly 
avoided  any  circumstance  that  can  imply  that  we  are  anything  else  but 
subjects  of  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in  rebellion.  Such  a  message  as 
this,  if  in  any  degree  intended  as  respectful  to  us,  ought  to  have  been 
secret;  yet  has  it  been  open  as  the  day.  In  short,  such  a  message  was 
unnecessary;  for  if  he  meant  only  to  communicate  his  mind  to  the  Con- 
gress by  private  gentlemen,  he  might  have  done  that  many  w^ays,  and  it 
needed  not  to  have  been  known  either  to  the  publick  or  the  Congress  till 
these  private  gentlemen  came  here  on  purpose  to  reveal  it.  These,  then, 
are  the  circumstances  which  attend  this  message  as  it  is  now  before  us: 
and  the  question  is,  shall  we  comply  with  it  in  any  degree  or  not?  Let 
us  ask  w^hat  benefit  shall  be  derived  from  it?  There  is  none  yet  shown 
to  be  possible.  It  has  been  admitted  by  every  person  without  exception 
who  has  spoke,  that  we  are  not  to  admit  a  thought  of  giving  up  the  inde- 
pendence we  have  so  lately  declared ;  and  by  the  greatest  part,  if  not  the 
whole,  that  there  is  not  the  least  reason  to  expect  that  any  correspondence 
we  can  have  with  him  will  tend  to  peace.  Yet  I  think  in  the  beginning  of 
the  debate  such  reasonings  were  used  as  seemed  to  me  only  to  conclude 
that  we  should  grasp  at  it  as  a  means  of  peace.  We  w^ere  told  that  it  was 
easy  for  us  to  boast  or  be  valiant  here,  but  that  our  armies  w^ere  running 
aw'ay  before  their  enemies.  I  never  loved  boasting,  neither  here  nor  any- 
where else.  I  look  upon  it  as  almost  a  certain  forerunner  of  disgrace.  I 
found  my  hope  of  success  in  this  cause,  not  in  the  valour  of  Americans  or 
the  cowardice  of  Britons,  but  upon  the  justice  of  the  cause,  and  still  more 
upon  the  nature  of  things.  Britain  has  first  injured  and  inflamed  America 
to  the  highest  degree,  and  now^  attempts,  at  the  distance  of  three  thousand 
miles,  to  carrv  on  war  with  this  w^hole  countrv,  and  force  it  to  absolute 
submission.  If  we  take  the  whole  events  of  the  war  since  it  commenced, 
we  shall  rather  wonder  at  the  uniformity  of  our  success  than  be  surprised 
at  some  cross  events.  We  have  seen  hvayery  as  well  as  cowardice  in  this 
country,  and  there  are  no  consequences  of  either  that  are  probable,  that 
can  be  worth  mentioning  as  ascertaining  the  event  of  the  contest. 

Lord  Howe  speaks  of  a  decisive  blow  not  being  yet  struck,  as  if  this 
cause  depended  upon  one  battle,  which  could  not  be  avoided.  Sir,  this  is 
a  prodigious  mistake.  We  may  fight  no  battle  at  all  for  a  long  time,  or 
we  may  lose  some  battles,  as  \vas  the  case  with  the  British  themselves  in 
the  Scotch  rebellion  of  1745.  and  the  cause  notwithstanding  be  the  same. 
I  wish  it  were  considered,  that  neither  loss  nor  disgrace  worth  mentioning 
10 


72  Continental  Congress 

lias  befallen  us  in  the  late  cnjjac^etnent,  nor  conii)arable  to  what  the  British 
troops  have  often  snfTered.  At  the  battle  of  Preston,  sir,  they  broke  to 
pieces  and  ran  away  like  sheep,  before  a  few  Ilip^hlanders.  I  myself  saw 
them  do  the  same  thing-  at  Falkirk,  with  very  little  difference — a  small 
part  only  of  the  army  making  a  stand,  and  in  a  few  hours  the  whole 
retreatiiiiif  with  precipitation  before  their  enemies.  Did  that  make  any 
difference  in  the  cause?  Not  in  the  least — so  lonq-  as  the  body  of  the 
nation  were  determined,  on  principle,  at^ainst  the  rebels.  Nor  would  it 
have  made  any  other  difference,  but  in  time,  thouj^h  they  had  got  posses- 
sion of  London,  which  they  might  have  easily  done  if  they  had  understood 
their  business ;  for  the  Militia  in  England  there  gathered  together,  behaved 
fiftv  times  worse  than  that  of  America  has  done  lately.  They  generally 
disbanded  and  run  off  as  soon  as  the  rebels  came  within  ten  or  twenty 
miles  of  them.  In  short,  sir,  from  anything  that  has  happened,  I  see  not 
the  least  reason  for  our  attending  to  this  delusive  message.  On  the  con- 
trary, I  think  it  is  the  very  worst  time  that  could  be  chosen  for  us,  as  it 
will  be  looked  upon  as  the  effect  of  fear,  and  diffuse  the  same  spirit  in 
some  degree  through  different  ranks  of  men. 

The  improbability  of  anything  arising  from  this  conference,  leading  to 
a  just  and  honourable  peace,  might  be  shown  by  arguments  too  numerous 
to  be  even  so  much  as  named.  But  what  I  shall  mention  only  is,  that  we 
are  absolutely  certain,  from  every  circumstance,  from  all  the  proceedings 
at  home,  and  Lord  Howe's  own  explicit  declaration  in  his  letter  to  Dr. 
Franklin,  that  he  never  will  acknowledge  the  independence  of  the  Ameri- 
can States. 

I  observed  that  one  or  two  members  said,  in  objection  to  the  report  of 
the  Board  of  War,  that  it  was  like  a  begging  of  a  question,  and  making 
a  preliminary  of  the  whole  subject  in  debate.  Alas,  sir,  this  is  a  prodigious 
mistake.  It  was  not  only  not  the  whole,  but  it  was  properly  no  subject  of 
debate  at  all,  till  within  these  three  months.  We  were  contending  for  the 
restoration  of  certain  privileges  under  the  Government  of  Great  Britain, 
and  we  were  praying  for  re-union  with  her.  But  in  the  beginning  of  July, 
with  the  universal  approbation  of  all  the  States  now  united,  we  renounced 
this  connection,  and  declared  ourselves  free  and  independent.  Shall  we 
bring  this  into  question  again  ?  Is  it  not  a  preliminary  ?  has  it  not  been 
declared  a  preliminary  by  many  gentlemen,  who  liave  yet  given  their 
opinion  for  a  conference,  while  they  have  said  they  w^ere  determined  on 
no  account  and  on  no  condition  to  give  up  our  independence?  It  is  then 
a  necessary  preliminary,  and  it  is  quite  a  different  thing  from  any  punc- 
tilios of  ceremony.  If  France  and  England  were  at  war,  and  they  were 
both  desirous  of  peace,  there  might  be  some  little  difficulty  as  to  who 
should  make  the  first  proposals;  but  if  one  of  them  should  claim  the  other 
as  they  did  long  ago  as  a  vassal  or  dependent  subject,  and  should  signify 
a  desire  to  converse  with  the  other,  or  some  deputed  by  him,  and  propose 
him  many  privileges,  so  as  to  make  him  even  better  than  before,  I  desire 
to  know  how  such  a  proposal  would  be  received?  If  we  had  been  for 
ages  an  independent  Republic,  we  should  feel  this  argument  with  all  its 
force.     That  we  do  not  feel  it,  shows  that  we  have  not  yet  acquired  the 


September,  lyyd  73 

whole  ideas  and  habits  of  independence :  from  which  I  only  infer,  that 
every  step  taken  in  a  correspondence  as  now  proposed,  will  be  a  virtual 
or  partial  renunciation  of  that  dig^nity  so  lately  acquired. 

I  beg  you  would  observe,  sir,  that  Lord  Howe  himself  was  fully  sensible 
that  the  Declaration  of  Independence  precluded  any  treaty,  in  the  charac- 
ter in  which  he  appeared ;  as  he  is  said  to  have  lamented  that  he  had  not 
arrived  ten  days  sooner,  before  that  declaration  was  made.  Hence  it 
appears,  that  entering  into  any  correspondence  with  him  in  the  manner 
now  proposed,  is  actually  giving  up,  or  at  least  subjecting  to  a  new  con- 
sideration, the  independence  which  we  have  declared.  If  I  may  be  allowed 
to  say  it  without  offence,  it  seems  to  me  that  some  members  have  un- 
awares admitted  this,  though  they  are  not  sensible  of  it;  for  when  they 
say  that  it  is  refusing  to  treat,  unless  the  whole  be  granted  us,  they  must 
mean  that  some  part  of  that  whole  must  be  left  to  be  discussed  and 
obtained,  or  yielded,  by  the  treaty. 

But,  sir,  many  members  of  this  House  have  either  yielded,  or  at  least 
supposed,  that  no  desirable  peace,  or  no  real  good,  could  be  finally  ex- 
pected from  this  correspondence,  which  is  wished  to  be  set  on  foot;  but 
they  have  considered  it  as  necessary  in  the  eye  of  the  publick,  to  satisfy 
them  that  we  are  always  ready  to  hear  anything  that  will  restore  peace  to 
the  country.  In  this  view  it  is  considered  as  a  sort  of  trial  of  skill  between 
Lord  Howe  and  us,  in  the  political  art.  As  I  do  truly  believe,  that  many 
members  of  this  House  are  determined  by  this  circumstance,  I  shall  con- 
sider it  with  some  attention.  With  this  view  it  will  be  necessary  to  dis- 
tinguish the  publick  in  America  into  three  great  classes:  i.  The  Tories, 
our  secret  enemies.  2.  The  Whigs,  the  friends  of  independence,  our 
sincere  and  hearty  supporters.    3.  The  Army,  who  must  fight  for  us. 

As  to  the  first  of  them,  I  readily  admit  that  they  are  earnest  for  our 
treating.  They  are  exulting  in  the  prospect  of  it;  they  are  spreading 
innumerable  lies  to  forward  it.  They  are  treating  the  Whigs  already  with 
insult  and  insolence  upon  it.  It  has  brought  them  from  their  lurking 
holes;  they  have  taken  liberty  to  say  things  in  consequence  of  it,  which 
they  durst  not  have  said  before.  In  one  word,  if  we  set  this  negotiation 
on  foot,  it  will  give  new  force  and  vigour  to  all  their  seditious  machina- 
tions. But,  sir,  shall  their  devices  have  any  influence  upon  us  at  all?  If 
they  have  at  all,  it  should  be  to  make  us  suspect  that  side  of  the  question 
which  they  embrace.  In  cases  where  the  expediency  of  a  measure  is 
doubtful,  if  I  had  an  opportunity  of  knowing  what  my  enemies  wished  me 
to  do,  I  would  not  be  easily  induced  to  follow  their  advice. 

As  to  the  Whigs  and  friends  of  independence,  I  am  well  persuaded  that 
multitudes  of  them  are  already  clear  in  their  minds,  that  the  conference 
should  be  utterly  rejected ;  and  to  those  who  are  in  doubt  about  its  nature, 
nothing  more  will  be  requisite  than  a  clear  and  full  information  of  the 
state  of  the  case,  which  I  hope  will  be  granted  them. 

As  to  the  Army,  I  cannot  help  being  of  opinion,  that  nothing  will  more 
effectually  deaden  the  operations  of  war,  than  what  is  proposed.  We  do 
not  ourselves  expect  any  benefit  from  it,  but  they  will.  And  they  will 
possibly  impute  our  conduct  to  fear  and  jealously  as  to  the  issue  of  the 


74  Continental  Congress 

cause;  wliith  will  add  to  tlioir  present  little  discourag^enient,  and  produce 
a  timorous  and  dcspcMidcnt  spirit.' 

109.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.* 

[Philadelphia],  Friday,  6  September,  1776. 

This  day.  I  think,  has  been  the  most  remarkable  of  all.  Sullivan  came 
here  from  Lord  Howe,  five  days  ago,  with  a  message,  that  his  lordship 
desired  a  half  an  hour's  conversation  with  some  of  the  members  of  Con- 
gress in  their  private  capacities.  We  have  spent  three  or  four  days  in 
debating,  whether  we  should  take  any  notice  of  it.  I  have,  to  the  utmost 
of  my  abilities,  during  the  whole  time,  opposed  our  taking  any  notice  of 
it.  But,  at  last,  it  was  determined  by  a  majority,  "  that  the  Congress  being 
the  representatives  of  the  free  and  independent  States  of  America,  it  was 
improper  to  appoint  any  of  their  members  to  confer  in  their  private  charac- 
ters with  his  lordship.    But  they  would  appoint  a  committee  of  their  body, 

'  Benjamin  Rush  gives  the  following  account  of  this  debate : 
"  I  took  part  in  several  debates.  The  first  or  second  time  I  spoke  was  against  a  motion 
for  a  Committee  of  Congress,  to  meet  Lord  Howe  in  their  private  capacity,  to  confer 
iM>on  a  peace  with  Great  Britain.  On  the  same  side  of  the  question  John  Adams,  Dr. 
W'itherspoon  and  George  Ross  spoke  with  uncommon  eloquence.  The  last  of  those 
gentlemen  began  his  speech  by  asking — what  the  conduct  of  George  the  3rd  would  be  had 
Congress  proposed  to  negotiate  with  him  as  Elector  of  Hanover  instead  of  King  of  Great 
Britain — he  would  spurn,  and  very  properly  spurn  the  insulting  proposal.  '  Let  the 
American  States ',  said  he,  '  act  in  the  same  manner.  We  are  bound  to  cherish  the 
honor  of  our  countrj'  which  is  now  committed  to  our  care.  Nothing  could  dishonor  the 
sovereign  of  Britain,  that  would  not  in  equal  circumstances  dishonor  us.'  In  the  con- 
clusion of  my  speech,  I  said.  '  that  our  country  was  far  from  being  in  a  condition  to  make 
it  necessary  for  us  to  humble  ourselves  at  the  feet  of  Great  Britain.  We  had  lost  a 
battle,  and  a  small  island  but  the  city  and  State  of  New  York  were  still  in  possession  of 
their  independence.  But  suppose  that  State  had  been  conquered,  suppose  half  the  States 
in  the  Union  had  been  conquered — nay,  suppose  all  the  States  in  the  Union  except  one  had 
been  conquered,  still  let  not  that  one  renounce  her  independence ;  but  I  will  go  further — ■ 
should  this  solitary  State,  the  last  repository'  of  our  freedom  be  invaded,  let  her  not 
survive  her  precious  birthright,  but  in  yielding  to  superior  force,  let  her  last  breath  be 
spent  in  uttering  the  word  Independetice.'  The  speakers  in  favor  of  the  motion  were 
Ed.  Rutledge,  Thos.  Lynch,  John  [Thomas]  Stone,  and  several  others.  One  of  them 
in  answer  to  the  concluding  sentence  of  my  speech,  said,  '  he  would  much  rather  live 
with  dependence,  than  die  with  independence  upon  his  lips.'  The  motion  was  carried 
with  some  modification.  The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  Lord  Howe  were  Dr. 
Franklin,  John  Adams  and  Edward  Rutledge.  John  Adams  objected  for  a  while  to 
going  upon  this  embassy,  but  was  prevailed  upon  by  the  minority  to  consent  to  it.  They 
met  on  Staten  Island,  but  the  conference  ended  in  a  discovery  that  Lord  Howe  had  no 
power  to  grant  us  peace,  upon  any  other  condition  than  a  rescinding  the  declaration  of 
independence. 

"  The  issue  of  this  negotiation  demonstrated  that  the  time  in  which  the  States  declared 
themselves  to  be  independent  was  the  proper  one.  It  prevented  their  dissolution  after 
the  defeat  and  the  retreat  of  the  American  armies  in  the  subsequent  summer  and  autumn. 
It  moreover  produced  a  secession  of  Tories,  and  timid  Whigs  from  the  Councils  of  the 
United  States,  and  left  the  government  of  the  country  in  the  hands  of  men  of  fixed 
and  determined  principles  and  tempers.  Maryland  had  yielded  a  little  to  the  gloomy 
complexion  of  public  aflFairs.  She  had  instructed  her  delegates  in  Congress  to  vote 
for  an  accommodation  with  Great  Britain  any  measure  (meaning  independence)  to  the 
contrary,  and  one  of  the  delegates  said  to  me  in  the  street  soon  afterwards,  that  General 
Howe's  proclamation  contained  everything  we  could  wish  and  that  we  ought  now  to 
submit  to  Great  Britain."  Memorial,  p.  90.  See  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 
[log]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  223;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  192. 


September,  ijy6  76 

to  wait  on  him,  to  know  whether  he  had  power  to  treat  with  Congress 
upon  terms  of  peace,  and  to  hear  any  propositions  that  his  lordship  may 
think  proper  to  make." 

When  the  committee  came  to  be  balloted  for,  Dr.  Franklin  and  your 
humble  servant  were  unanimously  chosen.  Colonel  R.  H.  Lee  and  Mr. 
Rutledge  had  an  equal  number;  but,  upon  a  second  vote,  Mr.  Rutledge 
was  chosen.  I  requested  to  be  excused,  but  was  desired  to  consider  of  it 
until  to-morrow.  My  friends  here  advise  me  to  go.  All  the  stanch  and 
intrepid  are  very  earnest  with  me  to  go,  and  the  timid  and  wavering,  if 
any  such  there  are,  agree  in  the  request.  So  I  believe  I  shall  undertake 
the  journey.  I  doubt  whether  his  lordship  will  see  us,  but  the  same  com- 
mittee will  be  directed  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  army  at  New  York, 
so  that  there  will  be  business  enough,  if  his  lordship  makes  none.  It  would 
fill  this  letter-book  to  give  you  all  the  arguments,  for  and  against  this 
measure,  if  I  had  liberty  to  attempt  it.  His  lordship  seems  to  have  been 
playing  off  a  number  of  Machiavelian  manoeuvres,  in  order  to  throw  upon 
us  the  odium  of  continuing  this  war.  Those  who  have  been  advocates 
for  the  appointment  of  this  committee  are  for  opposing  manoeuvre  to 
manoeuvre,  and  are  confident  that  the  consequence  will  be,  that  the  odium 
will  fall  upon  him.  However  this  may  be,  my  lesson  is  plain,  to  ask  a 
few  questions  and  take  his  answers.'^ 

I  can  think  of  but  one  reason  for  their  putting  me  upon  this  embassy, 
and  that  is  this.  An  idea  has  crept  into  many  minds  here,  that  his  lord- 
ship is  such  another  as  Mr.  Hutchinson,  and  they  may  possibly  think  that 
a  man  who  has  been  accustomed  to  penetrate  into  the  mazy  windings  of 
Hutchinson's  heart,  and  the  serpentine  wiles  of  his  head,  may  be  tolerably 
qualified  to  converse  with  his  lordship. 

no.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  John  Wendell.^ 

[September  6,  1776.] 

Our  affairs  in  Canada  wear  a  favorable  Appearance,  or  rather  at  Ticon- 
deroga  and  Crown  Point;  where  by  the  last  returns  the  Army  were  ab't 
thirteen  thousand  strong  of  w^'ch  about  3000  were  unfit  for  Duty,  in 
addition  to  these  six  other  Regiments  were  on  their  March  from  Con- 
necticut and  Massachusetts,  and  about  four  Regiments  at  other  different 
posts,  at  New  York  things  for  the  present  are  a  little  shattered  by  Means 
of  the  Retreat,  but  the  Skirmish  on  long  Island  has  served  to  convince 
our  Army  that  they  are  now  able  with  the  Regiments  that  are  disciplined, 
to  meet  the  Enemy  on  equal  Terms.  General  Lee  is  ordered  to  reinforce 
them  with  several  Regiments  from  the  Southward  and  one  from  Rhode 
Island  ^  and  with  firm  Conduct  our  Generals  may  yet  baffle  the  Enemy. 
There  is  reason  to  imagine  that  the  Enemy  have  suffered  more  than  our 

2  Cf.  no.  107,  ante,  and  no.  117,  post.  See  also  no.  102,  note  2,  ante.  The  committee 
made  a  verbal  report  Sept.  13,  and  a  written  report  Sept.  17.  See  the  Journals;  also 
nos.  129,  132,  post. 

[iio]i  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  731,  item  198  (extract). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  3.    Cf.  nos.  114,  127,  post. 


76  Continental  Congress 

Army  incliuliti^  the  captives,  and  Lord  Howe  has  sent  to  Conj^ress  by 
General  SuMivan  a  Desire  of  conferrinj^f  w'th  some  Members  of  its  Body 
in  a  private  Capacity,  not  tlonhtinj^  that  he  can  afford  snch  Terms  of 
peace  as  will  be  acceptable  and  projxjsing-  to  treat  w'th  the  Cong-ress  when 
the  same  are  acceded  to,  but  the  whole  is  considered  as  an  artifice  to  divide, 
by  leadint:^  the  people  to  suppose  that  his  Lordship  has  used  every  Method 
for  obtaining  Peace  while  on  our  Part  they  have  been  rejected,  to  turn 
the  Stratagem  upon  him  Congress  have  resolved  that  being  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  independent  States  of  America,  they  cannot  send  a  Com- 
mittee but  in  their  public  Capacity,  and  that  being  ever  ready  to  listen  to 
Terms  of  peace  they  will  send  a  Committee  to  know  his  Lordship's 
Powers  and  proposals  and  to  enquire  what  the  Terms  are  which  he  has  to 
oflFer  to  the  Continent.  The  Committee  are  appointed,  altho'  against  the 
^Tind  of  every  Member  from  the  State  which  I  represent,  as  well  as 
Rhode  Island  and  Georgia  who  are  appreliensive  that  the  Appointment 
previous  to  his  Lordship's  assurance  that  he  will  receive  them  will  wear 
the  Appearance  of  an  over  great  Desire  for  Peace  which  is  neither  con- 
sistent with  Dignity  or  true  Policy  and  be  construed  as  an  Act  of  Timidity 
very  discouraging  to  the  States  and  animating  to  the  Enemy,  but  the 
Gentlemen  on  the  other  Side  are  very  desirous  of  drawling  out  his  Lord- 
ship's proposals  that  if  good  they  may  be  accepted  and  if  bad  exposed, 
which  is  a  good  Design  if  accomplished  in  a  way  that  will  not  disagreeably 
effect  the  Continent.  It  is  expected  that  the  Committee  will  not  be  re- 
ceived, and  if  they  are,  any  proposals  w'ch  his  Lordship  may  offer  that 
do  not  allow  the  States  to  be  independent,  will  be  without  Hesitation 
rejected,' 

III.  Samuel  Huntington  to  Matthew  Griswold,  Eliphalet  Dyer, 

AND  William  Pitkin.^ 

Philadelphia  7th  Septemr  1776 
Gentlemen 

....  Lord  How^e  hath  manifested  Repeatedly  a  desire  to  confer  with 
some  members  of  Congress  w'hich  has  not  been  regarded,  until  he  sent 
General  Sullivan  with  a  Message  to  Congress  Intimating  his  dilicate  Situ- 
ation, and  desiring  that  he  might  confer  with  them  tho'  at  the  same  time 
saying  he  could  not  do  it  in  that  Capacity  but  that  he  had  large  powers  to 
enable  him  to  settle  the  Controversy  etc.  The  Congress  rather  suppose 
this  a  finness  to  Create  a  belief  in  the  people  that  he  is  desirous  for  peace 
and  we  desire  to  protract  the  w^ar.  however  after  mature  consideration, 
Congress  resolved  as  the  Representatives  of  the  United  Independant 
States  of  America,  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  meet  his  Lordship  if  he 
pleases  to  know^  what  Authority  he  has  to  Settle  peace  and  hear  his  pro- 
posals that  on  the  one  hand  if  he  has  any  Authority  and  proposals  that 
are  Serious  they  may  know;  and  on  the  other  if  it  be  a  finness  the  world 
make  know-  it    this  matter  is  not  fully  made  public  as  yet  but  have  tho't 

*  See  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 
[iii]i  Furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Wolcott  G.  Lane,  of  New  York. 


September,  iyj6  77 

proper  to  Coniniiinicate  it  to  you  thus  early,    the  same  is  Communicated 
to  Govr  Trumbull. 

The  Committee  appointed  are  Doer  Franklin  Mr  John  Adams  and 
Edd  Rutlidge.^ 
Honbl  M.  Griswold,  E.  Dyer  and  Wm  Pitkins  Esqrs  ' 

112.  Caesar  Rodney  to  George  Read.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  7th.  1776. 
Sir, 

....  In  my  last  letter  ^  to  you  I  gave  you  the  substance  of  Sullivan's 
message  and  what  I  then  thought  would  be  the  determination  of  Congress 
thereon,  however,  the  matter  after  three  days  debate,  has  in  some  measure 
received  a  different  determination.  The  Congress  have  refused  sending 
any  of  their  members  to  confer,  as  private  gentlemen,  but  with  a  view  to 
satisfy  some  disturbed  minds  out  of  doors,  rather  than  expectation  of  its 
bringing  about  peace,  they  have  appointed  a  Committee  of  Congress  to 
repair  to  New  York,  with  powers  to  confer  with  Lord  Howe,  to  know 
the  extent  of  his  powers,  and  the  terms  he  shall  propose.  General  Sullivan 
was  furnished  with  a  copy  of  this  Resolution,  certified,  and  returned  to 
Lord  Howe  yesterday.^  You  will  see  by  this  that  if  Lord  Howe  receives 
the  Committee  thus  sent  he  acknowledges  the  Congress,  and  of  course 
the  independence  of  the  States,  which  I  am  convinced  he  will  not  do.  Yet 
it  may  tend  to  convince  the  people  at  large  that  we  are  desirous  of  peace, 
whenever  it  can  be  had  upon  those  principles 

113.  William  William.s  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadel.  7  Sepr  1776 
my  dear  Sir 

....  to  the  Grief  of  Congress  the  Genl.  has  wrote  several  (they 
think)  too  gloomy  Letters,     some  speak  with  great  Resolution.^ 

after  a  most  serious  and  long  Debate  Congress  have  orderd  three 
Members,  in  their  proper  Character  only,  to  wait  on  Ld  Howe,  in  Con- 
sequence of  his  IMessage  by  Gen.  Sullivan  to  know  if  He  has  power  to 
treat  of  Peace,  what  his  Power  is,  and  to  hear  his  Propositions,  if  he 
please  to  receive  Them  as  such,  if  not  the  World  will  be  satisfied  there  is 
no  sincerity  in  his  Professions.  We  are  already,  the  Measure  is  an 
Object  of  great  Speculation  and  A[n]xiety  I  hope  no  111  can  arise  from 
it.     Congress  are  greatly  on  their  Guard  You  may  rely,     the  whole  will 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2-6,  and  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 

'  Matthew  Griswold  was  deputy  governor  of  Connecticut,  and  Eliphalet  Dyer 
and  William  Pitkin  were  assistants.  Samuel  Huntington  was  also  assistant.  See  Conn. 
Colony  Recs.,  XV.  272. 

[ii2]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  207  (copy);  Read, 
Life  of  George  Read,  p.  189. 

2  Sept.  4,  no.  105,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2-6,  and  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 
[iiSl^Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  566. 

2  Washington's  letters  after  the  affair  on  Long  Island  were  naturally  not  cheerful 
(see  particularly  his  letter  of  Sept.  2,  read  in  Congress  Sept.  3)  ;  but  other  evidence  is 
lacking  that  Congress  as  a  whole  was  disposed  to  criticize  the  tone  of  the  letters. 


78  Continental  Congress 

be  published  on  Monday,  and  every  one  will  be  better  able  to  Judge  of  the 
Expediency  of  the  Measure. 

Howe  wanted  Them  only  as  private  Gent,  but  Congress  wo*^  only  send 
as  a  Deputation  of  their  Body,  and  He  will  act  his  Pleasure  about  receiv- 
ing Them." 

I  am  dear  Sir  yom-  affectionate  Friend  and  Brother 

\V  Williams 

[P.  S.]  have  You  heard  any  thing  fr  Bro^  Jon''  *  etc.  I  hoped  for  a 
Letter  eer  now.  there  has  been  great  Compla :  to  Congress  of  Letters 
in  that  Departm*  being  played  fury  with  they  have  given  orders  for 
better  Regulations  etc." 

I  mentioned  the  affair  of  Salt  to  the  Presidt.  he  says  he  has  laid  all 
yr  and  other  letters  before  Congress,  and  can  give  no  Orders  which  They 
dont  give,  but  thinks  as  you  must  find  Provisions  you  most  certainly 
mav  and  ought  to  find  the  means  to  preserve  it,  etc.®  the  Com'*  are 
Franklin,  J.  Adams,  and  Rutledge." 

Col  Jos  Trumbull 

1 14.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island  (Nicholas 

Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  7,  1776. 
Sir: 

....  Mr.  Hopkins  tells  me,  that  he  doth  not  propose  to  return  to  Con- 
gress until  spring  if  ever,  it  is  therefore  necessary  that  an  Additional 
Delegate  Should  be  immediately  appointed;  for  otherwise  the  State  of 
Rhode-Island,  etc.  may  be  unrepresented,  which  might  be  attended  with 
pernicious  Consequences  to  Us.  I  may  fall  sick  and  not  be  able  to  attend 
Congress  when  some  ^vlatter  may  be  brought  upon  the  Carpet  which  will 
immediately  relate  to  our  State ;  not  to  mention  that  if  two  delegates  were 
here  they  might  have  an  Opportunity  to  relax  now  and  then  from  that 
constant  Attention  which  if  One  Delegate  only  should  be  continued  here, 
he  would  be  obliged  to  give,  unless  he  should  leave  the  State  unrepresented 
in  Congress,  which  I  am  determined  not  to  do  let  what  will  be  the  Conse- 
quence: and  a  constant  Attendance  on  Congress  for  nine  Months  without 
any  Relaxation  is  too  much  even  for  a  robust  Constitution.  Beside  it  is 
necessary  that  Motions  should  be  made  and  supported,  in  which  Case  the 
Advantage  of  having  Two  on  the  Same  Side  is  manifest.  In  Causes  of 
no  great  Importance  it  is  common  to  engage  Tw'O  Lawyers,  and  the  vulgar 
Observation  that  Two  Heads  are  better  than  One  is  just.  Can  then  the 
State  of  Rhode-Island  hesitate  about  immediately  appointing  an  Addi- 

3  Cf.  nos.  102,  103,  105,  107.  108,  log,  no,  in,  112,  ante.    See  also  no.  125,  post. 
*  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  deputy  paymaster-general  of  the  Northern  department. 
William  Williams  married  his  sister. 

5  The  reference  is  presumably  to  the  regulations  of  the  post-office  adopted  Aug.  30. 

6  See  Trumbull's  letter  to  Congress,  Sept.   19,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II. 
272;  also  nos.  145,  162,  166,  172,  post. 

'  The  committee  to  confer  with  Lord  Howe. 
[114]^  R.  I.  Arch..  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1776,  p.  50;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong., 
p.  83 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  II.  210. 


September,  ly/S  79 

tional  Delegate  ?  I  am  sure  it  cannot.  I  should  be  exceedingly  glad  that 
Gov  Hopkins  might  return ;  for  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  Mode  of 
conducting  Business,  and  is  well  esteemed  in  Congress,  and  I  have  Reason 
to  think  from  what  hath  passed,  that  we  should  act  in  Concert  and 
Harmony;  but  if  he  should  conclude  not  to  return  it  would  be  best  that 
Two  Should  be  immediately  appointed ;  for  Matters  of  great  Consequence 
will  be  on  the  Carpet,  in  the  Multitude  of  Council  is  Safety ;  and  in  that 
Case  the  Delegates  might  alternately  visit  Home,  brace  up  their  relaxed 
Minds  and  Bodies  by  a  journey  and  enjoying  their  native  Air,  and  thereby 
be  better  able  to  discharge  the  Duties  of  their  Office. 

There  is  nothing  against  our  States  appointing  Three  Delegates  but  the 
Expenses,  and  if  the  Amount  of  the  Allowance  to  the  two  Delegates,  and 
their  Expenses  for  one  year  be  summed  up  and  compared  with  what  would 
be  the  Amount  of  the  Expense  to  the  State  of  those  delegates,  at  five 
dollars  per  Day,  I  believe  the  Difference  will  be  found  to  be  but  trifling ; 
but  if  it  should  be  something  considerable  I  am  sure  the  Benefits  resulting 
to  the  State  therefrom  would  compensate  for  any  such  additional  expense. 
If  a  confederacy  should  hereafter  take  Place,  a  Council  of  State  *  would 
doubtless  be  appointed,  in  which  Case  our  State  would  have  only  One 
Delegate  to  support  constantly,  the  other  Two,  if  three  should  be  ap- 
pointed, would  be  present  only  a  small  Part  of  a  year,  when  the  Congress 

should  sit Congress  have  ordered  One  of  our  battaP  to  N.  York, 

and  its  Place  to  be  supplied  w'ith  a  Battalion  of  Militia  from  Massa- 
chusetts. It  was  moved  at  first  that  both  the  Battalions  should  be  ordered 
thither.  I  opposed  the  Motion  to  the  best  of  my  Abilities,  and  think  We 
have  come  off  pretty  well.^  I  expect  that  if  our  Affairs  at  New  York 
should  take  an  ill  Turn,  that  the  other  Battalion  w'ill  be  ordered  from  our 
State;  for  it  is  the  Sentiment  of  Congress  that  the  Continental  battaP 
should  be  drawn  together  for  that  greater  Reliance  is  to  be  placed  in  them 
than  a  Militia  unaccustomed  to  Discipline  and  the  Hardships  of  a  Camp : 
And  indeed  the  liberties  of  this  Country  in  my  Opinion  cannot  be  estab- 
lished but  by  a  large  standing  Army.  Heartily  wishing  Success  to  our 
Cause,  and  to  you.  Sir,  and  your  Family,  Health  and  Prosperity,  I  con- 
tinue to  be,  with  great  Respect 

115.  Samuel  Chase  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Annapolis,  Septr.  8th.  1776 
Dear  Sir. 

....  The  same  good  opinion  of  Colonel  Saint  Clair  which  induced 
me  to  recommend  him  to  your  notice,  compelled  me  to  urge  his  promotion, 
and  for  which  I  stayed  in  Congress  beyond  my  Time  limited  for  my 
Return  here.^ .... 

2  See  the  Articles  of  Confederation  as  reported  July  12  and  Aug.  20 ;  also  Edmund 
C.  Burnett,  "  The  Committee  of  the  States  ",  in  Am.  Hist.  Assoc,  Annual  Report,  1913, 
vol.  I.,  p.  139. 

3  Cf.  no.  127,  post. 

[iisV  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VII.;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  II.  232. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8. 


80  Continental  Congress 

ii6.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  George  Washington.* 

PiiiLADA.  Sept.  8,  1776 
Sir 

The  Congress  having  appointed  Mr  Adams,  Mr  Rutledge  and  my  self 
to  meet  Lord  Howe,  and  hear  what  Propositions  he  may  have  to  make, 
we  purpose  setting  out  to-morrow,  and  to  be  at  Perth  Amboy  on  Wednes- 
day morning,  as  you  will  see  by  the  enclos'd,  which  you  are  requested  im- 
mediately to  forward  to  his  Lordship;  and  if  an  Answer  comes  to  your 
hands,  that  you  would  send  it  to  meet  us  at  Amboy.  What  we  have  heard 
of  the  Badness  of  the  Roads  between  that  Place  and  New  York,  makes 
us  wish  to  be  spar'd  that  part  of  the  Journey.'' 

117.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

Philadelphia,  8  September,  1776. 

I  am  going  to-morrow  morning  on  an  errand  to  Lord  Howe,  not  to 
beg  a  pardon,  I  assure  you,  but  to  hear  vv'hat  he  has  to  say.  He  sent 
Sullivan  here  to  let  us  know  that  he  wanted  a  conversation  with  some 
members  of  Congress.  We  are  going  to  hear  him.  But  as  Congress  have 
voted  that  they  cannot  send  members  to  talk  with  him  in  their  private 
capacities,  but  will  send  a  committee  of  their  body  as  representatives  of 
the  free  and  independent  States  of  America,  I  presume  his  Lordship 
cannot  see  us,  and  I  hope  he  will  not;  but  if  he  should,  the  whole  will 
terminate  in  nothing.  Some  think  it  will  occasion  a  delay  of  military 
operations,  wdiich  they  say  Ave  much  want.  I  am  not  of  this  mind.  Some 
think  it  will  clearly  throw  the  odium  of  continuing  this  war  on  his  Lord- 
ship and  his  master.  I  w^ish  it  may.  Others  think  it  will  silence  the  tories 
and  establish  the  timid  whigs.  I  wish  this  also,  but  do  not  expect  it. 
But  all  these  arguments,  and  twenty  others  as  mighty,  would  not  have 
convinced  me  of  the  necessity,  propriety,  or  utility  of  this  embassy,  if 
Congress  had  not  determined  on  it.  I  was  totis  virihus  against  it,  from 
first  to  last.  But  upon  this  occasion  New  Hampshire,  Connecticut,  and 
even  Virginia  gave  way.  All  sides  agreed  in  sending  me.  The  stanch 
and  intrepid,  I  suppose,  such  as  were  enemies  to  the  measure,  as  well  as 
myself,  pushed  for  me,  that  as  little  evil  might  come  of  it  as  possible. 
Others  agreed  to  vote  for  me  in  order  to  entice  some  of  our  inflexibles  to 
vote  for  the  measure.  You  will  hear  more  of  this  embassy.  It  will  be 
famous  enough.^ 

Your  secretary  ^  will  rip  about  this  measure,  and  well  he  may.  Noth- 
ing.  I  assure  you,  but  the  unanimous  vote  of  Congress,  the  pressing 

[ii6]i  George  C.  Thomas  Collection,  Philadelphia;  Thomas,  Autograph  Letters  and 
Autographs  of  the  Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

2  See  the  Journals.  Sept.  2-6,  and  no.  102,  note  2,  ante.  See  also  Franklin  to  Howe, 
Sept.  8,  in  IVritings  (ed.  Smyth),  VI.  462;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  136;  and 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  234.  Howe's  reply,  Sept.  10,  is  ibid.,  II.  274.  Cf.  no.  25. 
note  2,  ante.  For  the  outcome  of  the  conference  see  the  Journals,  Sept.  13,  17,  and 
nos.  122,  125,  126,  128-132,  post. 

[117]!  Works,  IX.  440. 

'  See  nos.  107,  109.  ante,  and  nos.  129,  132,  post. 

3  Samuel  Adams.    See  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Adams,  Sept.  8,  in  Works,  IX.  441. 


September,  1//6  81 

solicitation  of  the  firmest  men  in  Congress,  and  the  particular  advice  of 
my  own  colleagues,  at  least  of  Mr.  Hancock  and  Mr.  Gerry,  would  have 
induced  me  to  accept  this  trust. 

118,  Lewis  Morris  to  John  Jay.^ 

Phila.,  Sepr.  8,  1776. 

My  Dear  friend: 

....  Genl.  Sullivan  brought  a  mesage  from  Lord  Howe  to  Congress 
in  consequence  of  which  they  have  sent  Doctor  Franklin,  John  Adams 
and  Ned  Rutledge.  I  doubt  in  my  own  mind  any  good  effect  that  it  can 
have,  as  he  was  desirous  to  meet  them  in  their  private  '  character.  I  will 
enclose  you  the  resolve  of  Congress.  Sullivan  says  that  L.  Howe  said  he 
was  ever  against  taxing  of  us,  and  that  they  had  no  right  to  interfere  with 
our  internal  Police,  and  that  he  was  very  sure  America  could  not  be  con- 
quered, and  that  it  was  a  great  pitty  so  brave  a  nation  should  be  cutting 
one  another  to  pieces.^ .... 

119.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Sepr.  8.  1776. 
Sunday  6  OClock  P.  M. 

Sir 

I  am  this  Minute  honoured  with  your  Favour  of  the  6th.  Inst :  -  and 
am  to  acknowledge  the  Receipt  of  your  several  Favours  to  that  Date. 

In  Consequence  of  the  Message  which  Genl.  Sullivan  delivered  to  Con- 
gress from  Lord  Howe,  respecting  a  Conference  with  some  of  their 
Members,  they  have,  after  great  Debate,  been  induced  to  pass  the  first 
Resolution  of  the  5th.  of  Sepr.  and  have  since  appointed  three  Gentlemen 
on  that  Business,  as  you  will  observe  by  a  subsequent  Resolution,  to 
which,  without  any  Comment,  I  beg  Leave  to  refer  you.  But  in  Order 
to  prevent  similar  Messages  for  the  Future,  they  have  passed  a  Resolve 
directing  the  Mode  in  which  all  applications  shall  hereafter  be  made, 
either  to  Congress,  or  the  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Army,  and  to  which 
only  any  Attention  is  to  be  paid.  I  beg  Leave  to  refer  you  to  the  Resolve 
itself,  as  the  future  Rule  of  your  Conduct  with  Respect  to  every  such 
verbal  application,  until  it  shall  be  altered,  or  you  shall  hear  further  from 
Congress  on  the  subject.® .... 

[ii8]iN.  Y.  Public  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Revolutionary  Papers  (copy);  Corr.  and 
Pub.  Papers  of  Jay  (ed.  Johnston),  I.  83.  •         •      j 

2  In  the  Correspondence,  etc.,  of  Jay  (ed.  Johnston)  this  word  is  printed 
"favorite". 

s  See  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 
[iig]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  LXXXIX.  304;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  IL  233. 

2  Washington's  letter  of  Sept.  6  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  385,  and  Force, 
Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  193.  His  reply  to  this  letter  of  President  Hancock,  Sept.  11,  is 
ibid.,  II.  290. 

s  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2-6.    Cf.  especially  nos.  107,  108,  109,  113,  117,  ante. 


82  Contbicntal  Congress 

To  morrow  Mornitipf  I  will  lay  your  Letter  before  Congress  and  ac- 
quaint you  ininicdiately  of  the  Result.*  Genl.  Sullivan  went  from  here 
two  (lays  a^cfo.  The  Coniiiiittee  to  wait  on  Lord  Howe  will  set  out  to 
Morrow  Morning  for  New  York." .... 

I  am  to  request  you  will  direct  Major  Hausackre  to  repair  to  this  City 
as  soon  as  possible  to  take  the  Command  of  the  German  Battalion,  of 
which  he  is  appointed  Colonel,  being  extremely  wanted.' 

1 20.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  W.xshington.^ 

Congress  Cham.  loth  Sepr.  1776. 
Sir 

Your  Letter  of  8th  Inst,  is  now  under  the  Consideration  of  Congress ; 
as  soon  as  they  have  come  to  a  Determination  upon  it  the  Result  shall  be 
transmitted  you,  in  the  mean  time  Congress  being  Apprehensive  that 
their  former  Resolution  of  3d  Int.  was  not  rightly  understood,  have 
directed  me  to  Send  you  the  foregoing,  by  which  you  will  perceive  that 
their  wish  is  to  preserve  N  York  and  leave  the  time  of  Evacuate  it  to  yo"" 
Judgment."  I  beg  leave  to  Refer  you  to  the  Resolve,  not  hav^  time  to 
Add,  but  that  I  am,  Sir 

Your  very  hum*  svt 

John  Hancock  P[residt] 
[Genjeral  Washington 

121.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  10,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  proposal  of  Lord  Howe  for  the  exchange  of  Generals  Sullivan  and 
Lord  Stirling  for  Prescott  and  McDonald  is  accepted  by  the  Congress. 
We  have  also  agreed  to  send  three  of  our  members,  not  as  private  gentle- 
men, but  as  a  committee  of  our  body,  to  meet  Lord  Howe,  to  know  of 
him  whether  he  has  any  terms  of  peace  to  propose,  and  what  they  are, 
etc.,  etc.  Whether  Lord  Howe  wnll  meet  them  as  a  committee  of  Con- 
gress, is  uncertain.  The  gentlemen  appointed  are  Doctor  Franklin,  Mr. 
Adams,  and  Mr.  Rutledge.  The  two  former  had  the  unanimous  vote  of 
Congress,  and  at  the  first  vote  there  was  a  tie  between  Colonel  R.  H.  Lee 
and  Mr.  Rutledge ;  but  as  Mr.  Lee  had  opposed  the  measure,  he  declined 

*  The  letter  was  read  Sept.  9,  and  referred  to  the  board  of  war.  The  action  taken 
in  regard  to  militia  Sept.  14  may  in  part  have  been  in  consequence  of  Washington's  inquiry. 

5  C/.  nos.  116,  117,  ante. 

6  Nicholas  Hausegger,  previously  major  in  a  Pennsylvania  battalion,  was 
appointed  colonel  of  the  German  battalion  July  17,  1776.  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  4. 
Hausegger  subsequently  went  over  to  the  British.  See  Heitman,  Hist.  Reg.,  also  the 
Journals,  Feb.  11.  Mar.  19,  1777. 

[i2o]i  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia. 

2  See  the  Journals.  Sept.  10.  Washington's  reply  to  this  letter,  dated  Sept.  14 
(read  in  Congress  Sept.  16),  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  402,  and,  with  enclosures, 
in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  II.  325-332. 

[i2i]i  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  272;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52, 
vol.  II.,  p.  195  (copy). 


September,  iyy6  83 

being  voted  for,  as  he  said  lie  could  not  accept.  The  votes  then  were  for 
Stockton  and  Rutledge,  and  the  latter  carried  it.^ 

Nothing  has  since  been  done  about  the  Confederation,  as  the  Congress 
is  pretty  thin,  and  hurried  with  other  business 

There  is  a  report  from  the  Board  of  War  now  before  Congress,  for 
putting  our  army  on  a  more  respectable  footing  than  at  present.'  The 
substance  is,  that  eighty-four  regiments  should  be  inlisted  to  serve  during 
the  war,  and  to  give,  as  an  encouragement,  one  hundred  acres  of  land  and 
[20]*  dollars  bounty,  to  be  proportioned  to  such  State,  who  are  to  take 
care  that  it's  quota  is  raised.  The  proportion  set  to  our  Colony  is  four 
regiments,  which  is  too  much,  and  shall  try  to  get  it  altered  if  I  am  able 
to  attend  Congress  when  it  comes  on.  This  plan,  perhaps,  may  be  some- 
what altered,  but  will,  I  am  pretty  sure,  be  adopted  in  the  main.  Qtiere : 
whether,  as  this  is  like  to  be  the  case,  it  is  best  for  our  State  to  do  any 
thing  at  present  about  raising  the  regiment  ordered  in  the  Spring  for  our 
own  defence ;  and  whether  petitioning  Congress  to  take  into  their  pay  our 
Colonial  troops  will  not  be  best,  considering  all  circumstances? 

You'll  excuse  me,  as  I  am  hardly  able  to  write. 

122.  Edward  Rutledge  to  George  Washington.^ 

Brunswick,  Wednesday  Evening  10  o'clock. 

II  September,  1776. 
My  dear  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  this  morning  is  just  put  into  my  hands.^  In  answer  I 
must  beg  leave  to  inform  you,  that  our  conference  with  Lord  Howe  has 
been  attended  with  no  immediate  advantages.  He  declared  that  he  had 
no  powers  to  consider  us  as  independent  States ;  and  we  easily  discovered 
that,  were  we  still  dependent,  we  should  have  nothing  to  expect  from 
those  with  which  he  is  vested.  He  talked  altogether  in  generals; — that 
he  came  out  here  to  consult,  advise,  and  confer  with  gentlemen  of  the 
greatest  influence  in  the  Colonies,  about  their  complaints ;  that  the  King 
would  revise  the  Act  of  Parliament,  and  royal  instructions,  upon  such 
reports  as  should  be  made;  and  appeared  to  fix  our  redress  upon  his 
Majesty's  good  will  and  pleasure.  This  kind  of  conversation  lasted  for 
several  hours,  and,  as  I  have  already  said,  without  any  effect. 

Our  reliance  continues,  therefore,  to  be  under  God,  on  your  wisdom 
and  fortitude,  and  that  of  your  forces ;  that  you  may  be  as  successful  as 
I  know  you  are  worthy,  is  my  most  sincere  wish.^ .... 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2-6,  cf.  nos.  109-113,  ante.  See  also  no.  102,  note  2,  ante, 
and  nos.  128-132,  post.    Cf.  Bartlett  to  Langdon,  Sept.  9,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 

II.  253. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2  (p.  729),  9-13,  16.  Cf.  nos.  124,  128,  post.  A  motion 
was  made  and  voted  down,  Jan.  19,  to  make  enlistments  for  three  years  or  during  the 
war.    See  Richard  Smith's  Diary  for  that  date,  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  454. 

*  Cf.  no.  124.  post. 
{122]^  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  I.  287;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  II.  287. 

2  Washington's  letter  to  Rutledge  has  not  been  found.  See  however  his  letter 
to  the  President  of  Congress,  Sept.  11,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  290. 

3  See  nos.  109,  116,  117,  119,  ante,  and  nos.  125.  126,  128-132,  155,  post.  For 
the  origin  of  the  mission,  see  no.  102,  and  note  2,  ante. 


84  Continental  Congress 

123.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Philadelphia  12th  Scpr  1776 

Dear  Sir 

Colo.  Williams  shewed  me  your  Letter  to  him  mentioning  the  Situation 
of  your  Brother  at  Ticonderoga,  in  Consequence  of  wch  It  was  moved 
to  Congress  to  appoint  him  D  Adj.  General  and  no  objection  was  offered ; 
Mr.  Lewis  recommended  by  General  Gates  is  also  appointed  D  Quar. 
Master  General " 

The  Diificulties  which  You  mentioned  as  the  Grounds  of  your  Resigna- 
tion of  the  Commissaryship  for  the  northern  Department  being  removed 
by  Congress,  will  it  is  hoi^d  induce  You  to  renew  your  Engagement 
therein.  Surely  It  is  the  Intentn.  of  Congress,  that  the  whole  of  the 
Commissary  affairs  shall  be  under  your  Direction,  and  if  Mr.  Levingston 
opposes,  You  will  be  supported  in  dismissing  him.  General  Schuyler  has 
nothing  to  do  with  your  Officers  otherwise  than  to  order  where  the 
Magazines  shall  be  placed  and  the  Quantity  of  provision  to  be  procured 
or  delivered.^ .... 

Congress  seem  now  determined  to  have  an  Army  of  some  Duration 
and  to  give  sufficient  Bounties  for  the  purpose ;  I  wish  It  had  been  sooner 
accecded  to,  but  We  must  move  with  the  Waters 

[P.  S.]  Since  writing  the  within.  Letters  from  General  Schuyler* 
recommend  the  Appointmt.  of  your  Brother  to  the  Office  of  D  A.  General 
wch.  was  previously  complied  wth.  a  Letter  from  Mr  Levingston  con- 
tains his  Resignation,  wch.  was  very  agreeable  to  some  Members  of 
Congress." .... 


124.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Philadel:  Sepr.  13  1776 

Dear  Sir 

I  reed  yours  of  the  7th.  I  had  wrote  you  the  same  day  by  Mr  Halsey 
[  ?]^  but  about  nothing.  You  will  see  by  the  Copys  etc.  gone  from  the 
Presidt.  to  you  I  trust,  that  Congress  will  not  give  you  up  as  Commis* 
for  the  northern  Department.^    Many  of  Them  greatly  resent  the  Conduct 

[i23]iConn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Tnimbnll  Papers,  no.  66. 

2  These  appointments  (John  Trumbull  and  Morgan  Lewis)  were  made  Sept.  12. 
Cf.  no.  124,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  12,  and  no.  124.  post. 

*  See  Schuyler's  letters  to  Congress,  Sept.  8,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL 
245,  248. 

^  Walter  Livingston's  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  dated  Sept.  7,  is  in 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  220.    The  letter  was  read  in  Congress  Sept.  13.    See  also 
the  Journals,  Sept.  11;  cf.  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  719,  and  no.  124,  note  4,  post. 
[i24]iConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Probably    Lieut.    Jeremiah    Halsey,    who    had    a    memorial    before    Congress 
Sept.  5,  7- 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  11,  12,  and  no.  123.  ante.    A  letter  from  Joseph  Trum- 
bull to  Congress,  Sept.  7,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  213. 


September,  ly/d  85 

of  the  Gent,*  wlio  has  so  interfered  with  you  and  there  are  appearances 
of  many  other  things  agst  him,  which  begin  to  work,  and  will  I  believe 
prove  his  Down  fall,  but  things  are  not  fully  ripe  yet,  nor  can  they  pos- 
sibly be  attended  to  now.  He  had  lately  written  a  very  long  Epistle  to 
enforce  the  necessity  and  expedience  the  bestness  and  Cheapness  etc. 
of  supplying  the  northern  army  by  a  Contract  with  somebody  there,  it 
was  hastily  read  thro  in  the  House,  and  not  the  Lest  further  notice  taken 
of  it."  I  presume  he  will  not  interpose  in  your  Departmt  again,  tho  I 
know  He  has  paid  but  little  attention  to  his  orders  in  many  things. 

We  yesterday  moved  the  appointmt  of  a  D.  Adjt  Genl.  for  that  army, 
and  with  no  great  Difficulty  carried  the  appointmt  of  your  Bro*"  Jno  to 
that  office."  nothing  is  added  about  the  rank  and  Pay,  but  on  motion  and 
Enquiry  I  found  it  to  be  an  establishment  already  made,  of  a  Colo.,  and 
there  was  no  need  of  it.  I  trust  the  Prest  has  forwarded  the  Comis". 
Morgan  Lewis  was  also  appointed  D.  Qr.  Masr.  Genii  for  the  same 
Department. 

....  I  have  no  Doubt  Congress  will  reward  yr  Services,  are  now 
busie  in  planing  etc.  for  forming  a  new  and  permanent  Army.'^  will 
20  Dols.  bounty  and  100  acres  of  Land  at  the  Close  sufficiently  operate 
upon  N  Engld.  Men  to  engage  for  5  years,  tho  I  pretend  not  to  say  such 
a  thing  will  be  carried  if  attempted  indeed  I  much  fear  it.  but  I  wish  I 
had  the  best  opinions  etc.  etc.  about  it  soon  as  possible. 

I  am  dear  Sir  with  undissembled  and  strong  Affection,  your  Friend 
and  Bro"" 

Wm  Williams 

Col.  Trumbull. 
[P.  S.] 


125.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Sepr.  13.  PM.  [1776.] 
Dr  Sir 

Since  writing  my  Letter,^  I  found  at  the  House,  unexpectedly  that  our 
Com*^^  were  last  night,  returnd,  from  their  interview  with  Lord  Howe. 

*  Walter  Livingston.  Cf.  nos.  56,  123,  ante.  In  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,_  II. 
^2)2i7,  is  a  document,  dated  Nov.  13,  containing  a  complaint  of  Jarnes  Deane  against 
Walter  Livingston,  and  what  appears  to  be  a  report  of  the  committee  appointed  on 
Trumbull's  letter  of  Sept.  7  (see  note  2,  above)  relative  to  the  controversy.  This  report 
is  printed  as  a  foot-note  in  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford),  V.  750  (Sept.  n). 

5  This  letter  of  Walter  Livingston  has  not  been  found.  There  is,  however,  a 
letter  from  Walter  Livingston  to  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Aug.  25.  1776  (original  in 
possession  of  Mr.  Johnston  L.  Redmond  of  New  York;  photostat  in  possession  of  the 
Carnegie  Institution),  which  states  that  General  Schuyler  had  advised  Congress  that  the 
army  be  supplied  by  contract,  and  would  write  to-morrow,  recommending  that  the 
"  refusal "  of  the  contract  be  given  to  Walter  Livingston.  "  I  must  earnestly  entreat 
you",  says  Walter  Livingston,  "to  write  every  friend  you  have  in  Congress  requesting 
them  to  exert  themselves,  (if  a  Contract  is  made)  to  obtain  the  refusal  of  it  for  me."  In 
a  postscript  he  adds:  "I  have  just  wrote  to-our  members  in  Congress."  The  latter  is 
probably  the  letter  to  which  Williams  refers.  In  regard  to  supplying  the  army  by  con- 
tract, see  nos.  145,  162,  164,  165,  172,  175,  post. 

«  See  no.  123,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  331,  415,  419,  post. 

"^  Cf.  no.  121,  ante,  and  no.  128,  post. 
[i25]iConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

~  No.  124,  ante. 


86  Continental  Con  stress 


&' 


the  sum  and  substance  of  their  Report  is,  that  havinj^;-  sent  a  previous 
Messag-e  to  him  he  aj^-recil  to  receive  'I'hem  on  Staten  Island  at  a  house 
opposite  Ambuy.  he  accordinjj^ly  sent  over  a  Bar^e  W'echiisd.  morning. 
They  went  in  without  Ceremony.  H.  met  Them  on  their  Landing, 
comphmented  Them  on  the  Honor  They  did,  by  their  unhmeted  Con- 
fidence tliey  placed  in  Him,  by  puting  Them  selves  so  intirely  in  his  Power 
etc.  waited  on  Them  to  the  House,  entertained  them  most  politely,  and 
with  a  cold  Collation,  etc.  introduced  the  Subject  by  informing  Them 
how  He  first  came  to  give  his  Attention  to  this  American  Dispute,  viz  the 
passing  the  Boston  Port  Bill  awakend  and  alarmed  his  youthful  remem- 
brance and  attention  to  that  Town  and  Province  which  had  been  im- 
pressed on  Him  from  the  high  Respect  and  Honor  They  had  done  his 
Brother  etc.  and  from  that  Time  he  attended  to  the  American 
Affairs  etc. 

He  was  urged  to  come  over,  had  an  ardent  Desire  to  settle  the  Contro- 
versie  amicably  etc. 

being  asked  if  He  had  Power  to  settle  it,  He  ownd  He  had  no  other 
than  to  confer  with  Congress  Members,  but  not  as  such,  or  any  other 
Gent,  whom  They  called  Rebels,  (this  it  seems  took  him  his  two  months 
to  obtain)  and  to  move  and  urge  Them  to  their  Duty  etc.  and  to  deliver 
[  ?]  Them  in  the  Kings  Peace.  He  had  no  power  to  treat  with  Them  as 
Members  of  Congress,  and  no  Terms  or  Proposals  to  make  to  any,  with- 
out a  full  return  to  their  Allegiance  as  an  indispensible  Preliminary, 
when  that  sho*^  be  come  into  his  Majesty  wo^  certainly  cause  the  grievious 
Acts  of  Parliament  to  be  revised,  and  if  it  sho"^  appear  just  and  fit,  his 
Majesty  wo"^  obtain  such  reasonable  Relaxation  as  He  sho*^  think  just 
and  right,  or  to  that  purpose,  this  is  the  Substance  as  I  can  recollect. 
So  that  on  the  whole  He  appears  to  have  no  Kind  of  Power  but  what  is 
contained  in  the  Act  of  Parliamt.  saveing  a  Liberty  of  personal  Confer- 
ance  with  the  Rebels,  as  well  as  the  Friends  of  Governmt. 

This  is  what  was  expected  by  almost  every  one  who  were  for  sending 
Them,  indeed  there  is  less  daubing  and  Pretentions  of  Powers,  and  much 
less  plausible  pretentions  and  assurances  of  relaxation  and  generous  fair 
Treatment  etc.  than  was  expected.  He  says  Genl  Sullivan  mis  took  him, 
in  saying  he  offerd  that  Parlit.  wo'^  give  up  the  Idea  of  Taxation  and 
govern^  our  internal  Police  etc.^ 

thus,  it  is  conceived  one  great  point  is  gained,  is  to  strike  the  Torys 
dumb,  or  rather  to  defeat  and  kill  the  impressions  they  were  makeing  and 
wo'^  have  made  on  many  Friendly  but  credulous  Minds  by  their  confident 
and  undaunted  Assertions,  that  Ld  H.  was  vested  with  full  and  ample 
Powers  to  settle  the  Controversie  on  the  most  equitable  Terms  and  such 
as  wo^  give  perfect  Satisfaction  to  all  America  except  the  turbulent  and 
haughty,  who  wished  to  continue  the  War,  for  their  own  Honor  and 
Emolument,  and  was  disposed  and  evidently  desirous  to  do  so. 

His  Ld.  Ship  expresd  his  great  Pain  and  Regret  for  the  unhappy  Con- 
sequences to  America  of  their  refusal  to  submit  etc.  and  was  told  America 

3  Cf.  no.  122,  ante,  and  nos.  126,  128-132,  post. 


September,  1776  87 

wo^  use  great  Endeavors  to  save  those  Consequences  safe  and  save  him 
that  Pain. 

the  whole  affair  will  I  trust  be  published,  in  a  few  days.  The  Com*'= 
desired  till  Monday  to  draw  up  and  lay  in  their  Report  in  Writing.*  I 
have  wrote  our  Govr.  all  but  this  Result.  I  wish  you  co*^  immediately 
send  him  this  or  a  Copy  of  it,  as  I  cannot  write  him  now,  and  fear  my 
Letters  may  miscarry. 

126.  Caesar  Rodney  to  George  Read.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  13th.  1776, 
Dear  Sir, 

....  The  people  here  have  been,  for  several  days,  fully  employed  in 
forming  conjectures  with  respect  to  the  conference  between  the  Com- 
missioners of  Congress  and  Lord  Howe.  They  have  been  various — some 
Lord  Howe  has  full  powers,  and  if  we  have  not  peace  it  is  the  fault  of 
Congress — others  there  is  no  doubt  but  they  will  finally  settle  matters, 
and  the  armies  be  disbanded — others  again,  are  cursed  if  they  believe  he 
has  any  powers  at  all.  However,  this  business  is  put  an  end  to  by  the 
return  of  the  Committee,  who  report — that  having  sent  a  letter  to  Lord 
Howe,  by  Express,  to  acquaint  him  of  their  coming,  they  proceeded  to 
Amboy,  where  they  arrived  on  Tuesday  evening,  and  there,  the  same 
evening,  received  a  letter  from  Lord  Howe,  in  answer  to  theirs,  letting 
them  know  that  he  would  meet  them,  on  Wednesday,  at  a  house  on  Staten 
Island,  opposite  Amboy — that  his  Lordship  the  next  day  sent  his  boat  for 
them,  with  a  flag,  and  met  them  himself  at  the  water-side,  and  in  a  very 
polite  manner  conducted  them  up  to  the  house,  where  he  had  a  dinner, 
and  plenty  of  good  wine  for  them,  and  that  after  dinner  they  had  a  con- 
ference, which,  with  the  time  they  were  dining,  was  about  three  hours. 
Upon  the  whole  it  seems  his  Lordship  has  no  power  to  make  a  peace,  or 
even  to  order  a  cessation  of  arms — that  he  had  a  power  to  confer  with 
any  person  or  persons  whatsoever  to  hear  what  they  had  to  offer,  and 
report  to  his  majesty,  but  that  previous  to  any  thing  else  we  must  return 
to  and  acknowledge  obedience  to  his  majesty.  This  being  done,  he  did 
not  doubt,  on  his  representing  matters  home,  but  that  the  several  acts  of 
parliament  and  instructions  might  and  would  be  revised,  and  many  of  our 
grievances  removed.^ .... 

127.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  14th,  1776. 
Sir, 

Agreeably  to  the  Resolution  of  the  State  of  Rhode-Island,  etc..  My 
Colleague  and  I  made  Application  to  Congress,  and  received  an  Order 

*  The  committee  made  a  verbal  report  on  the  day  this  letter  was  written,  and 
a  written  report  Sept.  17. 

[i26]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  215  (copy)  ;  Read, 
Life  of  George  Read,  p.  190. 

2  Cf.  no.  125,  ante,  and  nos.  128-132,  post. 
[127]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1776,  p.  64;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong., 
p.  85. 

II 


88  Continental  Congress 

on  the  Trensnry  for  One  hundred  and  twenty  thousand  Dollars ;  Out  of 
that  Sum  I  have  received  seven  hundred  Dollars,  partly  to  procure  etc. 
a  Monument  for  the  late  Ilonhle  Samuel  Ward,  Esq.,  and  partly  for  my 
own  Use;  for  the  whole  of  which  I  promise  to  be  responsible  to  said 
State.'  I  should  not  have  taken  any  of  tiie  Money  to  my  own  Use  could 
I  have  been  supplied  from  tlome  without  Risque;  but  as  the  Chance  of 
a  Loss  may  soon  be  ^reat,  and  indeed  the  Communication  by  the  North 
River  mav  be  intercepted,  and  it  will  make  no  great  Difference  to  the 
State  whether  two  hundred  Dollars  are  advanced  to  One  of  their  Delegates 
or  not  I  hope  my  Conduct  in  this  Instance  will  not  be  blamed. 

By  a  Resolve  of  Congress,  there  is  ordered  a  Paymaster  for  each 
Battalion  in  the  Continental  Service.^  I  know  not  whom  to  recommend  as 
Paymaster  to  the  battalion  ordered  to  New  York :  Nor  do  I  know  whom 
to  recommend  as  Surgeon  to  it.  I  shall  recommend  a  Paymaster  and 
Surgeon  for  the  Battalion  that  shall  remain  at  Newport,  when  it  shall  be 
known  which  of  the  Battalions  hath  marched  to  N.  York.  At  present  it 
is  to  me  uncertain;  for  the  President  first  required  the  Commanding 
Officer  to  order  One  of  the  Battalions  to  N.  York ;  and  afterwards,  when 
it  was  known  that  the  Field  Officers  were  not  commissionated.  they  were 
ordered  by  Congress  to  be  commissionated,  agreeable  to  the  Recom- 
mendation of  the  Assembly,  and  the  Second,  Col.  Lippitt's  Battalion  is 
ordered  to  march  to  N.  York  provided  the  first  should  not  have  marched 
before  the  Arrival  of  the  last  Direction  of  Congress.*  .... 

128.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  14,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

....  Last  Wednesday  our  Committee  met  Lord  Howe  on  Staten- 
Island,  where  they  ate  and  drank  together.  He  treated  them  with  great 
civility  and  politeness;  and  after  about  three  hours'  conversation,  they 
took  their  leave  of  each  other.  His  Lordship's  conversation  was  full  of 
his  friendship  for  America — particularly  the  town  of  Boston,  for  their 
respect  to  the  memory  of  his  brother.  He  said  that  the  ravaging  and 
destroying  America  would  give  him  great  pain  and  uneasiness.  Dr. 
Franklin  replied  that  we  should  take  proper,  and  he  hoped  effectual,  care 
to  prevent  his  Lordship's  feelings  on  that  account.  On  the  whole  all  the 
terms  he  had  to  propose  were,  that  we  first  of  all  lay  down  our  arms  and 
return  to  our  allegiance;  and  then,  he  said,  the  King  and  Parliament 
would  consider  the  acts  we  formerly  complained  of,  and  if  they  judged 
it  proper  would  alter  or  amend  them.  They  told  him  that  General  Sulli- 
van said,  that  his  Lordship  in  conversation  told  him  that  the  King  and 
Parliament  would  give  up  the  right  of  taxation  and  of  intermeddling  with 
the  internal  police  of  the  Colonies,  and  desired  to  know  what  authority 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2. 

3  See  the  Journals,  June  5  and  25. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  3  and  7.     Cf.  no.  114,  ante. 
[128]^  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  323;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52, 
vol.  II.,  p.  156  (copy)  ;  Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  William  Whipple,  and  Others,  p.  40. 


September,  jyy6  89 

he  had  to  say  it.  Lord  Howe  repHed,  that  General  Sullivan  must  certainly 
have  misunderstood  him,  as  he  had  no  right  to  say  any  such  thing,  nor 
did  he  believe  the  Parliament  would  give  up  those  claims.  The  Com- 
mittee are  about  to  publish  the  whole  affair,  which  I  hope  will  stop  the 
mouths  of  the  weak  and  credulous,  who  have  had  great  hopes  of  peace 
from  the  supposed  great  powers  entrusted  with  Lord  Howe  as  a  Com- 
missioner for  that  purpose.^ .... 

The  affair  of  the  Confederation  rests  at  present.  The  Committee  of 
the  Whole  have  agreed  that  ninety  regiments  shall  be  inlisted  for  five 
years,  if  not  sooner  discharged  by  Congress.  The  affair  of  bounty  is  not 
yet  settled ;  the  proposal  of  giving  lands  as  a  part  of  the  bounty  has 
boggled  us ;  however,  it  will  be  got  over  in  a  few  days,  I  believe,  and  sent 
forward.  The  great  difficulty  of  raising  men  for  so  long  a  period,  made 
me  think  it  my  duty  to  prevent  more  being  required  of  our  State  than 
their  just  proportion  by  numbers;  and  by  producing  the  return  of  our 
number  of  inhabitants,  I  have  got  the  proportion  to  be  fixed  at  three 
instead  of  four  regiments  for  our  State,  to  be  raised  and  completed  for 
that  term.^ 

Mr.  Wythe  is  come  to  Congress.*  .... 

129.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  Saturday  14  September,  1776. 

Yesterday  morning,  I  returned  with  Dr.  Franklin  and  Mr.  Rutledge 
from  Staten  Island,  where  we  met  Lord  Howe,  and  had  about  three  hours' 
conversation  with  him.  The  result  of  this  interview  will  do  no  disservice  to 
us.  It  is  now  plain  that  his  lordship  has  no  power,  but  what  is  given  him 
in  the  act  of  Parliament.  His  commission  authorizes  him  to  grant  par- 
dons upon  submission,  and  to  converse,  confer,  consult  and  advise  with 
such  persons  as  he  may  think  proper,  upon  American  grievances,  upon  the 
instructions  to  Governors  and  the  acts  of  Parliament,  and  if  any  errors 
should  be  found  to  have  crept  in,  his  majesty  and  the  ministry  w^ere  willing 
they  should  be  rectified.^ .... 

130.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter.^ 

Philadelphia  Sepr.  15,  1776 
My  dear  Col. 

....  As  the  Court  of  G.  B.  has  ever  accompanied  violence  with  de- 
ception; Ld.  Howe  their  agent  since  his  arrival,  has  constantly  endeav- 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  13  and  17.    Cf.  nos.  122,  125,  126,  ante,  and  nos.  128-132 
post.     See  also  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  9-16.    Cf.  nos.  121,  124,  ante,  135,  139,  142-145,  147,  148, 
post. 

*  The  Virginia  credentials   were  presented   Aug.  28,  but  probably  Wythe  did 
not  attend  until  some  days  later.    Cf.  no.  103,  note  2,  ante. 

[i2g]'^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  226;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  324. 

^Cf.  nos.  109,  117,  122.  125,  126,  128,  ante,  and  129-132,  post. 
[iSol^Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  IV.  79. 


90  Continental  Congress 

our'd  to  make  the  people  believe,  that  lie  has  p^reat  powers  and  earnestly 
wish'd  for  peace;  and  at  lentith  carried  the  matter  so  far,  as  to  desire  a 
conference  with  some  members  of  Conp^rcss,  in  their  private  capacities. 
The  Congress  to  show  they  were  not  averse  to  peace,  sent  a  Comtee.  of 
their  body  to  confer  with  him.  IMiey  had  the  honor  of  three  hours  con- 
versation with  his  Ld.  Ship  and  returned  here  last  fryday.  He  acknowl- 
eged  he  had  no  power  to  suspend  the  operations  of  war,  or  to  offer  any 
terms;  but  said,  he  had  waited  two  months  in  England  to  prevail  with 
the  Ministry  to  empower  him  to  converse  and  confer  with  Gentn.  of  influ- 
ence in  America,  that  he  was  sure  of  the  good  intentions  of  the  King  and 
the  Ministry;  and  if  we  would  return  to  our  allegiance,  they  wou'd  revise 
the  late  instructions  to  Govrs.  and  the  Acts  of  Parliament,  and  if  there 
was  anything  in  them  that  appear'd  unreasonable  to  them;  he  did  not 
doubt  but  they  wou'd  make  them  easy.  The  whole  affair  will  soon  be 
publish'd  by  Congress.^ .... 

131.   John   Penn  to  the  North   Carolina  Council  of   Safety.^ 

Phila.  Septr.  16.  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  to  you  by  Thomas  Hayward  Esqr.  one  of  the  Delegates  of  So. 
Carolina  that  General  Howe  was  in  possession  of  Long  Island  as  also  the 
manner  in  which  we  left  it."  General  Sullivan  who  was  made  a  prisoner 
on  that  occasion  was  sent  here  lately  by  Lord  Howe  with  a  message  that 
his  Lordship  was  very  desirous  to  converse  wnth.  some  of  the  members  of 
Congress  as  private  Gentn.  and  that  he  would  meet  them  as  Mr.  Howe 
that  he  had  great  powers  from  the  King  to  negotiate  a  peace,  tho  we  were 
pursuaded  that  he  only  intended  to  throw  the  odium  of  carrying  on  the 
war  on  the  Congress  having  no  reason  to  believe  that  he  had  any  such 
authority.  Yet  to  counteract  his  design  Doctr.  Franklin,  John  Adams 
and  Edwd  Rutledge  esqrs  were  directed  to  meet  his  Lordship  not  as  pri- 
vate Gentn.  but  as  a  Committee  of  Congress  to  know  of  him  what  his 
powers  were  if  any  he  had  to  treat  with  the  Congress  on  the  subject  of 
peace. 

The  Gentn.  had  a  conference  with  Lord  How^e  who  owned  that  he  had 
no  terms  to  offer  to  America  and  was  not  at  liberty  to  treat  with  any  set 
of  men  who  were  Representatives  of  the  People,  that  he  had  a  right  to 
converse  \vith  Individuals  and  represent  to  the  King  the  substance  of 
what  passed.  I  hope  this  will  have  a  good  effect  as  it  will  satisfie  the 
people  at  large  that  we  have  no  alternitive  for  our  safety  but  our  spirit 
as  Soldiers.' 

2  Cf.  nos.  122,  125,  126,  128,  129,  ante,  and  nos.  131,  132,  post.  See  also  a  letter 
of  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Sept.  15,  in  Letters  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  214,  and 
W.  W.  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  III.  10. 

[131]!  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm. ;  A^  C.  Col  Recs.,  X.  801. 

2  Heyward  left  Philadelphia  Sept.  5.  See  no.  106,  ante.  The  letter  referred  to  is 
probably  that  signed  by  Hooper,  Hewes,  and  Penn,  dated  Sept.  3,  in  A^.  C.  Col.  Recs., 
X.  790.    Cf.  no.  135,  post. 

'  See  no.  102,  note  2,  ante,  and  cf.  nos.  122,  125,  126,  128-130,  ante,  132,  post. 


September,  iyy6  91 

The  Congress  have  left  the  sending  two  Battalions  from  No.  Carolina 
with  General  Moore  to  New  York  altogether  to  the  Council  of  Safety.* 
I  would  not  advise  the  sending  them  at  any  rate  as  it  is  too  late  in  the 
year 

132.  John  Adams  to  Samuel  Adams.* 

Philadelphia,  17  September,  1776. 

In  a  few  lines  of  the  8th  instant  I  promised  you  a  more  particular 
account  of  the  conference.  On  Monday,  the  committee  set  off  from  Phila- 
delphia, and  reached  Brunswick  on  Tuesday  night.  Wednesday  morning, 
they  proceeded  to  Amboy,  and  from  thence  to  Staten  Island,  where  they 
met  the  Lord  Howe,  by  whom  they  were  politely  received  and  entertained. 
His  lordship  opened  the  conference  by  giving  us  an  account  of  the  motive 
which  first  induced  him  to  attend  to  the  dispute  with  America,  which  he 
said  was  the  honor  which  had  been  done  to  his  family  by  the  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  which  he  prized  very  highly.  From  whence  I  concluded,  in 
my  own  mind,  that  his  lordship  had  not  attended  to  the  controversy  earlier 
than  the  Port  Bill  and  the  Charter  Bill,  and  consequently  must  have  a 
very  inadequate  idea  of  the  nature  as  well  as  of  the  rise  and  progress  of 
the  contest. 

His  lordship  then  observed,  that  he  had  requested  this  interview,  that 
he  might  satisfy  himself  whether  there  was  any  probability  that  America 
would  return  to  her  allegiance ;  but  he  must  observe  to  us,  that  he  could 
not  acknowledge  us  as  members  of  Congress,  or  a  committee  of  that  body, 
but  that  he  only  desired  this  conversation  with  us  as  private  gentlemen, 
in  hopes  that  it  might  prepare  the  way  for  the  people's  returning  to  their 
allegiance  and  to  an  accommodation  of  the  disputes  between  the  two 
countries;  that  he  had  no  power  to  treat  with  us  as  independent  States, 
or  in  any  other  character  than  as  British  subjects  and  private  gentlemen ; 
but  that  upon  our  acknowledging  ourselves  to  be  British  subjects,  he  had 
power  to  consult  with  us ;  that  the  act  of  parliament  had  given  power  to 
the  king,  upon  certain  conditions,  of  declaring  the  colonies  to  be  at  peace ; 
and  his  commission  gave  him  power  to  confer,  advise,  and  consult  with 
any  number  or  description  of  persons  concerning  the  complaints  of  the 
people  in  America ;  that  the  king  and  ministry  had  very  good  dispositions 
to  redress  the  grievances  of  the  people,  and  reform  the  errors  of  admin- 
istration in  America ;  that  his  commission  gave  him  powder  to  converse 
with  any  persons  whatever  in  America  concerning  the  former  instructions 
to  governors,  and  the  acts  of  parliament  complained  of ;  that  the  king  and 
ministry  were  very  w^illing  to  have  all  these  revised  and  reconsidered,  and 
if  any  errors  had  crept  in,  if  they  could  be  pointed  out,  were  very  willing 
that  they  should  be  rectified. 

Mr.  Rutledge  mentioned  to  his  Lordship  what  General  Sullivan  had 
said,  that  his  Lordship  told  him  he  would  set  the  acts  of  parliament  wholly 
aside,  and  that  parliament  had  no  right  to  tax  America,  or  meddle  with 

*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16 ;  cf.  no.  135,  post. 
1132]!  Works,  IX.  443. 


92  Continental  Congress 

her  internal  polity.  His  I.orclsliip  answered  Mr.  Rutledge  that  General 
Sullivan  had  misunderstood  him.  and  extended  his  words  much  heyond 
their  import. 

His  Ix)rdship  g^ave  us  a  long-  account  of  his  negotiations  in  order  to 
obtain  powers  sufViciently  ample  for  his  purpose.  He  said  he  told  them 
(the  ministry,  I  suppose  he  meant)  that  those  persons  whom  you  call 
rel)els,  arc  the  most  proper  to  confer  with  of  any,  because  they  are  the 
persons  who  complain  of  grievances.  The  others,  those  who  are  not  in 
arms,  and  are  not.  according  to  your  ideas,  in  rebellion,  have  no  com- 
plaints or  grievances;  they  are  satisfied,  and  therefore  it  would  be  to  no 
purpose  to  converse  with  them.  To  that  his  Lordship  said,  he  would  not 
accept  the  command  or  commission  until  he  had  full  power  to  confer  with 
any  persons  whom  he  should  think  proper,  who  had  the  most  abilities  and 
influence.  But.  having  obtained  these  powers,  he  intended  to  have  gone 
directly  to  Philadelphia,  not  to  have  treated  with  Congress  as  such,  or 
to  have  acknowledged  that  body,  but  to  have  consulted  with  gentlemen 
of  that  body  in  their  private  capacities  upon  the  subjects  in  his  commission. 

His  Lordship  did  not  incline  to  give  us  any  further  account  of  his 
powers,  or  to  make  any  other  propositions  to  us,  in  one  capacity  or 
another,  than  those  which  are  contained  in  substance  in  the  foregoing 
lines. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  assure  you,  that  there  was  no  disagreement  in 
opinion  among  the  members  of  the  committee  upon  any  one  point.  They 
were  perfectly  united  in  sentiment  and  in  language,  as  they  are  in  the 
result  of  the  whole,  which  is,  that  his  Lordship's  powers  are  fully  ex- 
pressed in  the  late  act  of  parliament,  and  that  his  commission  contains  no 
other  authority  than  that  of  granting  pardons,  with  such  exceptions  as 
the  commissioners  shall  think  proper  to  make,  and  of  declaring  America, 
or  any  part  of  it,  to  be  at  peace,  upon  submission,  and  of  inquiring  into 
the  state  of  America  of  any  persons  with  whom  they  might  think  proper 
to  confer,  advise,  converse,  and  consult,  even  although  they  should  be 
officers  of  the  army  or  members  of  Congress,  and  then  representing  the 
result  of  their  inquiries  to  the  ministry,  wdio,  after  all,  might  or  might 
not,  at  their  pleasure,  make  any  alterations  in  the  former  instructions 
to  governors,  or  propose,  in  parliament,  any  alterations  in  the  acts  com- 
plained of. 

The  whole  affair  of  the  commission  appears  to  me,  as  it  ever  did,  to 
be  a  bubble,  an  ambuscade,  a  mere  insidious  manoeuvre,  calculated  only 
to  decoy  and  deceive,  and  it  is  so  gross,  that  they  must  have  a  wretched 
opinion  of  our  generalship  to  suppose  that  we  can  fall  into  it. 

The  committee  assured  his  Lordship,  that  they  had  no  authority  to 
wait  upon  him,  or  to  treat  or  converse  with  him,  in  any  other  character 
but  that  of  a  committee  of  Congress,  and  as  members  of  independent 
States;  that  the  vote  which  was  their  commission,  clearly  ascertained 
their  character;  that  the  declaration  which  had  been  made  of  indepen- 
dence, was  the  result  of  long  and  cool  deliberation ;  that  it  was  made  by 
Congress,  after  long  and  great  reluctance,  in  obedience  to  the  positive 
instructions  of  their  constituents,  every  Assembly  upon  the  continent 


September,  17/6  93 

having  instructed  their  delegates  to  this  purpose,  and  since  the  declaration 
has  been  made  and  published,  it  has  been  solemnly  ratified  and  confirmed 
by  the  Assemblies,  so  that  neither  this  committee  nor  that  Congress  which 
sent  it  here,  have  authority  to  treat  in  any  other  character  than  as  inde- 
pendent States.  One  of  the  committee,  Dr.  Franklin,  assured  his  Lord- 
ship that,  in  his  private  opinion,  America  would  not  again  come  under 
the  domination  of  Great  Britain,  and  therefore  that  it  was  the  duty  of 
every  good  man,  on  both  sides  of  the  water,  to  promote  peace,  and  an 
acknowledgment  of  American  independency,  and  a  treaty  of  friendship 
and  alliance  between  the  two  countries.  Another  of  the  committee, 
Mr.  J,  A.,  assured  his  Lordship,  that,  in  his  private  opinion,  America 
would  never  treat  in  any  other  character  than  as  independent  States. 
The  other  member,  Mr.  Rutledge,  concurred  in  the  same  opinion.  His 
Lordship  said  he  had  no  powers  nor  instructions  upon  that  subject;  it 
was  entirely  new.  Mr.  Rutledge  observed  to  his  Lordship  that  most  of 
the  colonies  had  submitted  for  two  years  to  live  without  governments,  and 
to  all  the  inconveniences  of  anarchy,  in  hopes  of  reconciliation;  but  now 
they  had  instituted  governments.  Mr.  J.  A.  observed  that  all  the  colonies 
had  gone  completely  through  a  revolution;  that  they  had  taken  all 
authority  from  the  officers  of  the  Crown,  and  had  appointed  officers  of 
their  own,  which  his  Lordship  might  easily  conceive  had  cost  great 
struggles,  and  that  they  could  not  easily  go  back ;  and  that  Americans  had 
too  much  understanding  not  to  know  that,  after  such  a  declaration  as  they 
had  made,  the  government  of  Great  Britain  never  would  have  any  con- 
fidence in  them,  or  could  govern  them  again  but  by  force  of  arms.^ 

2  The  written  report  of  the  committee  is  in  the  Journals,  Sept.  17.  A  verbal 
report  had  been  made  Sept.  13.  See  nos.  122,  125,  126,  128-131,  ante.  For  the  origin 
of  the  mission  and  comments  thereon,  see  no.  102  et  seq.,  ante.  See  also  nos.  155,  252, 
post.  In  his  Autobiography  (M^orks,  III.  75)  Adams  gives  the  following  account  of 
the  conference  with  Lord  Howe  and  the  subsequent  proceedings  in  Congress : 

"Monday,  September  9 

"  On  this  day  Mr.  Franklin,  Mr.  Edward  Rutledge,  and  Mr.  John  Adams,  proceeded 
on  their  journey  to  Lord  Howe,  on  Staten  Island,  the  two  former  in  chairs,  and  the  latter 
on  horseback.  The  first  night  we  lodged  at  an  inn  in  New  Brunswick.  On  the  road,  and 
at  all  the  public  houses,  we  saw  such  numbers  of  officers  and  soldiers,  straggling  and 
loitering,  as  gave  me,  at  least,  but  a  poor  opinion  of  the  discipline  of  our  forces,  and 
excited  as  much  indignation  as  anxiety.  Such  thoughtless  dissipation,  at  a  time  so 
critical,  was  not  calculated  to  inspire  very  sanguine  hopes,  or  give  great  courage  to 
ambassadors.  I  was,  nevertheless,  determined  that  it  should  not  dishearten  me.  I  saw 
that  we  must,  and  had  no  doubt  but  we  should,  be  chastised  into  order  in  time 

"  There  were  a  few  circumstances  which  appear  neither  in  the  Journals  of  Congress, 
nor  in  my  letters,  which  may  be  thought  by  some  worth  preserving.  Lord^Howe  had 
sent  over  an  officer  as  a  hostage  for  our  security.  I  said  to  Dr.  Franklin,  it  would  be 
childish  in  us  to  depend  upon  such  a  pledge,  and  insisted  on  taking  him  over  with  us, 
and  keeping  our  surety  on  the  same  side  of  the  water  with  us.  My  colleagues  exulted 
in  the  proposition,  and  agreed  to  it  instantly.  We  told  the  officer,  if  he  held  himself 
under  our  direction,  he  must  go  back  with  us.  He  bowed  assent,  and  we  all  embarked 
in  his  lordship's  barge.  As  we  approached  the  shore,  his  lordship,  observing  us,  came 
down  to  the  water's  edge  to  receive  us,  and,  looking  at  the  officer,  he  said,  '  Gentlemen, 
j^ou  make  me  a  very  high  compliment,  and  you  may  depend  upon  it,  I  will  consider  it 
as  the  most  sacred  of  things.'  We  walked  up  to  the  house  between  lines  of  guards  of 
grenadiers,  looking  fierce  as  ten  Furies,  and  making  all  the  grimaces,  and_  gestures,  and 
motions  of  their  muskets,  with  bayonets  fixed,  which,  I  suppose,  military  etiquette 
requires,  but  which  we  neither  understood  nor  regarded. 

"The  house  had  been  the  habitation  of  military  guards,  and  was  as  dirty  as  a  stable; 
but  his  lordship  had  prepared  a  large  handsome  room,  by  spreading  a  carpet  of  moss  and 


94  Continental  Congress 

133.  Robert  'J'reat  Paine  to  Peter  Grubb.* 

PiiiLADA.  Septr.  1 8th.  1776. 
Sr 

....  I  nieiitioiied  to  Congress  your  Inclination  to  have  some  of  the 
Prisoners  from  I^ancaster  to  work  for  you,  but  it  was  supposed  the  Com- 
mittee of  Lancaster  would  object  to  it.  I  hope  you  will  make  all  Expedi- 
tion in  making  the  Cannon  and  getting  them  down,  for  they  are  much 
wanted,  the  Cannon  must  be  proved  with  two  shott  or  they  will  never  be 
put  on  board  the  sliips. 

[Addressed :] 
To  Peter  Grubb  Esq.,^  at  Cornwal  Furnace 

green  sprigs,  from  bushes  and  shrubs  in  the  neighborhood,  till  he  had  made  it  not  only 
wholesome,  but  romantically  elegant ;  and  he  entertained  us  with  good  claret,  good 
bread,  cold  ham,  tongues,  and  mutton. 

"  I  will  now  proceed  to  relate  the  sequel  of  this  conference :  ist,  from  the  Journal  of 
Congress ;  2d,  from  the  letters  written  to  some  of  my  friends  at  the  time ;  3d,  a  circum- 
stance or  two,  which  are  not  preserved  in  the  Journals  or  letters [Extracts  from 

the  Journals,  Sept.  13  and  17,  including  the  committee's  report,  which  is  quoted  at 
length,  are  here  omitted.] 

"  Two  or  three  circumstances,  which  are  omitted  in  this  report,  and,  indeed,  not  thought 
worth  notice  in  any  of  my  private  letters,  I  afterwards  found  circulated  in  Europe,  and 
oftener  repeated  than  any  other  part  of  this  whole  transaction.  Lord  Howe  was  profuse 
in  his  expressions  of  gratitude  to  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  for  erecting  a  marble  monu- 
ment, in  Westminster  Abbey,  to  his  elder  brother,  Lord  Howe,  who  was  killed  in 
America,  in  the  last  French  war,  saying,  '  he  esteemed  that  honor  to  his  family  above 
all  things  in  this  world.  That  such  was  his  gratitude  and  affection  to  this  country,  on 
that  account,  that  he  felt  for  America  as  for  a  brother,  and.  if  America  should  fall,  he 
should  feel  and  lament  it  like  the  loss  of  a  brother.'  Dr.  Franklin,  with  an  easy  air, 
and  a  collected  countenance,  a  bow,  a  smile,  and  all  that  naivete,  which  sometimes 
appeared  in  his  conversation,  and  is  often  observed  in  his  writings,  replied,  '  My  Lord, 
we  will  do  our  utmost  endeavors  to  save  your  lordship  that  mortification.'  His  lordship 
appeared  to  feel  this  with  more  sensibility  than  I  could  expect ;  but  he  only  returned,  '  I 
suppose  you  will  endeavor  to  give  us  employment  in  Europe.'  To  this  observation,  not 
a  word,  nor  a  look,  from  which  he  could  draw  any  inference,  escaped  any  of  the 
committee. 

■'  Another  circumstance,  of  no  more  importance  than  the  former,  was  so  much  cele- 
brated in  Europe,  that  it  has  often  reminded  me  of  the  question  of  Phocion  to  his  fellow- 
citizens,  when  something  he  had  said  in  public  was  received  with  clamorous  applause: 
'  Have  I  said  any  foolish  thing?'  When  his  lordship  observed  to  us  that  he  could  not 
confer  with  us  as  members  of  Congress,  or  public  characters,  but  only  as  private  persons 
and  British  subjects,  Mr.  John  Adams  answered  somewhat  quickly,  'Your  lordship  may 
consider  me  in  what  light  you  please,  and,  indeed,  I  should  be  willing  to  consider  myself, 
for  a  few  moments,  in  any  character  which  would  be  agreeable  to  your  lordship,  except 
that  of  a  British  subject.'  His  lordship,  at  these  words,  turned  to  Dr.  Franklin  and 
Mr.  Rutledge,  and  said,  '  Mr.  Adams  is  a  decided  character ',  with  so  much  gravity  and 
solemnity,  that  I  now  believe  it  meant  more  than  either  of  my  colleagues,  or  myself, 
understood,  at  the  time.  In  our  report  to  Congress,  we  supposed  that  the  commissioners. 
Lord  and  General  Howe,  had,  by  their  commission,  power  to  except  from  pardon  all  that 
they  should  think  proper ;  but  I  was  informed,  in  England,  afterwards,  that  a  number 
were  expressly  excepted,  by  name,  from  pardon,  by  the  Privy  Council,  and  that  John 
Adams  was  one  of  them,  and  that  this  list  of  exceptions  was  given,  as  an  instruction,  to 
the  two  Howes,  with  their  commission."  For  other  accounts  of  this  interview  see 
Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  IL  141-145 ;  Almon's  Remembrancer,  VHL ;  Barrow,  Life  of 
Howe,  pp.  91-97;  Sparks,  Life  of  Franklin,  1.  414,  V.  97,  VHL  187.  See  also  Bigelow, 
Life  of  Franklin,  vol.  H.,  ch.  xii. ;  Writings  of  Franklin  (ed.  Smyth),  VL  457-466. 

[133]^  Library  of  J.   Pierpont  Morgan,   Declaration   of   Independence    (now  in  the 
Library  of  Congress). 

2  Peter  Grubb  was  colonel  of  the  eighth  battalion  of  Lancaster  County  militia 
and  owner  of  the  Cornwall  iron  furnace,  located  in  Lancaster.  See  Harris,  Biog.  Hist,  of 
Lancaster  Co.    Paine  was  a  member  of  the  cannon  committee.    See  the  Journals,  Jan.  15. 


September,  lyyd  95 

134.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  John  Page.* 

Philada  Sepr  i8th  [i7th?]^  1776 
My  Dear  Page: 

....  The  Congress  determined  yesterday  that  Commissioners  should 
be  appointed,  to  audit  the  Continental  Accounts,  in  the  Southern  depart- 
men[t]  and  they  are  to  proceed  to  day  to  the  appointment  of  them.*  The 
Virginia  Accounts,  that  were  tran[s]mitted  to  us  some  time  ago,  are  to 
be  referrd  to  them,  but  in  the  mean  time  the  State  is  to  have  Money 
advanced  to  it  upon  account 

135,  The  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  North  Carolina 

Council  of  Safety.* 

Cetitlemen 

We  wrote  the  honourable  the  Council  of  Safety  by  Mr.  Hayward  who 
left  this  sometime  since.^  We  then  inclosed  you  a  Resolve  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  directing  Brigadier  General  Moore  with  two  of  the 
Continental  battalions  which  were  raised  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina 
to  proceed  to  New  York  with  all  possible  expedition.  A  further  Revision 
of  that  subject  together  with  some  private  infoiTnation  by  letters  of  the 
present  state  of  our  Country  have  induced  your  delegates  to  obtain  an 
alteration  of  that  Resolve ;  from  which  it  will  appear  that  the  movement  of 
our  Troops  is  now  left  to  the  discretion  of  your  honourable  Body.' .... 

We  need  say  nothing  to  you  who  have  so  well  considered  and  digested 
the  matters  to  induce  you  to  compleat  to  their  full  number  the  Continental 
Battalions  which  have  been  raised  in  our  State.  The  inclosed  system 
agreed  upon  by  Congress  for  the  modelling  a  new  Army  *  holds  forth 
such  encouragement  that  we  flatter  ourselves  you  will  find  no  difficulty 
in  carrying  into  execution  that  part  of  the  plan  which  has  been  allotted 
to  your  share.  The  Bounty  proposed  is  liberal  and  aided  with  the  stimulus 
which  every  honest  American  does  or  ought  to  feel  effectually  to  establish 
the  liberties  of  America  upon  a  pure  and  solid  basis  we  hope  to  have  an 
opportunity  soon  to  congratulate  you,  that  it  has  obtained  for  you  an 
additional  force  which  will  effectually  baffle  the  future  efforts  of  our 
Enemies. 

You  will  observe  that  in  addition  to  the  six  Regiments  already  raised 
by  you,  you  are  impowered  to  raise  three  more.  Should  you  think  your- 
selves inadequate  to  so  large  a  number  you  will  as  early  as  possible  repre- 
sent such  your  incapacity  to  Congress  who  will  no  doubt  make  such  alter- 
ation as  will  suit  your  circumstances,  tho'  we  hope  that  you  will  find  no 
difficulty  in  complying  with  this  Resolve  to  the  full  as  you  will  no  doubt 
be  often  called  upon  hereafter  to  aid  the  weakness  of  South  Carolina  and 

[134]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib..  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1636.  Declaration  of  Independence. 

2  The  contents  indicate  Sept.  17  as  the  proper  date.    See  note  3,  below. 

3  See  the  Journals.  Sept.  16   (p.  761).     The  appointment  of  the  commissioners 
was  set  for  Sept.  17,  but  did  not  take  place  until  Nov.  6. 

[135]*  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm.;  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  804. 

2  The  letter,  dated  Sept.  3,  is  in  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  790.    Cf.  no.  131,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  3,  16. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16.  Cf.  nos.  121,  124,  128,  ante,  nos.  142-145,  147,  148,  post. 


96  Continental  Congress 

Georgia,  and  the  calling  forth  the  militia  is  so  expensive  and  burdensome 

that  it  ought  as  much  as  possible  to  be  avoided 

We  shall  write  you  very  fully  by  Mr  Hewes  who  leaves  this  in  a  few 
days.'  In  the  mean  time  we  l3eg  leave  to  subscribe  ourselves  with  all 
possible  respect  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  Obed  Humble  Svts, 

Wm  Hooper 
Joseph  Hewes 

Philadelphia  Sept  i8  1776.  J*^"^'  P^^^'- 

The  Honourable  The  Council  of  Safety  of  North  Carolina. 

136.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to 
William  Bingham.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  21,  1776. 
Sir: 

Your  several  letters  of  the  4th,  I5tli,  and  26th  August,  to  this  Com- 
mittee, have  been  duly  received,  with  the  several  enclosures,  and  the  whole 
have  been  laid  before  Congress.^  We  can  therefore  communicate  that 
satisfaction  w^hich  we  dare  say  it  must  afford  you  to  know,  that  you  have 
so  far  obtained  the  approbation  of  that  august  body. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  we  should  enter  into  minute  replies  to  the  con- 
tents of  your  letters ;  therefore,  we  shall  only  notice  such  parts  as  seem 
to  require  it. 

Captain  Wickes's  *  behaviour  meets  the  approbation  of  his  country,  and 
fortune  seems  to  have  had  an  eye  to  his  merit  when  she  conducted  his 
three  prizes  safely  in.  You  made  a  very  proper  use  of  his  engagement  by 
your  question  to  the  General,*  and  it  is  extremely  satisfactory  that  our 
prizes  may  be  carried  into  and  protected  in  the  French  ports ;  but  hitherto 
the  Congress  have  not  thought  proper  to  entrust  blank  commissions 
beyond  seas,  neither  can  their  resolve  for  bringing  prizes  into  some  of 
these  States  for  condemnation,  be  dispensed  with.  These  matters  are  now 
under  consideration  of  a  committee,  and  should  any  alteration  take  place, 
you  shall  be  informed  of  it.^ .... 

5  The  letter,  written  Sept.  i8  (  ?),  19,  24,  and  26,  and  signed  by  Hooper  and  Penn, 
is  in  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  810.    It  is  largely  concerning  military  matters.    A  more  intimate 
letter,  from  Hooper  to  Samuel  Johnston,  dated  Sept.  26,  is  ibid.,  X.  815.     The  same 
letter,  dated  Sept.  27,  is  in  Jones,  Defence  of  North  Carolina,  p.  321. 
[136]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  425. 

-  The  Journals  contain  no  mention  of  this  correspondence.  It  is  probable  how- 
ever that  the  letter  laid  before  Congress  by  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  Aug. 
21  was  Bingham's  letter  of  Aug.  4.  Bingham  had  been  sent  to  Martinique  by  the  secret 
committee  in  June  (see  no.  97,  note  2,  ayite)  and  resided  there  as  the  agent  of  Congress 
until  near  the  close  of  the  war,  serving  particularly  as  a  medium  of  communication  with 
France.  Beginning  in  October.  1776,  considerable  correspondence  with  him  is  found  in 
the  collected  Revolutionary  correspondence.  An  important  body  of  his  correspondence 
has  recently  been  acquired  by  the  Library  of  Congress.  A  sketch  of  him  is  in  Appleton, 
Cyclo.  of  Am.  Biog. 

3  Captain  Lambert  Wickes.  Concerning  his  operations,  see  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  14,  180,  249,  609,  706,  742.  759,  .11.  323,  425.  429,  121 1,  1213,  1215. 

*  The  governor-general  of  Martinique  was  the  Comte  d'Argout.  See  no.  501, 
post. 

5  The  committee  was  appointed  Aug.  21,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  have  made  a 
report.    Another  committee,  with  somewhat  different  scope,  was  appointed  Oct.  17. 


September,  ly/d  97 

We  recommended  the  French  officers  that  came  with  Captain  Wickes 
to  Congress,  and  the  Board  of  War  liave  provided  for  them  to  their  satis- 
faction.^ On  this  subject  your  remarks  have  been  very  proper;  officers 
unacquainted  with  our  language  cannot  be  useful ;  °  therefore  we  do  not 
wish  to  encourage  such  to  come  amongst  us;  at  the  same  time,  men  of 
merit  and  abilities  will  always  meet  with  suitable  encouragement.  You 
must  therefore  pursue  the  line  you  set  out  in ;  give  general  discouragement 
to  those  that  apply,  and  recommend  none  but  such  as  the  General  will 
pledge  his  word  for,  and  you  may  even  intimate  to  him,  that  if  too  many 
come  over,  the  Congress  will  not  know  what  to  do  with  them '' 

137.  Marine  Committee  to  Thomas  Cushing.* 

September  21,  1776. 
Sir- 

In  consequence  of  a  letter  from  the  President  of  Massachusetts  Bay, 
dated  the  13th  instant,  to  the  President  of  the  Congress,  which  was  by 
Congress  referred  to  this  Committee,^  we  have  determined  to  comply 
with  the  wishes  of  your  Assembly  by  ordering  the  frigate  commanded  by 
Captain  McNeill,  and  that  by  Captain  Thompson,  of  New  Hampshire, 
to  be  fitted  immediately  and  proceed  on  a  cruise  on  your  coast,  in  hopes 
of  taking  the  Millford  frigate,  or  driving  her  or  any  other  enemy  away 
from  those  seas.  We  therefore  authorize  you  to  accept  the  proffered 
assistance  of  the  said  Assembly,  or  any  Committee  they  appoint  to  assist 
in  fitting,  equipping,  arming  and  manning  that  frigate.  You  are  also 
to  accept  their  offer  of  twenty-four  nine-pounders  cannon,  and  to  coop- 
erate with  them  in  getting  the  ship  to  sea  with  the  utmost  expedition ;  and 
we  agree  to  reimburse  the  State  of  Massachusetts  Bay  for  all  just  and 
necessary  expenses  they  incur  in  effecting  this  business.^ .... 

138.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

Philada.  Sepr.  23d.  1776. 
My  dr.  Livingston 

I  have  been  so  much  upon  the  Wing  that  for  some  Weeks  past  it  has 
been  impossible  for  me  to  put  Pen  to  Paper.  The  Hurry  is  however  past 
away  in  a  Degree  and  I  snatch  a  Moment's  Leisure  to  request  that  you  or 

5  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  14,  19;  also  a  letter  from  the  board  of  war  to  Wash- 
ington, Sept.  20,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  407. 

^  Cf.  no.  49,  ante,  and  no.  360A,  post.  See  also  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  14,  19,  1777, 
and  DOS.  407,  410,  418,  post. 

"^  The  continuation  of  this  letter,  written  Oct.  i,  relates  principally  to  the  question 
of  expected  help  from  France  in  the  West  Indies.    See  also  the  committee  to  Bingham, 
Oct.  I,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  822,  and  nos.  153,  153A,  178-180,  224,  post. 
[137]^  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  427. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  20. 

3  Cf.  the  committee's  letter  to  John  Langdon,  Sept.  21,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  II.  429;  also  the  letters  to  Captains  Hector  McNeill,  Thomas  Thompson,  and 
Benjamin  Bradford,  ibid.,  II.  428. 

[138]!  Furnished  by  courtesy  of  Mr.  Johnston  L.  Redmond  of  New  York;  N.  Y.  Pub. 
Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  I.  213  (copy).  Addressed,  "To  Robert  R. 
Livingston  Esquire,  at  the  Congress  of  New  York,  to  be  forwarded  to  him  wherever  he 
may  be  in  New  York." 


98  Continental  Congress 

Jay  or  both  of  you  will  immccliately  on  receipt  of  this  set  off  for  this 
Place.  Little  less  than  the  Salvation  of  your  Colony  may  depend  on  your 
Presence.*  I  could  tell  you  a  jj^reat  deal,  had  I  Time,  or  were  it  not 
possible  that  this  mij^ht  fall  into  Hands  inimical  to  us  and  our  Cause. 
If  I  have  Lei.sure  I  shall  write  to  Jay  to  desire  his  Attend",  if  not  make 
my  Love  to  him,  tell  him  how  I  esteem  him,  and  how  much  I  long  to  see 
him;  By  a  Letter  received  this  Day  from  Schuyler  he  informs  us  that 
he  is  no  longer  a  Major  Genl  in  our  Service,  but  that  he  will  attend  his 
Duty  in  Congress  in  a  Fortnight  from  the  Date  of  his  Letter.'  I  wish 
he  was  now  here.  You  know  as  well  as  I  do,  that  the  Rascals  who  took 
much  Liberty  with  the  Character  of  that  Gentleman  would  not  venture 
to  look  him  in  the  Face.  I  admire  his  Wisdom ;  it  was  the  only  Step  which 
he  could  take  to  recover  and  establish  his  Reputation.  If  it  is  in  your  way 
to  write  him  let  him  know  how  agreeable  his  Presence  will  be  in  Congress 
to  all  who  wnsh  well  to  our  Affairs.  Let  me  repeat  it ;  you  cannot  render 
as  much  Service  to  your  Country  in  any  other  way  whatever  as  by  coming 
to  us  immediately  and  bringing  with  you  Jay  and  Schuyler.*  I  shall  go 
from  hence  for  Carolina  within  a  Month.  I  wish  to  see  Matters  put  upon 
a  better  Foot  than  they  now  are,  and  to  contribute  as  far  as  my  Abilities 
can  carry  me,  towards  rendering  your  Country  free  and  happy.  Don't 
take  my  Silence  amiss,  but  let  me  hear  from  you  soon.    God  bless  you. 

Yrs  Sincy,  and  affectionately. 

E.  RUTLEDGE. 


139.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
New  Hampshire  Assembly.^ 

Philada.  Sept.  24th,  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

You  will  perceive  by  the  inclosed  Resolves,^  which  I  have  the  honor 
to  forward,  in  obedience  to  the  Commands  of  Congress,  that  they  have 

2  This  has  reference  no  doubt  to  the  Confederation.  See  no.  155,  post;  but  cf. 
no.  85,  ante. 

3  Schuyler's  letter,  conveying  his  resignation,  dated  Sept.  14  (read  in  Congress 
Sept.  23),  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  333.  Cf.  nos.  144,  145,  148,  149.  155,  162, 
163,  184,  195,  post. 

*  Upon  receipt  of  Rutledge's  letter,  Livingston  wrote  to  Schuyler,  Oct.  2,  trans- 
mitting Rutledge's  message,  and  adding :  "  Our  resolutions  a  copy  of  which  I  shewd  you 
are  committed  by  Congress  to  Gentlemen  that  will  do  you  justice  for  two  of  them  at  least 
I  will  answer.  The  Committee  are  Rutledge  Hooper  McKean"  (N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib., 
Schuyler  Papers,  no.  1249).     See  no.  149,  post. 

[139]!  A'.  H.  State  Papers,  VIII.  351;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  489;  Mass. 
Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  38;  id.  to  Massachusetts,  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCV. 
269;  id.  to  New  York,  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  VI.  645; 
Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  6=;3 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  209;  id.  to  Maryland, 
Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  53 ;  id.  to  North  Carolina.  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  807.  This 
is  a  circular  letter  to  the  several  states.  To  some  of  the  states,  particularly  Maryland 
and  North  Carolina,  a  considerably  compressed  form  was  sent.  A  similar  letter,  bearing 
the  same  date,  was  written  to  Washington.  It  is  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to 
Washington,  LXXXIX.  320.  and  is  printed  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  488. 

2  The  resolves  relative  to  the  army,  Sept.  16.  Concerning  the  action  of  Maryland 
in  the  matter,  see  the  proceedings  of  the  convention  of  Oct.  4  and  9,  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  116,  120,  also  no.  192,  note  3,  post. 


September,  ///d  99 

come  to  a  determination  to  augment  our  Army,  and  to  engage  the  Troops 
to  serve  during  the  War.  As  an  Inducement  to  enhst  on  these  Terms,  the 
Congress  have  agreed  to  give,  besides  a  Bounty  of  twenty  dollars,  a 
Hundred  Acres  of  Land  to  each  soldier;  and  in  Case  he  should  fall  in 
Battle,  they  have  resolved  that  his  children,  or  other  Representatives, 
shall  succeed  to  such  Land. 

The  many  ill  consequences  arising  from  a  short  and  limited  Inlistment 
of  Troops,  are  too  obvious  to  be  mentioned.^  In  general,  give  me  leave  to 
observe,  that  to  make  men  well  acquainted  with  the  duties  of  a  soldier, 
requires  Time;  and  to  bring  them  under  proper  subordination  and  Dis- 
cipline, not  only  requires  time,  but  has  always  been  a  work  of  much 
difficulty.  We  have  had  frequent  experience  that  men  of  a  few  days 
standing,  will  not  look  forward;  but  as  the  time  of  their  discharge  ap- 
proaches, grow  careless  of  their  arms,  ammunition  etc.  and  impatient  of 
all  Restraint.  The  Consequence  of  which  is,  the  latter  Part  of  the  time 
for  which  the  soldier  engaged,  is  spent  in  undoing  what  the  greatest  Pains 
have  been  taken  to  inculcate  at  first.  Need  I  add  to  this,  that  the  Fall  of 
the  late  General  Montgomery  before  Quebeck  is  undoubtedly  to  be 
ascribed  to  the  limited  time  for  which  the  Troops  were  engaged,  whose 
Impatience  to  return  home,  compelled  him  to  make  the  attack,  contrary 
to  the  conviction  of  his  own  Judgment.  This  Fact  alone  furnishes  a 
striking  Argument  of  the  Danger  and  Impropriety  of  sending  Troops 
into  the  field,  under  any  Restriction  as  to  the  Time  of  their  Inlistment. 
The  noblest  enterprise  may  be  left  unfinished  by  Troops  in  such  a  Predica- 
ment or  abandoned  at  the  very  moment  success  must  have  crowned  the 
attempt. 

The  heavy  and  enormous  expences  consequent  upon  calling  for  the 
Militia,  the  Delay  attending  their  Motions,  and  the  Difficulty  of  keeping 
them  in  the  Camp,  render  it  extremely  improper  to  place  our  whole 
dependence  upon  them.  Experience  hath  uniformly  convinced  us  of  this, 
some  of  the  Militia  having  actually  deserted  the  Camp,  at  the  very  moment 
their  services  were  most  wanted.  In  the  mean  time  the  strength  of  the 
British  Army  which  is  great  is  rendered  much  more  formidable  by  the 
Superior  Order  and  Regularity  which  prevail  in  it. 

Under  these  circumstances,  and  in  this  Situation  of  our  affairs,  it  is 
evident  that  the  Only  Means  left  us  of  preserving  our  Liberties,  is  the 
Measure  which  the  Congress  have  now  adopted,  and  which  I  am  ordered 
most  earnestly  to  recommend  to  you,  to  carry  into  immediate  effect. 
Without  a  well  disciplined  Army,  we  can  never  expect  success  agst 
veteran  Troops;  and  it  is  totally  impossible  w^e  should  have  a  well  dis- 
ciplined Army,  unless  our  Troops  are  engaged  to  serve  during  the  war. 
To  attain  therefore  this  most  desirable  End,  I  am  to  request  you  will  at 
once,  and  without  a  moments  delay,  bend  all  your  attention  to  raise  your 
Quota  of  the  American  army.  The  Times  call  for  the  greatest  Dispatch 
and  Vigour  of  Conduct.  When  the  bloody  Standard  of  Tyranny  is 
erected  in  a  land  of  Liberty,  no  good  man,  no  Friend  of  his  Country,  can 

'  Cf.  the  report  on  the  miscarriages  in  Canada,  the  Journals,  July  30.    See  also 
nos.  13s,  ante,  142-145,  147,  148,  post. 


100  Contiueutal  Congress 

possibly  remain  an  inactive  Spectator  of  her  Fall.  Display  therefore,  I 
most  earnestly  entreat  you  that  Virtue  which  alone  can  Save  her,  on  this 
occasion.  Let  us  convince  our  enemies,  that  as  we  entered  into  the  present 
contest  for  the  Defence  of  our  Liberties,  so  we  are  resolved,  with  the 
t'lrmest  Reliance  on  Heaven  for  the  Justice  of  our  Cause,  never  to  relin- 
quish it,  but  rather  perish  in  the  Ruins  of  it.  If  we  do  but  remain  firm, 
if  we  are  undismayed  at  the  little  Shocks  of  Fortune,  and  are  determined 
at  all  hazards  that  we  will  be  free,  I  am  persuaded,  under  the  gracious 
smiles  of  Providence,  assisted  by  our  most  strenuous  endeavours,  we  shall 
finally  succeed  agreeably  to  our  wishes,  and  thereby  establish  the  Inde- 
pendence, the  Happiness,  and  the  glory  of  the  United  States  of  America. 
As  the  Troops  now  in  service  belonging  to  the  several  States,  will  be 
considered  as  part  of  their  Quota  in  the  American  Army,  you  will  please 
to  take  such  steps  as  you  judge  necessary  to  ascertain  what  number  of  the 
Troops,  as  well  as  what  Officers  will  engage  to  serve  during  the  war. 
I  send  by  this  Express,  blank  Commissions,  to  be  filled  up  with  such  as 
you  shall  please  to  appoint.  I  also  forward  a  Number  of  the  Rules  and 
Articles  of  War,  altered  by  Congress  and  just  published.* 

140.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Anthony  Wayne.^ 

Philada.  Septemr.  24th.  1776 
My  dear  Sir 

....  My  Compts.  await  Genl.  Gates,  and  Genl.  St.  Clair.  Tell  the 
latter  that  I  have  done  nothing  since  I  took  my  seat  in  Congress  with 
greater  pleasure  than  in  giving  my  vote  for  making  him  a  Brigadr.'^  and 
I  wash  for  nothing  more  than  to  do  the  same  justice  to  the  merit  of  my 
friend  Col.  Wayne.  Inter  Nos,  an  attention  in  you  to  Genl.  Gates  may 
facilitate  this  matter  if  it  should  soon  come  before  Congress.^ .... 

141.  Lewis  Morris  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention  (Abraham  Yates,  jr.).^ 

Philadelphia  Septemr  24  1776 
Sir 

....  Since  my  arrival  at  Philadelphia  the  State  of  N  York  has  had 
no  more  than  a  representation  in  Congress,  and  as  the  Gentlemen  of  the 
Committee  for  Indian  Affairs  were  mostly  out  of  Town,  the  whole  of 
that  necessary  business  has  Devolved  upon  me.^ .... 

*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  20. 
[140]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Wayne  Papers,  I,  109  (copy). 

-  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  9. 

3  Wayne  was  made  brigadier-general  Feb.  21,  1777. 
[141]!  N.   Y.   Pub.   Lib.,   Myers   Coll.,   Declaration   of   Independence;   Jour.  N.   Y. 
Prov.  Cong.,  I.  654;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  IIL  211. 

-  Morris  is  explaining  why,  instead  of  resuming  his  command  in  the  army,  he 
had  remained  in  Congress.  See  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York  convention,  Sept.  16, 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  693,  and  a  letter  from  the  president  of  the  convention 
to  Morris,  Oct.  8,  ibid.,  IL  949;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  627,  666. 

A  letter  of  the  same  date,  signed  by  Philip  Livingston,  William  Floyd,  and  Lewis 
Morris,  referring  to  New  York's  quota  of  the  eighty-eight  battalions,  says :  "  Four  bat- 
talions is  all  that  is  required  of  New  York,  including  those  already  raised."  (Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  208).    See  ibid.,  pp.  217,  218,  and  no.  232,  post. 


September,  i'jy6  101 

141A.  Robert  Treat  Paine  to  S.  P.  Eve  [?].* 

Philada.  Septr.  25th.  1776. 

Sr. 

Mr.  Gerry  delivered  me  a  letter  y**.  sent  by  Major  Cox;  I  have  been 
a  long  time  anxious  to  know  the  state  of  Gun  Powder  manufacture  in 
our  Government  and  have  wrote  repeatedly  without  being  able  to  get  any 
satisfactory  information.  We  have  had  great  success  in  making  saltpetre, 
but  witho^  great  Care  it  will  be  all  spoilt  in  making  into  Gunpowder, 
there  have  been  some  great  instances  here  of  miserable  trash  turn'd  out 
for  Gunpowder,  which  occasioned  the  Congress  to  appoint  a  Committee 
to  enquire  into  the  defect  and  procure  a  remedy.^ .... 

....  I  am  exceeding  glad  to  find  you  turning  yr.  attention  to  this 
very  important  Manufacture.  I  hope  you  will  not  only  make  improve- 
ments in  yr.  own  Works  but  communicate  Knowledge  to  the  other 
Powder  makers  and  do  what  lays  in  yr  Power  to  promote  the  manufac- 
ture of  good  Powder  for  it  must  be  a  most  cruel  Vexation  in  the  day  of 
decision  for  Liberty  or  Slavery  to  have  the  Scale  turn  against  us  meerly 
thro'  the  defect  of  our  own  Powder,  this  matter  has  lain  as  a  Burthen  on 
my  mind  and  has  caused  me  to  apply  great  attention  to  this  manufacture. 

Congress  have  passed  some  resolves  to  prevent  the  bad  manufacture 
of  Powder  and  also  the  importation  of  bad  Powder,  (for  much  Powder 
which  has  been  imported  from  abroad  has  proved  exceed  [sic'\  bad)  and 
have  recommended  inspectors  to  be  appointed  to  prove  all  Powder,  this 
matter  should  be  carefully  attended  to.  Majr.  Cox  will  describe  to  you 
the  machine  by  which  we  made  most  of  our  Experiments.  You  will 
excuse  the  freedom  I  take  in  addressing  you  thus  freely  when  you  consider 
the  real  importance  of  the  subject.  I  wish  the  Inhabitants  of  the  United 
States  were  more  intent  upon  providing  and  manufacturing  the  Means 
of  defence,  than  making  Governments  with^.  providing  for  the  means  of 
their  Support.  Wishing  you  Success  in  yr.  noble  Efforts  to  promote  that 
best  Good  of  yr  Country,  its  defence  from  powerful  Enemies,  I  part  your 

most  hble  Servt 

R  T  Paine 

[Endorsed :] 
Mr.  Paine  to  S.  P.  Eve  [  ?]'  on  Gun  powder 

[141  a]^  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Charles  E.  Goodspeed 
of  Boston. 

2  Complaint  against  the  powder  manufactured  at  the  powder-mill  of  Oswell 
Eve  was  presented  June  7,  and  a  committee  (Wisner,  Paine,  and  R.  R.  Livingston)  was 
appointed  to  investigate  the  defect  and  take  measures  to  remedy  it.  See  the  Journals, 
June  14.  Aug.  6  Benjamin  Rush  was  added  to  this  committee.  Aug.  28  the  committee 
reported  some  regulations,  which  were  adopted  and  printed  (see  Bibliographical  Notes, 
the  Journals,  VI.  1125).    An  additional  resolve  was  passed  Sept.  2. 

3  Nothing  has  been  learned  concerning  S.  P.  Eve.  The  powder-mill  of  Oswell 
Eve  was  located  at  Frankford,  Pa.  A  petition  from  him  to  the  Pennsylvania  committee 
of  safety,  dated  Mar.  22,  1776  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  sen,  V.  464),  was  referred  to 
Congress  May  3.    A  committee  was  appointed  upon  it,  but  there  is  no  record  of  a  report. 


102  Continental  Congress 

142.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren/ 

Sept.  25,  1776 
Dr.  Sir, 

This  Express  carries  a  new  Plan  of  an  Army  '  I  hope  the  Gen.  Court 
without  one  Moments  delay  will  Send  Commissions  to  whole  Corps  of 
their  officers,  either  by  Expresses  or  Committees  to  New  York,  and  Ticon- 
derogfa,  that  as  many  Men  may  be  inlisted  without  delay  as  possible.  It 
may  be  best  to  send  a  Committee  with  full  Powers  to  each  Place.  There 
is  no  Time  to  be  lost.  I  inclose  you  a  sett  of  Articles  as  lately  amended.' 
Discipline  I  hope  will  be  introduced  at  last.*     I  am, 

John  Adams 

143.  Edward  Rutledge  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).^ 

[Philadelphia,  September  25,  1776.] 

The  Congress  are  resolved  to  raise  Eighty  eight  Battalions  to  continue 
during  the  War  we  mean  to  re-inlist  all  those  who  are  now  engaged  if 
they  will  serve.  It  is  not  intended  by  the  Resolutions  that  you  should 
raise  Six  Battalions  over  and  above  what  you  now  have  but  that  they 
should  be  re-inlisted  to  serve  durinsf  the  war." 


'i3 


[142]^^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  275. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16,  also  nos.  139,  ante,  143-145,  147,  148,  post. 

s  Evidently  the  Articles  of  War,  adopted  Sept.  20.  The  task  of  revising  the 
rules  of  war  was  assigned  to  the  committee  on  spies  June  14  (a  committee  consisting 
of  John  Adams,  Thomas  Jefferson,  Edward  Rutledge,  James  Wilson,  and  Robert  R. 
Livingston,  appointed  June  s).  A  report  was  brought  in  Aug.  19  and  further  considered 
Sept.  19.  See  no.  85,  note  6,  ante,  and  some  remarks  of  Adams  there  quoted.  Again, 
in  his  Autobiography,  under  the  dates  Sept.  19  and  20.  he  comments  upon  the  Articles : 
"  This  was  another  measure  that  I  constantly  urged  on  with  all  the  zeal  and  industry 
possible,  convinced  that  nothing  short  of  the  Roman  and  British  discipline  could  possibly 

save  us 

"  The  articles  are  inserted  in  the  Journal  of  this  day,  and  need  not  be  transcribed ;  they 
are  the  system  which  I  persuaded  Jefferson  to  agree  with  me  in  reporting  to  Congress. 
They  fill  about  sixteen  pages  of  the  Journal.  In  Congress,  Jefferson  never  spoke,  and 
all  the  labor  of  the  debate  on  those  articles,  paragraph  by  paragraph,  was  thrown  upon 
me,  and  such  was  the  opposition,  and  so  undigested  were  the  notions  of  liberty  prevalent 
among  the  majority  of  the  members  most  zealously  attached  to  the  public  cause,  that 
to  this  day  I  scarcely  know  how  it  was  possible  that  these  articles  could  have  been 
carried.  They  were  adopted,  however,  and  have  governed  our  armies  with  little  varia- 
tion to  this  day."     Works,  III.  83. 

*  Apart  from  the  Articles  of  War,  Adams  had  been  instrumental,  according  to 
his  own  statement,  in  bringing  about  the  resolution  in  behalf  of  discipline  passed  Sept. 
19  (brought  in  by  the  board  of  war,  in  accordance  with  instructions,  Sept.  18). 

"  This  resolution  was  the  effect  of  my  late  journey  through  the  Jerseys  to  Staten  Island. 
I  had  observed  such  dissipation  and  idleness,  such  confusion  and  distraction  among 
officers  and  soldiers,  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  as  astonished,  grieved,  and  alarmed 
me.  Discipline,  discipline,  had  become  my  constant  topic  of  discourse  and  even  declama- 
tion in  and  out  of  Congress,  and  especially  in  the  board  of  war.  I  saw  very  clearly  that 
the  ruin  of  our  cause  and  country  must  be  the  consequence,  if  a  thorough  reformation 
and  strict  discipline  could  not  be  introduced.  My  zeal  on  this  occasion  was  no  doubt 
represented  by  my  faithful  enemies,  in  great  secrecy,  however,  to  their  friends  in  the 
army;  and  although  it  might  recommend  me  to  the  esteem  of  a  very  few,  yet  it  will  be 
easily  believed  that  it  contributed  nothing  to  my  popularity  among  the  many."    Ibid. 

[143]  1  MS.  Journal  of  the  South  Carolina  General  Assembly,  1776,  p.  211.  Extract 
of  a  letter  of  Edward  Rutledge,  transmitted  by  the  president  of  South  Carolina  to  the 
legislature. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16.    Cf.  no.  143A,  post. 


September,  iy/6  103 

143A.  William  Hooper  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

PiiiLADA.  Sept  25,  1776 

Dear  Sir 

I  thank  you  for  your  very  obliging  letter  of  the  9th  of  this  Instant. 

•      •      •      • 

The  Congress  have  ordered  88  Regiments  to  be  raised  for  the  next 
Year's  service  to  continue  during  the  War  I  wish  this  may  save  the 
dreadful  Consequences  of  short  Enlistments  as  calling  forth  the  Militia 
upon  Exigencies,  were  one  to  persist  in  the  method  hitherto  pursued,  the 
Contest  would  be  of  short  duration,  our  Treasury  would  soon  discover 
its  weakness.' 

Juniper  Lees  Express  arrived  here  last  night ' — he  left  Lee  at  Georgia, 
the  Congress  Express  within  a  day  and  half  ride  of  him — Possibly  Lee 
may  be  here  in  a  day  or  two 

Adiew    I  scrawl  this  amidst  the  confusion  of  Congress  at  the  Treasury 

board 

Yours  truly 
Wm  Hooper 

144.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  Sepr  26th  1776 

Dear  Sir 

I  have  only  Time  to  advise  You  that  General  Schuyler  finds  himself  so 
uneasy  at  the  Northward  from  the  Reflections  of  the  people  that  he  pro- 
poses to  resign,  from  which  We  have  Reason  to  hope  that  Harmony  will 
ensue.^  the  Army  is  to  consist  the  ensuing  Year  of  eighty  eight  full 
Batalions  to  be  enlisted  for  the  War,  the  Officers  to  have  Bounties  of 
Land,  the  Men  one  hundred  Acres  each  and  twenty  Dollars.^  the  Express 
is  Waiting,    my  Respects  to  all  Friends  and  believe  me  to  be 

yours  sincerely 

E  Gerry 

Colo  Trumbull 

145.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadel.  26  Sepr  1776 

Dear  Sir 

I  reed  yours  of  the  19th.  have  you  reed  mine  contain^  an  extempore 
Acc°.  of  the  Nego":  wh.  Ld  Howe."     Congress  have  directed  You  to 

[i43A]i  Furnished  by  courtesy  of  Mrs.  W.  A.  Read  of  New  York  City. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16;  cf.  nos.  13S,  I39.  142,  U3,  ante,  144,  H7,  148,  post. 
s  Letters  of  General  Lee  were  read  in  Congress  Sept.  25.     He  reported  to 
Congress  in  person  Oct.  7.    The  nickname  "  Juniper  "  was  probably  applied  to  General 
Lee  because  of  his  sharp  tongue ;  but  no  other  instance  of  its  use  has  been  found. 
[144]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  67. 

2  Schuyler's  resignation,  dated  Sept.  14,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL 
333-  Cf.  no.  138,  ante,  and  no.  145,  post.  See  also  Joseph  Trumbull  to  Gen.  Gates, 
Sept.  20,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  417. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16. 

[145]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  567. 
2  Sept.  7,  no.  113,  ante. 


12 


104  Continental  Congress 

purchase  Salt  and  put  up  Provisions  as  You  shall  judge  necessary  for 
next  year's  army  trust  You  have  reed  it  from  the  Presidt."  They  have 
alarming:  Acc°*,  from  the  No.  Army  that  tlie  Sick  have  nothin^^  hut  hread 
and  meat,  not  so  much  as  Ind  :  meal  nor  any  kind  of  Veg^etahle  etc.  and 
the  Sick  perish  for  want  etc.*  and  have  sent  a  Com*'  of  Mr  Stocton  and 
Clymer  to  enquire  into  all  the  Circumstances  of  that  Army  in  order  to 
make  Them  as  comfortable  as  possible,"*  and  the  Idea  of  a  Contract  for 
that  Departmt.  is  received  and  adopted  and  the  Com'*"  are  instructed  to 
endeavor  to  make  one,  upon  Schylers  Plan,  of  which  They  have  a  Copy. 
Suppose  it  will  ease  You  of  a  heavy  Burden."  three  wo*^  have  been  sent 
but  they  co''  not  find  a  3d  man,  two  had  been  successively  chosen  and 
begd  off,  and  then  it  was  concluded  to  send  but  the  two.'  tis  also  said 
the  Jersey  Troops  have  nothing  but  bread  and  meat  and  that  none  of  the 
Troops  have  their  just  rations,^  and  that  there  is  jobbing  and  cheating, 
tho  nobody  directly  blames  You  and  surely  you  have  powerful  Friends 
and  Supporters  but  there  is  great  uneasiness  that  your  Deputies  or  some- 
body grossly  fails  etc.  tis  very  possible  they  may  soon  be  for  enter^.  into 
a  Contract  for  the  York  Army,  and  have  you  continue  Comissary.  they 
say  tis  his  business  only  to  issue  and  be  a  Check  upon  the  Contractor.  I 
tell  Them  if  They  make  a  Contract  then  You  ought  by  all  means  to  have 
the  offer  of  it,  and  they  [say]  yes  by  all  means,  what  relates  to  the  Y.' 
army  is  only  out  of  Doors  talk,  and  I  cant  say  it  will  be  any  thing  else, 
but  very  likely  it  may,  tho  nothing  yet  moved. 

If  it  sho*^  be  the  Case  sho^  be  glad  to  know  Your  mind  about  contract- 
ing etc.  I  trust  the  Com*^.  will  see  you  on  the  road,  to  get  what  advice 
and  assistance  They  can  from  You.  I  think  Mr  Clymer  is  a  very  good 
sort  of  a  Man,  and  Air  Stocton  is  not  bad.  I  forgot  whether  I  told  You 
Gen.  Schuyler  had  resigned.^'*  it  has  not  been  acted  upon  but  I  imagine 
it  will  be  accepted,  but  am  sensible  it  will  cause  great  heart  burning  in 
many  members,  and  they  will  curse  N  Engld.  as  having  by  malicious 
Clamors  forced  him  to  it  etc.  etc.  the  Measures  are  taken  for  form^  a 
new  Army  as  you  will  have  seen;  and  learnd  pr.  Mr  Sherman  etc.  also 
I  hope  it  will  succeed,  wish  to  know  how  it  is  relished  in  the  Army,  it  is 
of  the  last  importance  to  have  it  succeed,  as  I  have  but  a  moments  Time 
cant  look  over  your  Letter  to  know  whether  I  sho*^  have  mentioned  any 

3  See  no.  113,  ante,  and  nos.  162,  166,  172,  post)  also  the  Journals,  Sept.  25,  27, 
Oct.  5,  9,  16. 

*  Cf.  nos.  162,  166,  266,  post. 

5  A  report  from  Stockton  and  Clymer,  dated  Oct.  26,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  II.  1256.    See  the  Journals,  Nov.  4. 

6  The  plan  proposed  by  Schuyler  is  in  his  letter  of  Aug.  25  (read  in  Congress 
Aug.  31).  The  letter  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1151.  See  the  instructions  to 
the  committee  appointed  to  go  to  Ticonderoga,  Sept.  25 ;  also  no.  124,  ante,  and  nos.  162, 
164,  166,  172,  175,  post. 

■The  Journals,  Sept.  25  (p.  823),  show  that  the  word  "three"  was  erased  and 
"two"  substituted,  the  alteration  evidently  having  been  made  on  the  26th  (p.  828). 
See  no.  164,  post. 

8  See  no.  166,  post. 

9  York,  J.  e..  New  York. 

10  See  nos.  138,  144,  ante;  also  note  12,  below. 


September,  lyyd  105 

thing  more  which  you  hint  at.     you  will  let  me  hear  what  you  can  get 
Time  for  etc. 

I  am  dear  Sir  your  most  sincere  and 

affec^  Friend  and  Servt  " 
Col  Trumbull 

Complimts  of  Mr  Sherman  etc. 

Sat.  28.  I  have  unluckily  lost  2  days,  in  the  conveyance  of  this,  by  a 
misinformation,  about  the  Posts,  going  out  on  Thursday.  I  said  Gen: 
Schuy^ :  Resign''  wo^  probably  be  accepted,  but  I  trust  I  was  mistaken. 
I  did  not  f orsee  what  maneuvre  wo*^  take  place ;  the  N.  York  Convention 
have  sent  a  warm  and  Spirited  Remonstrance  agst.  accept*^  it  represent^ 
the  Consequences  of  it  as  fatal  and  total  destruction  etc.  etc.  etc.  in  the 
most  pressing  Terms  and  unanimous  they  say  it  is  possible  some  body 
wrote  to  them  to  procure  this,  his  Friends  here  blaze  away  on  the  same 
side,  and  have  got  a  Com*^  to  consider  the  remonstrance  and  to  report, 
and  no  doubt  what  the  report  will  be  his  Friends  are  so  many  and  fierce, 
that  I  doubt  not  those  who  wo^  willingly  accept  it,  must  give  away  to 
such  a  Torrent  in  his  Favr.  for  the  sake  of  Peace  here.^^ 

146.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Jefferson.^ 

Philadelphia  27th.  Septr.  1776 
Dear  Sir, 

....  The  plan  of  foreign  treaty  ^  is  just  finished,  and  yourself,  with 
Doctor  Franklin,  and  Mr.  Deane  now  in  France,  are  the  Trustees  to 
execute  this  all  important  business 

The  idea  of  Congress  is,  that  yourself  and  Dr.  Franklin  should  go  in 
different  ships.  The  Doctor,  I  suppose  will  sail  from  hence,  and  if  it  is 
your  pleasure,  one  of  our  Armed  Vessels  will  meet  you  in  any  River  in 
Virginia  that  you  choose.^ 

147.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

KiNGSBRiDGE,  27th  Sepr.  1776. 
My  dear  Sir 

Being  here  wth.  a  Committee  of  Congress  for  enquiring  into  the  state 
of  the  Army,^  I  take  the  opportunity  of  informing  you  by  Mr.  Trumbull  ^ 

11  This  letter  is  not  signed,  but  is  in  the  unmistakable  writing  of  William  Williams. 
^2  See  no.  149,  note  2,  post ;  also  nos.  155,  note  8,  162,  163,  post. 
[146]^  Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers,  second  ser.,  LI.  30;  Letters  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee   (ed.  Ballagh),  L  218. 

2  The  committee  to  prepare  a  plan  of  treaties  was  appointed  June  11.  The  plan 
as  reported  by  the  committee  is  in  the  Journals,  July  18;  as  adopted,  it  is  found  under 
Sept.  17.    See  nos.  26,  note  2,  94,  loi,  ante. 

3  The  election  of  commissioners  to  France  was  on  Sept.  26.  Jefferson  declined, 
and  on  Oct.  22  Arthur  Lee  was  chosen  in  his  stead.     See  nos.  179,  180,  post. 

[147]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VIL ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  572. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  23. 

3  Joseph  Trumbull,  commissary-general.  Letters  from  him  to  Congress,  written 
from  King's  Bridge,  Sept.  19,  23  (read  in  Congress,  Sept.  23,  27),  are  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  372,  453. 


lOG  Continental  Congress 

that  we  are  endeav^.  to  new  model  the  Army  in  every  respect  where  neces- 
sary. Congress  have  resolved  to  establish  eighty  eight  full  Ratalions  for 
the  war  and  the  Assemblies  are  to  appoint  the  Regimental  OfTicers,  in 
doing  which  if  some  extra  Measures  are  not  adopted  we  shall  have  such 
a  Corps  of  Officers  as  the  Army  have  been  hitherto  incumber'd  wth.*  I 
have  desired  General  Washington  to  furnish  the  Committee  wth.  a  List  of 
such  officers  in  the  Army  here  as  he  is  desirous  of  having  again  engaged 
in  the  Service,  wth.  the  States  to  wch.  they  belong  and  the  General  thinks 
it  will  be  necessary  to  obtain  the  same  from  the  northern  Army.  The 
use  we  intend  to  make  of  this  is,  to  send  it  wth.  a  Member  of  Congress  to 
the  Assembly  of  each  resj^ective  State  who  is  to  be  ordered  to  impress  the 
Necessity  of  apix)inting  Gentlemen  of  Education  to  military  offices  as  a 
Measure  absolutely  necessary  for  saving  the  Country  and  to  urge  the 
Assemblies  to  apportion  the  Men  on  the  Towns  and  raise  them  by  recruit- 
ing or  draughting,  in  Readiness  for  reinforcing  or  forming  the  Camps 
by  the  ist.  Deer.  next.°  We  have  obtained  Colo.  Moylan's  Resignation 
and  General  Miflin  comes  again  into  the  office  of  O.  M.  G.^  Many  other 
Measures  will  be  reported  wch,  I  think  will  put  things  on  a  good  Footing. 

•      •      •      • 

[P.  S.]  Pray  direct  the  List  to  me  at  Philadelphia  without  delay.  The 
Men  are  to  have  a  Bountv  of  twentv  Dollars  and  lOO  Acres  Land  each  at 
the  end  of  the  war — the  Officers  Land  in  proportion. 

148.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Philadelphia,  September  27,  1776. 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  you  sundry  resolves,  which  are  so  explicit 
that  I  need  only  request  your  attention  to  them. 

You  will  perceive  that  Congress  have  come  to  a  determination  to  aug- 
ment our  army  to  eighty-eight  battalions,  and  to  engage  the  troops  to 
serve  during  the  continuance  of  the  war,  being  thoroughly  convinced  by 
repeated  instances  that  the  short  and  limited  inlistment  of  troops  has 
been  the  source  of  much  mischief  to  the  service." 

In  order  that  these  troops  may  be  better  disciplined,  the  Congress  have 
abolished  the  system  of  rules  and  articles  for  the  government  of  the  army 
which  they  at  first  instituted,  and  have  adopted  a  new  one,  sundry  copies  of 
which  I  enclose  you.^ 

*  See  the  Journals.  Sept.  16;  also  no.  148,  post,  and  Washington's  letter  to 
Congress.  Sept.  24  (read  Sept.  27),  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  438,  and  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser..  II.  495. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  3,  4,  8,  9.  Cf.  nos.  148,  150,  152,  159,  160,  164,  165,  166, 
170,  post. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  i.  Moylan's  letter  of  resignation,  dated  Sept.  27,  was 
read  in  Congress  Oct.  2.  It  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  570.  See  also  ilnd., 
II.  605,  and  no.  156,  post. 

[148]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  560,  III.  235;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  668, 
II.  347 ;  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  VIII.  275  (copy)  ;  id.,  Min.  Com.  of 
Safety,  VI.  712  (copy)  ;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXIX.  407  (copy). 

2  See  no.  139,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  19,  20,  and  no.  142,  ante. 


September,  iyy6  107 

It  is  also  their  determination  that  the  strictest  discipline  should  be  kept 
up  in  the  army,  that  the  soldiers  should  be  daily  trained  and  practised  in 
their  different  manoeuvres.  An  attention  to  these  things,  you  will  observe 
by  the  enclosed  resolves,  will  be  the  likeliest  way  to  obtain  promotion,  and 
will  be  the  surest  recommendation  to  their  notice. 

The  Committee  of  Congress  to  confer  with  you  on  the  state  of  the 
army,  etc.,  will  set  out  to-morrow  or  next  day  for  Tyconderoga.*  To 
them  I  beg  leave  to  refer  you ;  and  am,  with  every  sentiment  of  esteem  and 
regard,  sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

John  Hancock,  President. 

To  General  Schuyler,  Albany. 

P.  S.  The  attention  of  Congress  has  been  so  much  taken  up  by  our 
affairs  at  New  York,  that  I  have  not  time  to  reply  to  your  several  letters, 
but  hope  I  shall  have  leisure  to  do  it  by  the  next  conveyance,  and  that 
Congress  will  soon  determine  on  the  subject  of  them.  They  are  now  in 
the  hands  of  a  special  committee.' 


149.  Philip  Livingston  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention  (Abraham  Yates,  jr.).^ 

Philadelphia,  28th  September,  1776. 

Gentlemen: 

....  Your  resolutions  respecting  General  Schuyler  we  have  laid 
before  Congress,  and  they  have  appointed  a  Committee  to  consider  them, 
who  have  promised  us  to  report  on  Monday  next.  The  Committee  is  to 
our  wishes,  viz :  Mr.  Rutledge,  Mr.  Hooper,  and  Mr.  McKean.  As  soon 
as  this  report  is  agreed  to,  it  shall  be  forwarded  for  your  information. 
It  will,  without  question,  be  satisfactory.^ 

<  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  25,  26.    Cf.  no.  147,  note  5,  ante. 

^  Most  of  Schuyler's  letters  for  more  than  a  month  past  had  not  been  acted  upon, 
and  in  a  letter  to  President  Hancock,  Oct.  3  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  857),  he 
complains  bitterly  at  the  neglect.  For  instance,  his  letter  of  Aug.  i6  (Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  983)  had  been  referred  (Aug.  22)  to  the  committee  on  the  miscarriages  in 
Canada  (appointed  June  24).  Schuyler  was  so  informed  Sept.  14,  and  the  committee 
reported  Oct.  7,  and  then  its  report  was  laid  on  the  table.  Sept.  14,  Schuyler  sent  in 
his  resignation  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  333).  This  letter,  read  Sept.  23,  was 
acted  on  Oct.  2.  Cf.  no.  149,  post.  See  Schuyler's  reply  to  this  letter,  Oct.  6  (Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  921),  and  his  letter  to  the  New  York  convention,  Oct.  7 
(ifcid.,  p.  932). 
[149P  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  216. 

2  See  the  Journals.  Sept.  27,  Oct.  2 ;  cf.  nos.  138,  144,  145,  148,  ante,  and  nos.  I55> 
162,  163,  post.  The  resolutions  of  the  New  York  convention,  Sept.  20.  concerning 
Schuyler's  resignation,  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  707;  the  letter  to  the 
New  York  delegates  relative  thereto,  Sept.  21,  is  ibid.,  II.  418.  See  R.  R.  Livingston's 
information  to  the  New  York  convention  relative  to  a  conference  with  Schuyler,  ibid., 
III.  216.  The  items  are  also  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  634,  635,  656,  657.  In  a 
letter  of  Oct.  27  (N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  1250).  Livingston  endeavors  to 
dissuade  Schuyler  from  resigning  at  this  juncture,  expressing  confidence  that  the 
resolution  of  Congress  was  intended  by  Rutledge  and  other  friends  as  an  ample  justifica- 
tion of  Schuyler's  conduct.  See  also  Tuckerman,  Life  of  Schuyler,  ch.  v.;  Lossing, 
Life  of  Schuyler,  chs.  v.,  vi.,  passim. 


108  Continental  Congress 

150.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Anthony  Wayne.^ 

Philada  Septemr.  29,  1776. 

Dear  Sir 

....  The  late  resolution  of  congress  for  increasing  our  army  to 
60,000  men  will  necessarily  call  for  a  number  of  new  Brigadiers,  and  the 
proportion  which  Pennsylvania  will  send  into  the  field  will  give  her  a 
right  to  demand  one  or  two  more  for  her  Share.  Merit  like  yours  will 
weigh  heavily  with  the  congress  but  it  must  be  held  up  in  a  pointed  light 
to  their  view.  Col.  Magaw  ^  tho'  a  younger  Officer  than  you  being  near 
the  congress,  and  having  one  or  two  eloquent  friends  in  the  house  may 
perhaps  be  held  up  in  colours  that  may  injure  your  more  just  pretensions 
to  promotion. 

ijpon  this  acct  I  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  you  that  your  friends  in  con- 
gress (among  whom  I  desire  to  be  classed)  will  derive  great  support 
from  a  few  words  in  your  favor  from  General  Gates.  You  must  not  omit 
improving  this  hint  to  your  advantage.  And  in  everything  relative  to  this 
matter  I  beg  you  will  command  my  services. 

I  should  not  have  suggested  these  ideas  to  you,  had  I  not  more  than 
once  seen  the  most  eminent  military  merit  neglected  in  our  promotions, 
from  ignorance  in  the  congress,  or  from  the  want  of  proper  recommen- 
dations  

151.  John  Adams  to  Henry  Knox.^ 

[September  30  (?),  1776.] 

....  I  wish  we  had  a  military  academy,  and  should  be  obliged  to 

you  for  a  plan  of  such  an  institution.     The  expense  would  be  a  trifle — 

no  object  at  all  with  me. 

October  i. 

This  day  I  had  the  honor  of  making  a  motion  for  the  appointment  of 
a  committee  to  consider  of  a  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a  military 
academy  in  the  army.  The  committee  was  appointed,  and  your  servant 
was  one.    Write  me  your  sentiments  upon  the  subject.^ 

[150]!  Pa.  Mag.  Hist,  and  Biog.,  XLIII.  265. 

2  Col.  Robert  Magaw,  of  the  fifth  Pennsylvania  battalion,  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Fort  Washington  Nov.  16,  1776,  and  was  not  exchanged  until  Oct.  25,  1780.  He  did 
not  return  to  the  service.  Wayne  was  made  a  brigadier-general  Feb.  21,  1777.  See  the 
Journals,  Feb.  22. 

[151]!  Works,  I.  257  (extract). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  i.  Cf.  Adams  to  Knox,  June  2,  1776,  in  Works,  IX.  384. 
In  his  Autobiography  (ibid..  III.  85)  Adams  quotes  this  postscript  of  Oct.  i,  and 
dilates  at  some  length  upon  the  need  of  such  an  institution.  It  does  not  appear  that 
this  committee  ever  made  a  report.  However,  on  Oct.  3,  a  committee  which  had  been 
sent  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  army  at  New  York  made  a  report,  in  which  was 
offered  a  resolution  for  the  establishment  of  a  military  academy.  The  resolution  was 
not  adopted.  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  3,  8,  9.  For  a  history  of  the  establishment  of 
a  military  academy  at  West  Point,  see  Bojniton,  History  of  West  Point  ....  and  the 
Origin  and  Progress  of  the  United  States  Military  Academy  (New  York,  1871). 


October,  1//6  109 

152.  The  Secret  Committee  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.* 

In  Secret  Committee,  Piiilada  Octr  ist  1776. 

Gaitn 

Publick  Bodys  shou'd  be  equaly  cautious  of  taking  offence  as  of  giving 
it,  because  mischiefs  are  very  apt  to  arise  therefrom  and  generally  before 
a  remedy  can  be  applyed.  You  have  taken  amiss  the  refusal  of  fourteen 
p^  canvass  wanted  for  your  Colonial  Vessells  and  had  information  that 
2000  p^  had  been  imported  in  one  Vessell  here.  These  are  your  premises 
and  the  Facts  are  as  follow.  It  was  not  this  Committee  that  refused  you 
the  canvass  for  we  had  agreable  to  orders  of  Congress  delivered  the 
whole  to  the  Marine  Committee  and  that  whole  consisted  of  about  600  p^ 
instead  of  2000,  but  it  was  not  possible  the  Marine  Committee  cou'd  spare 
you  a  single  Bolt,  because  the  Congress  had  but  a  day  or  two  before  your 
application  ordered  all  the  light  Duck  and  other  Stuff,  then  in  the  Publick 
stores  or  that  could  be  bought  in  the  City  to  be  made  up  into  Tents  and 
sent  immediately  to  Genl.  Washington,  the  Marine  Committee  remon- 
strated against  this  measure  alledging  that  none  of  the  Continental  Ves- 
sells cou'd  be  sent  out  if  this  canvass  was  taken  from  them.  No  matter 
they  were  told  the  soldiers  should  have  Tents  if  they  stripped  the  Yards 
of  those  Continental  Frigates  and  Cruizers  that  had  sails  made  up,  and 
in  Consequence  of  this  measure  which  nothing  but  the  extream  necessity 
of  our  Army  cou'd  justify,  We  have  now  a  parcell  of  fine  vessells  lying 
here  useless  at  a  time  they  might  have  been  most  advantageously  em- 
ployed. Therefore  Judge  you,  whether  that  Committee  or  the  Congress 
itself  cou'd  have  justifyed  sparing  you  the  Canvass  you  wanted.  You 
may  depend  Gentn.  that  no  just  grounds  are  ever  meant  to  be  given  by 
Congress  or  any  of  its  Committees  for  Complaints  like  yours.  We  are 
all  embarked  in  a  Cause  that  requires  our  utmost  united  exertions  to  carry 
us  through,  and  be  assured  you  can  always  command  our  utmost  aid 
and  assistance  when  it  can  possibly  be  extended,  consistent  with  the 
general  Welfare.^ 

For  and  on  behalf  of  the  Secret  Committee  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 
Gentn., 

Your  most  Obedt  and  very  hble  Servant 

RoBT  Morris. 
To  the  Honble  the  Council  of  Safety  Maryland. 

[152]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  43;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  314;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  823. 

2  See  a  letter  of  the  secret  committee  to  the  Maryland  council  of  safety,  Sept.  13, 
and  the  council's  reply,  Sept.  25,  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  290,  305;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  310,  510.    See  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  15,  30,  Sept.  4. 


110  Continental  Congress 

153.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Corresponden'ce,  Statement.* 

[October  i,  1776.] 

Mr.  Thomas  Story,*  who  had  been  sent  by  the  committee  of  secret 
correspondence.  December  13,  1775,  to  France,  Holland,  and  England, 
reported  verbally  as  follows : 

"  On  my  leaving  London,  Arthur  Lee,  esq.,  requested  me  to  inform 
the  committee  of  correspondence  that  he  had  several  conferences  with 
the  French  ambassador,  who  had  communicated  the  same  to  the  French 
court ;  that,  in  consequence  thereof,  the  Duke  de  Vergennes  had  sent  a 
gentleman  to  Arthur  Lee,  who  informed  him  that  the  French  court  could 
not  think  of  entering  into  a  war  with  England,  but  that  they  would  assist 
America,  by  sending  from  Holland  this  fall  £200,000  sterling  worth  of 
arms  and  ammunition  to  St.  Eustatius,  Martinique,  or  Cape  Frangois; 
that  application  was  to  be  made  to  the  governors  or  commandants  of  those 
places,  by  inquiring  for  Monsieur  Hortalez,  and  that,  on  persons  properly 
authorized  applying,  the  above  articles  would  be  delivered  to  them." 

Philadelphi.a,  October  i,  1776. 

The  above  intelligence  w-as  communicated  to  the  subscribers,  being  the 
only  two  members  of  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  now  in  this 
city,  and  on  our  considering  the  nature  and  importance  of  it,  we  agree  in 
opinion  that  it  is  our  indispensable  duty  to  keep  it  a  secret,  even  from  Con- 
gress, for  the  follow'ing  reasons  : 

(i)  Should  it  get  to  the  ears  of  our  enemies  at  New  York  they  would 
undoubtedly  take  measures  to  intercept  the  supplies,  and  thereby  deprive 
us  not  only  of  those  succors,  but  others  expected  by  the  same  route. 

(2)  As  the  court  of  France  have  taken  measures  to  negotiate  this  loan 
and  succor  in  the  most  cautious  and  most  secret  manner,  should  we  divulge 
it  immediately  w-e  may  not  only  lose  the  present  benefit,  but  also  render 
that  court  cautious  of  any  further  connection  wath  such  unguarded  people, 
and  prevent  their  granting  other  loans  and  assistance  that  we  stand  in  need 
of  and  have  directed  Mr.  Deane  to  ask  of  them,  for  it  appears  from  all  our 
intelligence  they  are  not  disposed  to  enter  into  an  immediate  w'ar  with 
Britain,  though  disposed  to  support  us  in  our  contest  with  them ;  we  there- 
fore think  it  our  duty  to  cultivate  their  favorable  disposition  tow'ards  us, 
draw  from  them  all  the  support  we  can,  and  in  the  end  their  private  aid 
must  assist  us  to  establish  peace  or  inevitably  draw  them  in  as  parties  to 
the  war. 

(3)  We  find,  by  fatal  experience,  the  Congress  consists  of  too  many 
members  to  keep  secrets,  as  none  could  be  more  strongly  enjoined  than  the 
present  embassy  to  France ;  notwithstanding  which  Mr.  Morris  was  this 
day  asked  by  Mr.  Reese  Meredith  ^  whether  Dr.  Franklin  and  others  were 

[153]!  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  151;  House  Rept.  No.  220,  20  Cong.,  i  sess., 
p.  19;  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  8i8  (except  first  three  lines);  Sparks,  Dipl. 
Corr.  Rev.,  I.  387  (except  last  two  paragraphs)  ;  Lee,  Life  of  Arthur  Lee,  I.  57. 

2  See  Wharton.  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  63,  66,  82,  85,  87,  92. 

3  A  merchant  of  Philadelphia. 


October,  jyy6  111 

really  going-  ambassadors  to  France,  which  plainly  proves  that  this  com- 
mittee ought  to  keep  this  secret,  if  secrecy  is  required. 

(4)  We  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  inform  Congress  of  this 
intelligence  at  present,  because  Mr,  Morris  belongs  to  all  the  committees 
that  can  properly  be  employed  in  receiving  and  importing  the  expected  sup- 
plies from  Martinico,  and  will  influence  the  necessary  measures  for  that 
purpose;  indeed,  we  have  already  authorized  William  Bingham,  esq.,  to 
apply  at  Martinico  and  St.  Eustatia  for  what  comes  there,  and  remit  part 
by  the  armed  sloop  Independence,  Captain  Young,  promising  to  send  others 
for  the  rest.  Mr.  Morris  will  apply  to  the  marine  committee  to  send  other 
armed  vessels  after  her,  and  also  to  Cape  Frangois  (without  communicat- 
ing this  advice) ,  in  consequence  of  private  intelligence,  lately  received,  that 
arms,  ammunition,  and  clothing  can  now  be  procured  at  those  places.  But, 
should  any  unexpected  misfortune  befall  the  States  of  America,  so  as  to 
depress  the  spirits  of  Congress,  it  is  our  opinion  that,  on  any  event  of  that 
kind,  Mr.  Morris  (if  Dr.  Franklin  should  be  absent)  should  communicate 
this  important  matter  to  Congress,  otherwise  keep  it  until  part  of  or  the 
whole  supplies  arrive,  unless  other  events  happen  to  render  the  communica- 
tion of  it  more  proper  than  it  appears  to  be  at  this  time.* 

B,  Franklin. 
Robert  Morris. 

Communicated  to  me  this  nth  October,  1776,  and  I  concur  heartily  in 
the  measure. 

Richard  Henry  Lee. 

Communicated  to  me  this  loth  day  of  October,  1776,  and  I  do  also  sin- 
cerely approve  of  the  measure. 

Wm.  Hooper. 

1 53 A.  The  President  of  Congress,  Certificate.* 

Philadelphia  October  ist  1776 
In  Congress 

I  do  hereby  Certify  that  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Robert  Morris  -  Esqrs. 

*  The  following  passage  in  a  letter  from  John  Jay  to  Robert  Morris,  written  from 
Fishkills,  Oct.  6,  is  pertinent  here:  "I  wish  the  Secret  Committee  would  communicate 
no  other  intelligence  to  the  Congress  at  large,  than  what  may  be  necessary  to  promote 
the  common  weal,  not  gratify  the  curiosity  of  individuals.  I  hint  this  because  a  copy 
of  a  letter  from  A.  L.  to  that  Committee  has  lately  been  sent  by  a  member  of  Congress 
to  a  gentleman  of  his  acquaintance  who  is  not  a  member  of  Congress.  I  came  by  this 
intelligence  in  such  a  way  as  to  speak  with  certainty,  for  I  have  seen  the  copy,  but  at 
the  same  time  in  such  a  way  as  not  to  be  able  with  propriety  to  mention  names.  You 
will  be  pleased  therefore  to  make  no  other  use  of  this  information  than  to  induce  the 
greater  caution  in  the  Cornmittee.  For  as  to  binding  certain  members  in  the  house  to 
secresy  by  oaths  or  otherwise  would  be  just  as  absurd  as  to  swear  Lee  (no  matter  which 
of  them)  to  look  or  feel  like  Ned  Rutledge."  Correspondence  of  Jay  (ed.  Johnston),  I. 
85 ;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  164.  For  Jay's  part  in  solving  the  secret  letters  of 
Silas  Deane,  see  Morris  to  Jay,  Sept.  23,  1776,  Jay's  reply,  cited  above,  and  Morris  to 
Jay,  Feb.  4,  1777,  Correspondence  of  Jay,  I.  84,  85,  120. 

In  regard  to  the  expectation  of  assistance  from  France,  see  nos.  97,  136,  ante,  153A,  post. 
See  also  nos.  178-180,  post. 

[153 a] ^Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong..  Miscellaneous;  Henkels,  Catalogue, 
no.  1290,  item  222 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  823  (appended  to  a  letter  from  the 
committee  of  secret  correspondence  to  William  Bingham). 

-  After  this  certificate  had  been  written  the  names  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  and 


112  Continental  Congress 

delej^ates  in  Congress  from  Pennsylvania  liave  been  duely  appointed  Mem- 
bers of  the  Honorable  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence,  and  that  they 
are  fully  emix:)\vred  to  direct  all  matters  in  their  department  on  behalf  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  the  other  Members  of  Said  Committee  being 
now  absent. 

I  do  also  Certify  that  the  delivery  of  Arms,  ammunition,  Specie  or  other 
Stores,  to  them  or  their  Order  on  behalf  of  the  Congress,  is  and  will  be 
acknowledged  as  Valid  and  binding  on  the  United  States  of  America. 

John  Hancock  Presidt.' 


154.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  New  Jersey 

Assembly.^ 

Philada.  Octr.  2d.  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

The  many  and  just  Complaints  of  the  Insufficiency  of  the  Surgeons  and 
their  Mates,  to  discharge  their  Duty  in  a  proper  Manner,  have  induced 
Congress  to  pass  the  enclosed  Resolves,  recommending  it  to  the  several 
States  to  appoint  some  skilful  Physicians  as  Examiners;  without  whose 
Approbation,  no  Surgeon,  or  Surgeon's  Mate,  shall  receive  a  Commission 
either  in  the  Army  or  Navy.^ 

The  Congress  being  at  present  deeply  engaged  in  Alatters  of  the  utmost 
Importance  to  the  Welfare  of  America,  have  judged  it  absolutely  neces- 
sary that  there  should  be  a  full  Representation  of  the  several  States  as 
soon  as  possible.  For  this  End,  I  am  to  request,  in  Obedience  to  their 
Commands,  you  will  immediately  take  proper  Measures  to  comply  with 
the  enclosed  Resolve,  in  Order  that  the  United  States  may  be  fully  repre- 
sented in  Congress,  and  the  Sentiments  of  America  be  the  better  known 
upon  those  interesting  Subjects  that  lie  before  them.^     I  shall  therefore 

William  Hooper  were  inserted  after  that  of  Robert  Morris  (above  the  line),  but  they 
were  afterward  so  carefully  erased  that  they  can  now  barely  be  made  out.  Inasmuch  as 
both  Lee  and  Hooper  appear  to  have  been  in  Congress  Oct.  i  (both  received  committee 
appointments  that  day),  it  is  not  at  all  clear  why  their  names  should  not  have  been 
included  in  this  certificate,  as  members  of  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  then 
present,  or  why  they  should  not  have  signed,  until  Oct.  lo  and  ii,  the  committee's  com- 
pact of  secrecy  drawn  up  Oct.  i  (see  no.  153,  ante). 

3  In  the  letter  of  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  to  William  Bingham, 
Sept.  21  (the  part  written  Oct.  i;  see  no.  136,  note  7,  ante),  is  this  statement:  "We 
also  enjoin  you  to  the  strictest  secrecy,  and  herewith  enclose  you  two  separate  letters 
as  your  proper  authority  for  receiving  any  goods  or  money  Monsieur  Hortalez,  our 
agent  in  Europe,  may  remit."  The  two  letters  are  doubtless  this  certificate  and  the 
letter  of  the  same  date  to  Bingham,  to  which  the  certificate  appears  to  be  appended 
(Force,  Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  822,  823). 

[154]!  From  the  collection  of  the  late  Garrett  D.  W.  Vroom  of  Trenton.  This  letter 
was  sent  to  the  assemblies  of  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut, 
New  York,  and  New  Jersey.  The  same  letter,  except  the  first  paragraph,  was  sent  to 
the  assemblies  of  Maryland,  Virginia,  North  CaroHna,  South  Carolina,  and  Georgia. 
The  two  forms  are  printed  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  838,  839.  The  original  to 
Marj'land  is  in  the  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  51 ;  that  to  New  York  is  in  the  N.  Y. 
State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  VIII.  39,  and  is  printed  in  the  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong., 
II.  318.    The  letter-book  copy  is  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  47. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  30. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  i,  and  no.  155,  post. 


October,  lyyd  113 

only  once  more  request  your  Compliance  with  this  Requisition  of  Con- 
gress, and  have  the  Honour  to  be, 

Gentlemen,  Your  most  obedt.  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 

Honble  Assembly  of  New  Jersey. 

155.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

Philadelphia  Oct  2,  1776. 
My  dear  Robert, 

The  day  before  I  rec'd  your  last  favor  I  wrote  you  a  few  lines  ^  request- 
ing that  you  Jay  and  Schuyler  would  immediately  come  hither  upon  busi- 
ness of  great  importance.  Since  which  we  have  rec'd  a  letter  from  your 
Convention  ^  relative  to  the  last  gentleman  whose  fate  has  been  hard 
indeed.  However  his  spirited  conduct  and  the  support  which  your  body 
seem  determined  to  give  him  w-ill  I  trust  have  a  proper  effect  upon  Con- 
gress and  make  him  respectful  even  in  the  eyes  of  his  enemies.  The 
enclosed  resolution  *  which  I  drew  and  which  passed  the  House  unani- 
mously will  justify  the  conjecture.  It  will  be  a  farther  satisfaction  to 
you  to  know  that  upon  the  receipt  of  your  Convention's  letter,  when  some 
of  us  took  the  opportunity  of  applauding  his  (Sr's)  conduct  in  high 
terms,  no  man  could  be  found  to  say  any  thing  against  him.  Let  him  not 
im.agine  from  this,  that  the  members  are  all  his  friends,  this  is  not  to 
be  expected  nor  do  I  know  that  it  is  to  be  desired ;....!  moved  Con- 
gress yesterday  and  they  accordingly  directed  all  absent  members  to 
attend.*  Our  Confederation  has  been  neglected  for  many  many  w^eks 
because  the  States  have  been  unrepresented.  Necessity  requires  that  it 
be  immediately  past.  If  I  am  not  much  mistaken  the  salvation  of  your 
State  depends  upon  something  being  soon  done  in  this  business.*  We 
have  great  reason  to  think  that  the  Quakers  have  determined  to  refuse 
our  Continental  Currency.  If  they  make  a  point  of  it,  we  must  make  a 
point  of  hanging  them,  which  will  bring  on  a  storm  that  will  take  the 

wisdom  of  all  our  wise  men  to  direct I  must  forego  the  pleasure 

of  telling  you  what  past  between  Lord  Howe  and  your  hble.  servt.  it  is 
too  long  for  the  compass  of  a  letter.  Delay  was  my  object.  I  wish  we 
could  have  procrastinated  matters  until  we  could  have  procured  more 

1155]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll..  Livingston  Papers.  L  217  (copy). 

2  Sept.  2Z,  no.  138,  ante.  See  a  letter  from  Jay  to  Rutledge,  Oct.  11,  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  998;  also  Jay  to  Robert  Morris,  Oct.  6,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt. 
Corr.,   II.   164. 

s  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  27,  Oct.  2,  and  nos.  138,  144,  145,  148,  149,  ante,  162, 
163,  184,  19s,  post. 

4  The  resolution  relative  to  Schuyler,  Oct.  2.  See  Schuyler  to  Hancock,  Oct.  16, 
Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1078.    Cf.  nos.  173,  184,  post. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  i,  and  no.  154,  ante. 
8  See  no.  138,  ante. 


114  Continental  Congress 

assistance  from  tlie  Soutlnvard.     T  think  the  thing  was  possible  however 
my  scheme  (hd  not  take.'' .... 

Adieu  my  friend 

yours  most  affectionately 

E,  RUTLEDGE  * 

[P.  S.]   .  .  .  . 


156.  Caesar  Rodney  to  Thomas  Rodney.^ 

Philadelphia,  October  2,  1776. 

.  .  .  General  Mifflin  came  to  town  the  day  before  yesterday.  He 
brought  letters  from  General  Washington  informing  Congress  that  Mr. 
Moylan,  the  Quartermaster-General,  had  resigned  his  commission,  as 
unable  to  conduct  the  business  of  so  many  troops.  That  in  consequence 
thereof,  the  General  says  he  had  prevailed  on  General  Mifflin  to  accept, 
confident  that  there  was  not  another  man  in  the  army  who  could  carry 
on  the  business  upon  the  present  large  plan.  Under  these  circumstances, 
Mifflin  has  with  reluctance  accepted.' .... 


157.  The  President  of  Congress   (John  Hancock)   to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philadia.  Octr  4th.  1776. 

Sir, 

[P.  S.]  Inclos'd  you  have  Col.  Shepard's  Commission.^  The  Vacancy 
of  Col.  in  room  of  the  late  Col.  Stephenson,  is  order'd  to  be  Kept  for 
Mr.  IMorgan,  agreeable  to  your  Recommendation.* 

7  Cf.  nos.  122,  132,  ante. 

8  On  receipt  of  this  letter  Livingston  wrote  to  Schuyler  from  Fishkill,  Oct.  7 : 
"  I  wrote  to  you  by  Mr.  Yates  but  can  not  defer  informing  you  of  a  resolution  of 

Congress  which  Rutledge  just  now  enclosed  me  since  it  gave  me  the  most  sincere  and 
real  pleasure.  I  hope  it  will  obviate  your  objections  to  a  continuance  in  command 
since  its  unanimity  carries  with  it  the  highest  marks  of  respect  and  honour.  It  is  one 
of  Neds  own  pening,  who  has  the  strongest  attathment  to  our  state.  He  warns  you  in 
my  letter  not  to  infer  from  the  unanimity  of  the  resolution  that  the  whole  Congress  are 
your  friends,  but  this  I  believe  you  need  not  be  told  since  the  friendship  of  some  people 
is  not  to  be  purchased  but  at  a  price  which  you  would  scorn  to  pay."  Harvard 
Univ.  Lib..  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  IL  181   (original). 

[156]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  840. 
2  Cf.  no.  147,  ante. 

[157]!  Library  of   Congress,   Letters   to   Washington,  LXXXIX.  331;    Force,   Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  864. 

2  Col.  William  Sheppard.  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  2,  and  Washington's  letter  of 
Sept.  30,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  603. 

3  See  Washington's  letter  of  Sept.  28,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  454;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  589.  The  order  to  promote  Capt.  Daniel  Morgan  to  the  colonelcy 
left  vacant  by  the  death  of  Col.  Hugh  Stephenson  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Journals, 
evidently  for  the  reasons  suggested  by  Washington. 


October,  I//6  115 

158.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Samuel  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia  Octr  4th  1776, 

My  dear  Sir 

The  post  just  going  out  affords  mc  Time  only  to  acknowledge  the 
Receipt  of  your  agreable  Favour  of  Sepr  23d. '^ .... 

With  Respect  to  the  two  affairs  which  you  allude  to  the  C '  is  not 

finished,  the  other  is  and  persons  appointed  to  carry  it  into  Execution. 

Doctor  F and  Mr.  J  of  Virginia  are  well  [  ?]*  and  We  have  had  late 

accounts  from  Mr.  D of  Connecticut.    The  plan  which  you  desire  to 

have  a  Copy  of  would  be  no  Ways  useful  at  present,  as  It  must  undergo 
great  Alteration. 

....  Great  Delays  have  taken  place  in  the  marine  Department.  I 
am  sure  it  is  high  Time  to  adopt  a  Plan  for  a  Board  of  Admiralty  that 
can  be  obliged  to  attend  to  the  business.'' ....  the  Indian  and  our  [  ?] 
Department  ®  are  firm  without  effeminacy  or  the  least  Disposition  for 
Wavering.  Some  others  have  the  Disorders  mentioned  in  Mr.  Adams 
famous  Letters.'' 

[P.  S.]    We  hope  to  see  You  soon  ' 

159.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia  Octr.  5th.  1776. 

....  The  Officers  of  the  Army  in  general  are  not  equal  to  their 
Appointments,  and  from  hence  it  is  that  our  Soldiery  is  disorderly  and 
undisciplined.  It  is  therefore  recommended  by  Congress  to  the  several 
States  in  officering  the  new  Army,  that  they  pay  a  particular  Regard  to 
Merit  and  Qualifications  in  their  Appointments.'    It  is  agreed  on  all  hands 

[158]!  MSS.  of  the  late  William  D.  Ely  of  Providence. 

^Although  Gerry's  letter  contains  no  address,  internal  evidence  shows  that  it 
was  written  to  Samue!  Adams,  then  in  Boston.  A  letter  from  Adams  to  Gerry,  dated 
Sept.  23,  found  in  Wells,  Life  of  Samuel  Adams,  II.  447,  contains  the  inquiry  to  which 
Gerry  evidently  alludes  in  the  second  paragraph  of  his  letter :  "  I  should  have  been  glad 
to  have  known  what  situation  the  two  capital  affairs  were  in,  which  were  on  the  carpet 
when  I  left  you." 

■  The  Confederation.  The  "  other  "  affair  is  the  plan  of  foreign  treaties.  See 
no.  146,  note  2,  ante. 

*The  reading  may  be  erroneous,  but  it  is  more  probable  that  Gerry  is  using 
a  deliberately  chosen  cryptical  mode  of  expression.  At  all  events  he  evidently  means 
to  inform  Adams  that  Franklin,  Jefferson,  and  Deane  have  been  chosen  commissioners 
to  the  court  of  France  (see  the  Journals,  Sept.  26). 

5  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  26. 

6  Possibly  the  reading  should  be  "  war  Department ".  Gerry  was  however  a 
member  of  the  treasury  board,  and  his  reference  may  be  to  that  department. 

^  John  Adams's  letters  of  July  24,  1775,  to  James  Warren  and  to  his  wife.  See 
vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  244. 

8  Adams  resumed  his  seat  in  Congress  Oct.  24.  See  his  letter  to  Samuel  Mather, 
Oct.  26,  in  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  316. 

[159]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors   (1776),  p.  76;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  88. 

2  See  the  Journals.  Oct.  8.  Cf.  nos.  147,  148,  150,  ante,  and  nos.  160,  164,  165, 
166,  170,  post. 


116  Continental  Congress 

that  our  men  will  make  gooi\  soldiers  wlicn  they  have  good  officers. 

The  committee  who  were  appointed  to  inspect  the  State  of  the  Army, 
etc..  at  Ilaerlem.  have  returned  and  represented  Tliinj:i;-s  in  a  more  favor- 
able Light  than  We  had  used  to  view  them.  Methods  are  taking  that  the 
Army  shall  be  better  di.sciplined  and  provided  in  every  Respect  than  it 
hath  been.  Altiiough  We  have  some  good  Officers  in  some  of  the  principal 
Departments;  yet  in  others  there  is  great  Want  of  Skill  and  Abilities. 
The  Quartermaster  General  Moyla[n]  was  pcrswaded  by  the  Comm"  to 
resign  and  Brigadier  Genl  Mifflin  to  accept  that  office  with  the  Rank  and 
Pay  of  Brigadier  General.  This  Appointment  will  give  great  Satisfaction 
to  the  Army  ;  for  Genl  Mifflin  is  not  only  well  acquainted  with  the  Business 
of  the  Office ;  but  he  hath  Spirit  and  Activity  to  execute  it  in  a  proper 
Manner.' 


1 60.  Caesar  Rodney  to  John  Haslet.^ 

PiiiLA  Oct.  6.  1776. 
Dear  Sir.' 

....  If  Health  and  Weather  permits,  I  Set  out  this  day  for  Kent, 
and  don't  intend  to  return  to  Congress  soon  again,  at  least  not  in  the 
present  Reign.  My  Domestick  business  will  Employ  me  all  the  remaining 
part  of  this  fall,  let  Matters  here  turn  out  hereafter  as  they  may 

I  suppose  by  this  time  you  have  seen  the  plan  published  by  Congress 
for  Establishing  an  Army.  By  this  Plan  You'l  find  a  bounty  of  twenty 
Dollars  and  one  hundred  Acres  of  Land  to  Each  Soldier  that  will  Enter. 
There  is  also  a  Bounty  in  Land  to  the  Officers.'  You  will  no  doubt 
wonder  that  the  Congress  have  not  Raised  the  pay  of  the  Officers.  I  con- 
fess it  is  Strange  that  they  have  not.  But  depend  upon  it  (betw^een  you 
and  I)  their  pay  will  be  raised  very  soon,  and  very  Considerably  too.* 
This  for  your  private  Satisfaction  therefore  not  to  be  mentioned  Yet. 
Your  private  Satisfaction,  Did  I  say?  in  this  I  may  be  wTong,  not  know- 
ing whether  you  may  find  yourself  disposed  to  Enter  the  List  during  the 
War;  or  Whether  if  you  were  so  inclined,  as  the  Congress  have  left  it  to 
the  several  Assemblies  to  appoint  all  the  Officers,  Except  General  Officers. 
You'd  have  any  Chance  in  the  Nomination,  Even  if  you  deserved  it  ten 
times  as  much  more  as  I  think  you  Do.  How^ever  time  will  inform  us 
more  of  these  Matters 

P.  S.  Don't  suppose  from  what  I  said  They  have  left  me  out  of  Con- 
gress.    They  have  not. 

3  Cf.  nos.  147,  156,  ante. 
[i6o]i  Copied   from   the  original,   then  in   possession  of   Mr.    Stan.    V.    Henkels  of 
Philadelphia.    Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1236,  item  88. 

2  Colonel  John  Haslet  of  Delaware,  to   whom  this  letter  was  addressed,  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Princeton,  Jan.  3,  1777. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16.    Cf.  nos.  147,  148,  150,  159,  ante,  and  nos.  164,  165, 
166,  170,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  7,  8,  Dec.  21.    Cf.  nos.  164,  166,  post. 


October,  iy/6  117 

i6i.  JosiAii  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon/ 

Philadelphia  Octobr  7th  1776 
Dear  Sir 

As  I  have  not  been  able  for  some  time  to  attend  the  marine  Committee 
I  last  Saturday  took  the  liberty  to  show  Mr  Morrice  ^  your  letters  Con- 
cerning the  Conduct  of  the  Providence  Committee  about  Guns  and  soon 
found  Mr  Hancock  thro  the  multiplicity  of  Business  had  not  laid  the 
affair  before  the  Marine  Committee  Mr  Morrice  resented  their  Conduct 
extremely  and  Desired  liberty  to  lay  the  letter  before  Congress  but  as  I 
was  uncertain  but  some  bad  Effect  might  arise  from  laying  it  before  the 
whole  Congress  I  Declined  it  He  then  Desired  liberty  to  lay  it  before 
the  Marine  Committee  to  which  I  Consented  He  said  he  would  Do  his 
utmost  that  your  ship  should  have  them  Guns  at  Providence  and  without 
paying  that  Enormous  price  for  them  I  am  in  hopes  them  guns  will  be 
ordered  for  your  ship  and  one  of  theirs  ordered  to  wait  till  guns  can  be 
sent  from  here  where,  they  are  Contracted  for  at  35  and  40  pound  this 
money  pr  tun  ' 

I  believe  (inter  nos)  your  letters  to  the  President  Concerning  marine 
affairs  have  not  been  laid  before  the  Committee  nor  much  attention  been 
paid  them  the  great  and  important  Business  in  which  he  is  Constantly 
employed  and  the  almost  immense  number  of  letters  which  he  is  Con- 
stantly receiving  on  the  most  interesting  subjects  makes  it  impossible  for 
him  to  attend  to  them  all  and  lesser  matters  must  be  neglected  I  sincerely 
wish  he  did  not  belong  to  the  Marine  Committee  but  would  Confine  him- 
self to  the  affairs  of  Congress  which  is  Business  abundantly  sufficient  to 
employ  the  time  of  any  one  human  being.* .... 

162.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadela  7  Octo  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  reed  your  favr  of  the  ist  Inst  and  observe  the  Contents  have  also 
shewn  it  to  my  Colleagues,  and  Mr  G.  and  H.^  but  have  not  had  Time  to 
consult  much  upon  it.  I  think  tis  not  best  to  move  the  matter  you  insist 
on  without  a  previous  Consultation,  and  finding  our  Strength,  when  I  will 

[i6i]iHist.   Soc.   of  Pa.,  Dreer   Coll.,   Signers,   I.  35;   Brotherhead,   Book   of  the 
Signers,  p.  97. 

2  Robert  Morris. 

^  See  the  letters  of  the  marine  committee,  Oct.  9,  to  Stephen  Hopkins,  the  com- 
mittee at  Providence  (2),  Nathaniel  Falconer,  and  John  Langdon,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  954-956. 

*  "  Last  Saturday  I  received  yours  of  the  14th  instant,  and  am  very  sorry  for 
your  bad  success  in  procuring  guns  for  the  frigate.  You  say  you  have  mentioned  the 
affair  to  the  President,  and  I  hope  some  order  will  be  taken  about  it,  but  what,  I  know 
not.  I  have  not  been  able  to  attend  either  the  Marine  or  Secret  Committee  for  some  time 
past,  and  Congress  but  little."  Bartlett  to  Langdon,  Sept.  30,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  II.  602.  See  also  Bartlett's  letters  to  Langdon,  Sept.  9,  16,  2^,  Oct.  15,  ibid.,  II. 
253.  350,  459,  1063,  and  to  Whipple,  Sept.  10,  14,  ibid.,  II.  272,  323;  also  no.  174.  post. 

[162]!  Conn.   Hist.   Soc,  Joseph   Trumbull   Papers.     Addressed,   "To   Colo.  Joseph 
Trumbull,  Commissary  General  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States  etc.  at  Harlem  ". 

2  Gerry  and  Hooper?     Cf.  no.  175,  note  4,  post. 


118  Continental  Congress 

attempt,  we  liave  a  Club  once  a  week,  but  am  not  certain  They  are  all 
fit  to  be  consulted  in  this  matter.  I  truly  fear  what  will  be  the  result  of 
the  motion  in  the  House,  am  not  without  hopes  of  Success,  but  am  ex- 
treemly  unwillinj^  yon  sho''  leave  the  Service.*  there  are  stranj^e  Mortals 
in  Con^  be  assured,  tis  hard  to  say  what  some  of  Them  aim  at,  but  easie 
to  say  a  luimber  invariably  hate  and  persecute  every  N  Engld.  man,  and 
can  embroil  Matters  exceedingly.  I  expect  to  leave  Them  soon  as  Mr 
Sherman  returns  or  before,  it  will  be  pleasure  to  me  to  get  away,  and 
it  wo'^  give  me  inexpressible  Satisfaction  to  leave  the  great  Affairs  of 
America  in  better  Hands,  but  these  are  dangerous  hints,  the  Salvation 
of  the  Country  depends  on  the  Character  of  Congress,  excellent  Men 
there  are,  too,  and  the  great  Affairs  generally  are  well  determined,  tho 
some  times  with  great  Altercation.  I  hope  to  see  you  in  abt.  a  fortnight. 
the  Affair  of  Salt  We  have  moved,  and  not  without  opposition  (from  its 
being  wanted  for  the  navy)  have  got  a  Resolve  that  the  Con'  Agents 
deliver  you  or  order  what  They  have  etc.*  the  moment  I  co^  I  desired  the 
Presit.  to  send  you  the  Copy  etc.  as  I  have  frequently  done  before,  he 
assured  me  he  wo*^  but  always  seems  to  be  half  oft'ended  that  I  sho'*  doubt 
his  Care  in  all  those  Things,  he  says  he  has  sent  the  other  order  for 
purchasing  etc. 

have  nothing  lately  of  the  Scolding  about  the  Vegetables.^  this  Militiae 
are  got  back  to  their  dens,  and  pamperd  their  Guts,  and  are  perhaps  more 
easie.  this  Province  have  a  fixed  hatred  of  N.  E.  and  every  thing  that 
belongs  to  it,  but  Money,  and  that  is  all  the  God  they  worship.  I  fully 
agree  their  Troops  have  done  more  mischief  than  ever  they  did  or  will  do 
good.  Have  heard  nothing  said  about  a  Contract  at  N  York,  and  I  think 
there  will  not,  at  least  till  the  Com'*,  returns  from  Ty."  I  shall  not  be 
unmindful  of  your  affair,  but  I  dread  the  Clamour  to  be  raised  by  it.  I 
know  so  perfectly  the  rancor  of  some  against  you  as  of  N.  E.  and  an 
honest  Man,  and  the  pleasure  They  wo*^  have  to  get  rid  of  you,  and  give 
yr.  birth  to  a  southern  or  middle  Colony  man.  and  the  Distress  and  Con- 
fusion of  the  army  in  Consequence  of  it,  wo"^  give  me  great  pain.  Con- 
gress have  refused  Schylers  Resign^  and  sent  him  high  Compliments  and 
assurances  of  their  great  esteem,  and  resentmt.  of  malicious  Clamours 
etc.  etc.^  in  a  Lettr.  late  fr.  him  he  expresses  his  surprize  that  he  sho**  be 
forbid  to  interfere  in  yr  supplies  and  says  he  has  interfered  no  more  than 
he  thot  the  Good  of  the  Service  requird,  and  that  he  will  forever  do.* 
I  believe  if  Genl,  Washington  sho^  write  so  contemptuous  a  Letter,  he 
wo'*  come  near  to  be  broke,  but  if  Schy''  sho**  damn  the  Congress  and  the 

3  The  allusion  is   probably  to  the   augmentation  of  Trumbull's   compensation. 
See  especially  nos.  164,  166,  175,  post.    Cf.  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  410,  417,  446,  689. 
*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  5,  and  no.  145,  ante;  also  nos.  166,  172,  331,  post. 

5  See  no.  145,  ante,  and  nos.  166,  266,  post. 

6  Cf.  nos.  124,  145,  ante,  and  nos.  164,  165,  172,  175,  post. 

^  See  the  Journals.  Oct.  2;  cf.  nos.  145,  155,  ante,  163,  post. 
8  See  Schuyler's  letter  to  Congress,  Sept.  25   (read  Oct.  4),  Force,  Atn.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  525. 


October,  lyyd  119 

Cause,  it  wo**  not  be  resisted  by  some.    Such  Letters  as  this  must  be  burnt. 
I  have  no  Time  to  add  but  that  I  am  with  much  affection  and  g-ood  Will 

yr.  affect.  Frd.  and  Bro"". 

W.  Williams 
do  you  know  any  thing  abt.  my  Kinsman,  Col  Wards  Adjutant. 

163.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention,* 

Philadelphia,  October  7,  1776. 
Gentlemen: 

....  The  Committee  of  Congress  to  whom  your  papers  respecting 
General  Schuyler  were  committed,  have  reported,  we  hope  to  your  satis- 
faction. Mr.  Rutledge  informs  us  that  he  had  transmitted  a  copy  to 
Robert  R.  Livingston,  Esq.,  and  a  certified  copy  shall  be  sent  you  per 
post,  which  will  probably  come  to  your  hands  before  this  letter.^ 

On  the  5th  instant  we  were  going  to  move  Congress,  that  they  would 
direct  General  Washington  to  propose  to  General  Howe  the  exchange  of 
Brigadier-General  Woodhull  for  Brigadier-General  McDonald,  when  a 
Pennsylvania  newspaper  of  same  date  was  handed  to  us,  by  which  it 
would  appear  that  Brigadier-General  Woodhull  had  taken  such  a  part  as 
would  put  it  out  of  our  power  to  move  for  his  exchange.  Should  be  glad 
you  would  inform  us  if  there  be  any  truth  in  this  conjecture,  and  direct 
us  as  to  our  conduct  therein.' 

We  are  respectfully,  gentlemen,  your  very  humble  servants, 

Fra.  Lewis, 
Phil.  Livingston, 
Wm.  Floyd. 

To  the  honourable  the  Convention  of  New-York. 

[163]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  926;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  320;  N.  Y. 
State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  VIII.  59. 

2  See  nos.  149,  155,  ante. 

3  Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Long  Island  Brig.-Gen.  Nathaniel  Woodhull  was 
taken  prisoner  and  Received  wounds  from  which,  when  this  letter  was  written,  he  had 
already  died  (Sept.  20).  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  II.  170,  701,  894,  934,  III.  203, 
240;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  630,  671 ;  also  Washington's  Writings  (ed.  Sparks),  IV. 
128,  142.  The  circumstances  of  the  capture  and  wounding  of  General  Woodhull  have 
given  rise  to  much  controversy.  See  B.  F.  Thompson,  History  of  Long  Island,  p.  503 ; 
Hist.  Mag.,  V.  140-142,  172-176,  204-211,  229-236  (a  series  of  letters  by  James  Fenimore 
Cooper,  Lorenzo  Sabine,  Henry  Onderdonk,  jr.,  and  H.  C.  Van  Schaack,  reprinted  from 
the  Home  Journal,  1848)  ;  Onderdonk,  Revolutionary  Incidents  of  Suffolk  and  Kings 
Counties,  pp.  30-41  ;  and  Long  Island  Hist.  Soc,  Memoirs,  II.  288-310.  422.  The  news- 
paper item  alluded  to  by  the  New  York  delegates  is  probably  one  found  in  the  issue  of 
the  Pennsylvania  Ledger  of  Oct.  5,  under  the  following  caption : 

From  the  Connecticut  Gazette. 
The  following  papers  were  a  few  days  since  brought  from 
Long  Island,  and  are  given  to  us  for  publication. 
The  papers  consist  of  four  orders  signed  by  Oliver  De  Lancey.     The  pertinent  one 
is  the  following: 

"Jamaica,  Sept.  21,  1776. 
Sir, 

I  am  ordered  by  his  Excellency  the  Honorable  William  Howe,  Esq ;  General  and  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  his  Majesty's  forces  in  North  America,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  the 
Floridas,  on  the  application  of  the  county  of  Suffolk,  by  Nathaniel  Woodhull  and  Samuel 
Philips,  who  have  signified  to  him  that  the  inhabitants  of  said  county  are  desirous  of  lay- 
ing down  their  arms  and  again  becoming  loyal  and  obedient  subjects,  that  for  the  peace 

13 


120  Continental  Congress 

164.  Elbridgi-:  Gekry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.' 

PniLADELPinA  8th  Octr.  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  just  rccd  your  Favours  of  3(1  and  7th  Inst*  and  am  at  a  Loss  to 
know  wliat  is  meant  by  "  supplying'  the  army  by  Contract  ".  I  have  never 
heard  a  proposal  of  the  Kind  made  in  Conc^ress;  if  such  a  plan  has  been 
agitated  It  was  in  my  absence.*  the  Comm^  exerted  themselves  to  return 
to  Congress  and  make  their  report.  It  has  now  been  under  Consideration 
four  Days  and  the  part  that  respects  your  powers  contains  sufficient  pro- 
vision for  your  purposes,  but  has  not  yet  been  considered.^  I  suppose  the 
Congress  will  have  no  objection  to  making  you  a  generous  Allowance  for 
your  services  when  the  Matter  can  be  properly  agitated,  but  a  Multiplicity 
of  Business  and  not  an  apprehension  that  the  Measure  cannot  be  carryed, 
has  prevented  a  Determination  of  it  before  this.  It  will  be  proposed  when 
several  Important  Alatters  are  finished,  and  I  hope  to  your  Satisfaction, 
if  not  and  You  resign,  It  is  probable  to  me  that  Congress  will  supply  the 
Army  by  Contract.  For  my  own  part  I  have  sacrificed  Ease  and  Interest 
to  the  Liberties  of  America,  and  am  fully  convinced  that  unless  a  general 
Determination  prevails  to  establish  it  at  every  Expense  and  Hazard, 
Slavery  and  inevitable  Ruin  must  be  the  Consequence.  I  could  wish 
therefore  that  a  Determination  had  taken  place  in  your  Mind  to  have 
sustained  the  office  of  Commissary  General  without  annexing  the  Con- 
ditions mentioned,  since  Congress  must  exercise  an  unbiassed  Judgment 
in  determining  the  Quantum  meruit  of  all  their  officers  or  surrender  the 
purse  strings  of  the  Continent  to  those  who  are  employed  in  its  Services — 
a  Measure  that  would  soon  end  in  the  ruin  of  all.  I  am  the  more  desirous 
of  this  as  your  Friends  would  not  be  the  less  attentive  to  your  Merits,  and 
as  Your  present  plan  may  end  in  the  Introduction  of  an  officer  to  suc- 
ceed vou  who  mav  dissatisfv  the  Armv,  yea  cause  it  to  be  disbanded  and 
risk  the  loosing  America.  These  are  my  Sentiments  on  the  Matter  but 
shall  nevertheless  endeavour  to  have  the  Affair  properly  regulated  and 
the  most  generous  Allowances  made  for  your  services.*    my  Complimts. 

and  ease  and  security  of  the  inhabitants  he  is  willing  to  accept  of  their  submission,  and 
promise  them  protection,  on  the  King's  Colonels  and  other  inferiors  of  the  militia 
respectivel}',  making  and  causing  the  men  through  the  county,  to  lay  down  their  arms, 
take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  sign  the  said  roll  of  submission,  disclaiming  and  rejecting 
the  orders  of  Congress  and  Committees,  and  totally  refusing  obedience  to  them,  and  to 
obey  the  legal  authority  of  government,  and  in  all  places  of  worship  in  future,  pray  for 
the  King  and  Royal  Family,  as  was  usual  before  the  present  unprovoked  rebellion. 

Oliver  De  Laxcey, 

Major-General  of  the  Militia  in  the  Southern 

District  of  the  colony  of  New  York. 
Colonel  Concklin 

Directed  also  to  Col.  Phineas  Fanning  or  ^ 

next  commanding  officer,  Sonthold." 

[i64]iConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Cf.  nos.  124,  145,  162,  anic,  165,  172,  175,  239,  post. 

3  The  committee  appointed,  Sept.  25,  26,  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  the  army 
made  a  report  Oct.  3  (see  the  Journals,  Oct.  8). 

•*  Cf.  no.  162,  note  3,  ante,  and  nos.  166,  175,  post;  also  the  Journals,  Oct.  21. 
A  revision  of  the  commissary's  department  was  effected  June  10,  1777,  and  the  com- 
pensation of  the  officers  was  determined  June  16. 


October,  ///d  121 

to  Colo.  Cortland  and  the  Ladies  and  believe  me  to  be  Sir  your  very 
hum.  Sert 

E.  Gerry 

P.  S.  The  Officers  pay  is  raised  50  per  Ct.  but  this  to  be  communicated 
but  to  a  few  Friends  untill  the  report  relative  to  the  Men  is  considered.* 
General  Lee  is  arrived,  the  Cherokees  have  had  a  severe  drubbing-,  abt 
300  killed,  75  of  wch.  are  scalped  and  g-reat  Numbers  put  to  flight  leaving 
their  Towns  to  be  burnt  and  Corn  Fields  destroyed.®  I  am  just  informed 
that  while  We  were  at  N  York  the  Ticon.  Comm.  had  power  to  supply 
the  army  by  Contract,  and  inclose  a  Letter  Which  pray  examine  and 
forward  ist  Opper. 

165.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Philadelphia  Octr.  9th.  1776 
Dear  Sir, 

I  wrote  you  about  10  days  ago  ^  from  the  Camp  at  Harlem,  and  since 
my  return  to  this  City,  find  that  the  Committee  of  Congress  to  enquire 
into  the  state  of  your  affairs  at  Tyconderoga  are  empowered  to  make 
Contracts  for  supplying  your  Army.  What  gave  rise  to  this  matter  I  have 
not  yet  learnt,  but  it  counteracts  a  measure  of  having  it  supplied  by  the 
Commissary  General,  which  has  alone  proved  salutary  in  that  department. 
I  suspect  it  originates  from  Tory  influence,  and  that  if  any  alteration  is 
made,  the  Committee  not  knowing  or  being  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  characters  of  the  persons  who  are  desirous  of  the  place,  will  introduce 
a  person  that  will  put  the  Northern  Army  in  the  same  ruinous  situation 
heretofore  experienced.  For  God's  sake  then  use  your  influence  to 
prevent  new  schemes  at  this  critical  juncture,  if  no  great  inconveniences 
are  felt  from  the  present  mode  of  supplies.^ .... 

166.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  Octo.  10  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  inclose  you  a  Resolution,  brot.  in  among  others,  by  the  New  York 
Com*^,^  and  yesterday  pasd,  not  without  opposition.    I  suppose  however 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  7 ;  cf.  ibid.,  July  29,  Nov.  4,  1775.  See  also  no.  160,  ante, 
and  no.  166,  post. 

6  Cf.  a  letter  of  William  Ellery  to  Governor  Cooke,  Oct.  11,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  990.  For  the  first  intimation  to  Congress  of  the  project  to  arouse  the 
Cherokees,  see  Gerry  to  Trumbull,  June  18,  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  719.  Concerning 
the  Cherokee  campaign,  see  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  650-652,  657-661,  662,  665,  669,  671, 
726,  729,  745-747,  751,  758,  763-785,  788,  837,  842,  844-847,  881;  also  Ramsey,  Hist,  of 
Tenn.j  pp.  162  et  seq. 

[165]!  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXII.  58  (copy). 

2  Sept.  27,  no.  147,  ante. 

3  Cf.  nos.  124,  145,  162,  164,  ante,  166,  172,  175,  post. 
[  1 66]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  That  is,  the  committee  "  who  went  to  the  camp  ".  The  resolution  referred  to 
is  no  doubt  that  pertaining  to  the  purchase  of  salt.  See  the  third  paragraph  of  this 
letter;  also  nos.  113,  145,  162,  ante,  no.  172,  post. 


122  Continental  Congress 

the  President  has  sent  it,  but  not  being'  certain,  and  knowing  it  of  im- 
portance, think  it  my  Duty  to  inform  you  of  it,  lest  it  sho*^  escape  Him. 

there  was  also  a  Resolve  pasd  same  Time,  that  for  the  preservation  of 
the  Health  etc.  of  the  Army,  the  Comiss".  Genl  be  directed  to  purchase 
and  have  sufficient  Quantitys  of  Indian  Meal  and  Vegetables,  or  to  that 
purpose,  it  was  a  good  deal  urged,  that  the  Words  Pease,  Beans,  etc. 
sho'*  be  inserted,  but  it  was  said,  they  were  included  in  vegetables,  and  it 
pasd.  as  drawn.' 

I  sho''  suppose  you  cannot  employ  a  better  Person  to  import  Salt  than 
Colo.  Jaz  Huntington,  and  perhaps  He  alone  is  quite  sufficient 

The  affair  you  mention  is  not  yet  moved  and  our  Club  meets  this 
Even^.  I  intend  to  sound  them,  and  prepare  the  Matter  as  well  and  soon 
may  be.* 

You  have  doubtless  heard  of  a  addition  of  50  per  Cent  made  to  the 
Wages  of  the  officers  from  Colo,  to  Ens"  Adj.  Quar.  Mas'".  Ad  jut. 
stand  [s]  as  established  a  little  before,  viz  the  Pay  and  Rations  of  a  Capt 
and  rank  of  ist  Lieut.^  since  that,  on  an  exceeding,  most  laborious  and 
warmly  spirited  Debate  that  ever  I  was  Witness  to,  They  have  added, 
an  annual  Suit  of  Cloaths  to  the  non  Com :  Officers  and  Soldiers  to  the 
value  and  amount  of  twenty  Dollars,  and  the  man  procuring  a  Certificate 
from  his  Capt.  that  He  is  provided  with  the  enumerated  Articles  will  be 
entitled  to  the  20  Dols  in  Cash.  This  is  the  very  utmost  that  can  possibly 
be  obtained  and  certainly  is  as  much  as  can  be  reasonably  wishd  or  desired, 
and  I  am  sure  it  is  a  very  large  and  sufficient  Encouragemt.,  and  as  much 
as  it  is  possible  for  the  Continent  to  support.  New  England  pressed  it  to 
the  utmost  of  their  Power  and  were  but  just  able  to  carry  it,  but  They 
wo^  not  wdsh  to  add  another  farthing. 

to  save  great  Delay  and  Inconvenience,  a  Resolve  is  also  pasd 
recomending  it  to  all  the  States  from  this  to  N.  H.  inclusive  forthwith  to 
send  a  Com*^.  or  Deputies  to  each  of  the  Camps,  and  appoint  all  the 
Officers,  etc.  and  to  consult  the  Genl  officers  abt.  it  and  promote  and 
appoint  such  as  have  recomended  them  selves  by  their  good  Conduct  and 
especially  their  Attention  and  Discipline  etc.  the  Express  with  these 
Resolves  goes  eastward  this  Day.^  The  additional  Bounty  to  the  Soldiers 
co*^  never  have  been  carried  but  by  a  Letter,  from  Genl  Washing" 
recomend^  and  enforcing  the  reasonableness  and  absolute  Necessity  of  it 
in  Terms  moving  pathatic,  rational  and  nervous,  exceed'^,  so,  which  came 
in  not  an  hour  before  the  same  question  wo^  have  been  irreversibly 
negatived.^ .... 


3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  9;  cf.  nos.  145,  162,  ante,  266,  post. 

*  See  no.  162,  ante,  and  cf.  no.  175,  post. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  7.  The  writer's  meaning  is  evidently  this :  an  addition 
of  fifty  per  cent,  has  been  made  to  the  wages  of  officers  from  colonel  down  to  ensign, 
and  also  to  those  of  adjutant  and  quartermaster.  The  adjutant  stands  as  established 
a  .little  before,  viz.,  with  the  pay  and  rations  of  a  captain  and  rank  of  first  lieutenant. 
A  wage  schedule  was  established  July  29,  1775.  and  modified  for  certain  officers  Nov.  4, 
1775-  The  recent  change  in  the  adjutant's  pay  and  rank  was  Sept.  19,  1776.  See  the 
Journals,  Oct.  8;  cf.  nos.  160.  164,  ante. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8. 

7  Washington's  letter,  dated  Oct.  4,  and  read  in  Congress  Oct.  8,  is  in  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  IV.  466.  and  in  Force.  Am   Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  867. 


October,  1776  123 

167.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  ii  October,  1776. 

....  I  yesterday,  asked  and  obtained  leave  of  absence.  It  will  take 
me  till  next  Monday  to  get  ready,  to  finish  off  a  few  remnants  of  public 
business,  and  to  put  my  private  affairs  in  proper  order.  On  the  14th  day 
of  October  I  shall  get  away  perhaps.^ .... 


168.   Benjamin   Rush   to   the  President  of  the   Pennsylvania 
Council  of  Safety  (Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).' 

Friday  [October  11,  1776.]' 

Sir 

The  congress  have  ordered  the  board  of  war  to  confer  with  a  committee 
of  the  council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania  (agreeable  to  their  request) 
upon  the  propriety  of  having  a  few  battallions  stationed  in  or  near  this 
city.  The  board  of  War  will  set  this  morning  at  9 :  °Clock  at  the  War 
Office  at  which  time  and  place  they  expect  the  pleasure  of  meeting  your 
committee.^ 

I  beg  leave  to  inform  the  council  that  such  information  was  given 
yesterday  in  Congress  respecting  the  designs  of  our  enemies  against  this 
city,  as  makes  the  delay  of  a  single  day,  or  even  an  hour  dangerous. 

[^^^Y Letters  of  John  Adams  Addressed  to  his  Wife  (Boston,  1841),  I.  172.  ^ 

2  "  October  13.  Sunday.  Set  out  from  Philadelphia  towards  Boston."  Adams  s 
Diary,  Works,  II.  433.  See  also  Adams's  Autobiography,  ibid.,  III.  88.  Cf.  no.  45 
(note  2),  ante. 

[i68]iHist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Signers,  II.  11 ;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  38. 

2  The  letter  is  endorsed:   "Letter  from  Dr.  Rush  Friday  Oct.  11.  1776." 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  10  (p.  863,  and  foot-note).  The  application  from  the 
council  of  safety  to  Congress,  dated  Oct.  8.  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  939- 
See  also  the  proceedings  of  the  council  of  safety,  Oct.  8,  14-16,  ibid.,  II.  83,  86-88. 
Richard  Peters,  secretary  of  the  board  of  war,  wrote  to  Washington,  Oct.  24,  as  follows : 

"  By  Order  of  the  Board  of  War,  I  have  the  Honour  to  inform  your  Excellency  that 
the  Congress  have  this  Day  given  them  Direction  to  order  the  two  Virginia  Regiments 
now  at  Chester,  immediately  to  Trentown,  there  to  wait  your  Excellencys  commands; 
and  at  the  same  time  to  acquaint  you  of  the  Situation  of  the  People  of  this  State,  that 
having  as  comprehensive  a  View  of  the  State  of  Affairs  as  possible  you  may  make  such 
Disposition  as  the  good  of  the  Service  may  require. 

"  The  Council  of  Safety  of  this  State  requested  some  days  since  a  Conference  with 
this  Board  in  Order  to  lay  before  it  a  Representation  of  their  Situation,  and  Expectations. 
In  the  course  of  this  Conference  it  appeared  very  clearly,  that  they  were  in  a  most  defence- 
less Condition,  that  they  had  no  works  upon  the  River  except  one  Fort  unfinished,  that 
the  Militia  of  this  City  are  inactive  and  languid  to  the  last  Degree  and  to  close  their 
distress  a  number  of  the  People  of  this  Place  were  disaffected.  Indeed  they  went  so 
far  as  to  say  that  in  their  Judgement  a  large  party  might  be  found  to  espouse  openly  the 
Cause  of  the  Enemy  should  our  Affairs  run  retrograde  at  New  York.  As  your  Excel- 
lency, however,  must  know  more  of  your  own  Strength  and  your  own  intended  Operations 
then  [sic]  Congress  possibly  can,  and  as  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance  that  you  should 
be  Supported  at  all  Events  General  Stephens  with  the  Virginia  forces  will  take  post  at 
Trentown  in  Order  to  obey  such  Commands  as  you  may  be  pleased  to  give  him."  Library 
of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCV.  306;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1211. 
Cf.  a  letter  from  Henry  Fisher  to  the  Pennsylvania  council  of  safety  dated  at  Lewes, 
Oct  25,  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  83.    See  also  no.  189,  post. 


124  Continental  Congress 

169.  RiciiAUU  IliiNKV  Lee  to  Samuel  Purviance,  jr.' 

Philadelphia  nth  October  1776 
Dear  Sir, 

Among  the  inconveniences  of  this  busy  scene,  I  esteem  it  not  the  least 
to  be  so  often  prevented  from  acknowledging-  the  favors  of  my  friends 
sooner  than  I  do.  It  has  been  owing  to  much  business  that  your  letter  of 
the  27th.  has  not  received  an  answer  before  now.  I  have  the  pleasure  to 
acquaint  you  that  in  ranking  the  Captains  of  our  Continental  Ships,  the 
Congress  have  placed  Captain  Nicholson  at  the  head,  he  being  the  first 
Captain.-  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  give  you  a  satisfactory  answer 
about  the  building  another  Frigate.  Hitherto  nothing  has  been  determined 
on  this  subject,  the  Committee  having  been  prevented  by  an  infinite 
nuiltiplicity  of  other  business;  and  to  the  same  cause  has  it  been  owing 
that  no  orders  have  been  sent  concerning  the  Frigate  Virginia.  I  have 
no  doubt  but  that  another  Frigate  will  soon  be  directed,  and  that  the 
Builder  of  greatest  merit  will  be  prefer'd.  It  would  give  me  the  greatest 
pleasure  to  hear  that  the  Virginia  was  ready  for  Sea,  and  I  am  happy  in 
being  satisfied  that  the  Managers  of  this  business  in  Baltimore  will  not 
loose  a  moment  in  eflecting  so  salutary  a  work.  I  suppose  a  want  of 
Anchors  will  be  the  greatest  obstruction,  as  I  take  it  for  granted  no  time 
will  be  lost  in  getting  the  guns  down  from  Mr.  Hughes's  works,  and 
having  the  Carriages  made.  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  an  exact  state  of  the 
Frigate  and  what  she  wants  to  complete  her.  I  refer  you  to  the  papers 
for  news  and  am  Sir  Your  most  obedient  servant 

Richard  Henry  Lee 


170.   The  President  of  Congress   (John   Hancock)   to  the 

Maryland  Convention.^ 

Philada.  Octr.  12th.  1776. 
Gentlemen 

....  The  Congress  for  very  obvious  Reasons,  are  extremely  anxious 
to  keep  the  Army  together.  The  dangerous  Consequences  of  their  break- 
ing up,  and  the  Difficulty  of  forming  a  new  one,  are  inconceiveable.  Were 
this  Barrier  once  removed,  military  Power  would  quickly  spread  Desola- 
tion and  Ruin  over  the  Face  of  our  Country.  The  Importance,  and  indeed 
the  absolute  Necessity  of  filling  up  the  Army,  of  providing  for  the  Troops, 
and  engaging  them  to  serve  during  the  War,  is  so  apparent,  and  has  been 
so  frequently  urged,  that  I  shall  only  request  your  Attention  to  the 
Resolves  of  Congress  on  this  Subject;  and  beseech  you,  by  that  Love  you 
have  for  your  Country,  her  Rights,  and  Liberties,  to  exert  yourselves  to 

[i69]iMd.  Hist.  Soc,  Portfolio  No.  8  (i)  ;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed. 
Ballagh),  I.  219;  Purviance,  Baltimore  in  the  Revolution,  p.  204;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser..  II.  989. 

2  See  the  Jouriials,  Oct.  10.    Nicholson  was  assigned  to  the  Virginia,  mentioned 
below.    Cf.  no.  171,  post. 

Li7o]iMd.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book.  VI.  48. 


October,  i'jy6  125 

carry  them  speedily  and  effectually  into  Execution,  as  the  only  Means  of 
preserving  her,  in  this  her  critical  and  alarming  Situation.- .... 

171.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia,  October  15.  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

....  Yesterday,  the  Committee  appointed  to  hear  the  appeal  from  the 
Maritime  Court  in  New  Hampshire,  concerning  the  Elizabeth,  made  their 
report,  which  was  accepted.  Ihey  have  reversed  the  sentence  of  our 
court,  and  have  ordered  a  salvage  of  one-tenth  part  to  be  paid  by  the 
claimants,  as  she  did  not  come  under  the  order  of  Congress  of  November 
and  December  last.  Afterwards,  the  Congress,  by  a  vote,  gave  up  to  the 
said  claimants  their  share  of  the  said  tenth,  so  that  they  will  have  but  one- 
twentieth  part  to  pay,  besides  the  costs. - 

The  same  Committee  have  had  Mr.  Sheafe's  petition  under  their  con- 
sideration, but  have  made  no  report.  By  what  I  have  conversed  with 
them,  I  believe  they  will  not  think  themselves  authorized  to  do  any  thing 
in  that  afifair,  as  there  is  no  appeal  from  the  court  to  the  Congress,  and 
the  opposite  party  not  present  to  be  heard  in  the  case,  and  nothing  but  the 
petition,  without  any  thing  more  before  them.  They  all  say  the  case 
appears  to  be  hard,  but  know  not  how  to  remedy  it,  without  more  proofs 
than  they  have  at  present,  and  without  the  opposite  party  being  heard, 
and  the  case  brought  properly  before  them. 

Before  this  reaches  you,  you  will  see  the  several  orders  of  the  Marine 
Committee  about  guns  for  your  ship,  and  the  reasons  of  those  orders. 
The  rank  of  the  Captains  is  settled.^  Captain  Thompson  is  the  sixth. 
Captain  Manley  is  uneasy  about  his  being  the  third,  and  has  desired  leave 
to  resign :  whether  his  resignation  will  be  accepted,  or  his  rank  altered, 
I  am  uncertain 

172.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  17th  Octr  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  reed  your  Favours  of  the  9th  and  nth  Instant  and  find  by  the 
Journals  that  the  Continental  agents  are  as  follows  John  Langdon  Esqr. 
of  Portsmouth,  John  Bradford  Boston,  Daniel  Tillinghast  for  Rhode 
[Island]  but  I  think  John  Brown  of  providence  is  agent  for  that  State, 
Nathaniel  Shaw  Jr.  for  Connecticut  and  Jacobus  Van  Zantz  for  New 
York.-     the  Resolve  for  impowering  "you  to  import  Salt  is  past  and 

-  This  paragraph  is  also  included  in  the  letter  of  Hancock  to  the  Northern 
states,  Oct.  9,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  953,  III.  247.     See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8. 

[171]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1063;  Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  William 
Whipple,  and  Others,  p.  46. 

-  The  report  is  in  the  Journals,  Oct.  14.  Cf.  ibid.,  Sept.  12,  30.  Concerning 
Sheafe's  petition,  see  ibid.,  Oct.  5. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  10.    Cf.  no.  169,  ante. 
[172]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  These  appointments  and  others  were  made  Apr.  23,  except  that  of  Langdon, 
which  was  made  June  25.  John  Brown  does  not  appear  to  have  received  such  an 
appointment  by  Congress. 


IlM;  Continental  Congress 

you  will  probably  receive  it  e'er  tbis."  I  a^ree  witb  you  that  it  is  absurd 
to  supply  One  Army  with  and  the  other  without  a  Contract ;  my  Suspicions 
are  conArnied  relative  to  the  Rise  of  a  certain  Committee,  while  wc  were 
on  the  Business  of  the  Army;  I  hope  however  that  the  plan  will  not  be 
carryed.*  Cong^ress  have  sent  to  all  the  assemblies  for  a  fuller  Repre- 
sentation and  on  their  Return  I  hope  your  allowance  will  be  settled.  I  am 
glad  you  discontinue  the  Thought  of  giving  up  your  office,  such  practices 
in  so  important  a  Department  may  ruin  the  Cause  before  We  are  aware 
of  it 

173.   Edward  Rutledge  to   Robert   R.   Livingston/ 

Philadelphia  Oct  19th,  1776 

....  I  feel  for  Schuyler's  ill  usage  but  I  hope  his  love  for  his  country 
will  silence  his  resentment,  at  least  for  the  present.  It  was  impossible  to 
prevent  the  Resolutions  *  going  as  they  did  and  it  will  I  am  afraid  be  long 

so  until  Colonies  are  more  regularly  represented Your  brother ' 

should  have  been  long  since  appointed  to  the  command  of  Clynton's  regi- 
ment, but  A4r  Phil :  Livingston  thinking  the  Congress  had  no  right  to  fill 
up  vacancies  after  their  resolution  of  the  i6th.  of  Septr.  and  that  it  would 
be  interfering  in  the  internal  polity  of  the  State  I  did  not  press  the  matter; 
but  got  the  enclosed  resolution  passed  in  order  to  preserve  to  him  his 
proper  rank 


174.  JosiAH  Bartlett  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia,  October  19,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

....  I  mentioned  in  the  Marine  Committee  that  you  were  desirous 
to  know  whether  you  were  to  allow  any  passenger  or  seaman  on  board 
any  of  the  prizes  their  adventures,  or  private  property,  more  than  the 
wages  to  the  seamen  agreeable  to  the  resolve  of  Congress.  They  informed 
me  they  had  not  given  any  orders  about  it,  and  that  it  was  not  in  their 
power  to  give  any  orders  different  from  the  resolves  of  Congress,  yet  it 
seemed  to  be  the  desire  of  the  Committee  that  such  passengers  and  seamen 
as  behaved  themselves  decently  should  be  dealt  well  by,  and  not  stripped 
of  every  thing  that  might  be  taken  from  them  by  the  rules  of  war 

A  great  number  of  foreigners,  especially  French  officers,  are  daily 
almost  arriving  here,  and  requesting  to  be  employed  in  our  army,  many 
of  whom  are  well  recommended.  . 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  9,  also  nos.  113,  145,  162,  166,  ante,  and  no.  331,  post. 
*  The  allusion  is  no  doubt  to  the  committee  sent  to  Ticonderoga.     See  no.  164, 
ante. 

[173]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  L  247  (copy). 

2  The  reference  is  probably  to  the  complaints  in  Schuyler's  letter  of  Oct.  6 
(Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  921),  read  in  Congress  Oct.  15.  Cf.  rio.  155,  ante. 
It  is  possible  however  that  Rutledge  is  referring  to  the  resolution  exonerating  Wooster, 
Aug.  17  (see  nos.  84,  85,  ante),  which  had  but  recently  come  to  the  notice  of  Schuyler. 
See  no.  184,  note  2,  post. 

3  Henry  Brockholst  Livingston.     See  the  Journals,  Sept.  25. 

[174]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IL  1128;  Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  William 
Whipple,  and  Others,  p.  48. 


October,  j^;6  127 

Colonel  Whipple  is  not  arrived  here  yet.  I  shall  look  for  him  every 
day  now  till  I  see  him,  when  I  shall  return  home,  and,  after  your  example, 
enjoy  the  pleasure  of  residing  in  my  own  country  in  future.^ .... 

175.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Philadelphia  Octr  22,  1776 

Dear  Sir 

Since  my  last  your  Friend  Mr  W ^  in  Consequence  of  an  order  of 

Congress  directing  the  Board  of  War  to  consider  an  Application  of 
Mr  Harrison  Dep.  pay.  Gen.  for  the  southern  Department  and  of  your 
Brother  for  the  northern  that  their  Salaries  may  be  augmented,^  moved 
that  the  Board  may  at  the  same  Time  consider  the  Salary  of  the  Commis- 
sary General  and  report  an  Augmentation.  I  confess  that  I  was  not  less 
puzled  than  surprized  at  this  injudicious  Measure,  taken  previous  to  a 
Consultation  of  your  Friends  in  Congress,  at  an  unfavourable  Time,  and 
proposing  the  Consideration  of  this  Matter  for  Gentlemen  whose  Senti- 
ments would  in  all  probability  be  against  it.  had  the  Motion  not  been 
seconded  It  might  have  passed  over  without  prejudice,  untill  a  favorable 
Oppertunity  should  offer  for  looking  into  the  Reasonableness  of  your 
Expectations ;  but  Mr  H *  adopting  it  from  friendly  Motives  pro- 
duced an  Opposition  that  at  once  prevented  a  Committment.  Nothing 
remains  to  be  done  but  your  stating  in  a  Petition  to  Congress  the  princi- 
ples upon  wch.  you  ground  your  Request  for  an  augmentation  and  praying 
for  the  same ;  if  this  is  done  with  Reason  and  Coolness  and  supported  by 
the  opinion  of  the  General  who  has  spoken  in  Favour  of  the  Measure." 
I  have  no  Doubt  that  It  will  be  favourably  reed.  As  the  Salary  which 
you  now  have,  compared  with  others  of  the  Staf,  is  very  large,  Congress 
will  expect  to  have  it  demonstrated  that  the  army  is  better  supplyed  and 
at  less  Expence  in  the  present  Mode  than  It  would  probably  be  by  Con- 
tract ;  and  with  respect  to  the  Method  of  paying  the  Commissary  It  must 
be  left  with  Congress  without  any  proposals  in  the  petition  for  this 
purpose.® 

I  could  wish  that  your  Friend  aforesd.  had  not  medled  with  the  Matter, 
as  his  observations  on  it  have  only  served  to  injure  the  Cause;  but  that 
cannot  be  now  remedied. 

2  See  no.  161,  note  3,  ante. 
[175]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers.     Addressed:    "Joseph  Trumbull, 
Esqr.,  Commissary  General,  at  Kings  Bridge  or  Lebanon  in  Connecticut." 

2  William  Williams.     See  nos.  162,  166,  172,  ante. 

3  Benjamin  Harrison,  jr.,  and  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.  The  Journals  contain 
no  mention  of  this  matter. 

*  Hooper?    Cf.  no.  162,  note  2,  ante. 

5  See  Trumbull's  letter  to  Congress,  June  9,  1776,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth 
ser.,  VI.  790,  and  Washington  to  Congress,  June  10,  28,  ihid..  VI.  789.  11 17.  Washington's 
letters  are  also  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  IV.  129,  184.  They  were  read  in  Congress 
June  II  and  July  i,  respectively. 

6  In  a  letter  to  Trumbull,  Nov.  11,  Gerry  says:  "  I  think  it  a  good  Time  to  brmg 
on  your  affair  and  wish  You  had  sent  the  petition."  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull 
Papers.  See  also  no.  419,  post.  In  regard  to  the  question  of  supplying  the  army  by 
contract,  see  nos.  124,  145,  162,  164,  165,  172,  ante,  and  nos.  239,  423.  post. 


128  Continental  Congress 

This  is  a  critical  Time  for  our  affairs  at  Ticonderoga  as  well  as  New 
York ;  may  God  support  and  prosper  them. 

176.  The  Board  of  War  to  Nathanael  Greene/ 

War  Office,  Philadelphia,  Oct.  22d,  1776. 

The  Congress  liaving  done  the  Board  of  War  the  Honour  of  referring 
to  them  your  Letter  for  Consideration  and  execution,*  we  beg  Leave  to 
inform  you  that  we  have  ordered  two  hundred  Thousand  Cartridges  to 
be  instantly  forwarded  to  you.  Light  Waggons  have  been  got  and  are 
getting  ready  and  you  will  receive  the  above  supply  by  Tomorrow  Eve- 
ning or  the  next  Morning.  We  have  employed  Persons  to  make  up  a 
Quantity  for  the  use  of  the  Army,  which  shall  be  forwarded  to  your  Care 
as  soon  as  a  proper  Number  shall  be  compleated.  We  cannot  however 
but  wish  that  General  Washington  could  procure  such  supplies  of  Ammu- 
nition as  he  may  want,  from  the  Eastern  States,  there  being  very  little  in 
this  City,  from  whence  alone  every  Demand  to  the  Southward  of  Hud- 
son's River  must  be  answer'd.  Every  Assistance  however  that  can  be 
shall  be  afforded  you  as  well  as  his  Excellency  the  General  from  this  Office. 


177.  Benjamin  Rush  to   [Thomas  Morris   ?].^ 

Philadelphia,  October  22,  1776. 

....  I  will  add  only  an  anecdote  to  the  honor  of  the  bearer  of  this 
letter.  I  had  the  honor  to  be  seated  near  him  in  Congress  at  the  moment 
w'hen  he  was  appointed  to  depart  immediately  for  your  court,  and,  upon 
my  complimenting  him  thereon,  he  said  to  me :  "  I  have  only  a  few  years 
more  to  live  and  I  am  resolved  to  employ  them  in  whatever  manner  my 
countrymen  judge  proper ;  or,  as  the  old  clothes  dealers  say,  speaking  of 
a  scrap  of  cloth,  '  you  shall  have  me  for  what  you  please  '."  ^ 

[176]^  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Phila- 
delphia. The  same  letter  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1185,  but  printed  as  if 
to  Washington. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  21.  Greene's  letter,  dated  Oct.  20,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  1 136. 

[177]!  Paris,  Affaires  Etrangeres,  Correspondance  Politique,  Etats-Unis,  vol.  I.,  no. 
77.  fol.  263.  The  letter  is  labeled  "  Bush  a  Morris.  Traduite  de  I'anglais  (interceptee)"'. 
The  letter  is  evidently  from  Benjamin  Rush  and  presumably  to  Thomas  Morris.  It  is 
here  retranslated  from  the  French. 

2  The  bearer  of  the  letter  was  Benjamin  Franklin,  who  had  been  named,  Sept.  26, 
one  of  the  commissioners  to  the  court  of  France.  The  incident  is  also  recorded  by 
Rush  in  his  estimate  of  Franklin  included  in  his  Memorial  (p.  iii)  :  "I  sat  next  to  him 
in  Congress,  when  he  was  elected  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  every  State  in  the  Union 
to  an  embassy  to  the  Court  of  France  in  the  year  1776.  When  the  vote  was  declared, 
I  congratulated  him  upon  it.  He  thanked  me,  and  said,  '  I  am  like  the  remnant  of  a 
piece  of  unsaleable  cloth.  You  may  have  it,  as  the  shopkeepers  say  for  what  you  please '." 
In  reply  to  a  caution  of  David  Hartley  (Apr.  23,  1778),  to  take  care  of  his  own  safety, 
Franklin  uses  the  same  simile,  although  in  varied  language  {Writings,  ed.  Smyth, 
VII.  143). 


October,  I//6  129 

178.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  Silas  Deane/ 

Philada.  October  23d.  1776^ 
Silas  Deane  Esqr. 
Sir 
We  lately  wrote  you  very  fully  by  Mr.  Wm  Hodge  junr.'  who  went 
passenger  in  the  Sloop  Indepcndance  to  Martinico  from  whence  he  wou'd 
proceed  to  France  and  deliver  you  sundry  dispatches  from  this  Committee, 
amongst  the  rest  was  the  plan  of  a  Treaty  with  the  Court  of  France  and 
Instructions  of  Congress  relative  thereto  and  this  day  we  have  enclosed 
you  Instructions  relative  to  Treaties  with  other  Nations  and  sent  them 
under  Cover  to  Wm  Bingham  Esqr.  at  Martinico.     Enclosed  herein  are 
Triplicates  of  the  whole  which  we  send  by  the  Brig^  Lexington  Wm 
Hallock  Esqr.  Commander  under  Cover  to  Mr.  Stephen  Ceronio  at  Cape 
Francois  to  be  forwarded  from  thence  to  Messrs.  Delap  at  Bourdeaux  * 
and  we  hope  in  due  time  you  will  receive  the  whole  safely.    For  and  on 
behalf  of  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondance 

I  am  Dr  Sir,  Your  obedt  Servt. 

RoBT  Morris 

179.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  Silas  Deane.^ 

Philada.  October  24th  1776 
Dear  Sir: 

We  embrace  this  opportunity  of  your  worthy  colleague,  and  our  mutual 
good  friend  Doctr.  Franklin,  to  transmit  you  copies  of  our  letters  of  the 
1st  Octr.-  by  the  sloop  Independence,  Capt.  Young,  to  Martinico,  from 
whence  they  would  be  carried  to  you  by  Mr.  William  Hodge,  junr.  sent 
in  said  sloop  for  that  purpose,  those  letters  contained  a  Commission 
from  the  Congress  appointing  Doctr.  Franklin,  Thos  Jefferson,  Esq., 
and  yourself  Commissioners  on  behalf  of  the  United  States  of  America 
to  negotiate  a  Treaty  of  alliance  and  amity  and  Peace  with  the  Court  of 
France;  a  plan  of  that  Treaty;  Instructions  from  Congress  relative 
thereto;  Form  of  Passports  for  the  ships  of  each  nation,  etc.  We  con- 
sider these  papers  as  of  the  utmost  consequence,  and  hope  they  will  arrive 

[  1 78]  1  Haver  ford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  720  (in  the  writing  of  Robert  Morris); 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1198. 

2  Three  letters,  of  similar  purport,  were  written  to  Deane  by  the  committee  of 
secret  correspondence  on  Oct.  23 ;  one  was  sent  by  the  Sachem,  Capt.  James  Robinson, 
a  second  (the  present  letter)  by  the  Lexington,  Capt.  William  Hallock,  and  a  third  by 
the  Andrew  Doria,  Capt.  Isaiah  Robinson.  They  are  all  printed  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  1197-1198.    The  third  is  also  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  177. 

The  three  continental  cruisers  mentioned  were  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  committee 
of  secret  correspondence  in  consequence  of  the  resolves  of  Oct.  11.  See  Force,  Am,.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  II.  1092,  1115,  1197-1199,  and  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  177-182;  also 
no.  179,  post.  Another  vessel  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  committee  was  the  Reprisal, 
Capt.  Lambert  Wickes.    See  nos.  97,  136,  ante,  179,  180,  224,  post. 

3  See  the  letters  of  Oct.  i,  2,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  157-163. 

*  Letters  from  the  committee  to  Ceronio  and  Messrs.  Delap,  Oct.  23,  are  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1198,  1213. 

[179]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Morris  Papers;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr., 
II.  181 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1214. 

2  See  no.  178,  note  3.    Evidently  that  of  Oct.  2  is  included  in  this  reference. 


130  Continental  Congress 

safe.  Yesterday  we  wrote  you  a  few  lines,'  inclosing  additional  Instruc- 
tions from  Congress  to  their  Commissioners,  authorizing  them  to  Treat 
with  other  nations;  also  Two  Resolves  of  Congress,  by  one  of  which  you 
would  sec  that  Thomas  Jefferson,  Esqr.,  declined  his  appointment,  and 
that  Arthur  Lee,  Esqr.,  was  appointed  in  his  stead,  to  whom  we  inclosed 
a  letter.  Copy  whereof  goes  herewith.*  By  the  other,  the  Commissioners 
are  directed  to  hire  or  buy  Eight  Line-of-Battle  ships  for  the  American 
Service."  these  papers  were  sent  under  Cover  to  William  Bingham,  Esqr., 
our  Resident  at  Martinico,  with  orders  to  forward  them  immediately.' 
We  wrote  you  another  letter  yesterday  ^  covering  duplicates  of  all  the 
papers  and  letters  mentioned  herein,  and  sent  it  by  the  armed  Brig^  Lex- 
ington,  Wm  Hallock.  Esqr.,  Commander,  to  Mr.  Stephen  Ceronio,  our 
Resident  at  Cape  Franc^ois,  with  directions  to  forward  the  same  to  Messrs. 
Saml  and  J.  Hans  Delap,  merchts,  at  Bordeaux  who  are  requested  to 
send  the  Packet  from  thence  by  Express  to  you,  and  Doctr.  Franklin 
carries  with  him  Triplicates  of  all  these  publick  papers,  we  have  been 
thus  particular  in  mentioning  them  and  the  conveyances  by  which  they 
were  sent  that  you  may  know  when  the  whole  are  received  and  we  desire 
you  to  be  equally  pointed  in  advising  us  thereof,  for  we  shall  be  anxious 
to  hear  of  their  getting  safe  and  shall  be  very  uneasy  if  we  don't  hear  this 
in  due  time,  for  they  ought  not  on  any  account  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
our  Enemies. 

Since  Mr.  Dickinson  and  Colo.  Harrison  were  out  of  Congress  and 
Doctr.  Franklin  appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  at  the  Court  of 
France,  the  Congress  have  filled  up  the  Vacancys  in  this  Committee,  and 
the  members  now  are  Mr.  Jay,  Mr.  Johnston,  Mr.  Morris,  Colo.  Richd 
Henry  Lee,  Mr.  Wm  Hooper,  and  Dr.  John  Witherspoon,  which  we 
mention  for  your  information.*  we  shall  continue  to  address  all  our 
advices  and  dispatches  to  you  only,  untill  informed  that  the  other  Com- 
missioners have  joined  you  but  you  will  Communicate  the  letters  to  them 
as  if  directed  to  the  whole,  and  we  depend  on  you  to  notify  Doctr.  Lee  of 
his  appointment  using  the  utmost  precaution  in  the  method  of  doing  it, 
or  his  person  may  be  endangered,  we  suppose  it  may  be  best  to  have  the 
letter  inclosed  by  the  ministers  of  France  to  their  Ambassador  in  England 
with  proper  cautions  respecting  the  delivery  of  it.  Doctr.  Franklin 
being  the  bearer  of  this  letter,  it  is  totally  unnecessary  for  us  to  enter  into 
any  detail  of  what  is  passing  here  or  to  convey  any  Political  remarks, 
he  being  possessed  of  every  knowledge  necessary  for  your  information, 
will  communicate  very  fully  everything  you  can  wish  to  know.  Therefore, 
wishing  you  a  happy  meeting  with  him  and  a  successful  issue  to  your 

3  See  Wharton,  Kev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  177,  and  no.  178,  note  2,  ante. 

*  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  177. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  22. 

^Two  letters,  dated  Oct.  23,  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1198,  1199. 
See  also  ibid.,  II.  822,  and  no.  136,  ante. 

''  Evidently  no.  178,  ante,  although  that  letter  says  "  triplicates  ". 

8  John  Jay  and  Thomas  Johnson  had  been  members  of  the  committee  since  Nov. 
29,  1775-  Robert  Morris  was  chosen  Jan.  30,  1776,  and  Lee,  Witherspoon,  and  Hooper 
were  added  to  the  committee  Oct.  11. 


October,  iyy6  131 

labours  in  the  service  of  your  Country  we  remain  with  perfect  esteem  and 
regard, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  Friends  and  obedient  humble  Servants. 

RoBT.  Morris 
Richard  Henry  Lee 
Jno.  Witherspoon 
Will  Hooper 

i8o.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  the 
Commissioners  in  Paris.^ 

Philada  October  24th  1776. 
Gentlemen 

The  Congress  having  committed  to  our  charge  and  management  their 
ship  of  war  called  the  Reprisal  ^  commanded  by  Lambert  Wickes,  Esqr., 
carrying  sixteen  six  pounders  and  about  one  hundred  and  tw^enty  men  We 
have  allotted  her  to  carry  Doctor  Franklin  to  France  and  directed  Capt 
Wickes  to  proceed  for  the  Port  of  Nantes  where  the  Doctor  will  land  and 
from  thence  proceed  to  Paris,  and  he  will  either  carry  with  him  or  send 
forward  this  letter  by  express  as  to  him  may  then  appear  best 

In  Consequence  of  this  plan  for  the  Reprisal's  Cruize  we  desire  you  to 
make  immediate  application  to  the  court  of  France  to  Grant  the  Protec- 
tion of  their  Ports  to  American  Men  of  War  and  their  Prizes.  Shew 
them  that  British  Men  of  War  under  Sanction  of  an  Act  of  Parliament 
are  daily  Capturing  American  Ships  and  Cargoes.  Shew  them  the 
Resolves  of  Congress  for  making  Reprisals  on  British  and  West  India 
property  and  that  our  Continental  Men  of  War  and  numerous  private 
Ships  of  War  are  most  successfully  employed  in  executing  those  Resolu- 
tions of  the  Congress.  Shew  them  the  Justice  and  equity  of  this  proceed- 
ing and  surely  they  can  not,  they  wall  not  refuse  the  protection  of  their 
Ports  to  American  Ships  of  War,  Privateers  and  their  prizes.  If  your 
application  on  this  head  is  crowned  with  success,  try  another  which  it  is 
their  interest  to  grant,  that  is  to  obtain  leave  to  make  Sale  of  those  Prizes 
and  their  Cargoes  or  any  part  thereof  that  may  be  suitable  for  that 
Country.  If  you  succeed  in  this  also,  you  must  appoint  some  person  to 
act  as  judge  of  the  Admiralty,  who  should  give  the  Bond  prescribed  for 
those  Judges  to  determine  in  all  Cases  agreable  to  the  Rules  and  Regula- 
tions of  Congress,  and  for  this  purpose  we  will  report  to  Congress  some 
Resolves  vesting  you  with  authority  to  make  such  appointment  and 
authorizing  such  judge  to  condemn  without  a  jury  as  required  here; '  if 

[i8o]iAm.  Phil.  Soc,  Franklin  Papers,  IV.  Ii8;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  178. 

2  The  Reprisal  was  one  of  the  vessels  turned  over  to  the  committee  of  secret 
correspondence  in  consequence  of  the  resolutions  of  Oct.  11.  See  no.  178,  note  2,  ante; 
also  letters  of  the  marine  committee  to  Captain  Wickes,  Sept.  21,  Oct.  24,  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  429,  1213,  1215. 

3  It  does  not  appear  that  such  resolves  were  enacted  by  Congress.  See  however 
nos.  252,  274,  post;  also  article  XIX.  of  the  treaty  with  France  (the  Journals,  May  4, 
1778),  and  a  letter  from  Franklin  and  Deane  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence, 
Mar.  12,  1777  (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  287). 


132  Continental  Congress 

these  Resolves  are  agreed  to  by  Congress,  they  shall  be  immediately  trans- 
mitted to  you ;  if  they  are  not  that  plan  must  drop  and  the  Prizes  must  all 
proceed  for  America  for  condemnation.  You  can  in  the  mean  time  con- 
sult the  ministers  whether  they  will  permit  such  Courts  in  France  and  in 
the  French  West  India  islands.  If  protection  is  granted  to  our  Cruizers 
and  their  Prizes  you  will  immediately  procure  proper  orders  to  be  sent  to 
the  officers  of  all  their  Ports  on  this  subject,  and  write  yourselves  to  those 
Houses  we  have  named  at  the  several  Ports  that  the  Prizes  are  to  remain 
for  Cap  Wickes's  further  orders,  also  lodge  such  orders  with  proper 
persons  at  the  other  Ports  in  France.  On  the  Contrary  if  the  Prizes  are 
not  to  be  protected  in  their  Ports  then  give  immediate  notice  to  all  those 
Houses  and  proper  persons  at  the  other  Ports  to  furnish  the  Prizes  that 
Cap  Wickes  of  the  Reprisal  may  send  into  their  port  with  any  necessarys 
the  Prize  Master  may  judge  they  stand  in  need  of  and  to  order  him 
immediately  to  make  the  best  of  his  way  with  the  Prize  to  the  first  safe 
Port  he  can  make  in  the  United  States  of  America  lodge  advice  also  for 
Cap  Wickes  at  Bordeaux,  Brest  and  Nantes  whether  his  Prizes  are  to  be 
protected  in  Port  or  not  and  whether  or  not  any  sales  will  be  permitted. 
If  they  are  protected  he  can  take  his  own  time  to  Collect  and  bring  them 
Home  under  his  own  Convoy ;  if  any  sale  is  permitted,  he  can  sell  perish- 
able commodities  and  Vessels  unfit  for  so  long  a  voyage  as  to  this  Coast. 
If  no  protection  for  Prizes  they  will  be  come  away  by  your  orders  and 
need  not  stay  for  his,  and  if  they  deny  Protection  to  our  Cruizers  them- 
selves, he  will  only  remain  in  Port  for  your  advices  and  to  obtain  such 
supplies  as  may  be  necessary.  We  have  recommended  Cap  Wickes  to  take 
on  board  his  own  Ship  as  many  Valuable  Commodities  as  he  can  if  he  is 
successful  but  should  he  be  unsuccessful  in  Cruizing  then  Messrs.  Pliarne 
and  Co.  may  put  some  Goods  on  board  when  he  is  coming  away.  You 
will  readily  see  the  Tendency  these  measures  have,  and  as  their  conse- 
quences may  be  very  important  so  we  hope  your  attention  to  them  will  be 
immediate  and  Constant  whilst  necessary. 

Captain  Wickes  is  a  worthy  man  as  such  we  recommend  him  and 
shoud  he  have  the  misfortune  to  be  taken  or  meet  wuth  any  other  mis- 
fortune we  hope  you  will  adopt  measures  for  his  relief.  He  will  treat 
Prisoners  with  Humanity  and  we  are  Convinced  his  Conduct  will  do 
honor  to  his  appointment.    We  have  the  honor  to  be  Gentn. 

Your  most  obedt  and  most  hble  Servants 

RoBT.  Morris 
Richard  Henry  Lee 
Jno  Witherspoon 
Will  Hooper 

i8i.  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington.'^ 

War  Office  Octr  24th.  1776 
Sir: 

The  Board  of  War  have  directed  me  to  enclose  you  the  Plan  they 
intended  to  present  to  Congress  for  preventing  Abuses  in  regiments  or 

[i8i]i  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCV.  305;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  IL  1210. 


October,  J/^6  133 

Companies  Receiving  more  Rations  than  they  are  entitled  to ;  an  evil 
which  has  been  complained  of  perhaps  with  too  much  Foundation. 

It  frequently  happens  that  Sick  Soldiers  are  either  left  behind  at  Posts 
or  Places  thro'  which  their  Regiments  or  companies  are  marching,  or 
they  are  sent  to  Hospitals  at  a  Distance  from  their  Corps.  These  unhappy 
People,  or  Some  of  them,  are  often  thought  unable  and  discharged  by  the 
Director  or  Surgeon  of  the  Hospital  as  unfit  for  Service,  and  turned  out 
to  beg  their  Subsistence  to  their  Homes  or  Places  of  their  former  Res- 
idence, altho'  they  may  have  Pay  due  to  them  Sufficient  to  Support  them. 
This  not  only  raises  Compassion  and  from  this  Motive  should  be  remedied, 
but  is  extremely  detrimental  to  the  Service,  by  deterring  others  from 
enlisting. 

The  Board  therefore  have  thought  that  the  Soldiers,  so  discharged, 
should  have  it  in  their  Power  to  recieve  their  Pay  in  whatever  Part  of 
the  States  they  may  be ;  and  have  accordingly  formed  a  Plan  to  enable 
them  to  do  it,  and  request  your  Excellency's  advice  on  both  these 
Subjects.^ 

With  the  greatest  Respect  I  have  the  Honour  to  be  your  obedt  humble 
Servt 

Richard  Peters  Secy 
to  His  Excellency  General  Washington 

182.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia  Octr.  26th.  1776 
Sir, 

....  By  the  same  Express  you  will  receive  a  Letter  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  Cloathing,   inclosing  a  Resolve  of  Congress   respecting  the 

2  Following  is  the  plan  enclosed  in  this  letter : 

"  That  each  Regiment  Troop  or  Company  be  mustered  either  by  the  Muster  master- 
Genl.  or  his  Deputies  Times  in  every  Year  if  the  Situation  of  the  Army  will  admit 
thereof  and  that  the  Muster  Mr  Genl.  or  his  Deputies,  shall  return  exact  accounts 
thereof  monthly  to  the  Commanders  in  Oiief  of  the  several  Departments,  and  furnish 
Copies  of  such  returns  to  the  Adjutant  and  Commissary  General  or  their  Deputies. 

"That  the  Commissary  Genl.  or  his  Deputies  shall  return  to  the  Adjutant  General  or 
his  Deputies  monthly  an  exact  Account  of  all  Rations  drawn  by  each  Regimt.  Troop  or 
Company  in  the  Course  of  the  Month  and  the  said  Adjutant  General  or  his  Deputies 
shall  return  the  same  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  several  Departments  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  Congress  as  part  of  the  General  Returns  of  the  Army. 

"  That  the  Captains  or  Comrs  of  every  Troop  or  Company  shall,  at  the  Time  a  sick 
non  comd.  Officer  or  Soldier  shall  go  to  the  Hospital  send  with  such  sick  non  comd. 
Officer  or  Soldier  an  exact  Account  of  what  pay  is  due  him  and  in  case  of  Discharge 
from  the  Hospital  as  unfit  for  farther  Service  the  Director  or  Surgeon  of  such  Hospital 
shall  certify  what  Pay  is  due  the  Non  comd.  Officer  or  Soldier  so  discharged.  And  the 
Captain  or  Comander  of  the  Troop  or  Company  out  of  which  such  Officer  or  Soldier 
shall  go  to  the  Hospital  shall  not  receive  the  Pay  of  any  Officer  or  Soldier  so  sick  or 
discharged;  but  such  Non  Comd.  Officer  or  Soldier  shall  be  paid  at  any  Pay  Office  or 
Place  by  any  Person  in  the  United  States  authorized  to  pay  the  Continental  Troops  on 
producing  such  Certificates  which  shall  be  kept  as  vouchers  by  the  Person  so  paying 
and  Copies  thereof  delivered  to  the  Officer  or  Soldier  receiving  his  Pay." 

Washington's  reply  to  the  board's  inquiry  has  not  been  found.  The  board  made  a 
report  Nov.  13,  and  on  Nov.  19,  upon  the  further  consideration  of  the  report,  some 
resolutions  on  these  subjects  were  adopted.     See  the  Journals. 

[182]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1776;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  94. 
A  part  of  this  letter  (that  which  precedes  the  passage  here  given)  is  printed  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  H.  1248. 


134  Continoital  Congress 

Blankets  and  coarse  Goods  taken  and  imported  into  our  State  in  a  Prize 
Store-Ship  bound  to  Quebec'  It  is  not  meant  that  this  Resolve  should 
supersede  the  Resolve  lately  sent  to  your  Honour  by  the  same  Committee.' 
With  all  the  Cloathins::-  that  can  be  collected  in  several  States,  and  im- 
ported, We  shall  not  I  am  afraid  have  more  than  sufficient  to  cloath  our 
Armies.  Hang  well  and  pay  well,  is  a  good  military  Maxim.  In  paying 
well  I  presume  Cloathing  and  Food  is  involved,  otherwise  they  ought  to 
be  subjoined.  The  former,  Congress  attended  to  in  their  last  Articles  of 
War,  and  I  hope  their  Resolutions  respecting  the  latter  will  be  carried 
into  Execution  by  those  to  whom  the  Execution  thereof  hath  been 
committed.* .... 

183.     The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention.' 

Gcntt^. 

As  the  State  of  New  York  has  not  been  represented  in  Congress  for 
several  Weeks  past,  (Mr.  P:  Livingston  with  myself  being  their  only 
Delegates  at  present  here)  we  are  requested  by  Congress  to  apply  to  you 
Sirs  for  a  full  representation,  therefore  hope  you  will  speedily  send  us 
one  other  Member  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  give  our  vote  for  that  state 
which  we  have  been  sent  here  to  represent. 

We  are  respectfully,  GentP.,  Your  very  Humbl  Servts. 

Fra  :  Lewis  for  self  and 
Ph  :  Livingston 
Phila.  26.  Octobr.  1776 

The  Honbl.  the  Convention  for  the  State  of  Nw.  York 

184.  Abraham  Clark  to  Elias  Dayton.' 

Elizabethtown,  October  26,  1776. 
My  dear  Friend: 

....  I  propose  next  Monday  to  return  again  to  Philadelphia,  where 
I  can  remain  but  two  weeks,  when  our  Assembly  will  meet  again,  when  I 
propose  to  sue  for  a  dismission  from  Congress ;  finding  it  too  hard  to 
attend  there  and  at  the  Assembly,  between  both  of  which  I  could  not 
expect  to  spend  much  of  my  time  at  home.  Publick  news  I  suppose  you 
know  as  much  of  as  I  do,  from  my  long  confinement 

I  hear  General  Schuyler  lately  wrote  to  the  Congress  requesting  to 
resign  his  commission,  upon  a  supposition  they  meant  to  cast  an  oblique 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  23 ;  also  Cooke  to  Washington,  Oct.  19,  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1133;  cf.  ibid.,  II.  1136. 

3  See  Ellery  to  Cooke,  Oct.  11,  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  92;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  989.  Probably  the  resolve  of  Sept.  25  is  meant.  Cf.  the  letter  from 
the  committee  on  clothing  to  the  New  York  convention  Oct.  7,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  II.  925,  III.  248.     See  also  nos.  215,  233,  post. 

*  In  a  postscript  Ellery  says :  "  Since  writing  the  foregoing,  the  President  read 
in  Congress  a  letter  from  General  Mifflin  to  a  gentleman  in  this  Town,  dated  at  Fort 
Washington,  October  23d"   [describing  a  skirmish  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Fort]. 

[iSsl^N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  VI.  49  (in  the  writing  of  Lewis); 
Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  232;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1247. 

[184]  1  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1248. 


October,  lyyd  135 

censure  on  him  by  approving  General  Wooster's  conduct  in  Canada ;  con- 
cluding there  must  be  a  fault  somewhere,  and  if  not  in  General  Wooster, 
it  would  naturally  fall  on  him.  His  conclusion  was  ill  founded.  The 
Congress,  when  they  cleared  General  Wooster  of  misconduct,  never 
thought  of  laying  it  on  General  Schuyler,  but  imputed  the  miscarriage 
there  to  the  short  time  the  soldiers  had  inlisted  for,  the  small-pox  getting 
into  the  amiy,  the  want  of  hard  money  to  purchase  provisions  in  Canada, 
and  the  almost  impossibility  of  transporting  any  quantity  there  in  the 
winter." .... 

To  Colonel  Dayton. 

185.  Robert  Morris  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Philada.  October  27,  1776. 
Dear  Sir 

I  find  by  your  letter  of  the  5th  Inst,  you  had  not  received  one  of  my 
letters  wrote  in  answer  to  one  of  yours.  I  kept  no  Copy  of  it  which  youl 
say  is  unusual  for  a  merchant.  I  acknowledge  it  and  only  plead  in  excuse, 
that  I  did  not  write  to  you  in  that  Character.  The  letter  for  Mrs.  Gates 
is  gone  forward  by  Post,  as  I  cou'd  not  meet  any  other  Conveyance,  altho 
I  kept  it  here  some  days  in  expectation  of  one.  Mr.  Johnston,  and  indeed 
all  the  Maryland  Delegates,  are  at  home  forming  a  Constitution.  This 
seems  to  be  the  present  business  of  all  America,  except  the  Army,  it  is 
the  fruits  of  a  certain  premature  declaration  which  you  know  I  always 
opposed,  my  opposition  was  founded  in  the  evil  consequences  I  foresaw 
or  thought  I  foresaw,  and  the  present  state  of  several  Colonies  justifys  my 
apprehensions.  We  are  disputing  about  Liberties,  Priviledges,  Posts,  and 
places,  at  the  very  time  we  ought  to  have  nothing  in  View  but  the  securing 
those  objects  and  placing  them  on  such  a  footing  as  to  make  them  worth 
contending  for  amongst  ourselves  hereafter;  but  instead  of  that,  the 
Vigour  of  this  and  several  other  States  is  lost  in  Intestine  division,  and, 
unless  this  spirit  of  Contention  is  checked  by  some  means  or  other,  I  fear 
it  will  have  banefull  influence  on  the  general  measures  of  America. 

I  am  not  one  of  those  Testy  Politicians  that  run  resty  when  my  own 
plans  are  not  adopted,  for  I  think  it  the  duty  of  a  good  Citizen  to  follow 
when  he  cannot  lead,  and  happy  wou'd  it  be  for  America  if  all  her 
Inhabitants  wou'd  adopt  this  Maxim,  and  make  it  an  invariable  rule 
during  this  great  Contest  for  the  Minority  on  every  question  to  submit  to, 
and  Cooperate  with,  the  Majority,  but  alas  this  cannot  be  it  is  not  to  be 
expected  from  Human  Nature.  We  must  take  men  as  we  find  them,  and 
do  the  best  we  can.  You  tell  me  the  Congress  are  bad  Correspondants, 
and  I  fear  you  have  too  much  truth  on  your  side,  was  you  here  I  cou'd 
explain  this  in  a  Tete  a  Tete  but  I  have  neither  time  nor  inclination  to  com- 
mit that  explanation  to  paper.     You  may  depend  there  is  no  intentional 

2  See  Schuyler's  letter  to  Gates,  Oct.  5,  and  to  Congress,  Oct.  23,  Force,  Am-. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  909,  1205,  respectively.  The  latter  was  read  in  Congress  Nov.  4,  and 
a  resolution  in  consequence  was  enacted  Nov.  7.  The  resolve  exonerating  Wooster  was 
passed  Aug.  17.    Cf.  nos.  138,  155,  173,  ante,  195,  post. 

{i%sV  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VII.;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1262. 

14 


136  Continental  Congress 

Neglect  or  SHg-ht  meant  to  you  or  the  departnicnt  you  Act  in.  it  is 
deemed  of  the  utmost  importance,  and  all  the  Members  of  Congress  wish 
that  and  every  other  deiKirtment  was  duly  attended  to;  but  the  Fact  is 
they  have  too  many  objects  and  retain  too  much  executive  business  in 
their  own  hands  for  their  Members  to  efTect  with  that  vigor  and  dispatch 
that  is  necessary.* 

You  say  I  must  tell  you  gfood  News.  I  will  if  you  will  repay  me  in 
kind  for  of  late  we  have  had  nothing  but  very  bad  News  from  both  our 
Army's.  Wq  expect  daily  to  hear  of  your  being  attacked  and  have 
sanguine  hopes  of  a  Vigorous  and  successful!  defence  on  your  part, 
much  depends  on  it.  if  you  keep  your  Ground  I  think  Genl.  Washington 
will  keep  his  and  if  both  do  this  for  the  present  Fall  and  ensuing  Winter, 
the  Good  News  I  mean  to  tell  you  will  be  verifyed. 

It  is  that  the  French  are  undoubtedly  disposed  to  assist  us  in  this  Con- 
test, and  I  have  little  doubt  but  they  will  take  part  in  the  War  next 
Summer,  indeed  it  seems  to  me  impossible  but  all  Europe  will  be  involved 
in  War  and,  if  so,  Great  Britain  will  have  her  hands  full,  and  probably 
be  glad  to  render  justice  and  reparation  to  the  Country  she  has  so  much 
injured. 

Nothing  do  I  wish  for  more  than  a  peace  on  terms  honorable  and  bene- 
ficial to  both  Country's;  and  I  am  convinced  it  is  more  Consistent  with 
the  Interest  of  Great  Britain  to  acknowledge  our  Independency  and  enter 
into  Commercial  Treatys  with  us  than  to  persist  in  attempting  to  reduce 
us  to  unconditional  submission.  I  hope  we  shall  never  be  reduced  to 
[that]  vile  situation  whilst  a  true  friend  to  America  and  freedom  exists, 
life  W'ill  not  be  worth  having  and  it  is  better  to  perish  by  the  sword  than 
drag  out  the  remaining  days  in  misery  and  scorn;  but  I  hope  Heaven 
has  better  things  in  store  for  the  Votaries  of  so  just  a  Cause. 

I  am,  Dr.  Sir,  Yours  affectionately 

RoBT  Morris 

i86.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.^ 

Philada,  Monday  Even^.  ii  oClock  28th  Octr  1776. 
Sir 

This  moment,  Dodd  the  Express  from  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  who 
took  your  Dispatches  to  Congress  on  Saturday  last,  arriv'd  at  my  house, 
and  informs  me  that  this  Day  about  12  o'clock  he  put  up  at  one  Bissi- 
nett's  -  a  publick  house  in  Bristol,^  where  he  open'd  his  Bundle  to  deliver  a 
Letter  to  be  forwarded  over  the  ferry  to  Mrs.  Reed,  and  leaving  his 
Bundle  in  the  Barr  Room  while  he  Stept  out,  on  his  return  the  whole  of 
his  Letters  were  carried  off,  and  no  person  could  give  any  Acco"  of  them, 
and  after  Enquiring  and  getting  all  the  Assistance  he  could  to  Endeavour 

-  See  nos.  246,  253,  258,  272,  273,  279,  298,  post. 
[i86]i  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XU.   124;   Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  n.  1269. 

2  The  name  is  spelled  Bessonet  in  the  Journals. 

3  Bristol,  Pa. 


October,  iyy6  137 

the  obtaining-  them,  their  Searches  were  fruitless,  and  he  is  here  without 
a  single  Letter.  As  your  Letters  may  be  of  the  utmost  Consequence,  and 
the  Enemy  may  derive  great  Advantages  from  the  knowledge  of  their 
Contents  (as  I  have  no  Doubt  but  they  will  soon  be  in  possession  of  them) 
I  have  judg'd  it  proper  without  waiting  for  the  Meeting  of  Congress  in 
the  Morning  to  dispatch  this  Express  to  you,  to  give  you  this  Intelligence 
that  you  may  as  far  as  possible  Guard  against  the  Movements  the  Enemy 
may  take  in  Consequence  of  the  Intelligence  they  may  gain  by  the  pos- 
session of  those  letters,  and  that  you  may  Take  such  Steps  as  this  Acci- 
dent may  Suggest  to  you  from  the  particulars  of  your  Letters  as  necessary 
to  Counteract  the  Attempts  of  the  Enemy.  I  however  hope  that  your 
Letters,  should  they  fall  into  their  hands  will  not  afford  them  much 
Comfort,  nor  give  them  any  great  Prospects  of  advantages,  tho'  I  shall 
be  unhappy  until  I  know  the  Contents,  and  Beg  by  the  Return  of  this 
Express  you  will  send  me  a  Copy  of  them  as  it  will  be  a  great  Relief  to 
Congress  to  Receive  the  earliest  acco*^. 

I  shall  early  in  the  morn^  send  to  Bristol  and  have  a  strict  sea[rch] 
made,  and  Recover  the  Letters  if  possible,  a[nd]  detect  the  persons  who 
Rob'd  the  mail.* 

You  will  Excuse  this  hasty  Letter,  and  wrote  in  great  Agitation  and 
hurry,  as  I  would  not  lose  a  moment  in  sending  it  off. 

187.  William  Hooper  to  the  President  of  the 
North  Carolina  Convention.^ 

Philadelphia,  Oct  29.  1776. 

Honoured  Sir, 

By  my  worthy  Colleague  Mr  Penn,  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit 
a  resolution  of  the  Continental  Congress  which  bears  immediate  relation 
to  the  State  of  North  Carolina.^  The  Congress  having  been  informed 
that  the  Armed  vessels  belonging  to  the  Enemy  have  lately  quitted  the 
River  of  Cape  fear,  and  have  proceeded  to  the  Northward,  have  bestowed 
their  thoughts  upon  the  practicability  of  fortifying  that  entrance  into  your 
state,  and  excluding  the  British  Men  of  War.  The  importance  of  such 
a  measure  must  weigh  as  powerfully  with  you  as  with  them,  and  I  am  well 
assured  that  nothing  will  be  wanting  on  your  part  to  carry  it  into  Execu- 
tion with  all  possible  dispatch 

You  will  observe  that  this  is  to  be  executed  at  the  Expence  of  your 
own  particular  state ;  a  recommendation  of  a  similar  kind  went  to  South 
Carolina,  in  consequence  of  which  they  have  erected  very  great  and  very 
expensive  fortifications  at  their  own  cost.^  It  becomes  Oeconomy  in  you 
to  bear  this  Expence  yourself,  rather  than  by  making  it  Continental, 
expose  yourself  to  pay  your  proportion  of  the  large  fortifications  which 

*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  29,  31,  Nov.  6,  20,  27,  Dec.  12.     A  reply  to  this  letter, 
Nov.  I,  by  R.  H.  Harrison,  Washington's  secretary,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
III.  464.    See  also  Washington's  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  25. 
[187]!  N.  C  Hist.  Comm. ;  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  871. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  29. 

3  This  probably  refers  to  the  resolve  of  Nov.  4,  i775- 


V'iS  Continental  Congress 

have  been  or  may  hereafter  be  erected  in  the  Eastern  States.  Your  pro- 
|x)rtion  only  of  the  Connecticut  forts  would  amount  to  as  much  as  the 
wliole  of  those  propc^scd  for  your  colonial  security.  In  this  case  therefore 
it  will  he  political  (at  least  for  us)  to  suffer  each  state  to  bear  its  own 
burdens. 

Should  the  Convention  think  it  proper  to  ap|)ly  to  the  Continentl.  Con- 
gress for  the  Assistance  of  an  Engineer  to  execute  this  proposal,  I  shall 
upon  beinq;-  informed  thereof  immediately  take  the  proper  steps  to  procure 
one  and  send  him  on.* 

i88.  John  Witherspoon  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Princeton  Octr  30,  1776 
Sir 

....  It  gave  me  much  Concern  that  you  had  not  an  immediate  and 
fully  satisfying  answer  to  your  Letter  to  Congress  relating  to  the  dissolv- 
ing the  Court  Martial.  There  was  a  full  and  ample  report  brought  in 
upon  it  by  the  board  of  War  but  it  was  postponed  after  some  Debate  for 
a  little  and  many  things  being  thrust  in  that  seemed  to  require  immediate 
Despatch  it  w^as  some  time  before  it  was  brought  in  again  and  the  second 
time  wdien  it  was  just  about  to  be  almost  unanimously  agreed  to  by  the 
artful  Management  of  some  who  wanted  a  little  Alteration  made  it  was 
postponed  again  by  the  Demand  of  a  paper  which  was  not  at  hand  and 
since  that  time  your  friends  thought  it  not  w^orth  while  to  resume  it.^ 
I  must  however  assure  you  that  by  far  the  greatest  part  of  the  Congress 
have  a  very  high  sense  of  your  importance  and  services  in  a  particular 
Manner  for  discouraging  to  the  utmost  of  your  power  Colonial  Jealousies 
and  Distinctions. 

I  have  written  to  General  Maxwell  that  he  is  indebted  to  you  for  a  very 
honourable  Mention  of  him  in  your  Letter  to  Congress  which  was  read 
at  the  last  promotion  of  General  Officers  when  he  could  certainly  have 
been  promoted  but  for  some  of  his  friends  here.^ .... 

189,    Benjamin   Rush   to  the   President  of   the   Pennsylvania 
Council  of  Safety  (Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).^ 

Sir 

In  consequence  of  the  letter  from  Mr.  Fisher  to  the  Counsel  of  Safety 
of  Pennsylvania  being  laid  before  Congress,  the  Congress  resolved  that 
the  board  of  war  should  immediately  order  a  part  of  a  Virginia  regiment 
now  on  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland  to  march  to  Dover  there  to  wait 

*  See  Hooper's  letter  of  Oct.  26,  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  862. 
[i88]iN.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VH. ;  Force,  Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1293. 
-  The   reference  is  to  the  court-martial  of   Col.   Moses   Hazen.     See,   in  the 
Journals,  Sept.  18,  the  "  postponed  "  articles  in  a  report  of  the  board  of  war.    When  the 
second  postponement  took  place  cannot  certainly  be  made  out. 

3  The  promotion  of  general  officers  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  Aug.  9.  See 
Maxwell's  memorial,  Aug.  28  (read  in  Congress  Sept.  6),  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  I.  1204.     He  was  made  a  brigadier-general  Oct.  23. 

[  189]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Personal;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  58. 


November,  i;y6  130 

for  such  Orders  as  tlie  future  accounts  they  shall  receive  from  the  Sussex 
tories  shall  render  necessary." 
Friday.  [November  i,  1776.]^ 

190.  William  Hooper  to  the  North  Carolina 
Provincial  Congress.^ 

Philadelphia,  November  ist,  1776. 
Sir, 

I  take  the  freedom  thro'  you  to  communicate  to  the  Honourable  the 
Convention  the  memorial  of  several  of  the  prisoners  from  North  Carolina 
now  confined  in  the  Gaol  of  this  City.  Their  confinement  tho'  accom- 
panied with  every  circumstance  of  humanity  which  the  publick  security 
will  admit  of  must  however  as  the  Winter  advances  become  more  irksome, 
from  a  scarcity  of  cloathing  an  inconvenience  which  at  this  time  it  will 
be  very  difficult  to  relieve.  I  shall  not  take  the  freedom  to  intrude  my 
opinion  upon  the  Conventions.  I  may  be  permitted  to  say  that  I  lament 
that  conduct  which  has  drawn  upon  them  the  resentment  of  their  injured 
Country.  I  feel  sincerely  for  their  distressed  families,  and  earnestly  wish 
they  may  be  restored  to  their  homes  as  soon  as  such  a  measure  can  take 
place  without  hazarding  the  safety  of  North  Carolina." 

191.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Novr.  5th.  1776. 
Sir, 

The  Congress,  apprehensive  that  Commissioners  from  some  of  the 
States  for  the  Purpose  of  appointing  Officers  in  the  Army  under  the  new 
Establishment,  may  not  have  arrived  at  the  Camp,  and  at  the  same  Time 
fully  and  deeply  impressed  with  the  Necessity  of  recruiting  the  Army  to 

~  See  the  Journals^  Nov.  i.  The  letter  of  Henry  Fisher  referred  to  is  probably 
that  of  Oct.  25,  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  53.    See  also  no.  168,  ante,  and  no.  192,  post. 

3  The  letter  is  endorsed :    "  From  Doctr.  Rush  Novr.  ist  1776." 
On  the  same  day  (presumably;  the  date  is  merely  "Friday")   Rush  addressed  the 
following  note  to  the  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  council  of  Safety   (copied  from 
the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Philadelphia)  : 

The  enclosed  petition  was  referred  to  the  council  of  Safety  by  the  Congress.  He  is 
entitled  I  believe  to  half  pay  from  our  State  agreeable  to  some  late  resolutions  of 
congress." 

The  petition  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  Ezekiel  Letts,  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V._57, 
to  which  Rush  has  appended  an  endorsement,  dated  Oct.  31,  1776.  There  is  no  mention 
of  the  case  in  the  Journals.    The  resolutions  referred  to  are  of  Aug.  26. 

[190]!  iV.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  888. 

2  The  memorial  of  the  prisoners,  dated  Oct.  31,  accompanies  this  letter  of  Hooper 
in  N.  C.  Recs.  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  17;  cf.  ibid.,  Dec.  20,  22,  23,  1776,  Jan.  9,  I777- 
See  also  no.  391,  post.  Hooper's  letter  and  the  memorial  were  laid  before  the  North 
Carolina  congress  Tuesday,  Nov.  19,  and  consideration  referred  to  the  following 
Thursday.  The  matter  was  not,  however,  then  taken  up.  For  the  case  of  Brig.-Gen. 
Donald  MacDonald,  see  a  letter  from  him  to  the  board  of  war,  Sept.  7,  1776,  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  11.  191,  and  consult  the  Journals,  passim. 

[igi]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  7;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  HI.  514. 


140  Continental  Congress 

its  full  Complement,  have  passed  the  enclosed  Resolves,  authorizing  you 
to  grant  Warrants  to  such  Officers  as  you  shall  think  proper,  provided 
there  are  no  Commissioners  from  the  State  to  which  such  Officers  belong.^ 

As  it  is  of  the  greatest  Consequence  that  the  Militia  now  in  Service 
should  not  leave  the  Camp  at  this  Crisis,  it  is  the  Desire  of  Congress  that 
you  will  take  such  Steps  as  you  shall  judge  best  for  attaining  this  End ; 
and  that  in  particular,  you  should  for  that  Purpose  write  to  such  of  the 
States  as  have  any  Militia  in  the  Government  of  New  York,  requesting 
their  Assistance  in  the  Business. 

The  Commissions  for  such  Officers  as  you  shall  please  to  appoint  by 
Warrant,  in  Consequence  of  the  enclosed  Resolves,  shall  be  forwarded 
as  soon  as  possible. 

The  Resolves  herewith  transmitted,  I  am  to  inform  you,  do  not  extend 
to  the  Maryland  troops,  as  the  Commissioners  from  that  State  are  on 
their  Way  to  Head  Quarters  to  appoint  Officers  agreeably  to  the  former 
Resolves  of  Congress.  You  will  therefore  be  pleased  to  suspend  any 
appointment  of  Officers  for  that  State,  until  you  shall  hear  further  from 
Congress,  or  until  the  Arrival  of  those  Gentlemen  shall  make  it  un- 
necessary.' 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8,  Nov.  4. 

'  Some  resolutions  of  the  Maryland  convention  relative  to  raising  the  state's 
quota  of  troops  were  presented  to  Congress  Oct.  23  and  referred  to  a  committee. 
The  committee  made  its  report  Oct.  30,  and  the  conclusions  of  Congress  thereon  were 
transmitted  to  the  convention  by  President  Hancock  Nov.  4  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  508).  For  the  origin  and  purpose  of  the  Maryland  commission,  see  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Maryland  convention,  Oct.  4,  9,  in  the  Journal  of  the  Maryland  Conven- 
tion, pp.  265,  272-274;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  116,  120.  The  commissioners 
were  Benjamin  Rumsey.  James  Lloyd  Chamberlaine,  Thomas  Contee,  and  John  Han- 
son, jr.  A  letter  from  Rumsey  to  James  Tilghman,  Oct.  24  (Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book, 
IV.  44:  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  397),  throws  light  on  the  earlier  proceedings  of  Congress  on 
the  matter.  The  letter  is  addressed :  "  To  The  Honble  James  Tilghman  Esquire  In 
his  absence  To  any  other  of  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the  Province  of  Maryland  " : 

"  I  arrived  here  on  Saturday  Evening  last  but  mj-  Colleagues  did  not  all  arrive  before 
last  Monday.  On  Tuesday  we  laid  the  Resolves  of  Convention  before  the  Congress  and 
on  Wednesday  about  one  OClock  two  of  their  Members  informed  Us  that  the  Mode 
proposed  by  our  Convention  of  substituting  the  Gift  of  ten  Dollars  in  Lieu  of  the  hun- 
dred Acres  of  Land  would  prove  in  the  Opinion  of  Congress  extremely  prejudicial  to 
the  united  States  as  it  would  subject  them  all  to  the  same  Advance,  an  Expence  in 
their  Apprehension  too  great  to  be  borne  and  wch.  to  use  their  own  Expressions  would 
break  the  Back  of  all  North  America  they  represented  that  Land  might  be  bought  for 
three  Dollars  per  hundred  that  the  Soldiery  had  already  extorted  from  the  State  greater 
Wages  than  could  well  be  borne.  They  further  requested  to  know  if  We  would  proceed 
to  attempt  the  Inlistment  of  the  Men  with  the  twenty  Dollars  Bounty  without  promising 
the  ten  Dollars  which  Congress  were  not  inclinable  to  grant  at  present  but  had  appointed 
a  Committee  to  draw  up  a  Letter  to  the  Convention  of  Maryld  on  the  Subject  of  their 
Resolves  setting  forth  their  Reasons  for  not  furnishing  Us  with  Money  and  dissuading 
them  from  that  Mode  of  raising  Men. 

"  We  informed  the  Gentlemen  our  Province  had  no  Land  solely,  that  an  Expectation 
was  formed  by  the  People  of  our  State  that  what  was  conquered  from  an  Enemy  at 
the  joint  Expence  of  Blood  and  Treasure  of  the  whole  should  become  their  joint  property 
but  as  Qaims  had  been  set  up  opposite  to  our  Ideas  of  natural  Justice  it  became  a 
wise  people  rather  to  prepare  for  the  worst  by  giving  ten  Dollars  now  than  trust  to  the 
mercy  of  a  few  Venders  from  whom  they  would  be  obliged  to  purchase  (having 
pledged  their  Honour)  at  any  price,  the  Case  of  all  Monopolies ;  that  we  had  limited 
Orders  from  our  Convention  a  special  Authority  under  which  We  must  act  and  not 
deviate ;  that  if  their  Letter  to  our  Convention  could  be  wrote  in  any  reasonable  Time 
we  would  await  the  Event  and  return  or  advance  as  we  should  be  by  them  ordered. 
They  also  observed  that  the  State  of  ^Maryland  shewed  a  Disposition  to  seperate  by  their 


November,  i'j'j6  141 

The  enclosed  Commission  of  Brigadier  General  you  will  please  to  have 
delivered  to  Genl  Smallwood. 

[P.  S.]  I  send  some  commissions,  and  shall  send  others  immediately. 
Mr  Harrison's  Letters  to  3rd  Inst,  are  come  to  hand.* 

192.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Read.^ 

Philadelphia,  November  6th,  1776. 
Dear  Sir, 

You  will  not  wonder  that  I  should  be  obliged  to  answer  your  favor  of 
the  5th  instant  in  a  great  hurry,  after  detaining  the  bearer  some  time 
before  I  could  even  sit  down  to  write. 

It  seems  there  is  some  foundation  for  the  report  you  heard,  although 
not  strictly  true.  I  was  not  in  Congress  when  Dr.  Rush  brought  the 
account  from  the  Council  of  Safety,  but  am  told,  he  moved  for  some 
Continental  troops  being  ordered  down,  which  was  opposed  by  several 
members  upon  the  very  principles  you  would  wish,  and  finally  the  motion 
was  rejected ;  but  as  a  Virginia  regiment  was  ordered  up  from  the  Eastern 
Shore,  they  were  directed  to  halt  at  Dover  for  the  further  orders  of 
Congress,  on  the  supposition  that  your  government  would  apply  for  them 
if  they  should  think  it  necessary.^ 

This  I  believe  to  be  the  true  state  of  facts,  and  as  my  sentiments  are 
totally  with  you,  I  am  ready  to  obey  your  commands,  or  do  anything  you 
desire,  if  in  my  power;  being  very  sincerely,  dear  sir,  your  obedient 
servant, 

Robert  Morris. 

Resolves  from  the  united  States,  that  the  Resolves  ran  in  the  Stile  of  We  would  not. 
We  remarked  in  Reply  that  the  Terms  made  use  of  were  ought  not  and  the  two  Reasons 
that  appeared  in  the  Resolves  themselves  were  first  that  the  Mode  of  Calculation  was 
unequal  and  the  second  that  it  was  not  of  our  power  to  comply  not  having  the  Lands 
solely  and  exclusively  and  yet  notwithstanding  Injustice  was  done  Us  and  We  had  not 
the  Lands  etc  We  had  as  a  State  resolved  to  raise  the  Men  requested  by  Congress  which 
together  with  our  former  Zeal  in  the  Cause  evinced  our  Attachment  to  it  and  ought  in 
our  Opinion  to  have  excused  us  from  such  an  Imputation.  Thus  ended  the  Discourse  and 
it  is  now  Thursday  Evening  and  no  Lre.  wrote  that  We  know  of  I  shall  wait  upon  a 
Gentleman  of  the  Congress  to  Morrow  for  the  Lre.  to  go  by  the  Post  and  We  intend  to 
write  to  the  Convention 

"  When  I  set  off  from  Annapolis  I  asked  G.  Duvall  for  the  Commissions  transmitted  to 
Convention  by  Congress,  he  answered  there  were  None  sent  they  were  to  be  got  at 
Philada.  When  We  came  here  our  old  Friend  the  Honble  Jno.  Hancock  would  have 
sent  us  back  to  get  them  but  he  was  overruled  in  this  and  We  should  have  got  others.  I 
beg  if  we  are  continued  in  Office  that  We  may  not  have  Favours  of  that  Sort  to  ask — 
And  that  you  will  take  Care  they  shall  be  sent  up  by  the  next  post " 

See  the  council  to  the  commissioners,  Nov.  i,  8,  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  416,  423. 

The  subject  was  again  considered  by  the  Maryland  convention  Nov.  8,  9,  10  (Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  174.  177-178,  179),  and  on  Nov.  13  Congress  was  induced  to 
modify  its  action.  See  nos.  205,  216,  219-221,  226,  248,  post.  For  an  elaborate  treatment 
of  the  whole  subject  of  Maryland's  attitude  on  the  land  question,  see  H.  B.  Adams, 
Maryland's  Influence  upon  Land  Cessions  to  the  United  States  (Johns  Hopkins  Univ. 
Studies,  ser.  III.,  no.  i),  and  Shosuke  Sato,  History  of  the  Land  Question  in  the  United 
States  (ibid.,  ser.  IV.,  nos.  7-9).  Cf.  vol.  III.  of  these  Letters,  under  June  22,  1778. 
*  R.  H.  Harrison,  Washington's  secretary. 

[192]!  Read,  Life  of  Read,  p.  213. 

-See  nos.  168,  189.  ante;  also  the  letter  of  George  Read  (dated  at  Newcastle, 
Nov.  5,  Life  of  Read,  p.  212)  to  which  this  is  a  reply.  The  letter  is  also  in  Henkels, 
Catalogue,  no.  1183,  with  the  date  Nov.  4.  In  regard  to  Read's  attitude  toward  Henry 
Fisher,  cf.  the  letter  of  James  Sykes,  Apr.  10,  1777,  post. 


142  Continental  Congress 

193.  William  Williams  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.* 

Philadelphia  Nov  6,  1776 
Dear  Sir 

Contrary  to  my  Expectations  and  Wishes  I  am  yet  detained  liere  but 
expect  Mr  Shermans  return  every  day  and  hour  and  then  T  propose  to  set 

homeward;'    Mr    Huntington    is    also    gone    home    unwell the 

present  occasion  of  my  writing  is  to  mention  an  affair  yesterd.  under 
Consider",  viz  a  Petn.  of  one  Majr  Cady  '  setting  forth  that  he  with  a 
Body  of  men  marched  to  Canada  after  the  fall  of  G  Montgomery  and  that 
lie  has  never  been  able  to  obtain  any  Pay  by  reason  that  Gen.  Schuyler 
forbid  it.  he  knows  not  why  and  the  Men  greatly  disaffected  and  preju- 
diced agst  the  Service,  and  praying  to  be  allowed  their  W^ages  etc.  (I 
suppose  in  the  same  situation  w''  Col  Warner)*  much  Dispute  was  about 
it  and  finally  all  that  c**  be  obtained  was  to  refer  it  to  the  Comisrs.  of 
Acc°*  at  Albany  to  examine  and  make  Rei)ort.  it  was  suggested  the 
probable  reason  was.  His  men  went  into  Inoculation  contrary  to  order 
etc.  and  that  was  alledged  as  a  sufficient  Reason  to  cut  them  off  etc..  and 
that  Crime  if  one  in  the  Circumstances,  was  treated  with  impolitic  Sever- 
ity I  think  to  say  no  more.  I  am  greatly  concerned  that  it  will  have  a 
very  ill  Effect  and  disaffect  Men  to  the  Northern  Service,  the  distressing 
feelings  of  the  Men  under  the  certain  prospect  of  taking  and  dying  with 
that  Disease  etc.  in  my  opinion  pleads  strongly  in  their  Excuse,  and  in 
such  Cases  allowances  ought  to  be  made  and  Faults  winked  at,  especially 
when  the  Men  are  so  much  wanted  etc.  things  appear  in  a  very  different 
light  to  me  than  to  some  here  etc. 

I  know  not  the  Man  in  the  present  Case  nor  where  He  is  from,  but  for 
the  reasons  hinted  at  etc.  I  earnestly  wish  you  to  interpose  every  good 
Office  in  your  Power  with  the  Genl  and  the  Comisrs.  and  whoever  can 
influence  in  the  affair  that  the  Man  may  be  incouraged  and  paid,  and  the 
same  with  Respect  to  Col  Warner,  but  know  not  where  nor  in  what  Situa- 

fiQS]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  II.,  no.  15. 

-  A  letter  from  Oliver  Wolcott  to  his  wife,  Nov.  12,  indicates  that  Williams 
probably  left  Congress  that  day.    But  see  no.  215,  i>ost. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  6.  Jeremiah  Cady  was  a  major  in  Paterson's  Massachu- 
setts regiment,  April-December,  1775,  and  commanded  a  battalion  in  the  Canadian  cam- 
paign, Januarj'-June,  1776.     Schuyler  wrote  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Dec.  12: 

"  The  Commissioners  having  certified  that  Nothing  appears  before  them  why  Major 
Cady's  Detachment  should  not  be  paid  you  will  therefore  proceed  to  pay  them,  any  Order 
of  mine  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

"  Two  Month's  advance  pay  was  intended  as  a  Boimty  and  is  not  to  be  stopped  from 
them.  They  must  also  be  allowed  as  the  others  were  that  came  from  Canada  discharged 
on  the  sixth  of  May,  as  an  equivalent  for  pay  and  provisions  to  bring  them  Home." 
Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  II.  49. 

*  Petitions  from  Col.  Seth  Warner,  dated  Sept.  10  and  Oct.  4,  are  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  273,  884.  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  10,  11,  12,  Oct.  15.  In  a  letter 
to  Trumbull,  Nov.  27,  Schuyler  says : 

"  I  have  received  a  Letter  from  Mr  Sherman  the  Delegate  on  the  Subject  of  Colonel 
Warner's  Regiment,  and  altho'  that  is  far  from  being  authority  to  me  to  grant  a  Warrant 
on,  yet  as  I  greatly  apprehend  that  we  shall  not  have  Troops  in  Time  to  relieve  the 
Garrisons  to  the  Northward.  I  will  venture  to  give  Colonel  Warner  eight  thousand 
Dollars  for  the  recruiting  Service,  on  his  delivering  to  you  the  Copies  of  the  Resolves 
of  Congress  empowering  him  to  raise  a  Regiment."  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan 
Trumbull,  jr.,  II.  37.     See  also,  nos.  330,  532,  post. 


November,  ///d  143 

tion  he  is  in  now.     It  seems  to  me  of  great  importance,  even  tho  they 
deserved  nothing  that  they  sho''  not  be  discouraged  at  this  Juncture. 

194.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren/ 

Philada.,  Nov.  6,  1776.^ 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  Congress  could  not  account  for  the  Delay  of  the  Assemblies  to 
send  Committees  to  the  Camp  agreeable  to  their  Recommendation,  but 
by  your  Letter  I  am  led  to  believe  that  the  answer  of  our  Assembly  was 
among  those  Letters  which  were  lately  stolen  from  an  Express  on  the 
Road.  The  Necessity  of  immediate  Application  to  the  important  Business 
of  inlisting  a  new  Army  indued  Congress  to  direct  the  Commander  in 
Chief  to  give  orders  for  that  Purpose  even  though  the  Committees  should 
not  have  arrivd.^ .... 

Nov.  pth.  Mr.  Partridge  *  arrivd  in  this  City  the  last  Evening,  having 
been  dispatched  by  your  Committee  at  Genl.  Washington's  Head  Quarters, 
who  have  consulted  with  the  General  concerning  the  Augmentation  made 
by  our  Assembly  of  the  Pay  of  the  Troops  to  be  raisd  by  our  State.  The 
General  advisd  them  to  lay  the  Matter  before  Congress.  We  intend  to 
bring  it  on  this  day.  I  have  strong  Doubts  whether  it  will  succeed  here. 
Men  must  be  prevaild  upon  to  inlist  at  some  Rate  or  other,  and  I  think 
it  must  be  confessd  that  our  State  have  shewn  a  laudable  Zeal  for  the 
publick  Service.  But  if  the  other  States  which  are  to  have  Troops  in  the 
Army  should  not  consent  to  give  the  same  Encouragement,  it  may  cause 
great  Uneasiness  among  them.  I  am  the  more  ready  to  believe  it  will  not 
be  well  receivd  in  Congress  because  a  proposal  made  not  long  ago  by  the 
Maryland  Convention  for  them  to  offer  to  their  Men  Ten  Dollars  in  Lieu 
of  the  100  Acres  of  Land  was  rejected.^ 

Nov.  II.  On  Saturday  last  Congress  considerd  the  Business  on  which 
Mr,  Partridge  is  here.  A  Com*^  was  appointed  who  have  this  day 
reported  against  your  Resolution  and  the  Report  is  agreed  to,  but  as  the 
Resolution  must  be  known  to  the  Soldiers,  it  has  greatly  embarrassd  us. 
A  Motion  was  made  to  limit  the  Duration  of  the  Inlistments,  which  after 
Debate  was  postpond  and  is  to  be  determind  tomorrow.  If  the  present 
Encouragement  offerd  by  Congress  is  continued  only  for  a  limited  Time 
of  three  or  four  years,  it  certainly  would  be  very  great.  I  will  inform 
you  further  of  this  Affair  tomorrow. 

Nov.  I2th.  The  Motion  I  yesterday  mentiond  has  been  this  Day  con- 
sidered and  Congress  have  resolvd  upon  an  Alternative;  that  is,  so  far 
to  reconsider  their  former  Resolution  as  to  admit  of  Inlistments  for 

[194]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  275. 

-  Adams  had  returned  to  Congress  Oct.  24.  See  his  letter  to  Samuel  Mather, 
Oct.  26,  in  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  316. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8,  Nov.  4. 

*  George  Partridge,  bearer  of  the  letter  of  Timothy  Danielson  read  in  Congress 
Nov.  9.    See  nos.  197,  201,  post. 

s  See  no.  192,  note  3,  ante. 


144  Continental  Congress 

three  years  with  the  Bounty  of  20  Dollars  and  the  Suit  of  Cloaths 
annually,  or  durin^u:  the  War,  with  the  Addition  of  the  100  Acres  of  Land  ; 
and  our  Committee  is  desired  not  to  offer  the  further  Encouragement  of 
20/  You  will  have  a  Copy  of  this  Resolution  sent  to  you  by  the  Presi- 
dent." Would  it  not  be  proper  to  send  immediate  Instructions  to  your 
Committees  at  the  several  Camps  to  settle  the  Affair  of  Ofiicers,  and  exert 
themselves  in  the  most  important  Business  of  procuring  a  new  Army? 
I  am  affectionately  vours, 

S.  A. 

195.  Edward  Rutledge  to  Philip  Schuyler/ 

November  6th:  1776 
Dear  Sir 

The  Part  which  I  have  taken  in  Congress  relative  to  your  Character 
and  Conduct,  has  I  trust,  been  such  as  the  Measures  which  you  have 
adopted,  and  the  Principles  by  which  they  were  directed  will  fully  justify." 
That  you  have  sustain'd  for  a  length  of  Time  an  uncommon  Load  of 
Calumny  is  alas !  too  true ;  but  tho'  your  Friends  were  much  mortified  to 
find  that  they  were  unable  effectually  to  oppose  the  Torrent,  yet  they  felt 
some  Consolation  in  reflecting  that  the  Day  would  come  when  you  would 
appear  in  your  true  Character;  I  mean  in  the  Character  of  a  firm  and 
disinterested  Patriot.  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  Prospect  of  its  Ap- 
proach, and  wish  that  I  could  hold  my  Seat  in  Congress  until  I  could  see 
you  in  Philadelphia,  and  contribute  my  Assistance  to  do  Justice  to  your 
Reputation :  But  a  Desire  of  returning  to  my  native  Home  from  which 
I  have  been  absent  for  more  than  Eighteen  Months  will  deprive  me  of  that 
Satisfaction.  You  however  will  suffer  nothing  from  my  Absence,  as  I  am 
convinced  you  will  receive  ample  Justice  from  those  whose  Duty  it  is  to 
administer  it 

196.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia,  7th  November,  1776. 
My  dear  Sir: 

....  I  have  just  received  your  favour  of  the  21st  ultimo.  Your 
giving  up  to  Captain  Plance  his  small  adventure  is,  in  my  opinion,  very 
right;  but  by  some  hints  that  have  been  dropped,  am  inclined  to  think 
that  some  gentlemen  suppose  you  have  exceeded  your  power.  Captain 
Bowden,  I  find,  has  preferred  a  petition,  which  is  referred  to  a  committee. 
I  have  a  letter  from  Colonel  Wentworth  on  the  subject,  which  I  shall 
answer  in  a  day  or  two.  I  heartily  wish  there  may  be  some  method 
adopted  whereby  that  gentleman  may  be  relieved,  but  must  confess  am 

6  See  the  Joiirnuls,  Nov.  9,  11,  12,  and  nos.  197.  199,  201,  205,  post. 
[195]!  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  II.,  p.  192  (original). 

2  See  nos.  138,  155,  ante.  In  a  letter  to  Jay,  Nov.  24  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser..  III.  825),  Rutledge  enlarges  upon  his  suggestions  relative  to  the  course  to  be 
pursued  bv  Schuj'ler  and  by  the  New  York  delegates. 

[196]!  force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  554;  Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  William 
Whipple,  and  Others,  p.  51. 


November,  i'j'j6  145 

doubtful  of  the  success  of  his  petition — for  a  publick  body  to  break  their 
own  general  rules  may  be  attended  with  evil  consequences;  however,  I 
shall  do  all  in  my  power  to  have  this  matter  determined  as  speedily  as 
possible,  and  shall  use  my  endeavours  to  serve  Captain  Bowden,  so  far  as 
(in  my  opinion)  is  consistent  with  the  publick  good." .... 

Enclosed  you  have  some  late  resolutions  of  Congress  respecting  the 
Navy.  Some  further  proposals  are  before  Congress,  which  I  expect  will 
be  soon  taken  up.* .... 

197.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

PHiLA^Sth.  Novr.  1776 
My  Dear  Sir 

Our  Colleage  ^  arriv'd  the  3d  inst  he  cross'd  the  River  several  miles 
above  Dobb's  ferry  by  which  means  I  suppose  you  Miss'd  him  he  com- 
plains much  of  the  Roads  and  I  believe  justly,  he  was  Inoculated  Yester- 
day, but  attends  Congress.  Nothing  meterial  has  happen'd  since  your 
departure,  some  private  Letters  from  Genl  Lee  of  Yesterdays  date  are 
very  incouraging.  If  you  pass'd  through  the  Army,  you  must  be  sensible 
of  the  want  of  Cloathing  and  as  you  know  what  was  done  in  Congress 
respecting  that  matter  no  doubt  You'll  use  your  influence  to  draw  the 
attention  of  the  Executive  Power  of  Our  state  to  that  Subject.  I  find 
the  Genl.  Court  of  the  Massachusetts  have  increas'd  the  pay  of  their 
Soldiers  and  have  sent  a  Committee  to  Camp  to  inlist  the  men,  but  Genl. 
Washington  wo*^  not  consent  to  their  giving  out  Orders  till  the  matter 
was  lay'd  before  Congress  one  of  the  Gentn.*  arriv'd  Yesterday  what 
will  be  done  in  the  affair  I  know  not.  we  really  have  a  Choice  of  Diffi- 
culties which  I  [am]  in  no  doubt  we  shall  get  over  but  the  thing  is  to  make 
advantages  of  those  difficulties  The  Massachu*^.  have  increas'd  the  pay 
of  their  Soldiers  to  10  dols.  pr  Month  for  the  new  army  if  that  sho'^  be 
come  into,  the  charge  of  the  Army  will  be  so  great  that  it  will  discourage 
many  and  undoubtedly  will  cause  some  heart  burnings  in  a  certain 
Assembly;  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  matter  has  taken  air  among  the 
Soldiers  and  sho*^  not  be  agree'd  to  there  is  greater  danger  that  we  shall 
have  no  Army  this  affair  is  referr'd  to  a  Committee  who  I  suppose  will 
report  tomorrow  shall  be  able  to  give  you  a  more  perticular  acco*.  of 
the  matter  in  my  next,  in  the  mean  time  I  hope  every  measure  is  and  will 
be  taken  to  raise  our  Proportion  and  as  many  more  as  possible.*  .... 

2  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  307,  59S ;  also  letters  from  Commodore 
Esek  Hopkins  to  Capt.  Abraham  Whipple,  Nov.  12,  ibid..  III.  658,  to  John  Langdon,  Nov. 
21,  Dec.  28,  ibid.,  III.  799,  1470,  and  to  John  Bradford,  Dec.  28,  ibid.,  III.  1470.  The 
memorial  of  Capt.  Lawrence  Bowden,  presented  to  Congress  Nov.  9,  has  not  been  found. 
Cf.  no.  203,  post.  Concerning  Capt.  John  Plance  (or  Plants)  see  a  letter  from  Hopkins 
to  Bradford,  Nov.  12,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.  659. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  10,  11,  30,  Nov.  6,  7,  13,  18,  20,  and  no.  214,  post. 
[197]!  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 

2  Matthew  Thornton.  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  4,  and  cf.  Thornton  to  Weare, 
Nov.  12,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.  652. 

3  George  Partridge.     See  no.  194.  ante,  and  no.  201,  post. 

*  Washington's  letter,  dated  Nov.  6,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  541. 
He  is  more  explicit  in  a  letter  of  Nov.  11  (read  in  Congress  Nov.  15),  ibid.,  III.  638.    See 


14G  Continental  Congress 

198.  Thk  Board  of  War  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.* 

War  Office  Novr  8th  1776. 
Honourable  Gentlemen: 

General  Scluiyler  is  very  desirous  of  having-  an  answer  to  his  Letters 
respecting^  the  Nanticoke  Inthans.  The  Six  Nations  repeatedly  complain 
that  those  of  that  Nation  who  were  left  in  Maryland  are  detained  there 
contrary  to  their  Inclinations.  This  idea,  tho'  not  founded  in  Truth 
creates  much  uneasiness,  and  is  constantly  held  up  by  the  Indians  in  their 
conferences  with  the  General.  Congress  have  before  written  to  your 
State  on  the  Subject  on  which  I  have  now  the  honour  of  addressing-  you 
by  order  of  the  Board  of  War,  but  have  not  been  favoured  with  an 
Answer,  which  I  have  it  in  command  to  request  you  will  now  be  pleased 
to  give  that  it  may  be  transmitted  to  General  Schuyler,  and  he  may  thereby 
be  enabled  to  satisfy  the  minds  of  the  Indians  on  this  subject.^ 

With  the  greatest  respect  I  have  the  Honour  to  be  your  most  obedt 
hble  Servt 

P.  S 


Richard  Peters  Sec'y. 

199.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes.^ 

[November  8(  ?),  1776.] 
Dear  Hezves 

In  your  letter  to  your  Brother  you  ask  "  what  is  become  of  Hooper  ?["] 
I  answer,  Here  he  is  the  Packhorse  of  North  Carolina,^  carrying  his 
burden  in  congress  all  day,  and  varying  it  only  by  taking  it  up  in  Com- 

also  his  letter  of  Nov.  6,  to  the  Massachusetts  assembly,  ibid.,  III.  547,  that  of  Nov.  10,  to 
Governor  Trumbull  of  Connecticut,  ibid.,  III.  632,  Gates  to  Hancock,  Nov.  6,  ibid.,  III. 
549,  Gates  to  Stockton  and  Oymer.  Nov.  7,  ibid..  III.  592,  and  Stockton  and  Clymer  to 
Congress.  Nov.  10  (printed  20),  ibid..  III.  784.  The  matter  came  before  Congress  Nov. 
9,  in  a  letter  of  Timothy  Danielson,  one  of  the  Massachusetts  commissioners.  See  also 
the  Journals,  Nov.  11,  12.  The  letter  of  Danielson,  dated  Nov.  3,  together  with  a 
letter  from  Danielson  to  James  Warren  of  the  same  date,  and  the  Massachusetts  resolves 
of  Oct.  19,  are  ibid.,  III.  494-496.  See  also  a  letter  from  Danielson  to  the  Massachusetts 
assembly,  Nov.  5,  ibid..  III.  521,  and  one  to  Tristram  Dalton,  Nov.  16,  with  sundry 
enclosures,  ibid..  III.  711-713,  and  a  letter  from  the  President  of  Congress  to  the  Eastern 
States,  Nov.  15,  ibid..  III.  697.  The  report  of  the  commissioners  to  the  assembly,  dated 
Dec.  7.  is  ibid..  III.  713.    Cf.  no.  194,  ante,  and  nos.  199,  201,  210-213,  215,  post. 

[igS]^  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  429;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  598. 

-See,  further,  the  Journals,  Aug.  19,  Nov.  7;  Schuyler's  letters  to  Congress, 
Aug.  18  (read  in  Congress  Aug.  26)  and  Sept.  14,  and  his  letter  of  Nov.  6  to  the  com- 
mittee sent  to  the  Northern  armj-,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  1030,  II.  ZZZ^  and 
III.  1585,  respectively.     Hancock  wrote  to  Schuyler  Nov.  9: 

"Although  Congress  have  repeatedly  applied  to  Maryland  on  the  subject  of  the 
Nanticoke  Indians  without  effect,  yet  are  they  determined  to  make  another  application, 
the  result  of  which  shall  be  immediately  transmitted  to  you."  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser..  III.  614. 

The  reply  to  this  letter  from  the  board  of  war  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  447,  dated 
Nov.  15.  See  no.  228,  post.  On  Dec.  6,  1775,  John  Bull  presented  a  memorial  to  Congress 
on  behalf  of  the  Six  Nations,  for  the  removal  of  the  Nanticoke  Indians  from  Maryland. 
A  time  was  set  for  consideration  of  the  memorial,  but  it  seems  never  to  have  been  taken 
up.    The  memorial  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  IV.  202. 

[199}!  Furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning  of  Albany. 

-  Cf.  Hooper's  letter  of  Oct.  26  to  the  North  Carolina  provincial  congress,  N.  C. 
Col.  Recs.,  X.  862. 


November,  ///d  147 

mittees  all  the  Evening.  In  a  word  I  am  fatigued  almost  to  death. 
9  Colonies  you  know  are  required  to  compose  a  Congress.  Neither 
Georgia  Maryland  Delaware  or  New  York  have  been  for  some  time  past 
represented  so  that  your  humble  Servant  is  compelled  to  a  constant  un- 
remitting attendance.  I  never  in  my  life  felt  myself  so  perfectly  excul- 
pated from  the  Sin  of  Omission.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  conceive  how  I  have 
found  time  to  write  so  many  publick  and  private  letters,  amongst  the 
latter  before  this  you  are  convinced  that  I  have  not  been  unmindful  of 
you 

From  the  many  difficulties  which  attend  the  raising  an  Army  here  and 
to  the  Eastward  I  cannot  too  earnestly  press  upon  you  the  necessity  of 
forwarding  by  every  possible  method  the  recruiting  Service,  the  Bounty 
and  pay  are  both  enormous  and  I  hope  will  secure  us  success  in  recruiting 
to  the  Southd.  tho  the  Eastern  Gentry  are  not  yet  satisfied,  and  wish  to 
screw  us  up  a  few  pegs  higher,'  but  they  will  be  disappointed  for  in  my 
opinion  matters  are  now  come  to  this.  Give  way  to  the  extortion  of  the 
Army  and  you  part  with  the  property  of  the  Continent  to  them  and  become 
Slaves  to  their  Avarice  and  Caprice.  Disband  your  Army  and  you  are 
Slaves  to  a  British  Tyrant.  Your  Slavery  dififers  only  in  the  name  of  the 
Superiour.  if  I  am  a  Slave  let  me  have  one  rather  than  60,000  Masters. 
However  these  Gentry  will  soon  I  hope  be  brought  to  reason  and  we  shall 
have  a  formidable  force  on  reasonable  Terms 

Pray  request  the  Convention  to  write  me  fully  of  what  they  wish  to 
have  accomplished  here  within  the  compass  of  my  abilities,  and  not  leave 
me  to  guess  at  a  meaning.  If  it  can  be  prevented  I  wish  you  could  avoid 
a  demand  for  a  large  sum  on  the  Contl.  Treasury  for  a  while  at  least.  It 
runs  a  little  low  just  now  but  will  soon  I  hope  by  Lottery  and  Loan  Office 
both  of  which  are  established  by  Congress  will  be  up  again.  As  to  settling 
the  publick  Accounts  Gentlemen  in  Carolina  are  employed  to  adjust  those 
in  Virginia  so  vice  versa.  Adieu  I  am  at  the  bottom  of  my  Sheet  Love 
to  Penn 

Yours  Affectionately 

Wm  Hooper 

200.  The  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington.^ 

War  Office  Novr  8th :  1776 

Sir 

Mr.  Lewis  (a  Brother  Delegate)  has  given  Congress  Information  that 
Application  had  been  made  to  your  Excellency  by  a  Flag  from  Genl.  Howe 
to  permit  Mrs.  Watts  and  Mrs :  Barrow,  the  Pay  Masters  Wife  to  go  to 
their  Husbands  in  New  York  and  at  same  Time  requested  Congress  to 
assist  him  with  their  Authority  to  obtain  the  Release  of  his  Lady  whom 
the  Enemy  would  not  permit  to  come  out.  The  House  having  refer'd  the 
Matter  to  the  Board  of  War,  we  beg  leave  to  represent  to  your  Excellency 

3  See  nos.  194,  197,  ante,  and  nos.  201,  210-213,  215,  post. 
[200]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCV.  325;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  in,  597. 


148  Continental  Congress 

the  Propriety  of  obtaininj?  Mrs:  Lewis  and  Mrs.  Robinson  her  Daughter 
with  her  Children  in  exchange  for  Mrs.  Watts  and  Mrs.  Barrow:  and, 
if  you  have  not  already  permitted  these  ladies  to  go  into  York  or  given 
Genl.  Howe  a  promise  to  that  effect,  that  you  will  make  the  Release  of  our 
Ladies,  if  we  may  be  allowed  the  expression,  a  necessary  requisite.  In- 
deed should  you  have  complied  with  Genl.  Howe's  Request,  we  submit  it 
to  your  Excellency  whether  Mrs:  Lewis  and  Mrs  Robinson  may  not  be 
asked  for  in  Return.  We  do  not  imagine  that  you  will  be  refused,  but 
should  you,  we  must  recur  to  the  unhappy  Expedient  of  with-holding  in 
future  every  similar  Indulgence  to  those  Ladies  in  our  Power,  who  may 
desire  to  visit  their  Connections  in  the  Army. 

We  are  very  sorry  that  our  Enemies  have  compelled  us  to  resolve  upon 
any  Thing  which  looks  like  severity,  or  indeed  to  lay  any  Restraint  upon 
the  fair  sex,  but  tho'  we  cannot  approve  the  Practice,  we  shall  be  obliged 
to  follow  the  Example  of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  Commanders.^  We 
have  the  Honour  to  be  with  the  most  perfect  Esteem  your  very  obedt 
Servants 

Benjn  Harrison 
James  Wilson 
Edward  Rutledge 

P.  S.  Should  Mrs.  Watts  and  Mrs.  Barrow  carry  in  their  Baggage 
Mrs.  Lewis  and  Mrs  Robinson  must  have  the  same  indulgence.  Perhaps 
if  the  Ladies  cannot  be  exchanged  upon  the  above  Terms  Mrs.  Lewis  may 
be  exchanged  for  Mrs.  Kempe. 

B.  H. 

J.  W. 

E.  R. 

201.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Novr.  9th.  1776. 
Sir, 

....  The  enclosed  Letter  from  Colo.  Miles  to  Mr.  W^ister  of  this  City, 
I  am  directed  by  Congress  to  transmit  to  you,  that  you  may  take  such 
Steps  relative  to  the  Exchange  of  the  Gentlemen  therein  mentioned,  as 
you  may  judge  proper.' 

Mr.  Partridge,  one  of  the  Committee  from  the  State  of  Massachusetts 
Bay,  having  laid  before  Congress,  sundry  Resolves  of  that  State  encreas- 
ing  the  Pay  of  their  Troops  beyond  what  the  Congress  had  given,  they 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  8.  Washington's  reply,  Nov.  15,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser..  III.  699. 

[2oi]i  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  12;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  in.  614. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  7,  30.  The  letter  of  Col.  Samuel  Miles  to  William 
Wister,  dated  "November,  1776",  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  619.  A  letter 
from  Col.  Samuel  J.  Atlee  to  Washington,  dated  Nov.  9,  is  on  the  same  page.  The  further 
correspondence  of  Washington  relative  to  the  case  is  ibid..  III.  629,  764,  791,  838,  871. 
In  regard  to  the  case  of  Thomas  Irving,  for  whom  Atlee  hoped  to  be  exchanged,  see 
no.  2^2,  post. 


November,  i'jj6  149 

have  come  to  a  Resolution  disapi)roving-  of  that  Measure ;  and  have 
agreed,  that  the  Troops  in  the  American  Army  may  be  enlisted  for  three 
years,  or  during  the  War,  as  shall  be  most  agreeable  to  them,  subject  to 
the  Terms  mentioned  in  the  enclosed  Resolves. ° 

202.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter.^ 

Philadelphia  Novr.  9th.  1776 
My  dear  Colonel, 

....  You  was  in  the  right  not  to  be  alarm'd,  all  is  well  in  Congress ; 
only  the  members  grow  weary,  go  off,  and  leave  us  too  thin ;  which  obliged 
us  to  call  for  them.^  There  are  some,  my  dear  Col.  who  wish  the  Congress 
to  be  divided  and  contemptible;  as  that  cant  be  accomplished,  the  next 
thing  is,  to  make  the  world  think  it  is  so.    Those  endeavors  affect  me  only 

as  the  public  good  is  concern'd Congress  made  no  observations 

on  the  report  of  the  Com*"  to  L°  Howe,^  thinking  it  better  to  leave  the 
plain  facts  to  the  judgement  of  the  people.  This  was  not  my  opinion,  and 
allways  hoped  some  private  hand  wou'd  have  done  it,  but  alass !  Constitu- 
tions employ  every  pen 

203.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  John  Wendell.^ 

Philadelphia  nth  Novr  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  reed  your  Favours  of  the  20th  and  27th  Octr.  and  have  layed  before 
Congress  Capt  Bodens  ^  petition,  in  Consequence  of  which  it  [is]  com- 
mitted to  the  marine  Committee.  Colo  Whipple  being  a  Member  of  that 
Comm^  and  well  acquainted  with  the  Circumstances  will  undoubtedly  take 
proper  Measures  for  rightly  conducting  the  Matter ;  I  have  likewise  shewn 
to  him  and  Mr.  Ellery  your  Letter  on  the  Subject. 

....  The  Soldiers  thro'out  America  have  not  been  so  well  provided 
for,  as  every  Friend  to  the  Army  could  wish,  owing  partly  to  a  Scarcity 
of  some  articles  and  partly  to  a  Multiplicity  of  Business ;  but  I  believe  that 
every  State  as  well  as  Congress  are  fully  convinced  of  the  Necessity  of 
paying  a  particular  Regard  to  this  part  of  their  Concerns.  Medicines  are 
sent  in  sufficient  Quantities  for  the  Army  at  Ticonderoga,  and  by  a  late 
Letter  from  the  Commissioners  ^  We  are  informed  that  comfortable  pro- 

3  This  paragraph  was  evidently  added  to  the  letter  subsequent  to  the  resolves  of 
Nov.  12,  to  which  it  refers.  A  similar  statement,  dated  Nov.  13,  is  appended  to  Hancock's 
letter  to  Schuyler,  Nov.  9  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  614).  See  also  Hancock's 
letter  to  the  Eastern  states,  Nov.  15,  ibid.,  p.  697,  and  no.  197,  note  4,  ante. 

[202]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1638,  Declaration  of  Independence;  Va.  Hist. 
Soc,  Lee  Transcripts,  II. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  i,  and  no.  154,  ante. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  17. 
[203]!  Hist.   Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Signers,  vol.  I.,  no.  27.     Addressed,  "John 
Wendell  Esqr  at  Portsmouth  ". 

2  Capt.  Lawrence  Bowden.     See  the  Journals,  Nov.  9,  and  no.  196,  ante. 

3  Stockton  and  Qymer,  the  committee  sent  to  the  Northern  army  (see  the 
Journals,  Sept.  26,  and  no.  145,  ante).  The  letter  referred  to,  dated  Oct.  26,  is  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1256.  The  committee's  report  to  Congress,  Nov.  27,  is  printed 
ibid.,  III.  1584-1592,  together  with  reports  (Nov.  28,  29)  of  the  committee  to  which  this 
report  was  referred. 


150  Continental  Couiircss 

vision  is  made  for  the  sick,  riiey  have  pood  Houses  fresh  provisions  etc 
and  only  wanted  Straw.  The  Anny  were  Healthy  and  in  Expectation  of 
an  Engagement.  The  Sutlers  have  hy  all  Accounts  been  exceedingly 
extortionate  and  Congress  are  now  making  provision  for  rectifying  this 
Matter.*  a  Resolve  has  lately  passed  Congress  for  preventing  Monopolies 
and  if  the  States  do  not  make  effectual  provission  the  people  should  call 
on  them  for  this  purpose. °  The  Currency  is  a  most  important  object,  but 
if  provission  is  made  to  pay  all  Interest  on  the  Loan  Office  Certificates  in 
Specie  and  the  possessor  is  at  Liberty  to  receive  continental  Currency  for 
the  princepal  when  his  Certificate  becomes  due  or  continue  it  on  Interest 
untill  the  Continent  shall  redeem  it  in  specie,  I  think  It  must  immediately 
appreciate  to  its  Original  Value;  and  this  is  now  under  the  Consideration 
of  Congress." .... 

General  Howe's  sudden  Retreat  occasions  much  Speculation,  he  un- 
doubtedly intends  to  land  on  the  Jersey  Shore  and  if  he  comes  this  Way 
I  hope  you  will  hear  a  good  Account  of  him ;  Time  must  convince  the 
Continent  of  the  true  Character  of  the  people  of  each  State  but  I  cannot 
think  they  will  any  where  be  backward  in  Defence.  On  the  whole  our 
Difficulties  are  great,  but  the  State  is  never  to  be  dispaired  of.  Had  the 
southern  States  been  in  the  politics  of  the  eastern,  We  should  have  declared 
Independance  last  Winter  and  received  a  great  advantage  therefrom,  but 
this  being  omitted  We  must  make  the  best  of  it 

204.  George  Wythe  to  Thomas  Jefferson.^ 

The  resolutions  describing  treasons  are  inclosed."  the  report  for  ascer- 
taining the  value  of  coins,  etc.  remains  in  the  same  state  of  repose  as  you 
left  it  in,  among  several  others  that  are,  as  the  president  says,  not  acted 
upon.^  .... 

II  Nov.  1776 

205.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  H.\ncock)  to  the 
Commissioners  from  Maryland.^ 

Philadelphia  Nov.  13th  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

In  consequence  of  a  letter  to  congress  this  day  received  from  the  Honble 
convention  of  Maryland  inclosing  sundry  resolutions  of  that  Body  rela- 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  8,  9.  Cf.  nos.  215,  261,  post.  "  A  Plan  is  now  in  Agita- 
tion to  prevent  the  Soldiers  being  abusd  by  the  Extortion  of  Sutlers."  Samuel  Adams 
to  James  Warren,  Nov.  16,  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  277. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  28,  31,  Nov.  26. 

6  A  committee  to  devise  ways  and  means  of  supplying  the  treasury  was  appointed 
Oct.  14.     See  the  Journals,  Oct.  3.  7,  Nov.  i,  2,  13,  15,  Dec.  5,  6,  and  the  Journals  for 
"^y??)  passim  (index.  Loan  Office  Certificates;  Loans).    Cf.  no.  215,  post. 
[204]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers,  second  ser.,  LXXXIV.  2. 

-  The  resolutions  were  passed  June  24. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  19,  May  22,  July  24,  Sept.  2.  Under  the  latter  date 
will  be  found  a  report,  drawn  by  Jefferson,  on  the  value  of  gold  and  silver  coins.  The 
matter  was  reported  as  unfinished  business  Jan.  23,  1777. 

[205]^  Arch,  of  Md.,  XIL  441 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  IIL  673. 


November,  i'j'j6  151 

tive  to  the  raising  their  Quota  of  the  new  Levies,^  I  have  it  in  charge  to 
furnish  you  with  the  Resolutions  of  Congress  pass'd  yesterday  admitting 
the  new  Levies  to  enhst  for  three  years,  and  at  the  same  time  to  inform 
you,  that  if  the  Inhabitants  of  the  State  of  Maryland  will  inlist  to  serve 
during  the  continuance  of  the  present  war,  they  already  have  the  Faith  of 
the  United  States  of  America  pledged  for  the  land  to  be  granted  to  such 
soldiers. 

The  Resolutions  referred  to  you  have  inclosed,  and  contain  the  sense  of 
Congress  as  to  the  mode  of  the  new  Inlistment.^ 

206.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Novr.  14th.  1776. 

Sir, 

The  enclosed  Letter  from  Mr.  Searle,  a  Gentleman  of  Honour  and  a 
Friend  to  the  Cause  of  America,  I  am  commanded  by  Congress  to  forward 
to  you  with  the  utmost  Expedition.  The  uncertain  Destination  of  the 
Fleet  therein  mentioned,  makes  it  absolutely  necessary  that  you  should 
be  informed  of  the  Intelligence  as  soon  as  possible,  that  you  may  make 

-  The  letter  from  the  convention  of  Maryland,  dated  Nov.  10,  together  with 
the  resolutions  of  Nov.  9,  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  627.  See  the  Journals, 
Nov.  12,  13;  also  no.  191,  note  3,  ante,  and  nos.  216,  219-221,  226,  248,  post. 

3  Two  letters  from  the  Maryland  commissioners  are  appropriate  here.  One  of 
them,  dated  at  Philadelphia,  Nov.  13,  is  from  Benjamin  Rumsey  and  is  addressed  to 
Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer.    The  pertinent  part  is  as  follows : 

"  Congress  have  this  day  given  an  Answer  to  the  Resolutions  of  our  State  which  being 
an  intire  new  One  We  have  dispatched  to  the  proper  place  to  be  considered  they  resolve 
that  the  Troops  may  be  inlisted  for  three  Years  and  a  Bounty  of  twenty  Dollars  only 
be  given  or  during  the  War  and  One  hundred  Acres  of  Land  be  added  to  the  Bounty 
they  will  not  specify  where  the  Land  lies  belonging  to  the  united  States. 

"  Our  Instructions  run  that  they  are  to  be  inlisted  during  the  War  of  Course  when 
our  State  accedes  to  it  we  can  proceed.  Congress  has  got  rid  of  the  Difficulty  with 
Respect  to  the  Land  and  has  not  closed  in  with  either  of  the  Propositions  made  by  our 
State  nor  receded  intirely  from  their  own  Resolution. 

"  But  if  they  have  escaped  they  embarrass  Us.  What  can  We  do  with  our  Regulars? 
they  are  inlisted  during  the  War :  Must  we  inlist  them  again  in  the  Service  of  the  State 
for  three  Years?  I  imagine  our  State  will  not  incline  to  do  so  if  they  do  we  ought  to 
have  Instructions  on  that  Head."  (Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  46;  Arch,  of 
Md..  XII.  442;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  660.) 

The  other  letter,  dated  Nov.  14,  is  signed  by  James  Lloyd  Chamberlaine,  Thomas 
Contee,  Benjamin  Rumsey,  and  John  Hanson,  jr.,  and  is  addressed  to  "The  Honorable 
Mathew  Tilghman  Esqr.,  President  of  the  Convention  of  Maryland  " : 

"  On  receipt  of  yours  of  the  10  Instant  We  waited  on  the  Honorable  Congress.  This 
morning  received  a  Letter  and  Resolutions  of  Congress,  the  inclosed  are  Copies.  To  us 
new  difficulties  arise,  among  others  a  grand  one,  Whether,  our  Regular  Troops,  (who 
are  already  engaged  during  the  war)  shoud  now  be  inlisted  for  three  years.  As  we 
conceive  the  subject  matter  of  those  Resolves  to  be  new,  we  wait  for  further  directions 
from  the  honourable  Convention  of  our  State.  As  time  grows  Short  we  have  sent  off 
the  express  with  the  utmost  despatch."  (Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  49,  in  the  writing 
of  Rumsey;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  452;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  III.  673.)  The  reply 
to  this  letter,  Nov.  17,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  454. 

[206]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  18;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser..  III.  669. 

15 


152  Conthiental  Congress 

such  Dispositions  of  the  Troops  under  your  Command  as  you  sliall  judge 
proper.' 

1  have  the  honour  to  he,  with  every  sentiment  of  Esteem  and  Respect, 
Sir  your  most  obed.  and  very  hble  Servt 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

His  Excellency  Genl  Washington.^ 

207.  John  Witherspoon  to  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey 

(William  Livingston).^ 

Philadelphia  Nov.  14,  1776 
Sir 

The  inclosed  Letter  delivered  to  me  this  morning  in  Congress  has  been 
so  long  on  its  Way  that  perhaps  Mr  Stockton  is  himself  at  home  by  this 
time  yet  I  thought  it  necessary  that  you  should  receive  it  by  Express  and 
lay  it  before  the  Assembly  who  will  do  upon  it  what  appears  to  them 
necessary  ^ 

I  also  take  leave  to  inform  you  and  by  you  the  Council  and  Assembly 
that  this  Moment  Congress  have  received  an  Express  that  ships  are  turn- 
ing out  from  the  Hook  and  steering  southward.  The  former  Intelligence 
which  you  can  inform  them  of  will  enable  them  to  determine  what  use 
they  should  make  of  this.  Expresses  are  sent  to  the  southern  Govern- 
ments and  every  means  is  using  in  this  City  to  prepare  for  its  Defence  in 
Case  the  Enemy  should  intend  here.  The  ships  come  out  slowly  but 
100  were  seen  two  of  them  large  yesterday  afternoon  when  the  Express 
left  Long  branch.  It  is  the  opinion  of  intelligent  Persons  that  you  should 
immediately  send  a  Body  of  Militia  to  the  fort  at  Willingsport  on  Dela- 
ware lest  they  should  send  a  detachment  against  it.  As  soon  as  further 
Intelligence  comes  the  Assembly  shall  be  made  acquainted  with  it  and  I 
doubt  not  the  most  vigorous  Exertions  will  be  made  as  most  here  seem 
to  think  the  Design  is  against  this  important  Place.' 

I  am  Sir  your  most  obedt  humble  servant 

Jno  Witherspoon 

2  The  letters  of  Searle.  written  from  Long  Branch,  N.  J.,  Nov.  13,  are  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  669-670.  One  of  them  is  in  A^.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  908.  The 
Pennsylvania  council  of  safety  also  sent  out  an  urgent  call  for  assistance.  See  their 
letters  to  the  Lancaster  committee  and  to  the  several  battalion  commanders  in  Lancaster 
County,  Nov.  14,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IH.  672-673;  also  a  letter  of  William 
Hooper  to  the  North  Carolina  congress,  Nov.  14,  in  A^.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  902  (the  original 
is  in  the  office  of  the  North  Carolina  Historical  Commission),  and  Samuel  Adams  to 
James  Warren,  Nov.  16,  in  Warren- A  dams  Letters,  1.  277.  William  EUery  (Nov.  16, 
no.  212,  post)  mentions  that  on  Nov.  15  Searle  brought  to  Congress  further  information. 
This  proved  to  be  a  false  alarm.    See  nos.  207,  208,  211,  212,  post. 

2  Appended  to  the  text  in  the  Am.  Arch,  is  the  statement  (from  the  Hancock 
Letter-Book)  :  "  The  same  to  the  Commanding  Officer  in  New  Jersey,  and  to  his  Excel- 
lency Governor  Livingston."  Similar  letters  were  also  written  to  the  Southern  states, 
Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  and  South  Carolina  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.. 
HL  669,  670).  The  original  of  the  letter  to  North  Carolina  is  in  the  office  of  the  North 
Carolina  Historical  Commission.  It  is  printed  in  A^  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  908. 
[207]!  N.  J.  State  Lib.,  Stryker  Coll. 

2  Probably  such  a  letter  as  that  from  Stockton  to  Abraham  Clark,  Oct.  28,  in 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1274. 

^  See  no.  206,  ante. 


November,  I'^yd  153 

208.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  North  Caroona 

Convention.^ 

PiiiLADA,  Novr  15th,  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

Since  dispatching^  the  Express  yesterday  *  with  IntelHgence  that  a  Fleet 
of  above  and  [sic']  Hundred  Vessels  had  left  New  York,  the  Congress  have 
received  a  Letter  from  General  Green  containing-  further  Accounts;  a 
Copy  of  which,  in  Obedience  to  their  Commands,  I  now  enclose.' 

It  appears  from  this  Information,  that  Lord  Dunmore  is  to  take  the 
Command  of  a  Fleet  bound  for  the  Southward,  and  said  to  be  for  South 
Carolina.  But  as  it  is  by  no  Means  certain  against  which  of  the  Southern 
States,  the  Expedition  is  designed,  it  is  highly  necessary  you  should  be  on 
your  Guard.  I  shall  not  detain  the  Express,  only  to  add  that  you  will 
make  such  Use  of  this  Intelligence,  as  the  Importance  of  it  requires. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  Obedt  and  Very  Hble  Servt 

John  Hancock,  Presidt. 

[P.  S.]  Since  the  foregoing,  Congress  have  pass'd  a  Resolve,  respect^' 
the  Troops  in  your  State,  and  the  necessity  of  the  Exertion  of  a  part  of 
your  Militia,  which  I  inclose  you  and  to  which  I  beg  Leave  to  Refer  you 
as  also  to  the  Resolve  respect^  the  Inlistments. 

Please  to  forward  the  Dispatches  to  South  Carolina  by  a  fresh  Express. 

Honble  Convention  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  * 

209.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Novr.  i6th.  1776. 
Sir, 

Since  my  last  Nothing  material  has  occurred  here,  nor  have  I  any 
Thing  in  Charge  from  Congress,  except  to  request  you  will  negotiate  an 
Exchange  of  the  Hessian  Prisoners  at  Elizabeth  Town  under  the  Care  of 
Mr.  Ludwick  as  soon  as  possible.  They  have  been  treated  in  such  a 
Manner  during  their  Stay  in  this  City,  that  it  is  apprehended,  their 
going  back  among  their  Countrymen,  will  be  attended  with  some  good 
Consequences.^ 

[208]  IN.  C.  Hist.  Comm. ;  id.  to  Maryland,  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  41;  Mass. 
Hist.  Soc.,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  68;  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  909;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  697  (to  Maryland). 

2  See  no.  206,  ante. 

3  Greene's  letter,  dated  Nov.  12,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  652 ;  also  in 
N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  909.  A  letter  from  Greene  to  Washington,  Nov.  11  (Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  638),  is  of  similar  purport.  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  15.  Cf.  a  letter 
of  William  Hooper  to  the  North  Carolina  provincial  congress,  Nov.  15,  in  N.  C.  Col. 
Recs.,  X.  903  (the  original  is  in  the  office  of  the  North  Carolina  Historical  Commission)  ; 
also  Ellery  to  Cooke,  Nov.  16,  in  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  99. 

*  The  same  letter,  with  a  variation  in  the  postscript,  was  despatched  to  Virginia, 
South  Carolina,  and  Maryland.  The  resolve  applied  only  to  North  Carolina.  Cf. 
no.  210,  post. 

[209]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  21;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  70s. 

2  Cf.  the  Journals,  Nov.  15  (p.  955). 


154  Continental  Congress 

Your  Favour  of  the  iith  Novr.  came  duly  to  Hand,  and  was  laid 
before  Congress.' 

2IO.  William  Hooper  to  the  Puesioent  of  the  North  Carolina 

Convention  (Richard  Caswell).^ 

PHiLADELriiiA  November  i6  1776. 
Sir 

When  I  closed  my  letters  last  eveninj^.*  I  did  not  imag-ine  that  it  would 
be  necessary  for  me  to  write  anything-  furtlier  upon  the  motives  which 
induced  the  Congress  to  send  the  Express  who  is  the  bearer  of  this.  The 
Representation  of  the  delegates  of  South  Carolina,  stating  the  weakness  of 
that  colony  and  its  incompetency  to  its  own  defence,  if  attacked  by  a 
formidable  force  of  the  Enemy,  its  reliance  upon  North  Carolina  for  that 
succour  which  it  had  little  reason  to  expect  from  any  other  source,  their 
Apprehensions  that  an  attack  was  immediately  intended  by  General  Howe 
upon  Charlestown,  have  induced  Congress  to  pass  a  resolve  which  this 
incloses,  and  have  detained  the  express  to  give  an  opportunity  to  com- 
municate it  to  your  honourable  body.' .... 

The  Continental  Congress  have  therefore  thought  proper  to  recommend 
that  the  Continental  Troops  under  Genl  Moore  should  be  stationed  where 
they  may  be  in  a  capacity  to  be  suddenly  and  most  effectually  useful  to 
South  Carolina,  and  at  the  same  time  not  at  such  a  distance  from  ourselves 
as  to  be  incapable  of  rendering  No.  Carolina  Assistance  in  case  the  Enemy 
should  be  infatuated  enough  to  attenpt  to  penetrate  it.  This  measure 
recommended  by  Congress  will  I  doubt  not  obtain  your  approbation,  yet 
as  the  full  and  perfect  security  of  North  Carolina  is  a  first  and  important 
object  to  me  the  representative  of  it,  I  did  not  think  myself  at  liberty  to 
consent  to  any  arrangement  which  might  weaken  our  internal  resources 
without  a  competent  substitute  in  lieu  of  them.  This  induced  my  applica- 
tion that  the  Militia  which  we  might  have  occasion  to  call  forth  should 
be  at  the  Continental  Expence  which  from  the  justice  of  it  obtained  their 
assent 

Inclosed  you  have  another  Resolve  which  the  necessity  of  recruiting 
an  army  immediately  to  the  Eastward  has  rendered  proper.  Congress, 
tho  well  convinced  of  the  utility  of  enlisting  men  during  the  War,  as  it 
would  tend  to  prevent  the  frequent  calls  for  bounty  upon  new  enlistments, 
and  obviate  the  difficulties  which  result  from  troops  leaving  Camp  when 
their  services  are  most  essential,  and  when  perhaps  the  fate  of  America 
might  depend  upon  their  stay,  that  we  might  have  an  army  enured  to 
serv^ice  and  discipline,  thought  proper  to  direct  them  to  be  raised  during 

3  Washington's  letter  of  Nov.  11  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  19,  and  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  III.  638  (see  no.  197,  note  4,  ante). 

[2io]iN.  C.  Hist.  Comm. ;  A''.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  904.  The  letter  was  addressed  to 
"  The  Honourable  the  President  and  Members  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina".  That  body  (which  was,  however,  called  the  "Provincial  Congress")  met 
at  Halifax,  Nov.  12  to  Dec.  23,  1776.    See  ibid.,  X.  913-1013. 

2  Hooper's  letters  of  Nov.  15  are  in  A''.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  903-904.    One  of  them  is, 
in  fact,  a  postscript  to  his  letter  of  Nov.  14  (see  no.  206,  note  2,  ante). 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  16. 


November,  iyy6  155 

the  War.  An  application  from  the  State  of  Mass"*,  accompanied  with 
information  that  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island  were  pursuing  similar 
and  equally  improper  means  to  compleat  their  levies,  finding  that  these 
States  urged  as  an  excuse  for  their  extraordinary  bounties,  the  insur- 
mountable difficulties  which  they  met  with  in  recruiting  Men  during  the 
War,  suggesting  that  Soldiers  complained  of  such  an  engagement  as  a 
contract  for  perpetual  servitude;  The  Cont.  Congress  thought  proper  to 
relax  and  shorten  the  terms  of  Enlistment,  agreeable  to  the  Resolve  which 
I  send  you  herewith  and  which  the  above  will  fully  explain.* .... 

211.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes.^ 

[November  i6(?),  1776.]^ 
My  dear  Hezves 

....  Accompanying  this  and  inclosed  in  a  letter  to  our  Convention 
I  send  a  Resolve  of  Congress,  from  which  you  will  learn  that  the  Congress 
have  consented  that  w'hatever  militia  we  may  embody  as  far  as  5000  are  to 
be  at  the  Continental  Expence.^  If  General  Moore  has  begun  works  at 
the  mouth  of  Cape  fear  river.  His  situation  is  perhaps  as  convenient 
where  he  is  as  elsew^here  but  should  the  Convention  think  proper  to  move 
him  farther  Southward  the  Militia  will  supply  his  place  and  compleat 
what  he  has  begun.  Would  you  believe  it  and  yet  what  can  surprize  you 
upon  that  Score,  G — y  *  this  day  moved  for  leave  to  enlarge  the  bounty 
of  the  Mass"^  recruits,  not  satisfied  with  having  been  the  occasion  of 
altering  the  original  plan  of  the  new  Army  as  devised  by  congress  they 
are  still  attempting  to  have  their  hands  deeper  in  our  pockets,  with  a 
pretty  excuse,  that  they  would  pay  it  themselves.  Paltry  subterfuge. 
Must  it  not  have  gone  thro'  the  levies  of  all  the  states  and  the  Continent 
pay  it  in  the  end.  It  met  the  opposition  it  deserved,  and  my  blood  still 
boils  with  a  resentment  that  language  \vill  not  find  curses  to  express. 
I  am  wearied  of  Blood  suckers.  I  care  not  how  soon  I  am  relieved 
from  them. 

Now  for  your  own  department.  A  House  of  rendezvous  is  opened. 
Biddle  has  all  his  Guns  on  board  and  by  the  latter  end  of  this  Week  will 
be  ready  for  Sea.  The  other  Ships  will  be  prepared  as  soon  as  possible 
and  proceed  upon  business.  The  Congress  have  appointed  Nixon  and 
Wharton  Commissioners  to  execute  the  order  of  the  marine  Committee 
and  compleat  any  Shipping  begun  or  to  be  begun  in  Philadelphia,  a  third 
will  next  Week  be  named  to  assist  them.^  Things  go  on  swimmingly  now 
in  the  marine  Way.     on  Tuesday  next  We  take  up  the  propriety  of 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  12;  also  nos.  194,  197,  199,  201,  ante,  and  nos.  211,  212, 
213,  215,  post. 

[21  i]i  Furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning  of  Albany. 

2  The  principal  part  of  this  letter  was  evidently  written  Saturday,  Nov.  i6 ;  the 
latter  part  was  probably  written  on  a  later  day.  It  does  not  appear,  for  instance,  that  on 
the  i6th  the  incorrectness  of  Searle's  information  had  yet  been  discovered. 

3  See  no.  210,  ante. 

*  Elbridge  Gerry.  His  motion  is  not  recorded  in  the  Journals.  See  nos.  197,  210, 
ante. 

5  John  Nixon  and  John  Wharton  were  appointed  Nov.  13,  Francis  Hopkinson 
Nov.  18. 


15G  Continental  Congress 

building'  more  men  of  War  and  some  of  largfe  force.     Shall  I  undertake 
one  for  North  Carolina?".  .  .  . 

I  refer  you  to  the  Newspapers  for  Genl.  Washingtons  and  Howes 
movements,  the  people  here  have  been  horridly  frig-htened.  The  Council 
of  Safety  a  set  of  water  Gruel  Sons  of  B — s  told  the  people  a  damned  Lie 
"  that  they  had  certain  information  that  lOO  Ships  had  left  Sandyhook 
for  this  City["] — the  people  at  first  believed  and  trembled,  the  tories 
griimed.  Rumour  trumpeted  it  for  a  day.  Searle  from  Shrewsbury  from 
whom  the  report  originated  was  mistaken,  the  transports  seen  were  empty 
bound  for  England.  I  can  with  pleasure  however  assure  you  that  upon 
tliis  alarm  all  ranks  of  people  Quakers  and  Tories  excepted  declared 
their  readiness  to  turn  out  as  soon  as  matters  were  ascertained.^  .... 

Pray  hasten  by  every  means  in  your  power  the  recruiting  Service 
amongst  you  we  shall  have  difficulty  enough  this  way  to  encounter.  Urge 
the  Convention  to  apply  for  Genl  Washington  for  the  Southern  depart- 
ment if  the  Enemy  go  that  Way.  In  my  next  I  will  tell  you  why  or 
Rutledge  will  he  leaves  this  on  Thursday.  You  will  judge  this  Scrawl 
is  not  for  every  body's  perusal,  but  When  Mr  Johnston  knows  that 
9  Colonies  compose  a  Congress,  that  9  only  are  here  and  I  one  of  them, 
that  every  moment  I  am  out  of  Congress  belongs  to  Marine  Treasury  or 
Secret  Committee,  He  will  take  this  as  you  must  a  letter  in  Confidence 
and  addressed  to  both  of  you.  the  time  that  this  costs  me  is  stolen  from 
one  duty  to  give  to  another.* .... 

Believe  me  to  be  your's  and  your's  Affectionately 

Will  Hooper 

[P.  S.]  ....  Your  friends  the  Portuguese  have  interdicted  us  from 
any  Commerce  with  them  and  stiled  us  Rebels — for  which  they  are  a  set 
of  fools — What  fine  pickings  amongst  their  Southern  Cargoes  as  soon 
as  we  can  justify  a  declaration  of  war  against  them®  that  I  hope  and 
believe  will  be  soon. 

212.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke), ^ 

Philadelphia  Novr.  i6th.  1776. 
Sir, 

....  By  this  Express  you  will  probably  receive  a  Resolve  which  Con- 
gress have  been  forced  into  by  the  additional  Bounty  and  Pay  which  have 

^  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  20. 

'  See  nos.  206,  208,  210,  ante,  and  no.  212,  post. 

^  Cf.  no.  215,  post.  The  letter  was  brought  to  a  conclusion  here  with  "Yours 
affectionately  ",  but  not  signed.  The  subscription  and  signature  below  are  appended  to 
a  postscript  on  a  separate  sheet.    There  are  two  other  additions  after  the  signature. 

®  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  23  and  30.  News  of  this  tenor  had  appeared  in  America 
as  early  as  the  preceding  July.  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  659,  786,  1024,  and  the 
letter  of  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  to  Silas  Deane,  Oct.  i,  Wharton, 
Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  157.  Cf.  Beaumarchais  to  the  committee,  Sept.  15,  Deane  to 
Morris,  Sept.  17,  Carmichael  to  the  committee,  Nov.  2,  and  Franklin,  Deane,  and  Lee 
to  the  Portuguese  ambassador,  Apr.  26,  1777,  ibid.,  II.  146,  148,  184,  307,  respectively. 
See  also  nos.  223,  252,  post. 

[212]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1776,  p.  106;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cant.  Cong., 
p.  99. 


November,  lyyd  157 

been  ofifered  by  some  of  the  New-England  States,  and  the  additional 
Bounty  which  hath  been  offered  in  One  of  them.  This  Measure  is  con- 
demned by  many  Members  of  Congress,  and  by  our  General.  It  will  they 
say  necessitate  the  other  States  to  do  the  same,  which  will  greatly  enhance 
the  Continental  Debt  and  Expense ;  or  we  must  have  an  Army  doing  the 
same  Services  for  different  Rewards  which  would  occasion  Jealousies, 
Envyings  and  Discord  among  the  Soldiers  to  the  great  Injury  of  the 
public  Service,  As  We  have  only  offered  an  Additional  Bounty  We  are 
less  culpable  in  the  Estimation  of  those  who  condemn  the  Deviation  from 
the  Original  Resolve  than  any  of  the  Transgressors.  It  is  now  in  the 
Option  of  Soldiers  to  inlist  for  Three  years  without  the  Grant  of  Land, 
or  during  the  War  with  it.  This  Alternative,  with  the  retiring  of  the 
Enemy  will  I  hope  answer  the  Purpose.^ 

Thursday  last  a  gentleman  of  Credit  in  the  Jersey  informed  Congress 
by  Letter,  that  the  preceding  Morning  he  saw  about  loo  Sail  of  Ships 
standing  out  from  the  Hook  to  the  Southward,  with  the  Wind  at  North 
West.  Yesterday  he  came  to  this  City,  and  acquainted  Congress  that  he 
saw  the  Fleet  bear  away,  after  he  had  wrote,  and  sail  Eastward  until 
they  sunk  below  his  Horizon.  That  they  were  headed  by  Two  Frigates, 
and  their  Rear  was  guarded  by  a  large  Ship.* .... 

213.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

[Philadelphia,  November  16,  1776.] 

....  A  committee  from  the  Massachusetts  Gen'l  Court  arrived  at 
the  Camp  about  a  fortnight  ago  to  commission  the  officers  etc.  As  that 
Gen'l  Court  had  raised  the  pay  of  their  soldiers  20/  per  month,  the 
General  choose  the  matter  should  be  laved  before  Congress  before  they 
proceeded  to  business,  accordingly  one  of  committee  ^  came  here,  this 
affair  has  perplexed  Congress  exceedingly,  all  the  Southern  States  think 
the  incouragement  to  the  Soldiers  much  too  great  before  and  if  this  com- 
mittee are  permitted  to  follow  their  instructions  the  pay  of  the  whole  army 
must  be  raised.  This  by  no  means  could  be  consented  to.  Congress  have 
therefore  revoked  their  Resolution  for  Inlisting  the  army  during  the  war, 
and  recommend  the  inlistment  for  three  years  only,  as  you'll  see  by  the 
Resolution  transmitted  by  the  President.  I  Heartily  wish  this  may  have 
the  desired  effect.  I  really  think  they  (the  Massachusetts)  were  very 
wrong  in  raising  the  monthly  pay.  if  they  supposed  the  encouragement 
given  by  Congress  insufficient,  why  could  they  not  have  increased  the 
Bounty,  or  have  pursued  some  measure,  that  would  not  have  effected  the 
whole  army  ?  This  affair  has  caus'd  more  perplexity  and  uneasiness  than 
any  thing  that  has  happened  in  my  time.* .... 

2  Cf.  nos.  194,  197,  199,  201,  210,  211,  ante,  and  nos.  213,  215,  post.    See  also  the 
resolve  of  Nov.  21. 

3  See  nos.  206,  208,  210,  211,  ante.    A  passage  in  which  Ellery  speaks  of  the  addi- 
tional news  in  General  Greene's  letter  of  Nov.  12  is  here  omitted. 

[213]!  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  698,  item  53. 

2  George  Partridge.     See  nos.  194,  197,  201,  ante. 

3  See  Whipple's  earlier  discussion  of  this  affair,  Nov.  8,  no.  197,  ante. 


158  Continental  Congress 

214.   William   Wiiutlk  to  John  Languon.* 

Philadelphia,  i^)tli  Nov.  1776. 
My  Dear  Sir: 

....  You  have  here  inclosed  the  late  Resolutions  of  Conj^ress  so  far  as 
they  have  ofone  respecting;  tlie  navy.  I  ho|)e  for  some  further  alterations, 
but  you  know  thinj^s  of  this  sort  must  be  (lone  by  dei^^rees;  the  incouraj2;-e- 
ment  now  given  to  Officers  and  men  in  the  Navy  are  in  my  Opinion,  as 
great  as  they  can  possibly  Expect,  and  I  hope  wmII  be  to  their  entire 
satisfaction.' .... 

215.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Matthew  Griswold.^ 

Philadelp*,  18.  Nov.  1776 
Sir, 

The  establishing  the  New  Army  is  a  Subject  of  the  most  interesting 
Nature,  and  I  fear  will  be  attended  with  much  Dihculty.  notwithstanding 
all  the  Encouragment  offerd  the  Men  for  inlisting,  the  Service  the  People 
have  been  called  to  has  been  hard.  They  have  suffered  much  for  the 
Want  of  Many  Things,  and  have  been  too  much  exposed  to  the  Oppres- 
sions of  Harpys  who  for  Triffles  have  stript  them  of  their  Wages.  These 
Evils  I  hope  in  future  will  in  a  good  Measure  be  remedied,  as  the  men 
are  to  be  cloathed,"  and  it  is  now  the  Deliberation  of  Congress  how  they 
shall  be  regularly  and  in  the  cheapest  Manner  supplyed  in  the  suttling 
Way.^  and  I  hope  also  the  Medical  Department  will  undergo  a  Reform 
of  ]\[en  at  least,  if  not  of  Measures,  that  not  so  much  Complaint  which  I 
fear  has  been  too  well  grounded,  may  be  heard  respecting  the  Conduct 
of  that  Department,*  but  after  all  that  can  be  done  I  still  fear  that  the 
int[er]esting  Business  will  go  on  slowly,  and  sorry  I  am  that  the  late 
Encouragment  for  that  purpose  was  not  earlier  made.  Congress  appre- 
hend this  matter  may  become  more  embarrassed  by  what  the  Massa- 
chusetts have  done  in  raising  the  pay,  and  w^hich  I  now  understand  has 
been  adopted  by  Connecticut,  it  is  the  opinion  of  Gentlemen  here,  and  so 
of  Genl.  Washington  and  of  all  the  other  Genl.  Officers,  that  no  Army  can 
subsist  together  under  different  continental  pay.  and  also  if  the  Massachu- 
setts Plan  had  been  adopted  by  Congress  (and  which  would  enhanch  an 
Expence  which  it  is  tho't  we  are  not  well  able  to  bear)  they  could  not  be 
certain  that  any  other  plan  would  take  Effect,  if  particular  States  might 
at  their  pleasure  offer  Troops  other  pay.  in  a  Word  they  say  that  such 
Conduct  must  immediately  Subvert  any  continental  Regulation  for  this 

[2i^Y  Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  William  Whipple,  and  Others,  p.  55;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  705  (extract). 

-  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  10,  11,  30,  Nov.  6,  7,  13,  18,  20.    Cf.  no.  196,  ante. 
[215]!  Furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Wolcott  G.  Lane,  of  New  York. 

-  See.  for  instance,  the  Journals,  Sept.  25,  Oct.  9,  10,  16,  31,  Dec.  i.  Cf.  nos.  182, 
ante,  2^2,  post. 

3  See  section  VIII.  of  the  Articles  of  War,  Sept.  20  (the  Journals,  p.  794),  also 
the  Journals,  Nov.  8,  9.    Cf.  nos.  203,  ante,  261,  post. 

*  The  allusion  is  probably  to  the  quarrel,  at  this  time  brewing,  between  Dr. 
Morgan  and  Dr.  Shippen.  See  their  correspondence  with  Congress.  Washington,  and 
others,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  passim,  and  the  Journals,  passim,  especially  Sept.  17,  25, 
Oct.  9,  Nov.  26,  28,  29,  Dec.  5. 


November,  1776  15t) 

purpose,  and  if  therefore  permitted  it  would  be  altogether  ineffectual  to 
make  any  Military  Establishment  whatsoever. 

One  of  the  Gentlemen  of  Massachusetts,  appointed  to  assist  in  providing 
their  Quota,  was  sent  by  Genl.  Washington  here  before  he  entered  on  the 
Business  of  his  appointment.  You  will  perceive  that  the  Measure 
adopted  by  Massachusetts  has  been  reprobated  by  Congress,  the  Gentle- 
man has  gone  back  with  this  Errand  to  Genl.  Washington  where  I  under- 
stand the  Gentlemen  from  Connecticut  are  upon  this  Business.  I  think 
it  is  Very  unhappy  that  the  Massachusetts  took  this  step,  without  advice. 
R  Island'  I  understand  has  offered  their  Men  a  large  additional  Bounty 
which  may  be  much  less  Mischeivous,  as  it  is  but  a  temporary  business,  and 
Wheither  Connecticut  will  not  be  finally  oblidged  to  take  some  such  step 
I  cannot  say,  tho'  I  know  many  Gentlemen  here  and  I  believe  a  considerable 
Majority  will  equally  reprobate  this  Measure  as  the  Other,  and  if  it  is 
done  it  must  be  certainly  at  the  Colony's  expence.  Such  a  thing  has  been 
mentioned  in  Congress,  but  it  gave  many  Gentlemen  much  Offence,  as  they 
Said  that  every  Other  State  must  be  oblidged  to  do  the  like.  I  mention 
these  Difficulties  hoping  that  the  Wisdom  of  the  Colony  will  be  able  to 
obviate  them,  tho'  to  me  they  are  too  perplexing  to  point  out  any  particular 
Way  in  which  it  can  be  done,  but  it  is  certain  We  must  have  an  Army  other- 
wise We  shall  be  reduced  to  the  most  Unhappy  Condition.^  A  Lottery  is 
agreed  upon  by  Congress,  that  with  the  Loan  Office  may  Effect  something 
considerable  to  reduce  the  Currency,  but  yet  I  think  something  more  ex- 
tensive must  Very  shortly  be  adopted  to  establish  the  Finances.^  you  will 
hear  sooner  than  I  can  inform  you  that  an  offer  is  made  to  the  Men  to  inlist 
for  three  years,  with  the  same  Encouragments  as  before  exclusive  of  the 
Land  Reward.  At  present  the  Congress  are  pritty  thin,  there  have  not 
been  but  nine  Colonies  represented  in  Congress  since  the  first  of  this  Month, 
which  is  the  lowest  Number  necessary  to  make  one.'^  N  York  will  this 
day  be  added,  and  Delaware  and  Maryland,  w-ho  have  been  lately  attend- 
ing to  the  affairs  of  their  Goverment  will  be  here  in  a  few  days.  Georgia 
Members  are  Waiting  for  New  Powers  which  will  be  probably  soon  recd.^ 
At  present  there  is  none  with  me  from  Connecticut.  Col  Williams 
returned  the  13th.  int    I  expect  Mr.  Sherman  here  dayly.^ .... 

216.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Philadelphia  Nov.  19th  1776. 

Gentlemen, 

I  arrived  here  yesday  afternoon.     I  have  seen  our  Commissioners. 
Congress  in  answer  to  the  three  P[r]opositions  from  our  State  for  Raising 

5  Cf.  nos.  194,  197,  199.  201,  210-213,  ante. 

6  The  lottery  was  resolved  upon  Nov.  i.  For  further  action,  see  index  to  the 
Journals.  Concerning  the  loan  office,  see  the  Journals.  Oct.  3,  7,  Nov.  13,  15.  A  begin- 
ning was  made  toward  formulating  further  plans  on  Dec.  5  and  6.    Cf.  no.  203,  ante. 

"^  Cf.  no.  211,  ante. 

8  See  no.  240,  post. 

9  Cf.  nos.  222.  244,  260,  post. 

[2i6]i  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  50;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  459;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  sen,  III.  762. 


160  Continental  Congress 

our  Quota  have  given  a  copy  of  a  Resolve,  relative  to  the  Massachusetts 
Bay,  who  it  [sic]  I  am  infomied,  offered  30/'  a  Month  extra  for  the 
privates,  in  which  Coni^fress  aqfree  to  give  20  Dollars  bounty  to  each  soldier, 
who  will  enlist  for  three  Years.    Our  Coniinissioners  are  mucli  distressed.' 


217.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Virginia  Assembly.^ 

Philada.  Novr.  20th.  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

I  have  it  in  Charge  from  Congress  to  forward  the  enclosed  Resolve.^ 
and  to  request  your  Attention  to  it.  From  the  great  Importance  of  it  in 
carrying  on  the  War  against  our  Enemies,  I  am  persuaded,  you  will  take 
immediate  Measures  for  complying  with  it  in  the  most  effectual  Manner. 

You  will  percieve,  from  the  vote  of  Congress,  herewith  transmitted,  the 
Sense  of  that  Body  with  Regard  to  the  Necessity  of  furnishing  the  Troops 
for  the  new  Army  as  soon  as  possible. 

As  our  Ennemies  will  no  doubt  take  the  Field  early  in  the  Spring,  it 
becomes  us  to  be  prepared  to  meet  them ;  and  for  this  End,  to  exert  our- 
selves the  approaching  Winter,  to  compleat,  the  Army,  agreeable  to  the 
new  Establishment.' 

218.  The  Board  of  War  to  the  Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety.^ 

War  Office  2  o'clock  P :  M : 
Thursday  [November  21,  1776].^ 
Gentletnen 

I  did  myself  the  Honour  of  writing  you  about  two  Hours  since  inform- 
ing your  honourable  Body  that  the  Members  of  this  Board  were  very 
ready  to  confer  and  co-operate  with  you  in  any  ^Measures  you  should  think 
necessary  for  the  Defence  of  this  State.    The  Congress  having  vested  us 

2  See  nos.  191,  205,  ante,  219-221,  226,  248,  post. 

[21 7]  1  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia.  Identical  letters  were  written  to  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  Delaware,  Maryland,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  and  Georgia. 
This  letter  is  printed  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  776.  The  original  to  Maryland 
is  in  the  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  60.  A  similar  letter  was  written  to  New  York 
and  New  Jersey  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  776).  The  first  paragraph  was  sent 
also  to  the  Pennsylvania  council  of  safety  (ibid.). 

-  The  particular  resolve  referred  to  is  evidently  that  of  Nov.  19  (Journals, 
p.  966)  concerning  magazines  of  military  stores.  This  letter  was  to  be  sent  to  all  the 
states  from  Pennsylvania  southward.  In  some  of  the  letters  the  plural  was  apparently 
used  (see  the  text  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  776).  The  second  paragraph  refers 
to  the  resolution  of  the  same  date  in  regard  to  recruiting,  which  applied  to  all  the  states. 
It  would  seem  that  the  further  resolution  in  regard  to  recruiting,  passed  Nov.  21,  was 
also  included  (see  ibid.,  p.  777). 

3  This  letter  bears  the  following  endorsements : 

"  Ref  err'd  to  a  Comm.  of  the  whole  upon  the  State  of  the  Country  Deer,  the  6,  1776." 
"  The  contents,  taken  into  consideration  in  a  Committee  of  the  whole  House  on  the 
state  of  the  Country,  Deer,  th  6  but  no  resolution  come  to  thereon." 
[2i8]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  4039;  Hist.  Mag.,  XIII.  18. 
2  This  letter  bears  an  endorsement :   "  War  Office.  21  Novr.  1776." 


November,  1776  161 

with  all  their  Powers '  we  beg  Leave  to  repeat  that  we  are  and  shall  be 
ready  at  all  Times  to  meet  a  Committee  from  your  Board  to  consult  upon 
such  Steps  as  may  require  our  joint  Exertions.    Should  you  be  inclined  to 
hold  a  Conference  you  will  be  pleased  to  signify  the  same  to 
Gentlemen,  Your  most  obedt.  Servts. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  War 

E  :  RUTLEDGE 


219.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety/ 

Philada.  Novr.  21st.  1776.    Thursday  Evening. 
Gentlemen. 

....  I  have  seen  your  opinion  to  our  Commissioners  that  they  should 
proceed  and  inlist  our  Troops  for  three  years.^  I  am  apprehensive  you 
do  not  see  the  opinion  and  object  of  Congress  in  its  fullest  Extent.  The 
Congress  will  agree  that  Maryland  may  raise  her  Troops  for  three  years, 
but  have  declared,  and  now  hold,  our  State  bound  to  contribute  her  pro- 
portion of  the  Expense  attending  the  procuring  of  lands  for  the  officers 
and  soldiers  furnished  by  other  States  for  the  war.  We  have  proposed 
and  urged  on  Congress  that  the  question  as  to  the  procuring  Lands  at  the 
expense  of  the  united  States,  and  our  claim  that  the  back  Lands  acquired 
from  the  Crown  of  G.  B.  in  the  present  war  should  be  a  common  stock 
for  the  benefit  of  the  united  States,  and  should  remain  open  for  the 
determination  of  some  future  Congress.  We  have  proposed  that  any 
State  which  may  raise  its  Quota  for  the  War  and  give  a  bounty  in  Lieu 
of  Land  sho*^.  indemnify  the  united  States  from  any  Claim  from  their 
officers  and  Soldiers  who  received  an  allowance  in  Lieu  of  Land,  and  that 
such  State  should  not  be  chargeable  to  the  united  States  for  any  part  of 
the  Expense  attending  the  procuring  of  Lands  for  the  officers  and  Soldiers 
of  the  other  States  who  shall  furnish  Troops  for  the  War.  Both  these 
propositions  have  been  rejected.  This  day  a  Resolve  passed,  that  each 
State  be  at  Liberty  to  inlist  for  the  War  or  three  Years.^     what  our 

8  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  14;  cf.  ibid.,  Nov.  11.  No  record  of  such  a  conference  at 
this  time  has  been  found.  See  however  a  resolution  of  Nov.  23,  in  consequence  of  which 
a  committee  of  Congress  had  a  conference  with  the  council  and  members  of  the  assembly. 
Some  resolutions  taken  by  the  committee  are  printed  in  a  foot-note  in  the  Journals 
(ed.  Ford),  under  Nov.  23.  They  are  also  found  in  the  proceedings  of  the  council  of 
safety  of  Pennsylvania,  preceded  by  this  entry :  "  A  Committee  of  Congress  requested 
an  interview  with  as  many  Members  of  the  House  of  Assembly  as  are  in  Town,  and  this 
Council :  Whereupon  a  Number  of  the  Members  of  Assembly  attended,  and  the  following 
Resolutions  of  Congress  were  laid  before  them."  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  195, 
828.    Cf.  no.  226,  post. 

[219]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  51;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  469;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  HI.  787. 

2  The  opinion  referred  to  is  in  a  letter  from  the  council  of  safety  to  the  com- 
missioners, dated  Nov.  17,  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  454.  See  also  the  Maryland  council  of 
safety  to  the  commissioners,  Nov.  o,  ibid.,  XII.  434,  and  the  Maryland  convention  to 
the  commissioners,  Nov.  10,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  627,  followed  by  the  con- 
vention resolutions  of  Nov.  9 ;  also  the  proceedings  of  the  convention,  Nov.  8,  9,  10, 
ibid.,  HI.  174,  177,  179,  and  the  council  of  safety  to  the  delegates,  Nov.  29,  Arch,  of  Md., 
XII.  490.    Cf.  nos.  191,  205,  216,  ante,  220,  221,  226,  post.    See  also  no.  68,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  21 ;  cf.  ibid.,  Nov.  12,  13. 


1G2  Continental  Congress 

Commissioners  will  do  I  know  not,  nor  can  I  advise  them.     I  am  amazed 
at  the  Obstinacy  of  Congress, 

The  Pajier  for  our  Money  is  sliippod  this  Day.  Mr.  Paca  arrived  this 
Morninq-,  so  that  we  are  now  represented,  but  if  Mr.  Rumsey  sho*^.  go  to 
Camp.  We  shall  sot)n  be  without  a  I\epre.sentation.* 

220.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety/ 

Philad,  Nov.  23rd.  1776  Saturday. 
Gentlemen 

....  The  Congress  have  resolved  to  encrease  their  Navy.  Two 
frigates  of  36  Guns  are  to  be  built  in  our  State. 

Many  of  tlie  Congress,  some  true  Friends,  are  uneasy  at  the  Powers  to 
tlie  Delegates  of  Maryland,  they  are  apprehensive,  if  made  known  they 
will  reach  Lord  Howe,  and  encourage  him,  and  if  the  Courts  of  Europe 
should  see  them,  it  would  prevent  a  foreign  alliance,  some  Reasons  are 
given  to  countenance  this  Opinion.  I  do  not  .see  why  they  should  not  be 
published  in  the  Journall.  the  powers  relate  to  Peace  and  War,  and  can 
be  of  no  Service  to  the  publick.    I  wish  You  would  consider  This  Subject.'^ 

In  eight  Days  the  Enlistment  of  the  far  greater  part  of  our*Army 
expires.  I  greatly  doubt  if  we  shall  be  able  to  prevail  on  the  Troops  to 
enter  into  the  Service.  I  have  some  Hopes  of  obtaining  our  wish  from 
Congress.  Our  Commissioners  will  proceed  on  tomorrow  I  believe,  how- 
ever whether  they  do  or  not  is  a  secret.^ 

221.  Benjamin  Rumsey  to  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer.^ 

Sir, 

We  have  continued  in  this  Place  untill  this  Day  in  wch.  We  shall  set 
off  for  the  Camp  not  being  able  to  proceed  before  neither  under  the 
Letter  nor  Spirit  of  our  Commission. 

Our  Convention  had  certainly  two  capital  Objects  in  View  that  as  the 
Congress  had  engaged  the  Faith  of  the  United  States  to  furnish  the 
Soldiery  with  the  Bounty  of  Lands  which  they  were  to  purchase,  it  fol- 
lowed by  Implication  that  the  United  States  had  None  belonging  to  them 
in  Common  but  must  purchase  of  particular  States  who  claimed  a 
Monopoly  in  them  and  of  Course  might  ruin  those  States  who  had 
None.  Her  View  then  was  to  have  these  Lands  declared  a  common 
Stock  as  being  purchased  (if  ever  purchased)  by  the  joint  Blood  and 
Treasure  of  the  Confederacy  or  find  no  Land  to  her  Ruin. 

The  first  Satisfaction  She  received  on  this  Head  was  that  She  might 
inlist  for  three  Years  and  give  the  20  Doll.  Bounty,  but  must  give  the 

*  See  no.  221,  note  3,  post. 
[220]  1  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  53;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  475;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  819. 

-  See  the  credentials,  in  the  Journals,  Nov.  19. 
3  See  nos.  191,  205,  216.  219,  ante,  221,  226,  248,  post. 
[221  ]i  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  54;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  476;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  827. 


November,  iyy6  163 

Soldiers  the  Alternative  to  inlist  during  the  War  on  the  first  Conditions, 
Opening  two  Rolls  for  the  Purpose. 

This  not  pleasing  they  Resolve  again  that  the  Commissioners  may 
proceed  to  inlist  for  three  Years  upon  one  Roll  alone  keeping  it  always 
in  View  that  it  was  better  to  inlist  during  the  War,  if  it  did  not  retard 
the  Service 

This  Resolution  keeping  up  the  first  Bone  of  Contention  the  Land  and 
by  Implication  that  the  States  had  none  still  not  answering  expectation 
The  Congress  further  resolved  that  any  Resolutions  that  had  passed 
should  neither  operate  to  weaken  or  strengthen  the  Claim  of  the  United 
States  or  any  of  them  to  any  Back  Land  by  which  this  point  that  has  given 
such  uneasiness  in  our  Province  will  be  saved  and  be  discussed  hereafter 
in  our  future  Confederacy. 

The  Second  point  they  had  in  View  was  the  point  of  Taxation  which 
they  thought  unequal  being  rated  on  Slaves  as  well  as  Whites.  This 
has  been  expressly  named  as  the  Mode  as  to  6  Millions  of  Dollars.  As 
to  14.  more  the  same  Declaration  is  made  as  in  the  Article  of  Land,  that 
the  proportion  of  sinking  it  shall  be  adjusted  hereafter  on  each  State  and 
that  nothing  heretofore  done  shall  strengthen  or  weaken  such  Enquiry 
or  Question. 

Our  Province  having  in  some  Measure  obtained  a  Satisfaction  on  those 
two  Heads  Nothing  now  remains  but  to  consider  whether  the  Convention 
having  impowered  Us  to  proceed  and  inlist  for  and  during  the  War  on 
the  20.  Dollars  we  can  go  on  the  Terms  of  three  Years  and  the  same 
Bounty  being  for  a  less  Term  and  in  this  Point  we  are  pretty  generally 
agreed  to  depart  from  the  Letter  to  preserve  the  Spirit.^ .... 

24.  Novr.  1776  Philada.    wrote  in  the  Midst  of  Company' 

222.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Mrs.  Wolcott,^ 

Phelidelp*.  24th.  Novr.  1776 
My  Dear 

....  I  have  been  alone  in  the  Connecticut  Delegation  since  Col 
Williams  went  home.  Mr  Sherman  is  dayly  expected,  but  I  suppose  he 
finds  a  good  deal  of  Dificullty  in  Executing  his  Business  which  he  was 
employed  in  by  the  Colony,  with  the  Army. 

Unless  Col  Williams  tho't  the  present  times  less  dificult,  than  when  his 
Presence  here  was  first  tho't  to  be  so  Very  essential  I  can  assign  No 
Reason  why  he  went  off,  except  what  he  himself  gave,  which  was  that 
he  did  not  know  whether  he  should  do  any  good  if  he  Staid — a  most 
puzzling  Question,  and  which  probably  will  be  a  Matter  of  everlasting 
Doupt — but  the  true  Reason  of  his  Return  was  that  he  did  not  know  of 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  21,  23,  and  nos.  191,  205,  216,  219,  220,  ante,  226,  248, 
post. 

3  Rumsey  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  Congress  by  the  convention  of  Maryland 
Nov.  10  (see  the  Journals,  Nov.  19),  but  did  not  take  his  seat  until  Dec.  12  (see  his  letter 
of  Dec.  19,  no.  248.  post).  He  had  however  been  in  Philadelphia  for  more  than  a  month 
(see  no.  191,  note  3,  ante),  in  intimate  conference  with  members  of  Congress.  This 
letter  is  therefore  essentially,  even  if  not  technically,  that  of  a  member  of  Congress. 

[222]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  H.,  no.  22. 


164  Continental  Congress 

any  particular  personal  or  Family  Interest  to  induce  him  to  tarry  longer.* 


223.   Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Purviance,  jr.^ 

Philadelphia,  24th  Novr.  1776 

Dear  Sir, 

....  Very  long  before  your  recommendation  of  Mr.  Plunket  ^  came 
to  hand,  a  Capt.  Disney  '  had  been  appointed  Capt.  of  Marines  on  board 
the  Virginia,  upon  the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Stone. 

The  Congress  have  determined  to  build  in  Maryland  two  frigates  of 
36  guns  each,  and  I  make  no  doubt  but  that  one  at  least  of  these  will  be 
built  at  Baltimore.  I  suppose,  when  the  committee  meets  on  next  Tuesday 
that  directions  concerning  the  building  the  new  ships  will  issue  to  the 
respective  States.  Not  a  word  has  been  yet  said  in  Congress  touching  a 
quarrel  with  Portugal,  nor  will  any  such  thing  happen,  I  imagine,  unless 
they  should  confiscate  any  of  our  Vessels.* .... 

If  the  Tories  do  not  mend  their  manners,  be  more  modest,  and  less 
noisy,  they  will  shortly  be  haled  over  the  coals  in  such  a  manner  as  will 
make  the  country  too  hot  to  hold  them 

224.  Elbridge  Gerry  to   [Joseph  Trumbull?].* 

Philadelphia,  Nov.  26,  1776 

....  The  late  Events  at  New  York  relative  to  Forts  Washington  and 
Lee  must  be  known  before  this  reaches  you ;  I  wish  they  may  be  forgot, 
as  there  appeared  to  me  Want  of  Generalship.  I  have  the  pleasure  to 
alleviate  this  by  informing  you  that  the  Disposition  of  the  Court  of  France 
is  exceedingly  favorable;  such  proofs  were  given  of  this  so  long  ago  as 

-In  his  letter  to  Wolcott,  Aug.  12  (no.  73,  ante;  paragraph  omitted  there), 
Williams  expresses  the  wish  that  there  had  been  no  call  for  his  attendance.  "  at  such  a 
Season  especially",  and  requests  Wolcott  to  relieve  him  by  the  end  of  September  or 
earlier.  Wolcott  wrote  to  his  wife,  Oct.  8 :  "  Mr.  Sherman  goes  home  for  a  short  visit 
upon  his  Return  Mr.  Williams  will  probably  go  home.  I  shall  likely  continue  here  till 
the  Expiration  of  my  Delegation."  (Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  II.  20.) 
Nov.  12,  he  wrote :  "  This  goes  by  Col.  Williams  who  is  returning  home.  Mr.  Hunting- 
ton and  Mr.  Sherman  have  been  absent  some  time  the  latter  is  dayly  expected  back." 
(Ibid.,  II.  24.)  Cf.  no.  162,  ante.  Dec.  5,  he  wrote:  "  No  Delegates  are  yet  come  from 
Connecticut  tho  I  am  informed  Mr.  Huntington  will  soon  return."  (Wolcott  Papers,  II. 
26.)     Cf.  no.  215,  ante,  244,  260,  post. 

[223]iMd.  Hist.  Soc,  Portfolio  No.  8  (i)  ;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed. 
Ballagh),  I.  225;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  826;  Purviance,  Baltimore  in  the 
Revolution,  p.  206. 

-  Presumably  David  Plunkett,  lieutenant  in  Smallwood's  Maryland  regiment. 

3  James  Disney  was  made  captain,  July  13,  in  the  3d  Maryland  battalion  of  the 
flying  camp.    See  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  170,  and  passim;  also  Heitman,  Hist.  Reg. 

*  See  no.  211,  note  9,  ante. 
[224]!  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia.     The  contents  of  the  letter  point  to  Joseph  Trumbull  as  the  person  to 
whom  it  was  written.    Moreover,  Gerry  speaks,  in  his  letter  of  Dec.  7  (no.  239,  post), 
of  a  letter  of  Nov.  26  to  Trumbull. 


November,  iy'j6  165 

June  last,   (but  lately  discovered  to  Congress)   as  were  not  expected; 
I  am  not  at  Liberty  to  say  more  on  this  Matter  at  present.^ .... 

225.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Novr.  26th.  1776. 
Sir, 

....  The  Congress  have  ordered  General  Mifflin  to  stay  in  this  City, 
until  you  shall  require  his  Attendance  at  Head  Quarters,  being  well  con- 
vinced that  his  Influence,  which  is  very  considerable  over  the  Associators 
of  this  Place,  will  be  employed  to  spirit  them  on  to  the  most  vigorous 
Measures.^ 

226.  Samuel  Chase  to  tije  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Philadelphia.  Nov.  26th.  1776 
Tuesday  Morning 
Gentlemen. 

In  my  last  I  expressed  some  Hopes  of  prevailing  on  Congress  to  give 
our  State  some  Satisfaction  as  to  the  back  Lands,  and  the  Mode  by  which 

2  The  favorable  disposition  of  the  court  of  France  had  for  some  time  been 
known  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  (see,  for  instance,  the  committee's 
memorandum  of  Oct.  i,  no.  153,  ante),  but  precisely  when  their  information  was  dis- 
closed to  Congress  is  not  evident.  Some  such  disclosure  was  made  the  latter  part  of 
August,  probably  through  a  letter  of  William  Bingham,  agent  at  Martinique  (see  nos.  97, 
136,  ante).  Doubtless  even  prior  to  this  the  committee  had  received  the  letters  of  Dumas 
and  Arthur  Lee,  together  with  their  correspondence  with  Beaumarchais,  written  in 
April,  May,  and  June  (see  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  85,  90,  95  et  seq.).  The  first 
of  Deane's  letters  of  which  the  Journals  make  definite  record  is  that  of  Oct.  i  (ibid., 
II.  153),  which  was  read  in  Congress  Dec.  21;  but  earlier  letters,  not  only  of  Deane, 
but  also  of  Dumas,  Arthur  Lee,  and  Beaumarchais,  had  been  received  by  the  com- 
mittee. It  is  not,  however,  apparent  just  when  Deane's  letter  of  Aug.  18  (ibid.,  II.  112) 
was  received,  but  it  was  after  Oct.  i  (see  the  committee  to  Deane,  Oct.  i,  ibid.,  II.  I57)- 

[225]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  31;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  852. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  25.    Mifflin  wrote  to  Washington,  Nov.  26: 

".  .  .  .  I  came  into  this  town  at  eight  o'clock  Sunday  evening,  and  waited  on  Mr. 
Hancock  with  your  letter  immediately  after  my  arrival.  Yesterday  morning  I  was 
admitted  to  Congress,  in  general  committee,  and  went  as  far  in  my  relation  of  the 
wretched  appointments  of  the  Army,  the  dangerous  and  critical  situation  of  the  Jerseys 
and  Pennsylvania,  and  the  necessity  of  immediate  vigorous  exertions  to  oppose  Mr.  Howe, 
as  their  sensibility  and  my  own  delicacy  would  justify.  After  some  debate,  a  requisition 
was  made  to  the  Assembly  now  sitting,  and  Council  of  Safety  of  Pennsylvania,  of  their 
whole  Militia;  and  resolutions  formed  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  wholesome  and 
necessary  regulations  for  this  and  the  next  campaign. 

"  I  received  orders  from  Congress  to  remain  in  this  town  until  your  Excellency  judged 
it  necessary  for  me  to  join  the  Army.  Those  orders  were  in  consequence  of  the  divided 
and  lethargic  state  of  my  countrymen,  who  appeared  to  be  slumbering  under  the  shade 
of  peace,  and  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  sweets  of  commerce. 

"  In  the  afternoon  I  waited  on  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  with  much  success 
addressed  their  passions.  The  Assembly  are  to  meet  this  morning.  Their  lesson  is 
prepared  by  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  some  of  their  leading  members,  who  say 
matters  will  now  go  on  well. 

"  It  is  proposed  to  call  on  every  man  in  the  State  to  turn  out.  Such  as  refuse  are  to 
be  fined  five  pounds  per  month,  the  fines  to  be  distributed  among  those  who  inlist. 

"  To-morrow  the  city  Militia  is  to  be  reviewed.    If  they  appear  in  such  numbers  as 

we  expect,  I  am  to  give  them  a  talk  well  seasoned "  Mifflin's  letter  is  in  Force, 

Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  852.     What  purports  to  be  his  address  to  the  Pennsylvania 
associators  is  ibid.,  III.  890. 

[226]  1  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  55;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  481 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  853. 


ICC  Continental  Congress 

the  Proportion  of  the  Expenses  of  the  War  was  to  be  paid  by  each  State. 
In  this  expectation  1  was  delayefl  and  (hsappointed  for  two  Days,  by  Mr. 
Jenifers  mcntioninqf  that  (^nr  Conmiissioners  had  your  orders  to  proceed. 
by  an  obstinate  perseverance  tlie  enclosed  Resolve  was  obtained  last 
Saturday;  on  Sunday  afternoon  our  Conmiissioners  left  this  City,  on 
yesterday  the  Commissioners  from  Conefress,  of  which  Mr.  Paca  is  one, 
also  vSett  off  for  the  camps,    much  depends  on  their  Success.'' 

....  In  this  State  it  is  proposed  to  call  out  all  the  Militia  of  four 
Countys  and  this  city  immediately  for  six  weeks.  Chester,  Bucks,  North- 
ampton and  Philadelphia  counties  are  the  nearest  to  the  Jerseys,  and  it 
is  also  proposed  to  call  out  a  Company  of  volunteers  from  each  Battalion 
in  this  State  to  enroll  'till  loth  March  next. 

The  preservation  of  this  State  and  the  Jerseys,  and  in  great  measure, 
the  common  Safety  will  depend  on  the  success  of  this  Requisition.' 

New  Jersey  is  also  called  on  for  aid.  and  Delaware  is  solicited,  and  if 
our  State  could  afford  any  assistance  in  time,  an  application  would  also 
be  made  to  her.* 

If  the  present  cloud  should  be  happily  dispersed,  the  new^  Levies  will  be 
the  first  object  of  your  attention.  We  can  neither  prosecute  the  war  nor 
obtain  honorable  Terms  of  peace  without  an  Army.  The  inlistment  will 
be  only  for  three  years,  on  the  bounty  of  20  dollars,  and  the  annual 
clothinsf.  or  the  20  dollars  in  lieu  thereof,  by  the  resolves  of  Congress.® 
I  am  informed,  that  the  recruiting  officers  are  entitled  to  10/  for  each 
man  inlisted  and  passed,  and  10/  per  week  for  provisions,  till  the  Recruits 
arrive  at  some  place  where  they  can  be  furnished  by  the  Continental 
Commissaries.® .... 

227.  Olivier  Wolcott  to  Timothy  Edwards.^ 

Pheledelpiiia  29th.  Novr  1776 
Sir, 

....  I  should  probably  have  Attended  wnth  you  at  the  Indian  Con- 
ferance  in  July  had  my  Health  permitted 

Congress  does  not  allows  the  Commissioners  any  Thing  more  than  their 
Expences.  for  my  Service  ^  I  intend  to  Apply  to  our  Assembly  for  pay, 
which  I  hope  they  will  allow,  for  as  the  Commissioners  are  almost  from 
every  State  I  do  not  know  why  they  may  not  be  paid  by  them;  Any 

~  See  nos.  191.  205,  216,  219-221,  ante,  248,  post. 

3  See  the  resolutions  in  the  Journals,  Nov.  25,  and  cf.  the  resolutions  of  the  com- 
mittee (of  which  Chase  was  a  member),  appointed  Nov.  23,  in  the  Journals,  under  Nov. 
23  (P-  975  "•)•     See  also  no.  218,  note  3,  ante. 

*  A  letter  from  the  committee  mentioned  in  note  3,  above,  to  George  Read, 
Nov.  25,  asking  assistance  from  Delaware,  is  in  Read,  Life  of  Read,  p.  216;  also  in 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  837.  See  also  McKinley  to  Read,  Dec.  4  (two  letters), 
Life  of  Read,  pp.  217,  218.     Cf.  the  Journals,  Dec.  3.  5,  9. 

5  The  particular  resolves  alluded  to  are  of  Sept.  16,  Oct.  8,  and  Nov.  21.  Cf. 
no.  219,  ante. 

6  See  the  Journals.  Oct.  12,  1775,  Jan.  17,  1776;  cf.  ibid.,  Feb.  6,  May  10,  Oct.  16, 
Dec  27.    See  also  no.  228,  note  2,  post. 

[227]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll,  no.   1570,  Declaration  of  Independence. 

2  Wolcott  and  Edwards  were  two  of  the  five  commissioners  of  Indian  affairs 
in  the  Northern  department.    Wolcott  was  chosen  July  13,  Edwards  Nov.  24,  1775. 


November,  iyy6  107 

Monies  which  may  be  Wanted  for  the  Nortliern  Department  will  be  sent 
upon  Application  of  the  Commissioners,     perhaps  the  Ten  Thousand" 
Dollars  sent  last  summer  may  have  answered  the  Necessary  Expenditures. 
Last  April  I  was  directed  by  Congress  to  Conferr  with  Col   Francis 
respecting  some  Indians  then  in  this  City.'    I  Waited  upon  him  the  first 
Time  I  had  seen  him  the  three  pr[e]ceeding  Months  I  had  been  here  tho 
I  Went  every  Day  by  his  House,     he  was  Very  Complesant  and  said  he 
knew  I  had  iDeen  Appointed  to  attend  Congress  but  had  never  heard  that 
I  had  been  in  the  City,     after  the  Business  was  over,  I  tho't  it  best  to 
Mention  to  him  the  bringing  the   Susquehannah   AfTair  into  the  late 
Treaty  *  so  that  he  might  not  be  able  to  say  that  I  had  been  with  him, 
but  had  not  Honor  enough  to  say  a  Word  to  him  upon  the  subject.    I  told 
him  that  he  had  douptless  been  informed,  that  an  Enquiry  had  been  made, 
how  the  Susquehannah  Business  had  been  introduced  into  the  late  Indian 
Conferance.    he  said  he  had  never  been  informed  of  it.  which  to  me  after 
all  my  Acquaintance  with  this  Gentleman  was  surprizing.     I  then  told 
him  the  affair  particularly,     he  became  Very  angry  recriminated  with 
great  Severety  upon  the  Commissioners  upon  Genl.  Schyler  in  particular, 
called  it  an  ex  Parte  Affair  etc.    I  let  him  know  that  the  Matter  had  been 
conducted  with  great  Honor  and  Propriety,  and  that  as  I  might  be  sus- 
pected of  some  Partiality  as  belonging  to  Connecticut,  I  had  declined 
going  into  the  Examination  myself,  but  left  the  Matter  to  those  whose 
Impartiality  and  Integrity  could  not  be  suspected.     This  was  the  Sub- 
stance of  every  Thing  that  passed  between  him  and  me  at  that  Time. 
I  did  not  imagine  I  had  been  guilty  of  any  Disrespect  to  the  Commis- 
sioners or  had  with  Impropriety  mentioned  the  affair.     Nothing  but  a 
mere  Point  of  Honor  induced  Me  to  say  a  Word  to  him  upon  the  Subject. 
Sometime  after  he  delivered  an  Open  Letter  to  Me,  the  Copy  of  which 
I  enclose.    I  felt  much  Chagrined  at  it,  and  told  Francis  that  I  never  had 
blamed  the  Commissioners  for  what  they  had  done  and  that  I  would  now 
inform  him,  if  he  could  be  under  any  Misapprehension  that  in  my  Opinion 
if  they  had  neglected  an  Enquiry  they  would  have  been  guilty  of  a 
Criminal  Omission  and  that  I  never  Signified  a  Lisp  to  him  more  than 
that  I  did  not  take  the  Examination,  but  that  I  did  most  cordially  approve 
of  what  they  had  done,  and  that  he  never  had  the  least  Reason  from  any 
Thing  I  ever  said  to  him  to  doupt  of  it.    This  was  the  Substance  of  what* 
pasd.  at  this  Time,     sometime  after  he  put  a  Memorial  to  Congress,^ 
setting  forth  as  tho'  I  had  been  guilty  of  Maltreating  him  and  the  Com- 
missioners and  moved  for  an  Enquiry,  which  I  most  heartily  seconded. 
a  Committee  was  appointed  of  such  Gentlemen  as  he  certainly  could  have 
no  objection  against.    Fulmer  ®  and  one  of  the  Onondagas,  who  was  with 

3  \VoIcott  was  chosen,  Apr.  30,  a  member  of  the  committee  of  Congress  on 
Indian  affairs,  but  this  instruction  to  confer  with  Francis  is  not  recorded  in  the  Journals. 

*  The  Indian  treaty  at  Albany,  August,  1775.  The  proceedings  at  the  treaty, 
Aug.  15-Sept.  3,  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser..  III.  473-496.  Concerning  the 
incident  here  referred  to,  see  a  letter  from  the  commissioners  to  Congress,  Dec.  14,  1775, 
ibid.,  IV.  259;  also  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  nos.  464,  715,  note  2. 

^  The  memorial  was  presented  toi  Congress  June  4. 

®  Thomas  Fulmer  was  one  of  the  interpreters  at  the  treaty  of  Albany.     See  the 
Journals,  June  11,  26. 
16 


lt)8  Continental  Congress 

Col  Francis  the  Evening  referred  to  in  the  Repurt,  when  this  Matter  was 
first  agitated  by  Col  Francis  was  then  in  Town.  Fulmer  reaserted  his 
former  Testimony,  the  Onondago  was  Examined,  who  said  that  a  White 
Man  was  the  Occasion  of  the  Matter  being  Mentioned,  he  was  askd.  who 
he  was  he  said  he  did  not  come  there  to  talk  about  Lands  and  declined 
giving  any  further  Ace**.  Col  Francis  was  present  during  the  Enquiry. 
I  desired  the  Committee  to  fully  Investigate  the  subject  of  Col  Frances 
Memorial,  but  contrary  to  my  Expectation  they  never  proceeded  farther 
with  it.  but  made  Report  that  they  did  not  find  the  Facts  stated  in  the 
memorial.^  I  have  as  short  as  I  could  given  you  the  Hystory  of  this 
Affair  which  you  may  probably  have  heard  something  of  from  another 
Qua[r]ter.  So  concious  as  I  am  myself  of  my  own  Innocency,  I  could 
not  but  Wonder  that  Col  Francis  Letter  should  make  so  much  Impression 
upon  Genl.  Schyler  Mind  as  it  appeared  to  have  done.  I  meant  before 
now  to  have  Wrote  him  upon  the  Subject,  but  for  the  general  Reasons 
which  have  prevented  me  from  answered  [sic]  your  Favour  earlier  has 
hindered  me  I  cannot  think  it  a  Crime  to  have  mentioned  the  affair  to 
Col  Francis  as  I  have  no  Apprehension  that  the  Commissioners  meant  to 
keep  the  matter  secret,    if  they  did,  I  have  been  ignorantly  faulty 

228.   Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Philadelphia,  Novr.  30th.  1776 
Saturday  Morning 
Gentlemen, 

.  ..."  I  am  desired  by  Congress  to  call  your  immediate  attention  to 
their  Request  some  Time  ago  to  our  Convention,  to  make  Enquiry  of  some 
Nanticoak  Indians,  which  the  Six  Nations  alledge  came  into  our  State, 
and  have  not  since  been  heard  of,  and  they  express  fears  for  their  safety, 
be  pleased  to  enquire  of  Mr.  Duvall  for  the  Letter  from  Congress  on  this 
Subject,  and  take  effectual  Measures  for  a  speedy  Enquiry.  I  should 
imagine  the  Committee  for  Dorset  County  could  make  the  proper 
Enquiry.^ .... 

229.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Deer.   ist.  1776. 
Sir, 

Your  Favour  of  the  30th.  Novr.  was  duely  received ;  in  Consequence  of 
which,  as  the  Contents  were  of  the  utmost  Importance,  I  thought  proper 

^  Cf.  the  report  as  recorded  in  the  Journals,  June  17. 
[228]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Etting  Coll.,  Signers,  p.  12;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  496;  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  916. 

-  Chase  quotes  here  the  resolution  of  Congress  of  Oct.  12,  1775,  relative  to  the 
allowance  for  recruiting.     See  no.  226.  note  6,  ante. 

3  See  no.  198,  ante.    The  council's  reply  to  this  letter,  Dec.  6,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md., 
XII.  509.    See  also  the  council's  letter  to  Brig.-Gen.  Henry  Hooper,  Dec.  3,  ibid.,  XII.  502. 
[229]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  34;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  1026. 


December,  iyy6  169 

to  call  the  Congress  together;  whose  Resolutions  of  this  Day,  I  now  do 
myself  the  honour  to  enclose. '^ .... 

230.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry.* 

Philadelphia  3rd  Dec,  1776 

Dear  Sir, 

....  Col  Charles  Harrison  leaves  this  place  to-day  with  250,000 
dollars  under  his  care  for  the  use  of  our  forces  in  Virginia,  and  for  paying 
the  bounties.  Your  recommendation  of  this  Gentleman,  seconded  by  his 
real  merit,  has  procured  him  the  command  of  a  regiment  of  artillery,  to 
be  raised  in  Virginia,^  Congress  having  resolved  to  keep  the  artillery  and 
engineer's  departments  under  immediate  continental  inspection 

231.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.* 

Philada.  Deer.  4th.  1776. 
Sir, 

The  Congress  apprehending  that,  in  the  present  State  of  the  Army,  and 
Situation  of  our  Affairs,  an  Exchange  of  Governor  Franklin  might  be 
prejudicial,  and  attended  with  some  bad  Consequences,  have  been  induced 
to  come  to  the  above  Resolution,  which  I  transmit  by  their  Directions.* 

232.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention.* 

Philadelphia,  December  4,  1776. 
Gentlemen: 

We  received  Mr.  McKesson's  letter,  dated  the  25th  November.  We 
have,  according  to  your  request,  applied  to  Congress  for  leave  to  our 
State  to  raise  another  battalion,  to  be  commanded  by  Colonel  Dubois, 
which  is  agreed  to,  and  a  resolve  to  that  purpose  is  enclosed  for  employ- 
ing five  Aid-Majors  at  the  expense  of  our  State.^ ....  The  accounts 
of  the  officers  of  the  five  battalions  is  with  you  to  settle.     The  Congress 

2  The  Journals  record  that  "Congress,  on  a  summons,  met  Sunday,  December  i, 
1776".  Two  letters  of  Washington,  dated  Nov.  30,  were  read  Dec.  i.  One  of  them 
was  addressed  to  the  board  of  war.  The  letters  are  in  Washington's  Writings  (ed. 
Ford),  V.  54,  58,  and  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  919,  920. 

[2Zo]^  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  227;  Henry,  Life  of  Patrick 
Henry,  III.  31. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  26,  27,  30 ;  cf.  ibid.,  Mar.  19,  May  18. 
[231]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  38;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser..  III.  1069. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  23,  Dec.  3. 
[232]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  366,  1069;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  747,  II. 
254;  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  VI.  1099  (copy). 

2  See  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York  committee  of  safety,  Nov.  23  (including 
drafts  of  letters  to  Congress  and  to  Washington),  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  317- 
320;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  715-716.  See  also  no.  141,  note  2,  ante,  and  the  Journals, 
Nov.  30. 


170  Continental  Congress 

does  not  interfere  under  tlie  new  arrangement  in  the  rank  of  officers 

ajipointed  by  the  several  States 

We  are.  jifentlenien.  your  most  obedient  servants, 

Phil.    Livingston, 
Fra.  Lewis, 
Wm.  Floyd. 


233.  TiiK  Secret  Committee  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly.^ 

Philadelphia  Deer  4th  1776 
Gcntloncn 

A  Committee  of  Congress  was  appointed  the  25th  Septr  last  to  procure 
cloathing  in  all  the  States  on  this  Continent  for  the  use  of  our  Army  and 
we  find  they  wrote  to  you  on  the  loth  Octr  requesting  the  favour  of  you 
to  employ  proper  persons  to  purchase  what  could  be  obtained  in  your 
State  to  this  letter  they  have  not  received  any  answer  and  the  Congress 
being  very  anxious  and  impatient  to  have  this  important  business  duely 
attended  to  and  executed  have  directed  us  to  send  one  or  more  trusty 
persons  into  the  Eastern  States  to  Collect  what  has  been  bought  and  to 
make  such  further  purchases  of  suitable  articles  as  they  can  accomplish.^ 


234.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary.^ 

[December  5(?),  1776.]' 

A  number  of  Indian  chiefs  came  from  Fort  Pitt  (where  a  treaty  had 
been  held  with  them  by  commissioners  appointed  by  Congress)  came  to 
Philada  in  Novr  1776.  They  were  all  introduced  to  the  congress.  They 
took  each  member  bv  the  hand,  and  afterwards  sat  down.  One  of  them 
(after  a  pause  of  10  minutes)  rose  up  and  addressed  the  congress  in  the 
following  words. 

Brothers.  We  received  your  commissioners  at  the  little  counsel  fire 
at  Fort  Pitt  We  wiped  the  sweat  from  their  bodies.  We  cleansed  the 
dirt  from  their  [a]nkles  We  pulled  the  thorns  from  [their]  feet!  We 
took  their  Staffs  from  thier  hands,  and  leaned  them  ag[ainst]  the  tree  of 


1233]!  Mass.  Arch..  CXCVI.  426   (copy). 

-  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  i.  The  clothing  committee's  letter  of  Oct.  10  to  the 
Massachusetts  assembly  has  not  been  found,  but  see  a  letter  of  Oct.  7  to  the  New  York 
convention,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  925.  Cf.  nos.  182,  215,  ante,  312,  post.  Nov. 
4  the  committee  drew  an  order  on  President  Hancock  for  twenty  thousand  dollars  in 
favor  of  the  delegates  of  Connecticut,  "  to  be  by  Them  transmitted  to  the  Governor 
and  Council  of  Safety  for  that  state,  to  be  by  Them  improved  to  purchase  Qoathing 
for  the  Soldiers  in  the  Service  of  the  United  States  ".  The  order,  in  the  writing  of 
William  Williams  and  signed  by  Robert  Treat  Paine,  William  EUery,  George  Wythe, 
George  Ross,  Arthur  Middleton,  William  Williams,  and  Lyman  Hall,  is  in  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  f.  409. 

[234]!  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS.,  II. 

-  Probably  Dec.  5.    See  the  Journals,  Dec.  3,  5,  7,  9. 


December,  lyyd  171 

peace.  We  took  their  belts  from  thier  waists,  and  conducted  them  to  the 
seats  of  peace.® 

235.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelpa.,  Dec.  6,  1776 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  wrote  to  you  two  days  ago  "  by  a  Captn.  Potes.  This  will  be  deliverd 
to  you  by  Mr.  Livingston  '  who  is  employed  by  a  Committee  of  Congress 
to  repair  to  the  Eastern  States  to  purchase  cloathing  for  the  Army.*  I 
inclosd  to  you  not  long  ago  a  Resolve  of  Congress  relating  to  Shoes  and 
Stockings  which  it  is  supposd  can  be  procured  in  very  considerable 
Quantities  in  those  States.^  I  then  mentiond  to  you  my  hopes  that  your 
Committee  had  collected  a  good  Stock  of  Cloaths.  I  had  venturd  almost 
to  assure  Congress  that  this  had  been  done 

2^6.  George  Read  to  Mrs.  Read.^ 

Philadelphia,  6th  December,  1776. 
My  dear  G — , 

Attendance  night  and  morning  at  committees,  and  all  day  at  Congress, 
puts  it  out  of  my  power  to  write  you  so  frequently  as  I  ought,  and  have 
had  opportunities,  but  I  have  no  chance  of  a  moment  but  when  I  retire 
out  of  Congress  to  the  Committee-Room,  where  I  now  am,  to  write  to  any 
person;  however,  be  assured  if  any  [thing]  very  material  occurs  you  shall 

hear  of  it The  troops  belonging  to  the  "  flying  camp  ",  whose 

term  of  enlistment  had  expired,  left  the  general  in  whole  brigades, — par- 
ticularly Jersey  and  Maryland, — as  also  Colonel  Patterson's  battalion — 
they  would  [not]  serve  an  hour  longer,  so  that  the  city  is  filled  with  the 
returning  soldiers,  though  never  more  needed  in  the  field.  The  Delegates 
of  Maryland,  with  General  Mifflin,  harangued  a  great  number,  perhaps 
six  or  seven  hundred  of  them,  in  the  State  House  yard  yesterday  with 

3  In  the  original  text  a  figure  "  2  "  immediately  precedes  the  words  "  We  wiped  ", 
and  a  figure  "  i  "  stands  before  "  We  took  ".  The  figures  may  be  intended  to  indicate 
the  transposition  of  the  passages.  In  Rush's  Memorial  (p.  92)  this  passage  from  his 
Diary  appears  in  the  form  following :  "  During  my  attendance  in  Congress  in  Phila- 
delphia, I  had  the  pleasure  of  being  present  at  an  interview  between  some  Chiefs  of  the 
Six  Nations  and  Congress  in  their  hall  in  the  State  House.  After  a  pause  of  ten  minutes, 
one  of  the  Chiefs  rose  from  his  seat  and  pointing  to  the  sun  said,  '  The  business  of  this 
day  will  end  well.  Yonder  sun  rose  bright  this  morning.  The  Great  Spirit  is  propitious 
to  us.  Brothers,  we  received  the  commissioners  you  sent  us.  at  the  little  council  fire 
at  Pittsburgh,  we  wiped  the  sweat  from  their  bodies,  we  cleaned  the  dirt  from  their  legs. 
We  pulled  the  thorns  from  their  feet.  We  took  the  staffs  from  their  hands  and  placed 
them  against  the  tree  of  peace.  We  took  their  belts  from  their  waists,  and  afterwards 
conducted  them  to  the  seats  of  peace.'  In  retiring  all  shook  hands  with  every  member 
of  Congress." 

[235]  1  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  278. 

2  A  letter  from  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Dec.  4,  is  in  Wells,  Life  of 
Samuel  Adams,  II.  452. 

3  Abraham  Livingston.     See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1501,  1518. 
*  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  i.    Cf.  no.  233,  ante. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  27. 
[236]iRead,  Life  of  Read,  p.  219. 


172  Continental  Congress 

success,  and  it  is  expected  a  pfreat  part  will  return  for  a  month.'-' ....  I 
know  not  when  I  may  see  you.  1  cannot  stir,  for  the  non-attendance  of 
our  representatives  for  times  past  has  been  severely  animadverted  upon 
since  my  return. 

237.  Charles  Carroll  to  the  President  of  the  Maryland  Council 
OF  Safety  (Daniel  of  St.  Thomas  Jenifer).^ 

Dear  Sir 

....  We  now  tho  in  My  opinion  far  from  being-  entirely  Secure  begin 

to  be  a  Little  More  Composed The  Inactivity  of  the  People  Here 

was  so  Great  and  their  Disinclination  to  stir  to  oppose  the  Enemy  so 
apparent  that  we  were  forced  to  offer  Clothing  to  some  of  our  flying 
Camp  Troops  Here  that  will  amount  to  about  four  Pounds  per  Man  to 
Induce  them  to  Return  and  Join  the  Army  for  one  Month  only  and  to 
Engage  tliat  our  Province  will  be  at  the  Expence  should  the  Congress 
refuse  it.  wch.  Surely  they  will  not.  How  many  We  may  Get  to  return 
I  Know  not  as  from  What  they  Have  sufTerd  they  Do  not  seem  to  Have 
mucli  appetite  for  the  Service.^  We  Have  at  Present  12  states  represented 
in  Congress  but  many  of  them  by  one  Person  only  so  that  we  are  Thin  in 
Number,  if  the  situation  of  Mr  Stones  family  are  such  that  He  Can 
Leave  it  We  should  Have  much  Pleasure  in  Seeing  him  and  I  must  request 
you  Will  write  to  Mr  Johnson  to  Join  us.' .... 

Philada  Deer  7th  1776. 

[P.  S.]   .  .  .  . 

238.  William  Paca  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Gentn: 

Congress  is  of  the  Opinion  that  the  Order  from  the  Board  of  War 
extends  only  to  such  Prisoners  as  are  Natives  of  Great  Britain  and 
Soldiers  from  thence  in  the  present  War  and  therefore  the  Prisoners  from 
Carolina  and  Residents  there  lately  taken  in  Arms  against  us  are  not 
comprehended  and  are  still  to  be  detained.^  As  to  the  two  Gentlemen 
taken  by  Capt.  Cook  whether  they  be  Prisoners  or  not  is  a  Matter  our 
State  must  decide  and  not  Congress.  I  am  told  by  the  Delegates  to  the 
Eastward  that  Persons  in  such  Predicament  are  set  at  Liberty  but  the 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  3,  and  no.  237,  post. 
[237]  1  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Members  of  the  Old  Congress,  I.  75. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  3  (p.  1003),  and  no.  236,  ante. 

3  The  council  wrote  to  Stone  and  Johnson,  Dec.  12,  requesting  their  attendance 
(Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  524)-  Concerning  the  thin  attendance  of  Congress,  see  also  nos. 
211,  215.  222,  ante,  251,  post. 

[238]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  56;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  512;  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1094. 

-  The  opinion  of  Congress  must  have  been  taken  informally  as  there  is  no  record 
of  it  in  the  Journals.  The  council's  inquiry,  to  which  this  letter  is  a  reply,  has  not  been 
found.  The  occasion  of  the  inquiry  was  a  call  from  the  board  of  war,  Nov.  19,  for 
the  collection  of  the  British  prisoners  to  be  exchanged  {Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  456;  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  762).  See  Washington  to  the  board  of  war.  Nov.  15,  ibid., 
III.  699.  and  the  board's  reply,  Nov.  19,  ibid..  III.  762;  see  also  ibid.,  III.  778,  810,  and 
Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  486. 


December,  iyy6  173 

Property  taken  is  confiscated,  but  this  is  not  a  general  Rule.  Circum- 
stances often  require  them  to  be  prisoners:  you  must  therefore  (I  speak 
my  own  Opinion  only)   exercise  your  Discretion  in  the  present  Case.' 

•         a         •         • 

Saturday,  7.  Dec.  1776. 

239.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  7th  Deer  1776 
Dear  sir 

I  wrote  You  the  26th  Novr  ^  touching  several  Matters  mentioned  in 
the  Letters  received  from  You  before  that  Time,  and  am  informed  by 
General  Mifflin  that  he  forwarded  two  of  my  Letters.  You  will  therein 
find  my  Sentiments  relative  to  a  Contract,  and  the  present  Improbability 
there  is  that  any  will  take  place.  You  will  also  see  that  your  Petition  is 
referred  to  the  Treasury  f  that  Congress  have  impowered  You  to  import 
Rice  from  the  southern  States,  and  that  I  have  recommended  your 
immediate  Application  in  strong  Terms  for  Liberty  to  import  Flower. 
I  find  You  place  great  Confidence  in  a  certain  Southern  Friend.*  had  he 
Voted  with  Us  in  this  Instance,  It  had  prevented  the  Necessity  of  a  second 
Application,  but  this  he  rarely  omits  to  avoid.  Mention  is  likewise  made 
of  the  Fish  purchased  of  You  to  import  military  Stores,  that  the  Quality 
was  greatly  reduced  by  age,  in  so  much  that  it  must  be  sent  to  the  West 
Indies  instead  of  Europe  as  was  first  intended,  and  You  was  desired  when 
Oppertunity  offers  to  send  a  Bill  thereof 

240.  The  Georgia  Delegates  to  the  President  of  Congress.* 

loth  December,  1776. 
Sir: 

We  have  received  accounts  of  our  reappointment  to  represent  the  State 
of  Georgia  in  Congress,  and  will  be  ready  to  take  our  seats  in  a  day  or  two. 
In  the  mean  time  we  request  an  order  on  the  Treasury  for  two  thousand 
dollars,  on  account  of  the  State  we  are  appointed  to  represent.^ 
We  are,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servants, 

Lyman  Hall, 
George  Walton 

To  the  Honourable  John  Hancock,  Esq. 

3  The  prisoners  here  referred  to  are  probably  the  two  passengers  mentioned  by 
Captain  Cook  in  his  letters  to  the  council,  Oct.  4,  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  319,  320.  In  the 
council  minutes,  Nov.  5  {ibid.,  XII.  421),  they  are  mentioned  by  name,  Mr.  Milne  and 
Mr.  Jenkins.  A  letter  from  the  council  to  the  delegates,  Dec.  27  {ibid.,  XII.  555) >  asks 
for  the  opinion  of  Congress  as  to  their  status.  See  nos.  288,  318,  post. 
[239]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  68. 

2  Probably  Gerry's  letter  of  Nov.  26,  from  which  an  extract  is  given  (no.  224, 
ante).    Cf.  nos.  124,  145,  162,  164,  166,  172,  175,  ante,  and  nos.  266,  423,  post. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  18;  also  no.  548,  post. 

*  William  Hooper? 
[240]!  Force  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1148. 

2  The  money  was  granted  on  the  day  of  this  request,  and  the  credentials  were 
presented  Dec.  20  (that  is,  on  the  day  of  assembling  at  Baltimore).  Walton  however 
attended  Dec.  12.    See  no.  215,  ante. 


174  Continental  Con^res.t 

241.  Samuel  Chase  to  James  Xicholson.^ 

PiiiLADA  Deer.  nth.  1776 
Wednesday  morninji^ 

Sir, 

It  lins  been  reported  that  you  was  cominq-  up  to  this  City  with  a  Body 
of  seamen  and  marines,  one  of  the  frit^atcs  is  ready  for  the  Sea,  the  other 
three  may  be  soon  reaily  for  a  short  Voyaj:;'e,  if  men  ^  could  be  procured. 
You  would  render  essential  Service,  if  You  could  immediately  come  up 
with  a  Body  of  Seamen.'  and  an  attempt  miq-ht  be  made  to  bring  round 
all  the  frigates  here  to  Baltimore  Town.  It  cannot  be  doubted  the  Council 
of  Safety  would  lend  the  *  Hands  belonging  to  the  Defence  for  tliis  very 
important  service,  you  will  send  an  Express  to  the  Council  of  Safety, 
not  one  Moment  is  to  be  lost."     I  write  this  by  the  order  of  Congress. 

The  congress  will  not  quit  this  City  but  in  the  last  extremity,  to  pre- 
vent false  Reports,  publish  the  above." 

Inform  Mr.  purviance,  that  Mrs.  Hancock  will  sett  off  this  Day. 

Let  it  be  known,  that  arms  are  furnished  to  our  Militia.  Let  the  want 
of  them  be  no  excuse. 


242.  Charles  Thomson  to  George  Washington.^ 

[December  11,  1776.] 

Sir, 

The  president  being  necessarily  engaged  with  his  family,  I  have  the 
honour  to  inform  you  that  your  letter  of  the  loth  was  duly  received  and 

[241]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  58  (draft)  ;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  520;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  sen,  III.  1165.    Addressed  to  Capt.  James  Nicholson,  Baltimore  Town,  Md. 

2  The  words  "  and  guns  "  are  erased. 

3  The  following  is  erased  here  :  "  and  Marines.  If  you  could  get  a  clever  diligent 
and  trusty  officer,  with  a  sufficient  Number  of  Sailors  and  others  to  bring  up  the  Guns 
of  your  frigate  and  the  defence."  See  a  letter  from  the  Maryland  council  to  Capt.  George 
Cook,  Dec.  15,  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  530;  also  a  letter  from  the  Baltimore  committee  to 
the  committee  at  Annapolis,  Dec.  12,  ibid.,  XII.  524,  and  Samuel  Purviance,  jr.,  to  the 
council,  Dec.  14,  ibid.,  XII.  529  (also  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1179,  1212). 

*  The  words  "  guns  and  "'  are  erased. 

5  See  the  letter  of  the  Maryland  council  of  safety  to  the  delegates,  Dec.  15, 
Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  530;  also  no.  250,  post. 

^  Congress  had,  on  Dec.  9,  resolved  to  adjourn  to  Baltimore  in  the  event  that  it 
became  necessary  to  remove  from  Philadelphia.  See  also  the  Journals.  Dec.  li  (erased 
resolve),  12,  and  nos.  242,  243,  244,  post.  Samuel  Purviance,  jr.,  of  the  Baltimore  com- 
mittee wrote  to  the  Mar>'land  council  of  safety,  Dec.  14:  "  Our  Commie  are  preparing  the 
Court  House  in  the  best  manner  the  time  will  admit  for  the  reception  of  the  Congress 
shoud  they  be  obliged  to  leave  Philada.,  in  which  case  Mr.  Chase  writes  it  is  intended 
to  come."  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  529;  Force,  Am-.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1212.  See  no.  340, 
note  2.  post. 

[242]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  40;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser..  III.  1 164. 


December,  jyy6  175 

laid  before  Congress,  and  to  transmit  you  a  resolution  of  Congress  passed 
this  day.^ 

I  am  Sir 

Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

Cha.  Thomson  ' 

243.  Samuel  Adams  et  al.  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  Deer  12  1776.^ 
Sir 

We  are  this  Moment  informd  by  a  Gentleman  who  is  Brother  of  Collo. 
Grififin  ^  and  has  lately  been  at  New  York,  that  a  Body  of  ten  thousand  of 
the  Troops  are  actually  arrivd  at  Rhode  Island.* 

As  Congress  is  now  adjournd  to  Baltimore  in  Maryland,  and  the 
President  and  the  Board  of  War  are  not  in  Town,  we  think  it  our  Duty 
to  send  you  this  Intelligence;  and  as  there  is  no  General  Officer  in  that 
Department,  we  refer  it  to  your  Consideration  whether  the  Service  does 
not  absolutely  require  that  one  be  immediately  sent,  to  take  the  Command 
of  Troops  to  be  raisd  there,  to  repel  the  Progress  of  the  Enemy 

If  Major  General  Green  or  Gates,  who  are  greatly  belovd  in  that  Part  of 
America,  with  a  suitable  Number  of  Brigadiers,  could  be  spared  for  this 
Service,  it  might  be  attended  with  another  advantage,  that  of  facilitating 
the  new  Inlistments 

We  intreat  your  Attention  to  this  important  Matter  and  are  with  very 
great  Respect 

Your  Excellcys  very  humble  Servants 

Samuel  Adams 
Elbridge  Gerry 
William   Ellery 
Wm.  Whipple 
His  Excellency  Genl.  Washington 

2  Accompanying  this  letter  (on  the  same  sheet)  is  the  resolution  calling  upon 
General  Washington  to  contradict  in  general  orders  the  "  scandalous  report "  that  Con- 
gress was  about  to  disperse.  Washington  wrote,  Dec.  12,  disapproving  the  resolution 
and  declining  to  publish  it.  The  letter  was  read  in  Congress  Dec.  20,  and  referred  to 
a  committee,  which  reported  on  the  following  day  a  resolution  (which  was  adopted) 
approving  Washington's  course.  Both  resolutions  were  then  erased  from  the  Journals. 
Cf.  no.  241,  ante.  See  also  nos.  244,  254,  post.  Washington's  letters  of  Dec.  10  and  12 
are  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  76  n.,  82;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1152,  1182. 
The  resolution  printed  in  connection  with  Thomson's  letter  in  Am.  Arch,  is,  erroneously, 
that  of  Dec.  11  appointing  a  day  of  fasting,  etc. 

3  On  Dec.  12  it  again  devolved  upon  Secretary  Thomson  to  write  in  Hancock's 
stead  to  Washington,  "  the  President  still  being  necessarily  engaged  with  his  family ". 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1179. 

[243]!  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  II.,  p.  200  (original,  in  the  writing 
of  Samuel  Adams). 

2  In  a  letter  of  this  date  to  James  Warren  {Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  279), 
Samuel  Adams  says :  "  Mr.  P[aine]  has  this  day  left  the  Congress  having  leave  after 
laboring  in  the  service  Sixteen  Months  without  Cessation." 

3  Col.  Samuel  Griffin,  who  was  appointed  by  General  Putnam,  Dec.  14,  adjutant- 
general  of  the  troops  in  and  about  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  1214. 

^  See  Robert  Morris  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Dec.  13,  16,  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1198,  1239.  See  also  ibid.,  III.  1129-1131,  and  passim  (index,  Rhode  Island)  ; 
also  Governor  Cooke  to  William  Ellery,  Dec.  22,  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  108. 


17G  Continental  Congress 

244.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Mrs.  Wolcott.^ 

Philedelphia  13th  Deer.  1776 
My  Dear 

....  the  Congress  upon  the  advice  of  Genl.  Putnam  and  Mifllin  who 
are  now  here  to  provide  for  the  Protection  of  the  Places  as  well  as  from 
the  Resultt  of  their  own  opinion  have  adjourned  themselves,  to  Baltimore 
in  Maryland,  a  Place  about  no  miles  from  this  City,  as  it  was  judged 
that  the  Council  of  America  ought  not  to  Sit  in  a  Place  liable  to  be 
interrupted,  by  the  rude  Disorder  of  Arms,  so  that  I  am  this  Moment 
going  forward  for  that  Place.^  Whether  the  Enemy  will  succeed  in  their 
cruel  Designs  against  this  City  must  be  left  to  time  to  Discover,  Congress 
have  ordered  the  Genii,  to  Defend  it  to  the  last  extremity  and  God  grant 
that  he  may  be  successfull  in  his  Exertions 

No  Gentlemen  from  Connecticut  are  arrived  since  I  last  Wrote  to  you 
upon  this  Head.*  Majr.  Elisha  Sheldon  is  here  and  well ;  and  is  appointed 
by  Congress  to  raise  a  Regiment  of  Horse  in  Connecticut.* .... 

245.   Robert  Morris  to  the  President  of  Congress 

(John  Hancock).^ 

Philada  Decemr.  i6th.  1776. 
Sir 

....  The  sudden  departure  of  the  Congress  from  this  place  seems 
to  be  a  matter  of  much  speculation  and  People  who  judge  by  events,  think 
they  have  been  too  precipitate,  be  that  as  it  may,  many  things  are  thrown 
into  great  confusion  by  it,  and  I  find  ample  employment  in  applying 
remedies  wherever  I  can.  The  unfinished  business  of  the  Marine  and 
Secret  Committees,  I  intended  to  confine  mvself  to.  but  I  hear  so  manv 
complaints  and  see  so  much  confusion  from  other  quarters  that  I  am 
obliged  to  advise  in  things  not  committed  to  me.  Circumstanced  as  our 
affairs  now  are  I  conceive  it  better  to  take  Liberty's  and  assume  some 
powers  than  to  let  the  general  interest  suffer 

I  suppose  Congress  will  not  determine  on  a  hasty  return  to  this  place 
nor  do  I  think  it  adviseable,  untill  the  Enemy  are  actually  gone  into 
Winter  Quarters,  for  a  severe  Frost  may  in  a  few  hours  enable  them  to 
cross  Delaware  above  the  Falls,  so  that  if  they  remain  in  that  neighbour- 

[244liConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  II.,  no.  28. 

-  See  the  resolution  for  adjournment,  Dec.  12,  and  the  erased  resolution,  Dec. 
II.  In  a  letter  to  his  wife  Dec.  11  Wolcott  wrote:  "  If  the  Enemy  should  drive  us  out 
of  this  City  (which  I  do  not  really  expect)  you  will  soon  hear  to  what  Place  I  shall  go." 
(Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Wolcott  Papers,  II.  27.)  Cf.  nos.  241,  242,  ante.  See  also  nos.  245, 
247-249,  253,  254,  257,  259-263,  280,  298,  302-304,  306,  post. 

3  Dec.  5.    See  no.  222,  note  2,  ante,  and  no.  260,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals.  Dec.  12.  and  Washington's  letter  of  Dec.  11,  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.  1166.  Cf.  ibid.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  880,  fifth  ser.,  II.  1171,  III.  272, 
457,  497,  1244,  1246. 

[245]!  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  137,  App.,  folio  lO;  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1239. 


December,  iy/6  177 

hood  you  would  here  be  subject  to  perpetual  alarms,  at  the  same  time  if 
may  be  depended  on,  that  great  inconveniences  will  arise  daily  in  every 
department  during  your  absence,  to  remedy  this  as  much  as  possible  I 
think  a  Committee  should  be  sent  here  with  such  powers  as  Congress  may 
Judge  proper,  in  order  that  they  may  regulate  the  business  of  the  Con- 
tinent necessary  to  be  done  here.^  There  is  the  greatest  scene  of  confusion 
in  the  management  of  the  Continental  Horses,  Wagons,  and  Expresses 
that  ever  was  exhibited,  it  was  bad  enough  before  Congress  departed 
but  it  is  ten  times  worse  now  and  Jacob  Hiltziemer  a  very  honest  man 
will  run  mad  soon  if  not  properly  assisted  or  relieved  in  this  department.' 
in  short  the  Committee  you  send  should  have  full  powers  to  do  whatever 
may  be  necessary  to  put  every  department  on  a  Systematic  footing.  Mr. 
Clymer,  Mr.  Walton  and  myself  will  bestir  ourselves  and  advise  or  assist 
in  such  things  as  we  think  absolutely  necessary  untill  you  appoint  a  Com- 
mittee and  as  the  Board  of  War  did  not  leave  any  orders  for  their  Secy 
we  have  desired  him  to  stay  and  assist  us  until  he  receives  Orders.  We 
hope  the  Board  will  excuse  us  for  taking  this  liberty  as  Mr.  Peters  will 
be  usefull  here.*  The  Committee  must  have  the  command  of  money  to 
answer  various  purposes  as  the  calls  for  it  are  loud,  large  and  constant. 
Should  the  Enemy  retire  to  Brunswick  or  New  York  it  may  and  I  believe 
will  be  best  for  Congress  to  return  as  soon  as  that  is  certain 

2  Morris  remained  in  Philadelphia  more  than  a  month  after  the  dispersion  of  Con- 
gress. For  a  few  days  he  attended  to  continental  business  largely  on  his  own  responsi- 
bility but  partly  also  as  a  member  of  certain  committees.  On  Dec.  21,  at  his  suggestion, 
Congress  appointed  him  and  George  Clymer  and  George  Walton  a  committee  to  execute 
the  necessary  business  of  Congress  in  Philadelphia.  Besides  the  letters  of  Morris  and 
of  the  committee  printed  below,  see  the  letters  to  Hancock,  Washington,  and  others,  Dec. 
13-30,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1198,  1213,  1239,  1254,  1330,  1331,  1370,  1427, 
1471,  1485,  and  Jan.  i,  et  seq.;  in  Sparks,  Letters  to  Washington,  I.  See  also  nos.  254, 
255,  post. 

3  In  a  letter  of  Jan.  10,  1777  (Library  of  Congress,  Pap.  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  133, 
folio  42),  the  committee  in  Philadelphia  took  up  the  subject  of  the  continental  stables 
more  explicitly: 

".  .  .  .  We  mentioned  some  time  ago  the  waste  and  destruction  that  was  going 
forward  in  the  Continental  Stables  here.  The  more  we  enquire  into  that  Matter  the 
more  ruinous  we  find  it,  and  the  business  is  now  in  such  a  state  of  Confusion  that  we 
hardly  know  how  to  remedy  it.  Our  Opinion  is  that  no  such  thing  as  a  Continental 
Stable  should  ever  have  existed.  Generall  Mifflin  when  he  proposed  it  and  established 
it  we  well  know  mean't  to  save  mony,  but  the  experiment  will  prove  destructive  to  the 
last  degree.  The  Horses  after  being  worked  to  the  Bone,  become  neglected  because  it 
is  nobodys  business  to  take  care  of  them,  the  Feed  is  stolen  wasted  and  destroyed, 
because  nobody  can  tell  who  is  intitled  to  it,  and  who  is  not.  every  Officer  in  the 
service  crams  his  Horses  into  the  Public  Stables  and  calls  him  Continental,  every  Team 
that  is  hired  and  ought  to  find  their  own  feed,  say  they  are  Continental  and  demand 
it  as  a  right  from  the  Public.  Mr.  Hiltzheimer  does  all  he  can  to  prevent  waste  imposi- 
tion and  abuses,  but  they  threaten  his  life  and  to  burn  his  stables 

"We  sent  him  a  Gaurd  [sic]  and  they  were  as  bad  as  the  waggoners,  enclosed  you 
have  a  Copy  of  the  return  he  has  made  and  of  his  note  to  us.  In  short  if  the  Present 
Campaign  was  closed  we  should  think  it  would  be  best  to  sell  all  the  Continental  Horses 
and  waggons  shut  up  the  stables  and  encourage  private  people  to  provide  the  public 
with  them  on  hire  by  good  prices,  for  then  the  Horses  would  be  taken  care  of  and  the 
feed  not  be  wasted,  and  these  are  new  very  material  objects."  This  letter  is  endorsed: 
"  Rec'd  14  Jany  1777."  See  also  the  Journals  of  that  date,  p.  37  n.  Congress  took  action 
upon  the  matter  Jan.  18. 
*  See  no  255,  post. 


178  Continental  Congress 

240.  Ivoci:kt  MoKKis  to  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence.' 

Philadelphia,  December  i6th,  1776. 
Gentloncn: 

....  Voii  have  enclosed  the  letters  from  Mr.  Bing^ham  and  Mr. 
Deane;*  the  latter  complaining-,  as  I  have  lon.t^  expected  he  would,  for 
want  of  advices  and  remittances.  In  short,  if  the  Cong^re.ss  mean  to  suc- 
ceed in  this  contest,  they  must  pay  ji^ood  executive  men  to  do  their  business 
as  it  oug-ht  to  be,  and  not  lavish  millions  away  by  their  own  mismanage- 
ment. I  say  mismanaj^ement,  because  no  man  living  can  attend  the  daily 
deliberations  of  Congress  and  do  executive  parts  of  business  at  the  same 
time.  I  do  aver  there  will  be  more  money  lost,  totally  lost,  in  horses, 
wagfons.  cattle,  etc.,  etc.  for  want  of  sufficient  number  of  proper  persons  to 
look  after  them,  than  would  have  paid  all  the  salaries  Payne  ever  did  or 
ever  will  grumble  at.^  Mr.  Deane  has  had  a  hard  situation.  I  foretold 
it  long  since;  and  unless  you  employ  some  man  of  talents  to  collect 
materials  and  keep  the  Commissioners  abroad  constantly  informed  of 
wiiat  is  passing  here,  you  never  will  have  that  consequence,  nor  your 
agents  that  dignity,  they  ought  to  have.* 

I  should  be  glad  you  would  return  me  these  letters,  or  copies  of  them, 
and  I  will  reply  from  hence.  They  have  been  with  me  but  a  few  minutes, 
and  I  will  not  keep  the  express  any  longer,  as  I  expect  you  are  hungry  as 
hawks  after  news  from  France.  I  cannot  keep  a  copy  of  this;  but  in 
haste  remain, 


247.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry.' 

Baltimore,  December  i8th,  1776. 

The  movements  of  the  enemy's  army  in  the  Jerseys,  by  which  the 
neighborhood  of  Philadelphia  had  become  the  seat  of  war,  determined 
Congress  to  adjourn  from  thence  to  this  town,  where  publick  business 
will  be  entered  on  the  20  instant,  unless  a  sufficient  number  of  members 
should  be  assembled  to  begin  sooner.  At  this  place  the  publick  business 
can  be  conducted  with  more  deliberation  and  undisturbed  attention,  than 
could  be  the  case  in  a  city  subject  to  perpetual  alarm,  and  that  had 
necessarily  been  made  a  place  of  arms.  The  propriety  of  this  measure 
was  strongly  enforced  by  the  continental  Generals  Putnam  and  Mifflin, 
who  commanded  in  Philadelphia,  and  who  gave  it  as  their  opinion,  that, 
although  they  did  not  consider  the  town  as  liable  to  fall  into  the  enemy's 

[246]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1241. 

-  Bingham's  letter  has  not  been  found.     That  of  Silas  Deane,  dated  Oct.  i,  is 
in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  153 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  809. 
3  Cf.  no.  185,  ante,  253,  258,  272,  273,  279,  298,  post. 
*  Cf.  no.  253,  post. 
[2^y]i-  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  229;  Henry,  Life  of  Patrick 
Henry,  III.  33. 


December,  i'j'j6  179 

hands  but  by  surprise,  yet  that  possibihty  rendered  it  improper  for  Con- 
gress to  continue  there.' .... 


248.   Benjamin  Rumsey  to   [Daniel  of  St.   Thomas  Jenifer?].^ 

Sir 

Engaged  in  the  Commission  and  the  Business  thereof  in  which  we  met 
with  great  Difficulties  and  Interruption  ^  I  never  attended  Congress  till 
this  Day  Week  and  should  not  then  as  the  Business  remained  unfinished 
had  I  not  heard  Mr.  Tilghman  and  Mr.  Carroll  had  gone  Home  and  left 
the  Province  unrepresented. 

When  I  got  into  Congress  where  I  came  determined  to  stay  'till  the  last 
Extremity  altho  exceeding  inconvenient  to  me  I  found  that  Congress  had 
two  or  three  Days  before  that  determined  by  the  Advice  of  their  Generals 
to  remove  from  thence  to  Baltimore  Upon  a  presumption  that  the  Enemy 
being  possessed  of  the  Jersey  above  by  marching  Parties  opposite  the 
City  might  make  a  push  in  the  Night  in  Conjunction  with  the  Tories  and 
seise  \^sic\  the  Persons  of  the  Congress  and  this  might  have  been  done 
with  great  Facility  as  the  City  Militia  had  all  marched  to  join  General 
Washington.^ .... 

JoppA  19th.  Deer.  1776 


249.  Samuel  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Baltimore  in  Maryland 
Deer  19th  1776 
My  dear  Betsy 

The  Day  before  yesterday  I  arrivd  in  this  Place  which  is  One  hundred 
Miles  from  Philadelphia.  The  Congress  had  resolvd  to  adjourn  here 
when  it  should  become  absolutely  necessary  and  not  before.  This  sudden 
Removal  may  perhaps  be  wonderd  at  by  some  of  my  Friends,  but  was  not 
without  the  advice  of  Generals  Putnam  and  Mifflin,  who  were  at  Philadel- 
phia to  take  Measures  for  its  Preservation  from  the  Enemy.  For  my  own 
part,  I  had  been  used  to  Alarms  in  my  own  Country,  and  did  not  see  the 
Necessity  of  removing  so  soon,  but  I  suppose  I  misjudgd  because  it  was 
otherwise  ruled.  It  must  be  confessed  that  deliberative  Bodies  should  not 
sit  in  Places  of  Confusion.  This  was  heightned  by  an  unaccountable 
Backwardness  in  the  People  of  the  Jerseys  and  Pennsylvania  to  defend 

2  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  280,  post. 
[248]  ^Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Gilmor  Papers,  vol.  III.,  div.  3. 

2  See  nos.  191,  note  3,  205,  219-221,  226,  ante. 

2  See  no.  244,  note  2.  ante. 
[249]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers;   Writings  of  Samuel  Adams   (ed. 
Gushing),  in.  327. 


ISO  Continental  Congress 

their  Country  and  crush  their  Enemies  wlien  I  am  satisfied  it  was  in  their 
Power  to  do  it.^ .... 


250.  The  President  or  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Maryland  Convention.^ 

[December  20 (?),  1776.] 

....  No  material  news.  The  application  to  those  Counties  was  made 
as  the  most  Expeditious  way  of  obtain^,  it  I  shall  address  your  Council 
of  Safety  by  ord""  of  Congress  assigning  the  Reasons  why  the  application 
was  not  directly  made  to  them  * 

[Endorsed :] 
Deer.  9,  1776. 

Not  received  till  Jany.  4,  1777. 


2  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  263,  298,  post. 

"  Upon  the  motion  for  leaving  Philadelphia.  Samuel  Adams  (who  seldom  spoke  in 
Congress)  delivered  a  short  but  very  animating  speech.  His  feelings  raised  him  fre- 
quently upon  his  toes  at  the  close  of  his  sentences.  There  was  nothing  very  oratorical  in 
his  manner,  but  what  he  said  infused  a  sudden  vigor  into  the  minds  of  every  member  of 
the  house."     Benjamin  Rush,  Memorial,  p.  93. 

[250]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  55- 

2  This  note  is  appended  to  a  copy  of  the  resolve  of  Dec.  9,  relative  to  the  militia 
of  Cecil,  Baltimore,  Harford,  and  Frederick  counties.  Maryland.  The  note  was  probably 
written  in  consequence  of  a  resolve  of  Dec.  20,  which  was  afterward  rescinded.  That 
is,  this  note  to  the  convention  may  have  been  despatched  between  the  passage  of  the 
order  for  explaining  the  proceeding  to  the  council  and  its  rescinding.  The  resolve 
appears  in  the  Journals  erased,  with  the  marginal  notation,  "Counter-ordered".  On 
Dec.  15  the  council  wrote  to  the  delegates  of  Maryland: 

"  Gentn.  In  consequence  of  a  verbal  message  from  the  President  of  Congress 
delivered  to  us  by  Colo.  Ewing,  we  instantly  gave  the  necessary  orders  to  the  Command- 
ing officers  of  Frederick  Baltimore  and  Harford  and  Caecil  Counties  to  call  together 
the  Militia  of  those  Counties  to  be  in  readiness  to  march  to  the  assistance  of  Philadelphia 
expecting  that  we  should  every  moment  receive  orders  from  Congress,  but  no  such 
order  have  yet  come  to  hand."  Further  on  in  the  same  letter  the  council  remon- 
strates : 

"  We  cannot  help  observing  to  you  that  applying  to  individuals  who  necessarily  must 
apply  to  the  Council  of  Safety  from  whom  their  power  must  be  deputed  before  they 
can  act  is  losing  of  time  to  say  nothing  of  the  want  of  respect  to  a  Body  of  men  with 
whom  the  Executive  Powers  of  the  State  are  entrusted."     Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  530. 

In  a  letter  to  Brigadier-General  Chamberlaine,  Dec.  14  {Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  529),  the 
council  says :  "  Col.  Ewing  tells  us  that  a  requisition  has  passed  Congress  for  the 
militia  of  Baltimore  Harford,  Frederick  and  Cecil,  Counties  to  march,  and  that  he  was 
desired  by  the  President  of  that  honorable  Body  to  give  us  notice  thereof,  we  wish  not 
to  loose  a  moment's  Time.  As  soon  as  we  hear  further  Intelligence,  we  will  write  you 
by  express."  See  Chase  to  Nicholson,  Dec.  11,  no.  241,  ante;  also  a  letter  from  Thomas 
Johnson  to  the  council  of  safety,  Dec.  19,  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  540,  and  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser..  III.  1289;  a  letter  from  the  Frederick  committee  to  Hancock,  Dec.  19.  together 
with  the  committee's  resolution,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1288;  Hancock's  reply, 
ibid.,  IV.  1330;  the  Journals,  Dec.  21;  and  the  Baltimore  committee  to  the  President, 
Dec.  24,  Force,  Am,  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1396. 


December,  12/6  181 

251.  Charles  Carroll  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Mount  Clare  Dec  21st  1776. 
Dear  Sirs, 

By  direction  of  the  Congress,  I  send  you  the  inclosed  resolves.^ .... 

[P.  S.]  I  have  not  as  yet  seen  here  any  of  your  Delegates,  Questions 
of  the  greatest  magnitude  every  day  agitated  and  resolves  enter'd  into 
and  this  State  without  a  representation  or  voice.^ 


252.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  the 
Commissioners  at  Paris.^ 

Baltimore  in  Maryland  Deer  21  1776 

Honourable  Gentlemen 

After  expressing  our  hopes  that  this  will  find  you  all  three  safely  fixed 
at  Paris  we  proceed  with  pleasure  to  acknowledge  the  Receipt  of  Mr. 
Deane's  Letter  of  the  first  of  October.  When  we  reflect  on  the  Character 
and  views  of  the  Court  of  London  it  ceases  to  be  a  Wonder  that  the 
british  Ambassador  and  all  other  british  agents  should  employ  every 
means  that  tended  to  prevent  European  Powers  but  France  more  especially 
from  giving  America  aid  in  this  War.  Prospects  of  accommodation  it  is 
well  known  would  effectually  prevent  foreign  Interference  and  therefore 
without  one  serious  Design  of  accommodating  on  any  Principles  but  the 
absolute  Submission  of  America  the  delusive  Idea  of  Conciliation  hath 
been  industriously  suggested  on  both  sides  the  Water  that  under  cover 
of  this  dividing  and  aid  wath  holding  Prospect  the  vast  british  Force  sent 
to  America  might  have  the  fairest  chance  of  succeeding.  And  this 
Policy  hath  in  fact  done  considerable  Injury  to  the  united  states  as  we 
shall  presently  shew  by  a  just  Detail  of  this  campaign  for  it  is  not  yet 
ended 

All  views  of  Accommodation  with  great  Britain  but  on  Principles  of 
Peace  as  independent  states  and  in  a  Manner  perfectly  consistent  with 
the  Treaties  our  Commissioners  may  make  with  foreign  states  being 
totally  at  an  End  since  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  Embassy 
to  the  Court  of  France  Congress  have  directed  the  raising  of  94  Battalions 
of  Infantry  with  some  Cavalry.  Thirteen  Frigates  from  24  to  36  Guns 
are  already  launched  and  fitting  and  two  Ships  of  the  Line  with  five  more 
Frigates  are  ordered  to  be  put  on  the  Stocks.     We  hear  the  Levies  are 


[251]^  Arch,  of  Md.,  XII.  547;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1329. 

2  Several  resolves,  Dec.  21,  relate  to  Maryland. 

3  Cf.  no.  237,  ante. 

[252]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1584;  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.; 
Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  I.;  Univ.  of  Va.  Lib.,  Lee  Papers;  Brit.  Mus.,  Add.  MSS., 
Auckland  MSS.,  American  Papers;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  226;  Sparks,  Dipl. 
Corr.  Rev.,  I.  165 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1325 ;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee 
(ed.  Ballagh),  I.  231.  There  are  numerous  variations  in  the  different  texts.  The  signa- 
ture of  Robert  Morris  is  not  found  in  other  texts. 


182  Continental  Congress 

qfoinp^  on  well  in  the  difFerent  states.  Until  the  New  Army  is  collected 
the  Militia  must  curb  the  luiemics  Proeiress.  The  very  considerable  h'orce 
that  g;Tcat  IVitain  has  already  in  X.  America  the  Possibility  of  recruiting 
it  here  within  their  own  Quarters  by  force  and  fraud  together  added  to 
the  Reinforcements  that  may  be  sent  from  Europe  and  the  Difficulty  of 
finding  Funds  in  the  present  depressed  state  of  American  Commerce  all 
conspire  to  prove  incontcstibly  that  if  France  desires  to  preclude  the 
Possibility  of  North  America  being  ever  reunited  with  great  Britain  now 
is  the  favourable  moment  for  establishing  the  Glory  Strength  and  com- 
mercial Greatness  of  the  former  Kingdom  by  the  Ruin  of  her  ancient 
Rival.  A  decided  part  now  taken  by  the  Court  of  Versailles  and  a  vigor- 
ous Engagement  in  the  War  in  Union  with  North  America  would  with 
Ease  sacrifice  the  fleet  and  Army  of  great  Britain  at  this  time  cheifly 
collected  about  New  York.  The  inevitable  consequence  would  be  the 
quick  Reduction  of  the  british  Islands  in  the  west  Indies  already  bared 
of  Defence  by  the  Removal  of  their  Troops  to  this  Continent.  For  Reasons 
herein  assigned  Gentlemen  you  will  readily  discern  how  all-important  it 
is  to  the  Security  of  American  Independence  that  France  should  enter  the 
\\^ar  as  soon  as  may  be  and  how  necessary  it  is  if  it  be  possible  to  procure 
from  her  the  Line  of  Battle  Ships  you  were  desired  in  your  Instructions 
to  obtain  for  us  the  speedy  arrival  of  which  here  in  the  present  State  of 
things  might  decide  the  Contest  at  one  Stroke. 

....  As  all  affairs  relative  to  the  Conduct  of  Commerce  and  Re- 
mittance pass  through  another  Department  we  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to 
the  Secret  Committee  and  Mr  Thomas  Morris  their  agent  in  France  for 
every  Information  on  these  Subjects. 

The  Neighbourhood  of  Philadelphia  having  by  the  Enemies  movements 
become  the  Seat  of  War  it  was  judged  proper  that  Congress  should  adjourn 
to  this  Town  where  the  public  Business  may  be  attended  to  with  the  un- 
disturbed Deliberation  that  its  Importance  demands.  The  Congress  was 
accordingly  opened  here  on  the  20th  Inst. 

As  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  Conference  with  Lord  Howe  on 
Staten  Island  may  be  misrepresented  to  the  Injury  of  these  States  we  do 
ourselves  the  pleasure  to  inclose  you  an  authentickated  Account  of  that 
whole  Business  which  the  Possibility  of  Doctor  Franklins  not  arriving 
renders  proper  This  Step  was  taken  to  unmask  his  Lordship  and  evince 
to  the  World  that  he  did  not  possess  powers  w'hich  for  the  purposes  of 
Delusion  and  division  it  had  been  suggested  he  did. 

Mr  Deanes  Proposition  of  Loan  is  accepted  by  congress  and  they  have 
desired  two  Millions  Sterling  to  be  obtained  if  possible.  The  Necessity  of 
keeping  up  the  Credit  of  our  Paper  Currency  and  the  Variety  of  important 
uses  that  may  be  made  of  this  Money  have  induced  congress  to  go  so  far 
as  6  per  cent  but  the  Interest  is  heavy  and  it  is  hoped  you  may  be  able 
to  do  the  Business  on  much  easier  Terms.  The  Resolves  of  congress  on 
this  Subject  are  inclosed  and  your  earliest  Attention  to  them  is  desired  that 
we  may  know  as  soon  as  possible  the  Event  of  this  Application. 

Another  Resolve  of  congress  inclosed  will  shew  you  that  Congress  ap- 
prove of  armed  Vessels  being  fitted  out  by  you  on  continental  Account  pro- 


December,  1716  183 

vided  the  Court  of  France  dislike  not  the  Measure  and  blank  Commissions 
for  this  Purpose  will  be  sent  you  by  the  next  Opportunity.  Private  Ships 
of  War  or  Privateers  can  not  be  admitted  w^here  you  are  because  the  securi- 
ties necessary  in  such  cases  to  prevent  irregular  Practices  cannot  be  given 
by  the  Owners  and  Commanders  of  such  Privateers.  Another  Resolve  of 
Congress  which  we  have  the  honour  to  inclose  you  directs  the  Conduct  to 
be  pursued  with  Regard  to  Portugal.^ 

We  have  the  honour  to  be  Gentlemen  with  great  Respect  and  Esteem 
Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  Servants 

Benja.  Harrison 
Richard  Henry  Lee 
Will.  Hooper 
Jno  Witherspoon 
RoBT.  Morris  at  Philada.' 
P.  S 

In  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence 

253.  Robert  Morris  to  the  Commissioners  at  Paris. ^ 

Philadelphia,  21st  December,  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

I  am  now  the  only  member  of  Congress  in  this  city,  unless  Mr  Walton, 
of  Georgia,  and  Mr  Clymer,  my  colleague,  still  remain,  which  I  am  not 
sure  of.^ .... 

In  this  perplexing  situation  of  things,'  the  Congress  were  informed, 
this  day  week,  that  an  advanced  party  of  Hessians  and  Highlanders  had 
taken  possession  of  Burlington,  that  they  were  pushing  for  Cooper's 
Ferry,  opposite  the  city,  and  it  was  thought  had  the  means  of  crossing  the 
river.  There  were  no  troops  to  oppose  them;  our  whole  force,  both  by 
land  and  water,  was  above ;  it  was  therefore  deemed  unsafe  for  Congress 
to  remain  here,  and  absolutely  necessary  that  they  should  be  in  a  place  of 
safety,  where  they  could  deliberate  coolly  and  freely  without  interruption, 

2  See  nos.  211,  note  9,  223,  ayite.  The  resolutions  referred  to  are  of  Dec.  23. 
This  shows  that  the  letter  was  not  completed  prior  to  that  date. 

3  Benjamin  Harrison  wrote  to  Robert  Morris,  Dec.  25:  "Inclosed  you  have  a 
Letter  from  the  Committee  of  Secret  Corres[pondenc]e  to  the  Commissioners  in  France 
which  you'l  please  to  Sign  and  send  with  the  other  Papers  to  those  Gentn  by  the  first 
opp'y  with  proper  orders  for  their  being  Destroy'd  rather  than  the  Enemy  should  get 
them.  I  need  not  suggest  to  you  the  Prejudice  it  would  be  to  us  if  they  should  fall  into 
their  Hands.  Mr.  Deane's  Letter  is  also  enclosed  that  you  may  answer  the  Mercantile 
parts  of  it,  this  would  have  been  done  sooner  but  you  will  see  there  were  many  Parts 

of  it  on  which  the  advice  of  Congress  was  necessary,  this  occasioned  the  Delay 

For  God's  Sake  send  us  some  News  we  have  none  here  but  what  a  Purviance  or  a  Rush 
Deal  out  to  us,  if  you  wish  to  please  your  Friends  come  soon  to  us,  but  if  you  desire 
to  keep  out  of  the  Damdest  Hole  in  the  World  come  not  here.  My  Complemts  to  my 
Friends,  I  wish  you  and  them  a  Happy  Xmas  a  Merry  one  you  cannot  have  Divided  so 
far  and  on  such  an  occasion  from  those  you  Love."  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in 
possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Philadelphia. 

[253]  1  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  11.  231;  Force,  Ant.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  IH.  1332; 
Sparks,  Dipl.  Corr.  Rev.,  1.  233.  In  the  Stevens  Facsimiles  are  two  copies  (with 
omissions),  addressed  to  Silas  Deane,  dated  Dec.  20  and  with  additions  Jan.  8-29,  1777. 

2  See  Morris's  letters  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Dec.  13,  14,  16,  17,  21,  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.  1198,  1213,  1239,  1254,  1331;  also  nos.  246,  252,  ante,  255,  post. 

3  See  the  portions  of  the  letter  omitted  here. 

17 


184  CoHlinental  Congress 

and  last  Saturday  they  adjourned  to  Baltimore,  where  they  are  now 
sitting.* .... 

I  will  not  enter  into  any  detail  of  our  conduct  in  Congress,  but  you  may 
depend  on  this,  that  so  long  as  that  respectable  body  persist  in  the  attempt 
to  execute,  as  well  as  to  deliberate  on  their  business,  it  never  will  be  done 
as  it  ought,  and  this  has  been  urged  many  and  many  a  time,  by  myself 
and  others,  but  some  of  them  do  not  like  to  part  with  power,  or  to  pay 
others  for  doing  what  they  cannot  do  themselves." 

I  have  Mr.  Deane's  favor  of  the  30th  of  September,'  to  myself,  now 
before  me;  the  letter,  by  the  same  conveyance  from  Martinico,  under 
cover  of  Mr.  Bingham's,  I  sent  down  to  the  committee  at  Baltimore,  and 
wrote  them  my  mind  on  the  justice  of  your  complaints  for  want  of 
intelligence.  I  had  often  told  it  to  them  before;  you  know  well  I  was  not 
put  in  that  committee  to  carry  on  the  correspondence,  but  to  find  out  the 
conveyances;  however,  I  have  been  obliged  to  write  all  the  letters  that 
have  been  \vritten  for  some  time  past ;  but  as  Colonel  Lee,  Mr.  Hooper, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Witherspoon  are  now  added  to  the  committee,  I  shall 
excuse  myself  from  that  task,  although  I  have  thought  it  proper  to  give 
you  a  just  state  of  our  affairs  at  this  time,  because  I  do  not  suppose  the 
committee  will  be  got  fairly  together  in  Baltimore  yet,  and  when  they  do, 
it  is  probable  they  may  not  be  fond  of  laying  things  before  you  so  fully 
as  I  have  done.  Some  of  us  are  of  very  sanguine  complexions,  and  are 
too  apt  to  flatter  ourselves  that  things  are  not  so  bad  as  they  appear  to  be, 
or  that  they  will  soon  mend,  etc.  Now  my  notion  is,  that  you,  gentlemen 
Commissioners,  should  be  fairly  and  fully  informed  of  the  true  state  of 
affairs,  that  you  may  make  a  proper  use  of  that  knowledge,  keeping 
secret  what  ought  to  be  so,  and  promulgating  what  should  be  known. 

....  My  own  affairs  necessarily  detained  me  here  after  the  departure 
of  Congress;  and  it  is  well  I  staid,  as  I  am  obliged  to  set  many  things 
right  that  would  otherwise  be  in  the  greatest  confusion.  Indeed,  I  find 
my  presence  so  very  necessary,  that  I  shall  remain  here  until  the  enemy 
drive  me  away. 

254.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  Decer.  23d.  1776. 
Sir, 

I  do  myself  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  several 
Favours  of  the  12th.  13th.  and  15th.  inst.  in  the  Order  of  their  respective 
Dates,  and  to  inform  you  that  they  were  duly  laid  before  Congress.^ 


*  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  302,  post. 

5  Cf.  no.  246,  ante,  eind  no.  258,  post. 

«  Deane's  letter  to  Morris,  Sept.  30,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  601, 
and  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  150.    See  also  his  letter  of  Sept.  17,  ibid.,  II.  148. 

[254]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  48;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  1368. 

2  Washington's  letters  are  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford).  V.  82,  89,  100,  and  Force,  Ant. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1182,  1201,  1231.     They  were  read  in  Congress  Dec.  20. 


December,  lyyd  185 

The  Congress,  upon  reconsidering  the  vote  of  the  nth.  inst.  have  come 
to  a  Resolution  expressing  their  approbation  of  your  Conduct  in  dechning 
to  publish  it  in  general  Orders.' .... 

The  Multiplicity  of  Business  which  the  Congress  left  unfinished  at 
the  Time  of  their  departure  from  Philada.  has  induced  them  to  appoint 
a  Committee  of  three  Gentlemen  with  full  powers  to  perfect  the  Business 
in  such  a  Manner  as  they  shall  judge  proper.* .... 


255.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  Deer.  23d  1776, 
Sir, 

Your  several  Favours  of  the  13th.  14th.  i6th.  and  17th.  inst.  have  been 
duely  reed,  in  the  Order  of  their  respective  Dates,  and  laid  before  Con- 
gress.^ In  Consequence  of  which,  I  am  directed  to  transmit  you  the 
enclosed  Resolves.' .... 

The  Congress,  concurring  in  Opinion  with  you,  that  a  Committee 
should  be  appointed  in  the  City  of  Philada.  to  take  care  of  the  public 
Interest,  and  at  the  same  Time,  highly  approving  of  the  Zeal  and  Atten- 
tion you  have  particularly  discovered  to  the  Welfare  of  your  Country 
since  their  Departure  from  that  City,  have  nominated  Mr.  Clymer,  Mr. 
Walton,  and  yourself  to  execute  such  Continental  Business  as  it  may  be 
necessary  to  transact  in  Philadelphia.* .... 

Be  pleased  to  acquaint  Mr.  Peters,  that  he  is  directed  by  the  Board  of 
War  to  repair  to  Baltimore  as  soon  as  possible,  where  his  Services  are 
judged  absolutely  necessary  by  Congress.® 

[P.  S.]     Pray  forward  the  Inclos'd  to  the  General  by  Express 


256.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Deer.  23d.  1776 
Sir 

I  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  obliging  favour  of  Yesterday  by  Colo 
Moylan.  the  Contents  give  a  most  mellancholly  aspect  to  our  affairs  and 
I  wish  to  Heaven  it  may  be  in  our  power  to  retrieve  them  it  is  useless  at 
this  period  to  examine  into  the  causes  of  our  present  unhappy  situation, 

8  See  no.  242,  note  2,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21,  and  no.  245,  ante,  no.  255,  post. 

[255]!  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  f.  i;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Han- 
cock Letter-Book,  VL  81 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IIL  1369. 

2  Morris's  letters  are  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IIL  1 198,  1213,  1239,  and 
1254.    See  also  his  letter  of  Dec.  21,  ibid..  III.  1331. 

3  Sundry  resolves  of  Dec.  20,  21. 

*  See  no.  245,  ante. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21.     Cf.  no.  245,  ante. 
[256]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XII.  301 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth 
ser.,  III.  1373. 


18r>  Continental  Congress 

unless  that  examination  wou'd  be  productive  of  a  cure  for  the  evils  that 
surround  us.  in  fact  those  causes  have  lon^  been  known  to  such  as  wou'd 
open  their  Kyes.  tlie  very  consequences  of  them  was  often  foretold,  and 
the  measures  execrated  by  some  of  the  best  I'Viends  of  America;  but  in 
vain,  an  obstinate  partiality  to  the  habits  and  Customs  of  one  part  of  this 
Continent  has  predominated  in  the  Publick  Councils,  and  too  little  atten- 
tion been  paid  to  others.  To  Criminate  the  Authors  of  our  errors  wou'd 
not  avail,  but  we  cannot  see  ruin  staring  us  in  the  Face  without  thinking 
of  them.  It  has  been  my  fate  to  make  an  ineffectual  opposition  to  all 
short  enlistments  to  Colonial  appointment  of  Officers  and  to  many  other 
measures  that  I  thought  pregnant  with  mischiefs,  but  these  things,  either 
suited  the  genius  of  babbits  or  squared  with  the  interests  of  some  States 
that  had  sufficient  influence  to  prevail,  and  nothing  is  now  left,  but  to 
extricate  ourselves  from  the  difficulties  in  which  we  are  involved  if  we 
can.     let  us  try  our  utmost,  man  can  do  no  more 


257.  WiLLi.vM  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett.* 

Baltimore  23  Deer.  1776 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  New  Hampshire  for  more  than 
a  month  past,  but  I  hope  the  new  leavies  are  nearly  compleated.  I  expect 
there  will  be  another  Regiment  required  of  our  state  as  the  prevailing 
opinion  is  that  the  Army  must  be  augmented  on  the  new  establishment.^ 
Congress  adjournd  from  Phila*  the  nth  inst.  and  met  here  the  20  are 
now  doing  business  with  more  spirit  than  they  have  for  some  time  past. 
I  hope  the  air  of  this  place  which  is  much  purer  than  that  of  Phila*  \vill 
brace  up  the  weak  nerves.    I  think  it  already  has  that  afifect 

258.  Samuel  Chase  to  John  Sullivan.* 

Annapolis,  December  24,  1776. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  thank  you  for  your  letter  of  the  T2th  November,  which  I  received  a 
few  days  before  the  Congress  left  Philadelphia 

I  perfectly  agree  with  you  as  to  the  impropriety  of  our  military  system. 
The  several  States  will  forever  be  influenced  by  local  attachments.  I  am 
convinced  the  nomination  to  office  will,  in  many  instances,  be  very  injudi- 
cious. If  we  expect  to  succeed  in  the  present  war,  we  must  change  our 
mode  of  conduct.  The  business  of  the  Congress  must  be  placed  in 
different  hands.  Distinct  and  precise  departments  ought  to  be  established. 
A  gentleman  of  the  military  must  be  of  the  Board  of  War." .... 

[257]!  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 

-  Cf.  the  letter  to  Langdon  written  the  following  day,  no.  259,  post. 
[258]  1  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1395. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec  26;  cf.  nos.  185,  246,  253,  ante,  272,  273,  279,  298,  note  7, 
post. 


December,  iyy6  187 

259.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon/ 

Baltimore,  24th  December,  1776. 
My  dear  Sir: 

My  last  from  Philadelphia  I  think  was  a  day  or  two  before  Congress 
adjourned  from  that  place,  which  was  the  nth  instant.^  They  met  here 
the  20th,  and  are  now  doing  business  with  spirit.  The  near  approach  of 
the  enemy  to  that  city  struck  such  a  panick  in  all  orders  of  people  there, 
except  Tories,  (of  which  you  know  there  are  not  a  small  number,)  that 

the  contagion  seized  the  nerves  of  some  members  of  C ,  which  caused 

a  removal  to  this  place,  which  I  assure  you  was  much  against  my  inclina- 
tion ;  however,  I  hope  it's  all  for  the  best.* .... 

I  should  be  very  happy  if  I  could  hear  the  levies  for  the  new  Army 
were  completed  in  the  Eastern  States.  I  expect  there  will  be  a  still  further 
requisition.  It  is  absolutely  necessary  that  we  should  have  a  very 
formidable  Army  in  the  field  immediately.  I  hope  every  friend  of 
America  in  the  several  States  will  forward  this  business  with  every  pos- 
sible exertion.* 

The  accounts  from  France,  which  are  down  to  October,  are  very 
favourable.  I  wish,  for  the  consolation  of  my  friends,  I  was  at  liberty 
to  communicate  them,  but  circumstances  will  not  admit  of  it;  but  I  can 
say  thus  much,  in  the  words  of  a  correspondent,  "  A  general  war  in  Europe 
seems  unavoidable."  ^  ,  .  .  . 

260.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Mrs.  Wolcott.^ 

Baltimore  Town,  25  Deer.  1776 
My  Dear, 

....  I  am  still  here  alone  from  Connecticut  which  I  do  not  very  well 
know  what  else  to  attribute  to,  except  that  affairs  since  last  July  Wear 
such  a  benign  Aspect  as  to  render  the  Circumstance  of  a  Deligation  a 
Matter  of  a  good  deal  of  Indifferance.^  .... 

P.  S At  present  I  have  no  other  objections  against  this  Town 

of  which  in  some  future  Letter  I  may  give  you  a  particular  Acco.  of,  than 
that  it  is  too  distant  from  my  Freinds,  and  is  too  dirty  and  too  dear.' 


[259]!  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  Ill,  1397;  Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  William 
Whipple,  and  Others,  p.  67. 

2  Actually,  Dec.  12. 

3  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante. 

*  Cf.  no.  257,  ante,  and  nos.  264,  268,  post. 

5  "  A  general  war  is  undoubtedly  at  hand  in  Europe."  Deane  to  Morris,  Sept.  17, 
Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  148. 

[260]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  IL,  no.  29. 

2  Cf.  nos.  215,  222,  244,  ante. 

3  Such  was  the  general  wail  that  went  up  from  members  of  Congress  concerning 
Baltimore.  Cf.  no.  262,  post.  In  a  letter  to  his  wife,  Jan.  i,  1777,  Wolcott  says :  "  How 
long  the  Congress  will  continue  here  will  depend  on  Contingences.  for  myself  I  wish 
it  might  not  be  long,  for  it  is  infinitely  the  most  dirty  Place  I  ever  was  in.  No  one  can 
Walk  about  here  but  in  Boots,  the  Air  and  Paths  are  in  the  same  Condition  that  they 
are  with  us  the  latter  End  of  March  and  beginning  of  April."  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver 
Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  II.,  no.  30. 


188  Continental  Con^ircss 

261.  Matthew  Thornton  to  the  Preshjent  of  New  Hampshire 

(Meshkcil  Weare).* 

Baltimore,  25111.  Deer.  1776. 
Hono.  Sir; 

The  near  Approach  of  the  Enemy  to  Philadelphia,  the  slowness  of  the 
Militia,  and  the  advice  of  Friends  indus'd  Conj:^rcss,  to  adjourn  to  this 
Town,  which  is  about  no  Miles  Southwest  from  Philadelphia.^  By  our 
last  advices  the  Militia  are  joining  our  army  in  great  numbers,  from  which 
we  have  great  hopes  that  G.  How  and  his  army  will  soon  be  in  our  power, 
or  Return  to  New  York.  The  Congress  have  encourag[em]ent  of  Assist- 
ance by  the  Spring.  Nothing  will  be  wanting  on  their  part,  to  Support 
independence.  Defeat  the  Enemy,  and  Render  the  united  States,  Great 
Honorable  and  Happy. 

An  inexcusable  Neglect  in  the  OfFrs,  want  of  Fidility,  Honour,  and 
Humanity,  in  the  Drs  and  averice  in  the  Suttlers,  has  Slain  ten  Soldiers 
to  the  Enemies  one,  and  will  Soon  prevent  every  man  of  Common  Sense 
from  putting  his  Life  and  Fortune  in  the  Power  of  Such  as  Destroy  both 
without  pity  or  mercy.  I  have  proiX)s'd  to  Congress,  that  every  State  in 
future  Should  Appoint  one  or  more  Suttlers,  as  they  think  proper  for 
their  own  men  to  be  Supplied  by  a  Committee  Appointed  by  said  State 
with  everything  Necessary  for  sick  and  well  men,  at  a  price  Stipulated  by 
said  State,  the  Suttlers  and  Committee  to  be  paid  by  and  accountable  to 
said  State,  and  A  Superintendent,  who  shall  have  no  other  Business  but  to 
see  that  every  Soldier  Belonging  to  the  State  is  properly  Supplied  and 
Supported,  agreeable  to  their  Circumstances,  and  that  proper  Stopages  be 
made  for  what  they  Receive  when  they  are  Receiving  their  wages. 

The  Congress  approve  of  the  method,  but  say  it  is  the  Business  and 
Duty  of  each  State  to  take  Care  of  their  own  men  and  they  Expect  they 
will.'.  .  .  . 


262.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Baltimore,  December  25th,  1776. 

Sir, 

....  You  have  doubtless  before  this  heard  of  the  Removal  of  Con- 
gress to  this  Place.  This  is  the  first  Opportunity  I  have  had  and  this  is 
circuitous  (via  Boston)  to  inform  you  of  it.  The  Enemy  was  so  near 
and  Affairs  in  the  City  in  such  Confusion,  that  it  was  improper  and  unsafe 
to  continue  there,  and  for  Reasons  too  long  for  a  Letter  Baltimore  was 
fixed  upon  as  the  most  suitable  Place  for  holding  Congress  in  for  the 

[261]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1545;  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1418. 

2  For  some  comments  on  the  town  of  Baltimore,  see  a  letter  from  Thornton  to 
Weare,  Jan.  23, 1777,  in  Charles  Thornton  Adams,  Matthew  Thornton  of  New  Hampshire: 
a  Patriot  of  the  American  Revolution,  p.  49. 

3  Cf.  the  Journals,  Nov.  8,  9,  and  nos.  203,  215,  ante. 

[262]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  177^'^777,  P-  7^',  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  no;  R.  I.  Col.  Recs.,  VIIL  167;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IIL  1416. 


December,  1//6  189 

present.     I  should  like  the  Place  well  enough  if  it  was  less  distant  from 
the  Army,  less  dirty  and  less  expensive."  .... 

If  the  army  under  Clinton  should  receive  a  mortal  Wound  from  the 
brave  New-Englanders  it  would  in  my  Opinion  bring  the  War  to  a  speedy 
Close;  whereas  if  this  Opportunity,  of  the  Division  of  the  British  Army, 
should  be  neglected  or  not  improved,  the  War  in  all  Probability  will  be 
protracted  to  a  great  Length,  if  not  speedily  issued  in  our  Destruction,  in 
the  Destruction  of  all  We  hold  dear ;  For  We  have  good  Reason  to  think 
that  a  Reinforcement  of  Twenty  thousand  Men  will  be  sent  over  next 
Spring.  By  a  Letter  from  an  unknown,  but  I  suppose  a  good  Hand,  read 
in  Congress  this  Day,  it  appears  that  the  Court  of  London  had  attempted 
and  were  attempting  by  every  Means  they  could  devise  to  procure  Aid 
from  every  Power  in  Europe,  or  to  induce  them  to  a  Neutrality ;  and  the 
Writer  of  the  Letter  gave  it  as  his  Opinion  that  w  hat  they  could  collect  in 
Germany,  together  with  Recruits  raised  in  England,  Scotland  and  Ireland, 
would  amount  to  about  that  Number,  and  that  Russia  would  not  furnish 
them  with  any  Men.^  From  hence  the  Necessity  appears  that  We  should 
act  in  every  Quarter  this  winter  with  the  Spirit  of  Men  contending  for 
an  invaluable  Prize 

263.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Baltimore  in  Maryland  Deer  25  1776 
My  dear  Sir 

....  The  Congress  is  here,  scituated  conveniently  enough  and  doing 
Business.  You  will  ask  me  perhaps.  How  we  came  here.  I  confess  I  did 
not  see  the  Necessity  of  removing  so  soon;  but  I  must  think  I  misjudgd 
because  it  was  ruled  otherwise,  not  indeed  until  the  Opinions  of  Putnam 
and  Mifflin  then  in  Philadelphia,  had  been  taken.  The  Truth  is,  the 
Enemy  were  within  seventeen  Miles  of  us,  and  it  was  apprehended  by 
some  that  the  People  of  Pennsylvania,  influenced  by  Fear  Folly  or 
Treachery,  would  have  given  up  their  Capital  to  appease  the  Anger  of 
the  two  Brothers  and  atone  for  their  crime  in  suffering  it  to  remain  so 
long  the  Seat  of  Rebellion.^ .... 

We  have  this  day  receivd  a  Letter  from  General  Schuyler,  which  has 
occasiond  the  passing  a  Resolution,  forwarded  to  you,  I  suppose  by  this 
opportunity.  The  General  says  he  is  informd  that  the  Levies  are  making 
very  tardily.^ .... 

2  Cf.  nos.  240,  242,  244,  note  2,  260,  ante,  and  nos.  282,  295,  332,  note  2,  347,  post. 
In  a  letter  to  Governor  Cooke,  Jan.  4,  1777,  Ellery  says :  "  I  thought  that  Philadelphia 
was  the  dearest  place  that  ever  I  knew,  Baltimore  exceeds  it.  On  this  Account,  on 
Account  of  its  Distance  from  the  Scene  of  War,  and  on  Account  of  its  being  the  dirtiest 
Place  I  ever  saw,  I  most  sincerely  wish  myself  back  to  Philadelphia,  which  I  left  with 
great  reluctance."    MSS.  of  the  late  William  D.  Ely  of  Providence. 

3  There  was  no  meeting  of  Congress  Dec.  25,  and  there  is  no  indication  what 
letter  is  referred  to.  Cf.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Dec.  20,  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1308. 

[263]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers;  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gush- 
ing), III.  329;  Wells,  Life  of  Samuel  Adams,  II.  455. 

2  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  249,  ante,  298,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  24.  Schuyler's  letter,  dated  Dec.  10,  is  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.  1160. 


100  Continental  Con^^rcss 

264.  1''kancis  Lewis  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Baltimore  26.  Deccnir.  1776 
Dear  Sir 

The  Congress  think  it  absokitcly  necessary  that  a  Number  of  Brass 
Field  Pieces  should  be  cast  as  soon  as  possible  and  have  directed  the 
Ordinance  Board  to  request  that  you  would  direct  an  enquiry  to  be  made 
for  such  persons  as  arc  capable  of  conducting:  that  Branch. 

Mr.  Paine  informed  Cong^ress  that  Mr  Byers  (who  cast  the  Brass 
Cannon  at  New  York)  was  then  daily  expected  with  his  family  at  Phila 
and  where  there  is  an  Air  Furnace  at  which  he  mip^ht  be  employed ;  Con- 
gress is  therefore  anxious  to  know  if  Byers  is  at  Phila  and  can  be  there 
employed,  or  if  any  other  person  can  be  found  capable  of  conductin*:^  that 
work.  It  is  necessary  also  to  inform  you  that  at  Christeen  ■  I  saw  a  quan- 
tity of  Sea  Coal,  with  some  Copper,  the  latter  said  to  be  sent  from  New 
York.  The  Board  of  Ordinance  imagine  a  Work  of  this  kind  may  be 
erected  in  the  Vicinity  of  this  place,  it  being  more  convenient  in  getting 
supply  of  Sea  Coal  from  Virginia,  provided  the  Mettle  can  be  procured 
with  a  proper  person  to  conduct  the  Work,  the  latter  is  not  to  be  obtained 
here;  And  as  Congress  has  this  Affair  much  at  hart,  they  intreat  you  to 
make  the  strictest  inquiry  you  can  and  inform  them. 

Congress  has  this  moment  received  letters  from  the  General  recom- 
mending in  the  most  pressing  terms  the  necessity  of  having  a  Number  of 
Brass  and  Iron  Cannon  provided  as  early  as  possible  for  the  next  Cam- 
paigne  on  which  he  seems  to  say  the  fate  of  America  in  a  great  measure 
depends,  he  also  strongly  recommends  an  Augmentation  of  the  Conti- 
nental Battallions  to  no — with  five  Battallions  of  Artillary  ^ — Thus  far 
from  the  Ordinance  Board.* .... 

[264]^  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Phila- 
delphia; Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  41. 

2  Presumably  Christiana,  Del.,  usually  called  Christiana  Bridge,  sometimes  abbre- 
viated to  Chris  Bridge. 

3  In  a  letter  to  Congress,  Dec.  5,  Washington  had  pointed  out  the  futility  of  rely- 
ing upon  militia,  and  the  urgent  need  of  a  larger  standing  army.  Dec.  16  he  returned  to 
the  subject  with  added  emphasis.  Dec.  20  he  declared  that,  in  consequence  of  the 
expiration  of  enlistments,  ten  days  more  would  put  an  end  to  the  existence  of  the  army, 
suggested  increasing  the  number  of  battalions  to  no,  and  also  urged  the  augmentation  of 
the  artillery.  On  Dec.  24  he  asserted  that,  unless  there  were  re-enlistments,  of  which 
he  was  not  hopeful,  the  army  would  be  reduced  to  not  exceeding  1500  effective  men. 
Dec.  31  he  wrote  to  Robert  Morris :  "  To-morrow  the  Continental  troops  are  all  at 
liberty.  I  .  .  .  .  have  promised  them  a  bounty  of  ten  dollars,  if  they  will  continue  for 
one  month.  But  here  again  a  new  difficulty  presents  itself :  We  have  not  money  to 
pay  the  bounty,  and  we  have  exhausted  our  credit  by  such  frequent  promises,  that  it  has 
not  the  weight  we  could  wish.  If  it  be  possible,  sir,  to  give  us  assistance,  do  it.  Borrow 
money  where  it  can  be  done.  We  are  doing  it  upon  our  private  credit.  Every  man  of 
interest,  every  lover  of  his  country,  must  strain  his  credit  upon  such  an  occasion.  No 
time,  my  dear  sir,  is  to  be  lost."  The  letter  of  Dec.  5  (read  in  Congress  Dec.  6),  those 
of  Dec.  16  and  20  (read  in  Congress  Dec.  26),  and  the  letter  to  Morris  are  in  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  V.  66,  loi,  112,  145  n.,  and  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.,  1082,  1242, 
1310,  1514.  That  of  Dec.  24  is  ibid..  III.  1399.  The  Journals  do  not  record  its  receipt  by 
Congress.  Some  of  Washington's  letters  on  the  subject  were  intercepted  by  the  British 
(see  Robert  Morris  to  the  commissioners  at  Paris,  Dec.  21,  ibid.,  III.  1332,  and  Wharton, 
Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  231).  Dec.  27  Congress  authorized  Washington  to  raise  sixteen 
additional  regiments.    See  nos.  268,  298,  post.    Cf.  nos.  257,  259,  ante. 

*  Lewis  doubtless  means  the  cannon  committee,  of  which  he  was  made  a  mem- 
ber Dec.  24.    He  was  not  a  member  of  the  board  of  war  and  ordnance.    Cf.  no.  310,  post. 


December,  ly/d  191 

265.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington.* 

Philada.  Deer.  26th.  1776 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  just  rec'd  yonrs  of  yesterday  and  will  duly  attend  to  those  things 
you  recommend  to  my  consideration.' .... 

Youl  observe  Mr.  Clymer,  Mr.  Walton  and  myself,  are  appointed  a 
Committee  to  transact  the  Continental  business  here  that  may  be  neces- 
sary and  proper  f  and  I  apprehend  it  will  frequently  be  necessary  that  we 
should  know  the  substance  of  your  Correspondence  with  Congress.  Your 
letters  to  the  President  if  sent  open  under  our  covers  shall  always  meet 
dispatch  and  their  Contents  kept  Secret,  and  Vv^hen  you  think  it  improper 
we  should  see  them  before  the  Congress  Seal  them  and  they  shall  go 
forward  untouched  and  if  you  do  not  approve  of  submitting  them  to  our 
inspection  at  all  write  us  freely  and  your  wishes  in  that  Respect  shall  be 
complyed  with.* .... 


266.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Baltimore  26th  Deer  1776 
Dear  sir 

Your  Favour  of  the  13th  came  to  Hand  Yesterday,  and  this  Day  Con- 
gress have  ordered  400,000  Dollars  to  be  sent  You  forthwith ;  the  Residue 
can  be  better  spared  when  this  is  expended,  which  You  will  give  Notice 
of  to  Congress.  You  are  also  impowered  to  import  Flower  from  Virginia 
or  Maryland,  and  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Virginia  are  desired  to 
order  10,000  bbl.  Flower  to  be  provided  on  James,  Rapahanock,  York 
and  Potomac  Rivers  and  deliverd  to  your  Order,  with  as  much  more  as 
You  shall  direct.  This  is  to  be  payed  by  your  Order  on  the  president  of 
Congress  for  that  purpose.^ .... 

P.  S.  The  Treasury  have  not  yet  been  able  to  attend  to  your  affair, 
but  I  believe  will  soon  report  upon  it.  is  there  no  possibility  of  obtaining 
full  Supplies  of  Vegetables  and  Vinegar  for  the  Army?  the  British 
Troops  are  preserved  from  sickness  by  these  Means  only,  and  I  fear  We 
shall  never  have  a  Healthy  and  Vigorous  Army  without  them.* 

[265]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XII.  310;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  310;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen.  III.  1428. 

2  Washington's  letter  to  Morris,  Dec.  25,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III. 
1419- 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21,  and  nos.  253-255,  ante. 

4  Washington's  reply,  Dec.  27,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1443.  Cf. 
no.  271,  post. 

[266]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  69. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  26.  Cf.  nos.  239,  ante,  267,  287,  post.  Trumbull's  letter 
to  Congress,  Dec.  13,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1202.  Cf.  Trumbull  to 
Washington,  ibid.,  III.  1203. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  28.     Cf.  nos.  145,  162,  166,  ante,  419,  450,  post. 


102  Continental  Congress 

267.  TuK  Prksidknt  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)   to 

Joseph  Trumbull/ 

Baltimore,  Deer.  27th  177O. 
Sir; 

After  acknowledging  tlie  Receipt  of  your  I'avour  of  13th  inst.  I  am 
to  inform  you,  that  some  Time  since  I  transmitted  a  Resolve,  empowering 
you  to  import  any  Quantity  of  Rice  from  Carolina  you  should  think 
proper.-'  In  Addition  to  that  Resolve  the  Congress  have  come  to  the 
enclosed,  authorizing  you  (agreeably  to  your  own  Plan)  to  import  such 
Quantities  of  Flour  and  other  Provisions  from  the  Southern  States  as 
you  may  judge  necessary  for  the  Support  of  the  Army. 

The  Delegates  of  Virginia  will  write  immediately  to  the  Governor  and 
Council  of  that  State  to  contract  for  the  Delivery  of  ten  Thousand 
Barrels  of  Flour  to  your  order,  for  which  Purpose  you  will  please  to  send 
Vessels  to  take  them  in.  Your  draughts  on  me  for  Payment  thereof,  shall 
be  duly  honored.* 
Joseph  Trumbull,  Esqr.  Com^  Genl.  etc. 

268.   Francis  Lewis  to  the  New  York  Committee  of  Safety.* 

Baltimore  27th  Decem.  1776. 
Gentlemen, 

Your  favor  of  the  5th.  Instant  per  Lieut.  Brit  I  have  received  with 
your  resolves,  relative  to  the  frigate  in  Hudsons  River,^  which  I  this  day 
laid  before  the  Marine  Committee  *  and  meet  their  entire  approbation, 
they  are  of  opinion  that  whatever  vessels  belonging  to  the  continent  and 
are  now  in  Hudsons  river,  should  be  also  secured  in  Esopus  Creek,  or 
some  other  place  of  safety,  the  people  belonging  to  the  Brigantine  and 
sloop  may  be  disposed  off  at  the  discretion  of  your  Convention. 

Congress  approves  of  your  recommendation  of  Lieut.  Victor  Bicker 
junr  for  the  Marines,  and  as  soon  as  the  blank  Commissions  are  [re]- 
ceived  from  Philadelphia  one  shall  be  filled  up  for  him  and  forwarded 
to  you.* .... 

I  am  also  directed  to  inform  you  that  congress,  much  approves  of  the 
frigates  being  fitted  against  the  spring,  and  of  your  directing  a  sufficient 
number  of  Cannon  to  be  cast  at  Salsbury,  as  none  for  your  purposes  can 
be  procured  from  these  parts. ^    I  must  also  beg  that  you  would  represent 

[267]iConn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Coll.,  no.  136;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser., 
III.  1438. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  28. 

2  Cf.  no.  266,  ante. 
[268]  1  N.  Y.  State  Lib..  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  VIL  67  (copy). 

2  A  draft  of  the  letter  to  Lewis,  Dec.  5,  is  in  the  proceedings  of  the  New  York 
committee  of  safety,  Force.  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IIL  357.  The  resolutions,  passed 
Dec.  4,  are  ibid.,  IIL  354.  The  resolutions  and  the  letter  are  also  in  Jour  N.  Y.  Prov. 
Cong.,  I.  734,  72,7. 

3  The  copy  in  N.  Y.  State  Lib.  has  "  Company  ",  evidently  an  error  of  the  copyist. 
*  The  Journals  contain  no  record  relative  to  the  appointment  of  Lieut.  Victor 

Bicker.    His  nomination  by  the  New  York  convention  was  Dec.  4.     See  the  resolutions 
cited  in  note  2,  above. 

5  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  330,  355,  359.  Cf.  the  Journals,  Nov.  28, 
Dec.  29. 


December,  ///d  193 

my  present  disagreeable  situation  to  the  Honble  convention,  which  is 
that  of  being  the  only  delegate  from  the  state  of  New  York  attending 
Congress.  My  Colleagues  Mr.  Ph.  Livingston  and  Colo  Floyd  departed 
for  *  the  Northward  upon  the  adjournment  of  Congress  to  this  place,  so 
that  our  state  is  now  unrepresented  in  Congress  and  of  which  the  members 
highly  complain,  as  there  was  never  a  more  urgent  necessity  for  its  being 
full  than  at  this  time,  occasioned  by  several  members  being  detached  on 
Committees  and  as  many  as  could  be  spared  left  [in]  Philadelphia  to 
transact  the  necessary  business  there.'' .... 

P.  S.  Congress  has  this  day  resolved  to  invest  genl.  Washington  with 
powers  for  six  months  to  regulate  the  armies  in  such  manner  as  he  with 
the  advice  of  his  general  officers,  shall  think  most  conducive  to  promote 
the  public  good,  of  which  shall  transmit  the  convention  a  copy  in  my 
next.®  The  Battalions  are  to  be  encreased  to  no.  It  is  hoped  you  will 
raise  one  more,  i  e  six.® .... 


269.   The  President  of  Congress   (John  Hancock)    to 

Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  Decer.  27th.  1776. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  Resolves,  which  I  do  myself  the  Honour  of  forwarding, 
will  inform  you  of  the  Steps  taken  by  Congress  in  the  present  critical 
State  of  our  Affairs. 

Your  Favour  of  the  23d.  inst.  came  to  Hand,  and  was  immediately 
laid  before  Congress.^  The  uneasiness  you  mention  therein,  with  regard 
to  your  Want  of  proper  powers,  is,  no  doubt,  by  this  time  removed.  Con- 
gress having  authorized  the  Committee  in  Philada.  to  adopt  such  Meas- 
ures in  the  Business  of  the  Continent,  as  they  shall  judge  proper.  You 
will  therefore,  in  Conjunction  with  Mr.  Clymer,  and  Mr.  Walton  act,  not 
only  in  Marine  Matters,  but  in  all  others,  as  you  shall  think  necessary, 
and  most  conducive  to  the  public  Good.* .... 

270.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Decemr.  28th  1776. 
Dear  sir 

....  We  have  received  a  letter  from  Colo  Fleming  ^  of  the  9th 
Virginia  Regiment  which  is  on  its  march  from  the  Eastern  Shoar  and 

8  The  copy  has  here  "  from  ",  and  "  be  "  for  by,  a  few  lines  below. 

T  C/.  nos.  292,  312,  329,  330,  363,  402,  post. 

8  See  the  resolves  in  the  Journals,  Dec.  12  (p.  1027),  27,  and  the  circular  letter, 
ibid.,  Dec.  30.    Cf.  nos.  275-277,  post. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27 ;  also  no.  264,  note  3,  ante,  and  no.  298,  post. 
[269]^  Library  of   Congress,   Papers  Cont.   Cong.,   no.   58,   f.  s;   Mass.   Hist.   Soc, 
Hancock  Letter-Book,  VL  87;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IIL  1437. 

2  Morris's  letter  of  Dec.  23  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HL  1370.    It  was 
read  in  Congress  Dec.  27,  and  the  resolves  enclosed  were  doubtless  of  that  date. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21,  and  no.  255,  ante. 

[270]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington;  Pap.  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  133,  f.  28 
(letter-book  copy)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HL  1458. 

2  Col.  Thomas  Fleming.     See  Morris  to  Fleming,  Dec.  27,  Force,  A',n.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  HL  1439;  also  Morris  to  Benjamin  Hogeland,  the  same  date,  ibid.,  III.  1439. 


11)1  Continental  Congress 

we  have  ordered  them  a  supply  of  money  at  the  Head  of  Elk  and  the 
necessary  Cloathini;-  to  be  ^o\.  in  reacHness  a.c^ainst  they  come  here.  We 
also  expect  the  Pensylvania  l\cj;nlars  that  have  been  lately  raised  in  the 
back  Counties  of  this  State  and  we  understand  Militia  and  other  reinforce- 
ments are  coming  from  Maryland  and  Virginia.  You  may  depend  we 
will  give  every  assistance  in  our  power  to  forward  these  reinforcements 
to  you  and  that  we  shall  assist  and  advise  far  as  we  arc  able  in  every 
Publick  department  here. 

We  have  considered  that  part  of  your  Excellencys  letter  of  the  25th 
Inst,  to  Mr.  Morris  that  relates  to  the  Seamen  in  the  Two  New  England 
Battalions  whose  times  expire  with  this  Year,'  and  shou'd  any  of  them 
obstinately  persist  in  being  discharged  from  your  Service  on  New  Years 
day,  We  think  it  adviseable  to  prevail  on  them  to  come  down  here  and 
assist  in  getting  the  Frigates  out.  when  they  come  we  will  make  the 
best  bargain  we  can  with  them  and  if  nothing  else  will  do,  we  will  engage 
to  send  them  home  in  one  or  two  of  those  ships.  If  they  come  on  these 
terins  we  think  Capt  Read  and  his  officers  shou'd  come  with  them  that  we 
may  if  possible  get  away  the  Washington,  as  well  as  the  Delaivare.  Con- 
gress are  very  anxious  to  have  these  ships  out  and  will  be  pleased  if  this 
measure  is  pursued.  We  cannot  avoid  mentioning,  that  we  dont  think  it 
adviseable  to  exchange  your  Hessian  Prisoners  at  this  time. 

We  think  their  Capture  affords  a  favourable  opportunity  of  making 
them  acquainted  with  the  situation  and  circumstances  of  many  of  their 
Country  men  who  came  here  without  a  farthing  of  property  and  have  by 
care  and  industry  acquired  plentifull  Fortunes  which  they  have  enjoyed 
in  perfect  Peace  and  tranquillity,  until!  these  Invaders  have  thought 
proper  to  disturb  and  destroy  those  possessions,  it  will  be  proper  to 
seperate  the  Officers  from  the  Men  and  to  Canton  the  latter  in  the  back 
Counties  which  may  be  done  by  the  Council  of  Safety  until!  the  Congress 

are  consulted  thereon 

We  remain  with  perfect  regard  and  Esteem 

Your  Excellencys  most  Obedt  and  most  hble  Servants. 

RoBT  Morris 
Geo  Clymer 
Geo  Walton 


271.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  the  President  of 

Congress.^ 

Philada.  Deer.  28th  1776 
John  Hancock  Esqr. 
Sir 

Your  Committee  have  opened  their  office  and  given  Publick  Notice  of 
their  daily  attendance  to  transact  such  Continental  business  as  may  be 

3  See  the  suggestion  in  Washington's  letter  to  Morris,  Dec.  25,  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1419. 

[271]!  Library  of  Congress,  Pap.  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  137,  f.  41,  no.  133,  f.  6  (letter-book 
copy)  ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1458. 


December,  iy/6  195 

proper  and  necessary  in  this  place. ^  We  wrote  Genl  Washington  of  our 
appointment  and  proposed  that  he  should  forward  his  dispatches  to  Con- 
gress through  our  hands  unless  when  they  might  be  of  such  a  Nature  as 
he  wou'd  not  choose  any  person  shou'd  see  them  before  Congress,  he 
approves  this  plan  as  it  will  ease  his  Correspondence  with  us  and  at  the 
same  time  we  shall  receive  information  that  will  be  necessary  for  our 
government  in  many  affairs  that  will  most  probably  come  under  our 
consideration.^ .... 

272.  William  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  December  28th  1776. 

....  I  shall  pay  particular  attention  to  the  subject  of  Mr.  Irwins  ^ 
memorial  and  as  I  cannot  perceive  that  there  are  grounds  for  a  plausible 
pretext  to  refuse  the  prayer  of  it,  I  confide  that  his  application  to  congress 
will  be  attended  with  success.  I  have  made  known  the  purpose  of  his 
errand  to  Middleton,  Harrison  and  Wilson  and  others  "  who  can  melt 
at  human  woe."  The  Delegates  from  Char'town  from  whom  opposition 
was  to  be  expected  if  from  any  quarter,  think  him,  too  undesigning,  too 
well  disposed  or  too  unfortunate  to  counteract  his  wishes,  so  at  present 
it  seems. 

I  am  well  aware  of  the  burden  of  publick  business  with  which  our 
removal  hither  has  incumbered  you.  When  in  Philadelphia  where  we 
took  a  small  share  of  it  to  ourselves  I  have  been  amazed  how  you  waded 
thro'  it,  and  found  leisure  for  your  own  private  concerns  and  the  enjoy- 
ment of  your  friends.  Congress  seems  unanimously  sensible  of  the 
Obligations  which  they  owe  you,  and  you  may  boast  of  being  the  only 
man  whom  they  all  agree  to  speak  and  I  really  believe  think  well  of. 

I  earnestly  wish  however  that  we  could  have  you  here  for  a  little  while. 
The  transactions  of  this  and  a  few  preceeding  days  have  in  my  opinion 
strongly  proved  the  necessity  of  it.  We  have  moved  very  rapidly  in 
business  and  while  some  compliment  themselves  upon  increasing  Industry 
and  application,  I  think  I  can  find  the  cause  elsewhere  and  that  the  sud- 
denness of  decision  may  be  truly  attributed  to  ignorance  of  the  Subject. 
We  have  been  holding  forth  new  lines  to  France  by  offering  what  we  have 
not  to  give  and  provided  they  will  conquer  the  whole  of  Newfoundland 
and  secure  the  fishing,  that  we  will  most  bountifully  and  most  graciously 
give  them  one  half  of  it  for  their  trouble.  We  have  found  out  that  the 
Duke  of  Tuscany  is  a  potentate  of  much  consequence,  while  some  of  us 
are  such  Ignoramuses  as  to  think  him  very  insignificant  in  the  naval  and 

2  See  no.  255,  ante. 

3  See  no.  265,  ante. 

[272]!  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  31. 

2  Thomas  Irving,  receiver-general  of  South  Carolina,  one  of  the  prisoners  taken 
by  Commodore  Hopkins  at  New  Providence  in  March  and  brought  to  Connecticut.  See 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  V.  823,  867,  fifth  ser.,  HI.  619,  79i,  838,  899;  also  Conn. 
Col.  Recs.,  XV.  263.  Irving's  petition  was  considered  by  Congress  Jan.  2,  1777.  See 
no.  201,  note  2,  ante. 


196  Continental  Congress 

military  line  and  in  this  respect  not  worthy  attention  and  tliat  in  com- 
mercial matters  his  interest  will  attach  him  to  us  without  much  sollicita- 
tion  But  I  anticipate  an  amusement  which  you  have  to  come,  the  Picture 
of  our  follies  will  be  the  more  pleasing  from  being  viewed  at  full  length. 

We  have  given  Genl.  Washington  large  and  ample  powers,  fully 
equal  to  the  object  if  America  means  to  contend  and  support  him.  Thus 
the  Business  of  War  will  for  six  months  to  come  move  in  the  proper 
channels  and  the  Congress  be  no  longer  exercised  about  matters  of  which 
it  is  supremely  ignorant. 

A  Plan  is  in  agitation  to  appoint  executive  powers  out  of  doors,  and 
resolve  the  business  of  Treasury,  Board  of  War  and  of  Commerce  into 
the  hands  of  persons  not  members  of  congress.  A  Committee  is  appointed 
for  that  purpose  and  you  are  a  member  of  it.^  You  will  be  much  wanted. 
I  wish  if  your  attendance  is  impossible  that  you  would  reduce  a  few  tho'ts 
to  paper  upon  the  subject  of  a  Chamber  of  Commerce  which  is  the  Hobby 
Horse  and  for  which  I  fancy  we  are  indebted  to  the  Abilities  of  Mr. 
P e.* 

I  earnestly  wish  that  the  Congress  could  return  to  Philadelphia  without 
hazarding  the  Ignominy  of  a  second  flight  or  the  charge  of  Caprice.  This 
dirty  boggy  hole  beggars  all  description.  We  are  obliged,  except  when 
the  Weather  paves  the  streets  to  go  to  Congress  on  Horseback,  the  way 
so  miry  that  Carriages  almost  stall  on  the  sides  of  them.  When  the  Devil 
proffered  our  Saviour  the  Kingdoms  of  the  World,  he  surely  placed  his 
thumb  on  this  delectable  spot  and  reserved  it  to  himself  for  his  own 
peculiar  chosen  seat  and  inheritance.  As  to  the  Inhabitants  the  congress 
can  boast  no  acquaintance  with  them  but  what  arises  from  their  daily 
exorbitant  claims  upon  our  pockets The  Congress  meets  tomor- 
row altho'  it  is  Sunday.  Why,  Heaven  knows.  I  cannot  conceive  unless 
it  is  to  give  us  importance  in  the  eyes  of  the  very  respectable  Inhabitants 
of  this  place 

2^^.  Benjamin  Harrison  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Board  of  War  Deer.  29th  1776. 
Sir 

....  Congress  have  given  up  most  of  their  Power  to  the  Generals  for 
the  Term  of  six  months.^  if  this  don't  save  your  City  nothing  we  can  do 
will,  they  have  also  agreed  to  Establish  Boards  of  War,  Admiralty, 
Treasury  and  a  Chamber  of  Commerce  to  be  composed  of  members  out 
of  Congress.  I  had  you  Named  to  assist  in  forming  the  Plan  and  wish 
it  was  possible  you  could  be  here,  particularly  to  form  the  Latter.  I  can't 
indeed  see  the  use  of  such  a  Chamber  as  it  can  have  the  Direction  of 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  26.  The  committee  made  a  report  March  22,  1777.  See 
no.  298,  note  7,  post. 

*  Presumably  Robert  Treat  Paine  Cf.  a  resolution  of  March  21,  and  John 
Adams's  Notes  of  Debates,  in  an  appendix  to  the  Journals,  VI.  1072.  See  also  nos.  273, 
298,  post. 

[273]!  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  18. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27.    Cf.  nos.  268,  ante,  275-277,  post. 


December,  iyy6  197 

nothing  but  the  Congress  Trade,  and  that  I  think  has  been  as  well 
managed  as  it  could  be.° .... 

274.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  the 
Commissioners  at  Paris.^ 

Baltimore  30  Decemr.  1776. 
Gentlemen 

....  Upon  mature  deliberation  of  all  circumstances  Congress  deem 
the  speedy  declaration  of  France  and  European  Assistance  so  indispensibly 
necessary  to  secure  the  Independence  of  these  States,  that  they  have 
authorized  you  to  make  such  tenders  to  France  and  Spain,  as  they  hope, 
will  prevent  any  longer  delay  of  an  event,  that  is  judged  so  essential  to 
the  well-being  of  North  America.  Your  wisdom  we  know,  will  direct 
you  to  make  such  use  of  these  powers,  as  will  procure  the  thing  desired 
on  terms  as  much  short  of  the  concessions  now  offered  as  possible;  but 
no  advantages  of  this  kind  are  proposed  at  the  risk  of  a  delay,  that  may 
prove  dangerous  to  the  end  in  view,  it  must  be  very  obvious  to  the  Court 
of  France,  that,  if  Great  Britain  should  succeed  in  her  design  of  sub- 
jugating these  States,  their  Inhabitants,  now  well  trained  to  arms  might 
be  compelled  to  become  Instruments  for  making  conquest  of  the  French 
Possessions  in  the  West  Indies,  which  would  be  a  sad  contrast  to  that 
security  and  commercial  benefit,  that  would  result  from  the  independence 
of  North  America." .... 

The  next  oportunity  will  bring  you  the  determination  of  Congress 
concerning  the  persons,  that  are  to  be  sent  to  the  Courts  of  Vienna,  Prus- 
sia, Spain  and  the  Grand  Duke  of  Tuscany.  In  the  meantime,  it  is  hoped, 
that,  through  the  medium  of  the  Ambassadors  from  those  Courts  to  that 
of  France,  you  may  be  so  fortunate,  as  to  procure  their  friendly  mediation 
for  the  purposes  proposed  by  Congress.' .... 

Wishing  you  health,  success,  and  many  happy  years  we  remain  Honble. 
Gentlemen 

Your  most  Obedt.  and  very  Hum^.  Servts. 

Benja.  Harrison 
Richard  Henry  Lee 
Will  Hooper 
RoBT  Morris,  at  Philada. 

3  See  nos.  272,  ante,  298,  post. 
[274]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Signers,  II.  9;  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  vol.  I., 
p.  259,  no.  75  (draft)  ;  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  720  (duplicate)  ;  Washington, 
Department  of  State  (draft)  ;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  240;  Sparks,  Dipl.  Corr. 
Rev.,  I.  246;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1480;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed. 
Ballagh),  I.  241  (printed  from  the  draft  in  Am.  Phil.  Soc). 

2  See  the  resolves  in  the  Journals,  Dec.  30.  Cf.  the  several  letters  of  Silas  Deane 
in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  Robert  Morris  wrote  to  John  Jay,  Sept.  23 :  "  It 
appears  clear  to  me  that  we  may  very  soon  involve  all  Europe  in  a  War  by  managing 
properly  the  apparent  forwardness  of  the  Court  of  France ;  it's  a  horrid  consideration 
that  our  own  Safety  should  call  on  us  to  involve  other  nations  in  the  Calamities  of  War. 
Can  this  be  morally  right  or  have  Morality  and  Policy  nothing  to  do  with  each  other? 
Perhaps  it  may  not  be  good  Policy  to  investigate  the  Question  at  this  time."  Corres- 
pondence of  Jay,  I.  84. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27,  30;  also  (1777),  Jan.  i,  May  i,  7,  9,  12,  19,  31,  June 
4,  5,  27,  28,  July  I.    Cf.  no.  284,  post. 


108  Continental  Congress 

275.  William  Whipple  to  Josiaii  Bartlett.* 

Baltimore  31st  Deer.  1776 
My  dear  Sir 

....  By  a  circular  letter  from  the  President  you'll  see  that  the  Genl. 
is  vested  with  almost  Dictatorial  Powers  this  Measure  was  thot  abso- 
lutely necessary  for  the  Salvation  of  America.^  there  is  also  measures 
taken  (which  I  hope  will  be  effectual)  to  prevent  the  abuses  suffered  by 
the  Soldiers  last  Campaign.  I  am  in  no  doubt  that  the  greviences  so  justly 
Complain'd  off  in  every  department  will  be  redressed  so  far  as  is  possible, 
and  the  Causes  of  them  removed 


276.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Decembr.  31st,  1776 

Sir 

We  have  the  honor  to  enclose  herein  sundry  resolves  of  Congress  just 
received  from  Baltimore  by  express.  We  have  barely  taken  time  to  read 
them  over  and  finding  them  so  important  we  wou'd  not  delay  the  express 
one  moment.  We  find  by  these  resolves  your  Excellencys  hands  will  be 
strengthened  with  very  ample  Powers  and  a  new  reformation  of  the  army 
seems  to  have  its  origin  therein,  happy  it  is  for  this  Country  that  the 
General  of  their  Forces  can  safely  be  entrusted  with  the  most  unlimited 
Power  and  neither  personal  security,  liberty  or  property  be  in  the  least 
degree  endangered  thereby.^  We  shall  loose  no  time  in  executing  the 
matters  assigned  to  us  by  these  resolves  and  are  most  truly 

Your  Excellencys  obt  Servts 

RoBT  Morris 
Geo  Clymer 
Geo  Walton. 


[275]^  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Signers  of  the  Declaration,  I. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27  and  30.  Cf.  nos.  268,  273,  ante,  276,  277,  post.  The 
President's  circular  letter  is  printed  in  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford)  under  Dec.  30,  from  a 
copy  in  the  Library  of  Congress.  It  is  also  printed,  with  note  showing  some  variations 
of  the  letter  as  sent  to  the  different  states,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1478.  The 
letter  to  Massachusetts  is  in  Mass.  Arch.,  vol.  CXCVL,  f .  85 ;  to  Maryland,  in  Md.  Hist. 
Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  61  (printed  in  Scharf,  Chron.  of  Baltimore,  p.  155)  ;  to  New  Jersey, 
in  N.  J.  State  Lib.  (printed,  except  a  postscript,  in  A'^.  /.  Rev.  Corr.,  p.  21).  The  letter  to 
New  York  is  printed  in  Jour.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  770,  II.  382. 

[276]!  Library  of  Congress,  Washington  Papers;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1510. 
2  Cf.  nos.  268,  2y2,  275,  ante,  2-/-/,  284,  426,  post. 

"  General  Washington  must  be  invested  with  dictatorial  power  for  a  few  months,  or 
we  are  undone.  The  vis  inertiae  of  the  Congress  has  almost  ruined  this  country." 
Benjamin  Rush  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Dec.  30,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1487. 


December,  1776  199 

277.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke)/ 

Baltimore,  December  31st,  1776. 
Sir 

I  received  your  Letter  of  the  30th  of  November  ^  and  laid  it  before 
Congress,  and  took  particular  Notice  of  the  very  weak  Condition  of  our 
State.  Congress  are  sensible  of  its  Situation;  but  as  they  have  by  a  late 
resolve,  which  the  President  will  by  this  Express  transmit  to  you,  with  a 
circular  Letter  in  which  the  Reasons  for  their  Doings  are  contained, 
delegated  to  and  invested  Genl.  Washington  with  the  whole  military 
Power  for  a  limited  Time,  Application  will  properly  be  made  to  him  in 
every  Instance  which  respects  the  military  Department.^  With  Regard  to 
the  other  Parts  of  your  Letter,  which  were  ordered  to  be  laid  before 
Congress,  as  they  required  no  particular  Observations  none  were  made 
upon  them  either  by  Congress  or  Me. 

....  Among  other  things  that  fell  into  our  Hands  by  the  Victory  at 
Trenton,  were  four  Standards,  One  of  which  is  now  in  the  Room  where 
the  Congress  is  held,  and  directly  before  Me.  It  is  an  Hessian  Silken 
Standard 

278.  William  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

My  dear  Sir 

....  Hewes  no  doubt  in  his  letter  to  you  mentions  a  second  piracy 
committed  upon  his  property  at  Sea.  I  shall  remonstrate  in  the  firmest 
tone  to  Congress  against  this  procedure  and  if  they  will  not  bring  the 
offender  to  Justice  I  have  no  business  here.  Pray  write  such  a  letter  to 
me  upon  the  Subject  as  I  may  make  use  of  in  Congress  to  assist  our  much 
injured  friend  ^ 

Baltimore  Deer.  31,  1776 

279.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  PIoratio  Gates.^ 

Baltimore  Deer.  31st  1776 
Sir, 

Being  one  of  a  Committee  appointed  by  Congress  to  prepare  a  plan  for 
establishing  a  Board  of  War  and  Ordnance,"  and  not  having  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  Duties  of  these  Boards,  I  have  taken  the  Liberty  to 

[277]iR.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1776-1777,  p.  82;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  113;  R.  I.  Col.  Recs.,  VIII.  170;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1506. 

2  Cooke's  letter  to  Ellery,  Nov.  30,  is  in  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  loi.  Just 
when  the  letter  was  laid  before  Congress  does  not  appear  from  the  Journals. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27,  and  nos.  268,  273,  275,  276,  ante,  284,  426,  post. 
[278]  J^  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Etting  Coll.,  Signers,  p.  43. 

2  In  a  letter  to  Hewes,  Jan.  i,  1777  (no.  282,  post),  Hooper  says:  "I  laid  your 
letter  relative  [to]  the  capture  of  the  Brig  Joseph  before  the  Congress."  This  is  evi- 
dently the  "  letter  from  Mr.  Hughes "  mentioned  in  the  Journals  Dec.  31.  See  also 
no.  358,  post. 

[279]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VII.;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1506. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  26 ;  also  no.  298,  note  7,  post.  See  also  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1509,  and  Hancock  to  Schuyler,  Dec.  30,  ibid.,  III.  1477. 

18 


200  Continental  Congress 

request  the  favour  of  you.  when  your  heahh  will  permit,  to  furnish  me 
with  such  a  plan  as  you  shall  think  best  adapted  to  answer  the  designs  of 
Congress,  My  not  having  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with 
you,  will.  I  hope,  be  a  sufficient  appology  for  my  addressing  you  by  Letter. 

I  am  Sir,  Your  obedt  h'"^  servt 

Tiios  Nklson,  jr. 
To 

Major-General  Gates. 
Baltimore 

280.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  William  Shippen.* 

Baltimore  ist.  January  1776  [1777] 
A/3'  Dear  Sir, 

....  The  removal  from  Philadelphia  was  not  a  measure  of  mine,  but 
had  my  hearty  disapprobation  so  long  as  disapproving  availed  anything; 
but  when  go  they  would,  I  endeavored  to  put  the  best  face  on  it.^ .... 

281.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Hawley.* 

Baltimore  i  Jany  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

....  The  adjournment  of  Congress  to  this  place  I  confess  gave  me 
pain,  but  the  air  is  so  much  more  exhilirating  that  some  capital  Measures 
touching  our  Foreign  Affairs  have  been  taken  which  I  think  will  be  very 
serviceable,  and  I  hope  it  on  the  whole  will  prove  serviceable.^ .... 

P.  S.  The  Tories  must  be  exported  ;  Bonds  will  not  answer  the  purpose, 
prisons  We  have  not  a  Sufficiency,  and  they  are  not  worth  hanging.  I 
observe  in  a  very  good  Act  of  yours  the  Word  "  Colony  "  is  again  used, 
does  it  not  look  like  Diffidence  in  your  Right  to  the  Terms  of  an  "  Inde- 
pendant  State  "? 

282.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes.^ 

My  dear  Hewes 

I  was  favoured  with  two  letters  from  you  by  Capt.  Allon.  I  lament 
your  hard  fortune,  and  unless  some  measures  are  immediately  taken  to 
prevent  the  infamous  practices  of  the  Privateers,  America  will  soon  be 
in  a  state  of  general  confusion — One  Part  w-arring  against  another,  and 
the  defenceless  Southern  colonies  become  a  devoted  prey  to  their  more 
formidable  Eastern  neighbours.  I  laid  your  letter  relative  [to]  the 
Capture  of  the  Brig  Joseph  before  the  congress  without  any  embellishment 
or  reserve."    The  New  England  Gentlemen  felt  the  force  of  the  Imputa- 

[280]^  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  166. 

2  Cf.  nos.  247,  249,  263,  ante,  286,  298,  302,  post. 
[28i]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Hawley  Papers,  II. 

-  Cf.  no.  280,  ante. 
[282]!  Furnished  by  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning  of  Albany. 

2  The  "letter  from  Mr.  Hughes"  mentioned  in  the  Journals,  Dec.  31. 


January,  7777  201 

tion  but  considered  it  as  too  general.  I  have  an  order  that  Our  President 
should  write  the  President  and  Council  of  Mass"*  requesting  to  make  an 
immediate  enquiry  after  the  Vessell  and  the  Pirates  who  have  taken  her, 
secure  her  and  them  and  report  immediately  to  congress.*  I  have  also 
procured  a  reference  of  your  letter  to  the  marine  Committee,  who  I  hope 
will  take  some  spirited  resolves  to  avenge  the  Injury  done  you  and  to 
prevent  the  repetition  of  such  unjustifiable  depredations.  Morris  is  not 
here,  but  I  have  requested  him  in  a  letter  which  I  wrote  him  yesterday  * 
enclosing  yours  to  correspond  with  me  upon  the  subject  and  exert  his 
utmost  endeavours  to  interest  Congress  in  favour  of  your  Application, 
by  a  publick  epistle  to  our  Honours.  This  is  all  which  can  be  done  at 
present,  when  I  hear  more  particularly  from  you  I  shall  prosecute  every 
expedient  to  improve  such  information  to  your  benefit.® 

The  Congress  upon  Part  of  G  Howes'  Army  advancing  within  9  Miles 
of  Cooper's  ferry,  by  the  advice  of  Mifflin  and  Putnam  removed  to  this 
dirty  infamous  extravagant  hole,  where  with  all  possible  Oeconomy  we 
live  at  the  rate  of  50/  per  day.  Every  necessary  of  life  being  double  what 
they  cost  us  in  Philadelphia,     and  before  we  left  that  everything  was 


enormous.® 


Yours  truly 

W  H 
Baltimore  Jany  i.  1777 

[P.  S.]     .... 

283.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  Jany  ist.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  am  to  acknowledge  the  Receipt  of  your  several  Favours  to  the  27th 
Ulto.^  Your  Letter  of  that  Date,  containing  the  very  agreeable  Intel- 
ligence of  the  Success  of  the  Continental  Arms  under  your  Command, 
^vas  last  Night  delivered  to  me  by  your  Aid  de  Camp  Col  Baylor,  together 
with  the  Hessian  Standard.  I  entertain  the  most  pleasing  Expectation 
that  our  Affairs  will  henceforth  assume  a  better  Complexion.  Your 
Account  of  the  Behaviour  and  Spirit  of  the  Troops,  gave  the  highest 
Satisfaction  to  Congress;  and  manifests  a  Disposition  which  may  prove 
the  forerunner  of  future  Success 

From  the  inclosed  Resolve  *  you  will  perceive  Congress  have  deter- 
mined, that  a  Horse,  properly  caparisoned,  be  presented  to  your  Aid  de 

3  No  record  of  such  an  order  is  found  in  the  Journals. 
*  No.  278,  ante. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  4,  and  no.  358,  post. 

^  Cf.  nos.  260,  262,  ante,  295,  post.    See  also  nos.  332,  note  2,  347,  post. 
[283]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIII.  3;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  317. 

2  Washington's  letter  of  Dec.  27  was  read  in  Congress  Dec.  31.    It  is  in  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  V.  401. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  i. 


202  Continental  Congress 

Camp  Colo  Baylor,  and  to  recommend  it  to  you  to  promote  him  to  be  a 
Colonel  of  a  Rep^iment  of  Lipht  Horse.  As  the  Congress  have  been 
pleased  to  entrust  me  with  the  Execution  of  this  Resolve,  I  must  beg  you 
will  do  me  the  Favour  to  give  Directions  to  the  Quarter  Master,  or  other 
proper  Person,  to  purchase  as  handsome  a  Horse  for  this  Purpose  as  can 
be  found.  The  Reason  of  my  making  this  Application,  is  an  Information 
I  had  received  that  some  Light  Horse  were  taken  at  Trenton,  and  are  to 
be  publicly  sold  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Soldiery 

284.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

Baltimore,  Jany.  i,  1777. 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  Our  Affairs  in  Europe  look  well,  and  additional  Measures  have 
been  taken  here,  to  establish  them  in  that  Part  of  the  World  on  a  solid 
Foundation.  I  assure  you  Business  has  been  done  since  we  came  to  this 
place,  more  to  my  Satisfaction  than  any  or  every  thing  done  before, 
excepting  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  which  should  have  been  made 
immediately  after  the  19th  of  April,  '75. 

Our  Ministers  abroad  are  directed  to  assure  foreign  Courts,  that  not- 
withstanding the  artful  and  insidious  Representations  of  the  Emissaries 
of  Britain  to  the  Contrary,  the  Congress  and  People  of  the  United  States 
are  determind  to  maintain  their  Independence  at  all  Events.^ .... 

By  this  Conveyance  you  will  have  a  Resolution  vesting  large  Powers 
in  General  Washington,  for  a  limitted  time.  It  became  in  my  Opinion 
necessary.^  The  Hint  I  gave  you  some  time  ago  I  still  think  very  impor- 
tant. Genl.  Gates  arrivd  here  the  day  before  yesterday.  I  have  conversd 
with  him  upon  it.  He  told  me  he  had  conceivd  it  before  and  wishes  the 
Measure  may  be  tryed.     It  requires  Secrecy  and  Dispatch.* .... 

285.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  the  President  of 
Congress  (John  Hancock).* 

Philada.  Jany  2.  1777 
Sir 

.  .  .  .  Lt.  Colo.  Johnson  and  Major  Frazer  ^  of  Waynes  Pensylvania 
Battalion  called  on  us  this  morning,  they  say,  the  men  in  that  corps  are 
as  good  Soldiers  as  any  in  America,  but  will  not  reinlist  on  any  other 

[284]^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  281 ;  Writings,  III.  ji,yj  (dated  Dec.  31,  1776). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  30,  1776,  and  no.  274,  ante. 

'  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27.    C/.  nos.  268,  273,  275-277,  ante,  426,  post. 

*  The  allusion  is  probably  to  a  suggestion,  in  Adams's  letter  to  Warren  of  Dec. 
6  {Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  278),  that  the  enemy's  ships  might  be  burned  while  locked 
in  the  ice. 

[285]!  Library  of  Congress,   Pap.  Cont.   Cong.,  no.   137,  App.,  f.  57,  no.   133,  f.  25 
(letter-book  copy). 

2  Francis  Johnston  and  Per  si  for  Frazer.  Schuyler  touched  upon  the  question 
of  Wayne's  battalion  in  his  letter  of  Dec.  10  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1150), 
referred  to  a  committee  Dec.  24.  It  is  not  found  what  action,  if  any,  Congress  took 
concerning  the  matter.  This  letter  of  the  Philadelphia  committee  was  read  in  Congress 
Jan.  6. 


January,  i///.  203 

Condition  than  being  permitted  to  return  home,  those  terms  being- 
granted  them  and  comphed  with  they  have  no  doubt  of  getting  every  man, 
and  they  the  Officers  wou'd  prefer  them  to  fresh  hands.  We  told  them 
Congress  had  this  matter  before  them  upon  the  representation  of  GenI 
Schuyler  etc.,  but  they  pressed  us  exceedingly  to  mention  the  matter  to 
Congress  and  urge  in  favour  of  the  Pensylvania  and  Jersey  Troops  being 
sent  dow^n  soon  as  possible,  as  the  Garrison  can  be  easily  maintained  by 
the  Eastern  Militia  untill  the  New  Regiments  are  formed  and  ordered  up 


agam.^ 


286.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  William  Palfrey.^ 

January  2nd  1777 
William  Palfrey  Esq. 
Sir, 

Your  letter  to  Congress  of  yesterday  is  now  in  our  office,  and  which 
we  shall  despatch  to  Baltimore  by  Express.^  As  we  concur  with  you  that 
the  engagements  with  the  soldi  [e]ry  should  at  all  times  be  complied  with, 
we  shall  recommend  it  to  Congress  to  send  you  a  sufficient  supply  of 
money. 

In  consequence  of  a  request  from  his  Excellency  the  General,  We 
yesterday  sent  him  Fifty  Thousand  Dollars  for  the  purpose  of  Paying  the 
10  Dollars  bounty  you  mentioned  so  that  we  hope  the  Army  will  suffer 
nothing  untill  you  get  a  supply.* .... 

287.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Baltimore  2d  Jany  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Your  Favour  of  the  23d.  Deer  is  just  come  to  Hand  and  inclosed  are 
the  orders  of  Congress  for  importing  Flower  and  Rice.  I  should  have 
wrote  by  your  young  Gentleman,  but  he  stopped  at  Philadelphia.  Capt 
Doughty  will  go  of¥  the  4th  or  5th  with  400000  Dollars,  and  the  Loan 
Office  Certificates  will  either  be  sent  by  Express  or  under  his  Care  to  each 
of  the  New  England  Commissioners,  who  will  also  receive  the  necessary 
Directions.^  I  will  move  in  the  Morning  for  a  Warrant  on  the  Loan 
offices  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  for  300000  Dollars,  in  your 
Favour;  which  answers  all  that  is  mentioned  in  your  Letter  relative  to 
Business.^ 

3  Qjncerning  the  committee  in  Philadelphia,  see  nos.  245,  254,  255,  ante. 
[286]!  Library  of  Congress,  Pap.  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  133,  f.  24. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  6. 

3  See  Washington's  letter  to  Morris,  Dec.  31,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III. 
1514;  cf.  his  letter  of  Dec.  30,  ibid..  III.  1488. 

[287]iConn.  State  Library,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  70. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  28,  Dec.  26,  28.  Cf.  no.  266,  ante,  and  no.  331,  post.  A 
letter  from  Hancock  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Jan.  i,  enclosing  these  resolves,  is  in  the 
Conn.  State  Library,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  137.  Captain  Doughty  (presumably 
John  Doughty;  see  Heitman,  Hist.  Reg.)  and  Mr.  James  Bate,  a  deputy  of  Trumbull, 
were  sent  by  Trumbull  on  a  mission  to  Washington  and  to  Congress.  See  Trumbull's 
letters  of  Dec.  13,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1202,  1203. 

3  See  the  postscript  of  Jan.  3,  below. 


204  Continental  Congress 

I  am  informed  that  in  the  New  York  Papers  is  tlie  Copy  of  a  Letter 
from  the  C.  G.  to  a  Mem^  of  Congress  wherein  Colo  Reed  is  censured ; 
I  have  not  seen  it,  or  heard  to  whom  it  is  ihrected — but  shall  not  be  sur- 
prizcil  if  to  myself.* .... 

[P.  S.]  J  any.  ^d.  the  order  proposed  in  the  first  part  of  this  Letter 
having:  passed  Congress  is  now  inclosed."  I  think  it  will  be  necessary  to 
inform  yourself  from  the  Loan  Office  Commrs.  who  of  them  is  or  may 
be  best  supplyed  with  Money  and  inform  the  Treasurer  that  he  may  send 
an  order  accordingly. 

in  the  Evening —  I  am  just  come  from  a  Visit  to  our  good  Friend 
General  Gates  who  is  on  the  Recovery,  which  will  doubtless  give  you 
pleasure.  I  suspect  that  a  mercenary  party  at  Albany  have  endeavoured 
to  gravel  you  in  supplying  the  army.® ....  pray  inform  me  whether  you 
can  [esta]blish  a  Magazine  of  provisions  at  Bennington  for  an  army  of 
lOCXX)  Men  for  three  Months  and  keep  up  the  usual  Supplies  notwith- 
stand^  opposition  and  without  the  assistance  of  the  Albany  Gentleman;^ 
and  if  not,  whether  it  would  be  a  good  plan  to  direct  a  certain  Quantity 
to  be  provided  in  or  near  Albany  by  the  York  convention  or  General 
Schuyler  to  Supply  the  Militia  that  may  occasionally  come  in,  or  answer 
any  other  Demands  that  may  be  found  necessary  during  the  next  Cam- 
paign ?  and  also  what  Quality  of  provisions  and  Quantity  should  be  thus 
ordered  ?  I  think  your  powers  and  Connections  may  render  this  needless ; 
but  as  it  can  be  done  without  interfering  in  your  Department,  if  you  think 
there  is  the  le[ast]  Chance  of  it's  being  necessary  and  advise  thereto, 
[it]  shall  be  adopted,  the  Bearer  brings  the  Certificates  to  the  Commis- 
sioners of  the  loan  offices  in  N  England. 

288.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Baltimore  Town,  Jany.  3rd.  1777 
Gentlemen. 

....  Mr,  Carroll  informs  Me  that  an  Application  was  heretofore 
made  to  Congress  relative  to  the  Case  of  Milne  and  Jenkins,  and  declined 
Giving  any  opinion.  I  have  given  the  State  of  their  Case  to  the  Georgia 
Delegates.    I  will  write  you  further  on  this  Subject.^ .... 

....  our  State  is  as  yet  unrepresented.* 

*  The  initials  "  C.  G."  are  for  commissary  general,  that  is,  Joseph  Trumbull. 
An  intercepted  letter  of  Joseph  Trumbull  to  William  Williams,  dated  Nov.  i8,  1776,  was 
printed  in  Hugh  Gaine's  New  York  Gazette,  Dec.  9,  and  was  transmitted  to  Congress  by 
General  Schuyler  in  a  letter  of  Dec.  30.  The  Trumbull  letter  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1497;  Schuyler's  letter  (read  in  Congress  Jan.  13)  is  ibid.,  III.  1495.  See 
also  nos.  331,  423,  post. 

s  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  3.  In  a  letter  of  Mar.  5  to  Congress,  Trumbull  says 
that  the  warrant  for  this  $300,000  has  not  been  received.  Duplicate  orders  were  sent  by 
Hancock  Mar.  16  (letter  to  Trumbull,  Mar.  16,  Conn.  State  Library,  Joseph  Trumbull 
Papers,  no.  141). 

^  The  allusion  is  probably  to  Walter  Livingston.    See  no.  124,  ante. 

"^  Gerry  first  wrote  "  with  or  without  the  assistance  ".  The  word  printed  "  Gentle- 
man "  may  be  Gentlemen.    See  note  6,  above. 

[288]  1  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  III.  2>o\  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVL  11. 

2  See  no.  238,  ante;  cf.  no.  318,  post. 

'  The  council's  reply  to  this  letter,  Jan.  10,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  34. 


January,  77/7  205 

289.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington/ 

Philada.  Jany  5th.  1777 
Sir, 

....  The  uncertain  rumours  of  your  Excellency's  success  between 
Trenton  and  Prince  Town  and  at  the  latter  place,  leave  us  in  a  most 
anxious  state  of  suspence,  hoping  every  moment  to  be  relieved  therefrom 
by  an  express  with  dispatches  from  you 

We  informed  Congress  of  your  situation  on  Thursday  Evening  at 
Trenton  and  prepared  them  to  expect  some  important  event  consequently 
they  will  have  an  anxious  interval  of  suspence  as  we  now  have  ^ .  .  .  . 
We  remain  Your  Excellencys  Obed  Servants 

Geo  Walton 
Geo  Clymer 
RoBT  Morris. 

290.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Committee  in 

Philadelphia.^ 

Baltimore  Jany.  6th.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  Your  Favour  of  the  3d.  inst.^  I  reed,  yesterday  at  two  O'Clock 
in  the  Afternoon,  and  this  Morning  laid  it  before  Congress,  who  approve 
highly  of  your  sending  the  Information  it  contains,  and  are  infinitely 
anxious  to  hear  the  Event.  It  is  now  one  O'Clock,  P.  M.  and  no  Express 
as  yet  arrived;  a  Circumstance,  which,  in  my  Opinion,  augurs  well.  I 
have  the  Honour  to  be,  with  Sentiments  of  Esteem, 

Sir,  your  most  obed.  and  very  hble  Sevt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 

Robt.  Morris  Esqr.  and  others  of  the  Com^. 

....  The  Resolution  sent  you  some  time  ago  respect^  the  Magazine 
at  York,  is  superceeded  by  the  subsequent  Resolve  ordering  one  at 
Carlile.* 

291.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  6th  Jany.  1777. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  Resolves,  which  I  have  the  Honour  of  transmitting,  call 
for  your   immediate   Attention ;   and   I   am   to   request,   you   will  take 

[289]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIIL  18. 

2  A  part  of  the  committee's  letter  to  Congress,  Jan.  2,  3,  is  printed  ante  (no.  286). 
See  the  Journals,  Jan.  6,  and  no.  290,  post.     A  letter  from  the  committee  to  Congress, 
Jan.  5,  read  Jan.  8,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVL  28.    See  also  nos.  294,  295,  post. 
[290]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  f.  15. 

2  The  Journals  (Jan.  6)  mention  the  letter  as  dated  the  2d  and  3d.    Cf.  nos.  291, 
297,  post. 

'  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21,  27  (pp.  1033,  1044),  Washington  to  Congress,  Dec.  20 
(Writings,  ed.  Ford,  V.  112,  ed.  Sparks,  IV.  232),  and  nos.  300,  321,  374,  435,  post. 

[291]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIIL  20;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  323. 


'JOi)  Continental  Congress 

Measures  in  Pursuance  thereof  as  soon  as  possible.  Genl.  Lee's  Situa- 
tion seems  to  be  extremely  daiij^erous  and  critical;  and  from  Genl. 
Howe's  Behaviour  to  him.  it  is  hig^hly  probable,  he  will  be  broujj^ht  to 
a  Trial  for  Desertion,  (icnl.  Lee,  it  is  said,  by  Mr.  Eustace,*  his  Aid  de 
Camp,  having^  addressed  two  Letters  to  Genl.  Howe,  received  them  both 
back  again  unopened,  and  enclosed  under  a  Cover  directed  to  Lieutenant 
Colo  Lee.  I  hope  the  Mag.  which  Congress  ordered  to  be  sent  to  make 
Inquiry  into  the  Manner  in  which  he  is  treated,  has  been  di.spatched ;  and 
a  Remonstrance  in  Consequence  of  it,  should  the  Information  you  have 
received  of  his  Treatment,  have  rendered  that  Step  necessary. 

You  will  please  to  propose  an  Exchange  of  the  six  Hessian  Field 
Officers  for  him,  and  at  the  same  Time,  make  Inquiry  whether  the 
Report  which  Congress  have  heard  of  Mr.  Stockton's  being  confined  in  a 
Common  Jail  by  the  Enemy,  has  any  Truth  in  it,  or  not."^ 

By  a  Letter  which  Congress  yesterday  received  from  Mr.  Morris  *  we 
are  informed,  that  Genl.  Cadwalader,  with  the  Troops  under  him,  had 
joined  your  Army — that  the  Enemy  were  at  Trenton — that  the  two 
Armies  were  divided  only  by  a  Creek,  and  that  a  General  Engagement 
was  hourlv  expected.  In  the  mean  Time,  Congress  are  infinitely  anxious 
to  hear  the  Event ;  and  humbly  hope,  that  Victory  has  declared  in  Favor 
of  those,  wdiose  sacred  Cause  should  inspire  them  with  Ardor,  on  every 
solemn  Appeal  to  that  Being,  who  hateth  all  Injustice,  Tyranny,  and 
Oppression.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  every  Sentiment  of  Esteem  and 
Respect,  Sir, 

your  most  obed.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

P.  S.  If  the  Desire  of  Congress  to  procure  Genl.  Lee's  Exchange  can- 
not be  effected,  and  the  Enemy,  preferring  the  Gratification  of  Revenge 
to  the  Civility  they  owe  their  Hessian  Auxiliaries,  determine  to  keep  or 
to  abuse  him,  it  will  be  very  agreeable  to  Congress  that  their  Determina- 
tion, with  the  enclosed  Resolve  be  made  known  to  the  Hessians  as  fully 
as  possible.  To  secure  Genl.  Lee  as  effectually  as  may  be  from  personal 
Insult  and  Injury,  Congress  have  come  to  the  present  Resolution;  which 
you,  Sir,  are  desired  to  convey  to  Genl.  Howe,  with  all  convenient  Dis- 
patch. It  will  be  very  agreeable  to  Congress  that  the  Hessian  Field  Officer 
intended  to  be  exchanged  for  Colo.  Ethan  Allen  be  sent  to  notify  it  to 
Genl.  Howe,  taking  his  Parole  to  return  in  a  fixt  Time,  if  Colo.  Allen  is 
not  returned  in  his  Place.  It  will  fall  within  the  Wish  of  Congress  if 
Colo.  Rahl,  or  one  of  the  Hessian  Officers,  should  be  also  sent  with  the 

2  Maj.  John  Eustace. 

3  A  part  of  Hancock's  letter  to  Robert  Morris  on  the  same  day  (no.  290,  ante) 
is  almost  identical  with  these  passages.  Cf.  nos.  297-299,  360,  post ;  also  Richard  Henry 
Lee  to  Patrick  Henrjs  Jan.  9.  in  Letters  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  246,  and  Henry,  Patrick  Henry, 
III.  36.    See  also  the  Journals,  Feb.  20,  and  nos.  366,  367,  371,  post. 

In  regard  to  Richard  Stockton,  see  Benjamin  Rush  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Dec.  30, 
1776,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IH.  1487;  also  no.  347,  note  6,  post. 
*  See  no.  290,  ante,  and  no.  297,  post. 


January,  7777  207 

Flag  proposing  the  Exchange  of  Genl  Lee ;  but  the  Propriety  of  it  is 
submitted  to  you." 

Jany  yth.  We  have  an  imperfect  Acct.  of  the  Engagement  at  Trenton, 
and  anxiously  wait  for  further  Particulars.  It  was  in  Hopes  of  receiving 
them,  that  I  detained  the  Express  till  this  Morning. 

292.  Francis  Lewis  to  the  New  York  Committee  of  Safety.* 

[January  7,  1777.]' 

I  lately  wrote  you  by  an  Express,  wherein  I  informed  you  that  the 
State  of  New  York  was  not  represented  in  Congress,  nor  indeed  has  it 
been  for  several  months  past,  except  at  some  small  intervals.*  I  am  at 
present  the  only  Delegate  for  New  York  at  this  place,  and  the  Members 
are  continually  urging  me  to  request  you  would  compleat  your  representa- 
tion in  Congress,  as  business  is  now  multiplying  upon  their  hands,  and  so 
many  Members  detached  upon  Committees  etc.  that  the  business  in  Con- 
gress is  retarded,  add  to  this  that  our  state  sometimes  suffers  for  the  want 
of  a  Vote  in  Congress,  which  I  beg  you  would  speedily  remmedy.* 

293.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Baltimore,  January  7,  1777. 
Sir, 

I  received  your  Letter  Yesterday  by  an  Express  from  Philadelphia. 
Your  Express  was  so  fatigued  that  he  could  not  proceed  immediately  on, 
and  therefore  another  was  sent  forward  with  it.  I  laid  your  Letter  and 
the  Resolve  before  Congress  this  Morning.^  They  are  disposed  to  do 
every  Thing  in  their  Power  for  the  Benefit  of  the  States,  and  have  taken 
such  Measures  as  they  thought  might  be  effectual  to  secure  the  Assistance 
you  wish  for.  The  Measures  that  have  been  taken  to  prevent  the  Enemy 
from  penetrating  the  Country,  and  for  expelling  them  from  our  State 
give  Me  vast  Satisfaction 

5  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  20,  1776,  Jan.  3,  6,  1777.  There  is  no  mention  of 
Colonel  Rahl. 

[292]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1577,  Declaration  of  Independence;  Cal. 
N.  Y.  Hist.  MSS.:  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  605. 

2  The  letter  as  printed  in  Cal.  N.  Y.  Hist.  MSS.  has  the  date  line  "  Baltimore 
7  Janry  1777"  at  the  top.  The  letter  in  the  Emmet  Collection  has  at  the  bottom 
"  Baltimore  Jan.  7.  1777  ",  but  apparently  inserted  by  another  hand  at  some  later  time. 

3  The  letter  of  Dec.  27,  no.  268,  ante. 

*  The  report  (Jan.  22)  of  a  committee  of  the  New  York  committee  of  safety  on 
this  letter  is  in  Cal.  N.  Y.  Hist.  MSS.;  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  605-606.  See  Jour.  N.  Y. 
Prov.  Cong.,  I.  776,  779,  782.    Cf.  nos.  312,  329.  330,  363,  402,  post. 

[293]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1776-1777,  p.  113;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  115;  R.  I.  Recs.,  Will.  171. 

2  The  letter  of  Governor  Cooke  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  Dec.  22,  in 
Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  108.  Staples  quotes  (p.  no)  a  resolve  of  the  Rhode 
Island  assembly,  empowering  the  governor  to  grant  commissions  for  privateers  and 
letters  of  marque  and  reprisal  to  foreigners,  as  probably  the  resolve  enclosed  in  the 
governor's  letter.  Congress  passed  a  resolve  relative  to  the  matter  Apr.  5.  Cooke's  letter 
to  Ellery  chiefly  relates  to  the  British  invasion  of  Rhode  Island,  and  measures  taken 
for  defense.     See  no.  243,  ante. 


208  Continental  Congress 

294.   Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety/ 

Wednesday  Morning  [January  8(?),  1777.] 
Gentlemen. 

We  remain  in  the  most  anxious  suspense,  Some  important  event  has 
taken  place,  but  we  are  unable  to  inform  the  particulars. 

The  enclosed  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Committee  of  Cong-ress  to 
Mr  Hancock.*  I  have  no  leave  to  make  it  public.  I  send  it  to  give  you 
all  the  intelligence  in  my  power,  it  may  be  shewn  but  not  printed.  Our 
State  is  still  unrepresented  and  every  day  matters  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance are  debated  and  determined  in  congress 

295.  Benjamin  Harrison  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Balto"'  Jany  8th  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  I  wish  Congress  may  remove  back  with  all  my  Heart  for  I  am 
most  horridly  vex'd  with  this  Place,'  indeed  I  had  like  to  have  been  with 
Philada ;  nothing  but  the  little  circle  of  acquaintance  I  had  there  prevented 
it,  but  this  Tryal  of  Baltimore  will  make  me  (if  possible)  set  a  much 
greater  Value  on  them,  but  on  the  Town  most  Certainly  however  I  am 
told  the  Yankeys  are  against  it,  if  so  w^e  go  not,  they  Rule  as  absolutely 
as  the  Grand  Turk  dos  in  his  own  Dominions.  I  could  give  you  an 
instance  of  it,  but  it  must  not  be  committed  to  paper 

Your  letter  to  the  President  wh  came  to  hand  yesterday  ^  relieved  us 
from  great  anxiety,  there  w^ere  such  number  of  P —  and  R —  Lies  circu- 
lated that  we  knew  not  what  to  think  particularly  as  we  had  not  a  word 
from  you,  we  are  now  in  high  Spirits  waiting  for  a  Confirmation  of  what 
you  write,  with  Glorious  additions,  but  know,  my  Dear  Sir,  I  have  my 

moments  of  Fear ;  dispell  them  quickley  I  beg  of  you the  Colony 

[Pennsylvania]  has  never  yet  been  represented 

My  compliments  to  Walton I  have  a  wish  that  his  Country  was 

represented,  but  alas  it  is  not* .... 

296.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
President  of  Georgia  (Archibald  Bulloch).* 

Baltimore,  Jany  8th.  1777 
Sir, 

I  have  the  Honour  to  enclose  you  the  Copy  of  an  intercepted  Letter 
from  the  Governor  of  East  Florida  to  Lord  George  Germain,  containing, 

[2g^]^  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  27;  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  III.  32. 

2  See  no.  289,  note  2,  ante,  no.  295,  post. 
[295]!  Copied   from   the   original  then   in  possession  of   Mr.    Stan.   V.   Henkels   of 
Philadelphia;  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:   Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  407. 

2  Cf.  nos.  260,  262,  282,  ante,  304,  332,  note  2,  340,  344,  note  2,  post. 

3  The  letter  was  read  in  Congress  Jan.  8.    See  nos.  289,  294,  ante. 

*  Walton  was  serving  as  one  of  the  committee  in  Philadelphia.    See  nos.  245,  255, 
ante. 

[296]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  100;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  102.  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  to 
which  frequent  reference  is  made  in  this  volume,  are  Force  Transcripts  (bound  in  two 


January,  z///  209 

among  others,  the  most  convincing  proof  of  the  treasonable  Conduct  of 
Mr  George  Mcintosh  of  your  State.  This  Gentleman  it  seems  is  a 
Member  of  the  Congress  in  Georgia,  and  under  that  Character  is  secretly 
supporting  by  every  Art  in  his  Power,  the  Designs  of  the  British  King 
and  Parliament  agt  us.^ .... 

297.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Baltimore  Jany  8th  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

....  This  Express  will  carry  to  the  Council  a  Resolution  which  I 
presume  will  of  course  be  communicated  to  you.^  In  my  next  I  will  give 
you  a  very  particular  and  good  reason  why  it  is  not  communicated  to  you 
in  this  Letter.  We  understand  that  by  the  Enemies  Treatment  of  General 
Lee  there  appears  to  be  a  Design  to  consider  him  as  a  deserter  and  take 
away  his  Life.  Congress  have  directed  General  Washington  to  acquaint 
Howe  that  if  this  is  his  Intention  five  of  the  Hessian  field  officers  now^  in 
our  hands  together  with  Lt.  Coll.  Campbell '  shall  be  detained  and 
sacrificd  as  an  Atonement  for  his  Blood  should  the  Matter  be  carried  to 
that  Extremity ;  and  this  Resolution  will  most  undoubtedly  in  my  opinion 
be  executed  in  full  tale.* 

298.  Samuel  Adams  to  John  Adams.^ 

Baltimore,  9  January  1777. 
My  dear  Sir 

....  I  have  given  our  friend  Warren,  in  one  of  my  letters  to  him,^ 
the  best  reason  I  could  for  the  sudden  removal  of  Congress  to  this  place. 
Possibly  he  may  have  communicated  it  to  you.  I  confess  it  was  not 
agreeable  to  my  mind;  but  I  have  since  altered  my  opinion,  because  we 
have  done  more  important  business  in  three  weeks  than  we  had  done,  and 
I  believe  should  have  done,  at  Philadelphia,  in  six  months.     As  you  are 

volumes)  of  letters  in  the  Letter-Book  of  President  Hancock  in  possession  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts Historical  Society.  The  two  volumes  of  Force  Transcripts  (no.  58,  pts.  I.,  H.) 
are  not  to  be  confused  with  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  referred  to  under  nos.  255, 
269,  290,  ante,  308,  316,  321,  post. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  i ;  cf.  ibid.,  Oct.  4,  9,  10.  The  letter  (July  19,  1776) 
from  the  governor  of  East  Florida  (Patrick  Tonyn)  has  not  been  found.  For  an 
account  of  the  origin  and  outcome  of  the  charge  against  George  Mcintosh,  see  McCall, 
Hist,  of  Georgia  (1816),  H.  112-118,  (ed.  1909),  pp.  333-339;  Jones,  Hist,  of  Georgia,  H. 
278-280.    See  also  an  article  in  the  Ga.  Hist.  Quar.,  III.  131.    Cf.  no.  446,  post. 

[297]!  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gushing),  IV.  340;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel 
Adams  Papers. 

2  The  resolution  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  Jan.  8,  relative  to  Nova  Scotia. 
A  letter  from  the  Massachusetts  council  Dec.  30  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III. 
1501),  recommending  an  expedition  to  Nova  Scotia,  appears  not  to  have  been  received 
by  Gongress  until  Jan.  23.  Adams's  reason  for  not  enclosing  the  resolution  of  Gongress 
in  his  letter  was  probably  the  fear  that  it  might  be  intercepted.    See  no.  298,  post. 

8  Archibald  Gampbell.     See  no.  367,  note  3,  post. 

*  See  nos.  290,  291,  ante,  298,  note  4,  299,  360,  366,  367,  371,  post ;  also  a  letter 
of  Tench  Tilghman  to  Robert  Morris,  Mar.  2,  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.,  Collections:  Revolu- 
tionary Papers,  I.  422. 

[298]!  J.  Adams,  Works,  IX.  448;  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  342. 

2  Dec.  25,  no.  263,  ante. 


210  Continental  Congress 

a  member  of  Congress,  you  have  a  right  to  know  all  that  has  been  done ; 
but  I  dare  not  commit  it  to  paper  at  a  time  when  tiie  safe  carriage  of 
letters  is  become  so  precarious.  One  thing  I  am  very  solicitous  to  inform 
you,  because  I  know  it  will  give  you  great  satisfaction.  If  you  recollect 
our  conversation  at  New  Haven,  I  fancy  you  will  understand  me  when  I 
tell  you,  that  to  one  place  we  have  added  four,  and  increased  the  number 
of  persons  from  three  to  six.'  I  hate  this  dark,  mysterious  manner  of 
writing,  but  necessity  requires  it.* .... 

We  have  this  day  passed  a  recommendation  to  the  Council  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay  of  a  very  important  nature.  It  will  be  sent  by  this  express  to  the 
Council,  to  whom  I  refer  you  for  a  perusal  of  it. 

Our  affairs  in  France  and  Spain  wear  a  promising  aspect,  and  we  have 
taken  measures  to  put  them  on  a  respectable  footing  in  other  parts  of 
Europe:  and  I  flatter  myself  too  much  if  we  do  not  succeed 

You  have  seen  the  power  with  which  General  Washington  is  vested 
for  a  limited  time."  Congress  is  very  attentive  to  the  northern  army,  and 
care  is  taken  effectually  to  supply  it  with  every  thing  necessary  this  winter 
for  the  next  campaign.  General  Gates  is  here.  How  shall  we  make  him 
the  head  of  that  army  ?  " 

We  are  about  establishing  boards  of  war.  ordnance,  navy,  and  treasury, 
with  a  chamber  of  commerce,  each  of  them  to  consist  of  gentlemen  who 
are  not  members  of  Congress.  By  these  means,  I  hope,  our  business  will 
be  done  more  systematically,  speedily,  and  effectually.'' 

'  The  reference  is  evidently  to  the  resolve,  Dec.  30,  to  send  commissioners  to 
Vienna,  Spain,  Prussia,  and  Tuscany,  in  addition  to  France.  On  Jan.  i  Franklin,  one 
of  the  three  commissioners  to  France,  was  chosen  commissioner  to  Spain,  leaving  three 
other  places  to  fill.  May  i  Arthur  Lee  was  designated  commissioner  to  Spain;  May  7 
Ralph  Izard  was  chosen  commissioner  to  Tuscany ;  and  May  9  William  Lee  was  elected 
for  the  courts  of  both  Vienna  and  Berlin.  Cf.  the  letter  of  the  committee  of  secret 
correspondence.  Feb.  19,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  273. 

•*  A  paragraph  similar  to  that  in  his  letter  to  Warren,  Jan.  8,  concerning  the 
exchange  of  General  Lee  is  here  omitted.     See  no.  297,  ante. 

*  See  nos.  268,  273,  275-277,  284,  ante. 

®  The  inclination  of  both  the  Adamses  in  favor  of  Gates  is  marked. 

^  See  nos.  185.  246,  253,  258,  272,  273,  279,  ante ;  also  no.  305,  post.  A  committee  of 
five  was  appointed  Dec.  26,  1776,  "  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the  better  conducting  the 
executive  business  of  Congress,  by  boards  composed  of  persons,  not  members  of 
Congress  ".  On  Jan.  9  two  members  were  added  to  the  committee,  which  is  usually 
denominated  the  committee  on  departments.  The  first  outcome  of  the  committee  efforts 
was  the  organization,  Mar.  22,  of  the  office  of  Secretary  of  Congress.  On  Apr.  8 
the  committee  reported  a  plan  for  a  board  of  war  and  ordnance  (the  report  is  in  the 
Journals,  under  that  date),  but  the  consideration  of  it  was  postponed,  and  on  April  12  it 
was  recommitted.  On  June  6  the  committee  was  instructed  to  "  proceed  on  the  business 
committed  to  them,  and  make  report  as  soon  as  possible  ".  On  July  18  it  was  resolved  to 
appoint  a  board  of  war,  consisting  of  three  gentlemen,  not  members  of  Congress,  but 
to  conduct  the  business  under  the  direction  of  the  existing  board  composed  of  members. 
The  appointment  of  this  board  was  set  for  July  22,  was  then  postponed,  and  the  next 
action  recorded  is  the  consideration,  Oct.  16,  of  a  report  from  the  committee  on  depart- 
ments. The  plan  was  adopted,  after  amendment,  Oct.  17,  and  on  Nov.  7  the  members 
of  the  board  were  appointed.  They  were  Thomas  Mifflin,  Tim.othy  Pickering,  and  R.  H. 
Harrison.  Mifflin  and  Pickering  accepted  (see  the  Journals,  Nov.  18,  21)  and  Harrison 
declined  (ibid.,  Nov.  21).  Upon  the  recommendation  of  the  member  board  Nov.  24 
(see  the  Journals  of  that  day,  also  Nov.  21,  22)  it  was  resolved  to  appoint  two  additional 
members,  and  on  Nov.  27  General  Gates,  Richard  Peters,  and  Joseph  Trumbull  were 
chosen,  with  Gates  as  president  (see  no.  700,  note  4,  post).  A  reduction  in  the  member- 
ship to  two  members  of  Congress  and  three  commissioners  not  members  of  Congress 


January,  ly//  211 

Great  and  heavy  complaints  have  been  made  of  abuse  in  the  Director- 
General's  department  in  both  our  armies;  some,  I  suppose,  without 
grounds,  others  with  too  much  reason.  I  have  no  doubt  but  as  soon  as  a 
committee  reports,  which  is  expected  this  day,  both  Morgan  and  Stringer 
will  be  removed,  as  I  think  they  ought. 

to  the  eighty-eight  battalions  ordered  to  be  raised,  sixteen  are  to  be 
added,  which,  with  six  to  be  raised  out  of  the  continent  at  large,  will  make 
one  hundred  and  ten,  besides  three  thousand  horse,  three  regiments  of 
artillery,  and  a  company  of  engineers.*  We  may  expect  fifty  or  sixty 
thousand  of  the  enemy  in  June  next.  Their  design  will  still  be  to  subdue 
the  obstinate  States  of  New  England.  It  was  the  intention  that  Carleton 
should  winter  in  Albany,  Howe  in  New  York,  and  Clinton  at  Rhode 
Island,  that,  with  reenforcements  in  the  spring,  they  might  be  ready  to 
attack  New  England  on  all  sides.  I  hope  every  possible  method  will  be 
used  to  quicken  the  new  levies,  and  that  the  fortifications  in  the  harbor  of 
Boston  will  be  in  complete  readiness.  Much  will  depend  upon  our  dili- 
gence this  winter. 

The  attention  of  Congress  is  also  turned  to  the  southward.  Forts  Pitt 
and  Randolph  are  to  be  garrisoned,  and  provisions  laid  up  for  two 
thousand  men  six  months.  By  the  last  accounts  from  South  Carolina, 
we  are  informed  that  late  arrivals  have  supplied  them  with  every  thing 
necessary  for  their  defence. 

I  have  written  in  great  haste,  and  have  only  time  to  add,  that  I  am.  with 
sincere  regards  to  your  lady  and  family,  very  cordially  your  friend, 

Samuel  Adams. 


was  made  Oct.  29,  1778  (see  also  the  Journals,  Apr.  21,  1778),  but  otherwise,  though  with 
numerous  changes  of  personnel,  the  board  remained  thus  constituted  until  1781.  Feb. 
7,  1781,  Congress  established  the  departments  of  finance,  war,  and  marine.  The  post  of 
Secretary  at  War  was  filled  Oct.  30,  1781,  by  the  appointment  of  Benjamin  Lincoln,  who 
accepted  Nov.  26. 

The  first  steps  of  importance  toward  a  reconstitution  of  the  treasury  were  taken 
Apr.  15,  1778,  when  a  plan  was  brought  in  proposing  a  board  of  five  members  not  of 
Congress.  On  Aug.  13  there  was  a  report  by  a  committee  upon  this  report,  and  Sept.  26 
an  "  arrangement  "  of  the  treasury  was  adopted,  leaving  the  board  however  still  composed 
of  members  of  Congress.  In  April,  1779  (see  the  Journals,  Apr.  13,  22,  27),  further 
modifications  were  proposed,  and  July  30  an  ordinance  was  passed  establishing  a  board 
of  treasury  consisting  of  three  persons  not  members  of  Congress  and  two  members. 
The  department  remained  thus  constituted  until  February,  1781  (see  above),  when  Robert 
Morris  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  Finance  (Feb.  20).  The  first  steps  toward  shift- 
ing the  administration  of  the  navy  to  others  than  members  of  Congress  were  the  appoint- 
ment in  November,  1776,  of  a  board  of  naval  experts  in  Philadelphia,  and  in  April,  1777, 
of  a  similar  board  for  the  Eastern  states,  both  to  be  under  the  direction  of  the  marine 
committee.  Two  and  a  half  years  later,  Oct.  28,  1779,  a  board  of  admiralty  was  created, 
consisting  of  three  persons  not  members  of  Congress  and  two  members.  Upon  the 
reorganization  of  the  department,  Feb.  7,  1781,  Gen.  Alexander  McDougall  was  chosen 
Secretary  of  Marine  (Feb.  27),  but  he  declined,  and  the  office  was  never  filled. 

Apparently  the  only  outcome  of  the  project  of  establishing  a  "  Chamber  of  Commerce  " 
was  the  creation,  July  5,  1777,  of  a  committee  of  commerce  to  supersede  the  secret  com- 
mittee. This  committee,  with  somewhat  enlarged  powers,  was  reconstituted  Dec.  14,  1778. 
8  Concerning  the  88  battalions,  see  the  Journals,  Sept.  16 ;  concerning  the  addi- 
tional battalions,  see  the  Journals,  Dec.  27.    See  also  nos.  264,  note  3,  268,  ante. 


212  Continental  Coni^rcss 

P.  S.  Dr.  Morg^an  and  Dr.  Stringer  arc  dismissed  without  any  reason 
assigned,  which  Congress  could  of  right  do,  as  they  held  their  places 
during  pleasure.  The  true  reason,  as  I  take  it,  was  the  general  disgust, 
and  the  danger  of  the  loss  of  an  army  arising  therefrom." 


299.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington.' 

Philada.  Jany  9th.  1777 

Sir 

We  have  just  reed  the  dispatches  from  Congress  delivered  herewith  to 
Colo.  Hartley,  and  having  reed.  Copies  of  the  Resolves  of  Congress 
therein  enclosed  to  you,  we  cannot  help  saying  they  have  been  liberal  in 
their  offers  to  regain  Genl  Lee,  and  altho  we  have  not  only  a  high  opinion 
of  his  merits  and  abilities  as  an  officer  but  also  a  personal  regard  for  him, 
yet  we  are  apt  to  think  we  shou'd  have  opposed  these  offers  had  we  been 
in  Congress,  at  least  some  of  us  are  of  that  opinion,  however  this  is  not 
to  the  purpose  at  present.^  We  observe  that  Congress  direct  you  to  pro- 
pose an  agreement  whereby  Prisoners  may  be  supplyed  with  provisions  at 
the  Expence  or  upon  the  Credit  of  the  States.'  We  recommended  to  Con- 
gress to  appoint  an  Agent  of  their  own  to  attend  the  Prisoners  and  see 
justice  done  them  and  to  prevent  their  enlisting  w'ith  the  Enemy  *  and  if 
this  is  not  done  the  plan  will  be  incompleat,  as  we  are  inclined  to  believe 
our  People  suffer  by  the  peculation  of  the  Commissarys  that  have  the 
care  of  them,  and  not  by  the  allowance  ordered  by  the  Commander  in 
Chief.     We  think  such  an  agent  might  be  admitted  on  each  side,  under 

parole  not  to  give  intelligence 

For  the  Committee  of  Congress 

•  I  am  Your  Excellencys  obt  Servt 

Robt  Morris 

[P.  S.]    .... 

®  Dr.  John  Morgan  was  director  general  and  chief  physician  of  the  hospital, 
elected  Oct.  17,  1775.  Dr.  Samuel  Stringer  was  director  of  the  hospital  and  chief  physi- 
cian and  surgeon  of  the  Northern  department,  elected  Sept.  14,  1775.  See  the  Journals, 
Oct.  3  (report  of  the  committee  sent  to  camp),  Oct.  9,  Nov.  26,  28,  29,  1776;  Jan.  4, 
6,  9,  1777;  aJso  the  correspondence  of  Dr.  William  Shippen  with  Washington  and  with 
Congress,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.,  463,  493,  618,  1026,  1119,  1186,  1258,  1298. 
See,  further,  the  Journals,  July  31,  Aug.  8,  9.  The  medical  department  was  reorganized 
Apr.  7  and  8,  1777.    See  no.  431,  post. 

[299]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIIL  33;  Papers  Cont.  Cong., 
no.  133,  f.  48  (letter-book  copy). 

2  The  reference  is  to  the  resolve  of  Jan.  2,  relative  to  the  exchange  of  six  Hessian 
officers  for  General  Lee,  and  to  that  of  Jan.  6,  relative  to  retaliation.  See  nos.  290,  291, 
297,  298,  ante,  360,  366,  267,  37^,  post.  Cf.  the  committee's  letter  to  Washington,  Dec.  28, 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  IIL  1458. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  3. 

*  See  the  committee's  letter  of  Dec.  30,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  Jan.  16,  Apr.  22, 
June  6.  In  accordance  with  the  action  of  Congress  Jan.  16,  Elias  Boudinot  was  made 
commissar>- -general  of  prisoners  by  Washington  in  April,  1777  (see  his  letter  to  Boudinot, 
Apr.  I,  1777,  in  Writings,  ed.  Ford.  V.  299;  also  Boudinot,  Life  of  Elias  Boudinot,  I. 
42).    He  was  commissioned  by  Congress  June  6,  following. 


January,  lyyj  213 

300.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  James  Wilson/ 

Jany  9th  1777. 
James  Wilson  Esqr. 

Sir 

In  consequence  of  the  late  resolution  of  Congress  to  erect  a  Magazine  at 
Carlisle  ^  we  have  applied  to  Mr.  Nicholas  Hicks,  a  Bricklayer  of  the 
first  reputation  here,  to  superintend  the  work,  it  is  yet  much  too  early  in 
the  Year  to  begin  it,  but  we  have  thought  it  expedient  to  forward  him  to 
prepare  the  necessary  Materials,  and  engage  the  proper  workmen  in  which 
agreeable  to  your  offer  you  will  no  doubt  give  him  all  the  assistance  in 
your  power.  Congress  having  fixed  on  one  large  Building  to  store  their 
ammunition  at  Carlisle,  we  had  some  intention  of  suggesting  to  them  our 
own  thoughts  on  this  matter  which  are  that  it  would  be  safer  both  on 
account  of  Fire,  a  sudden  surprize  of  an  Enemy,  to  lodge  the  ammunition 
in  two  or  more  smaller  buildings  detached  from  each  other  at  suitable 
distances,  but  whatever  alteration  this  opinion  of  ours  might  induce  Con- 
gress to  make  in  their  resolution,  Mr  Hicks  present  business  may  go  on 
without  interuption. 

301.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Massachusetts  Assembly.^ 

Baltimore,  Jany  loth,  1777. 
Gentlemen. 

I  have  it  in  Command  to  forward  the  enclosed  Resolve,  and  to  request 
you  will  bestow  that  Attention  to  it,  which  its  great  Importance  demands. 
To  you,  the  Congress  have  submitted  the  Propriety  of  making  an  Attack 
upon  the  Province  of  Nova  Scotia,  with  a  View  to  destroy  the  immense 
Quantities  of  military  Stores,  that  are  there  deposited  to  be  employed 
against  us.^ 

I  need  not  particularise  the  vast  Advantages,  or  the  Glory,  resulting 
from  this  Expedition,  could  it  be  happily  carried  into  Execution.  Nor 
need  I  suggest  Motives  to  stimulate  you  to  undertake  it.  Being  fully 
convinced,  that  if  it  shall  appear  to  you  practicable  and  calculated  to 
advance  the  Interest  of  America,  you  will  most  certainly  adopt  it.  I  shall 
only  add  that  the  Destruction  of  above  Half  a  Million  of  Stores,  must  be 
a  severe  Blow  on  the  Enemy,  and  may  possibly  prove  a  principal  Mean  of 
ridding  our  Country  of  those  cruel  Foes,  who  with  impious  Hands  have 
been  spreading  Ruin  and  desolation  over  it,  to  the  utmost  of  their  Power, 

[300]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  133,  f.  41. 

2  See  no.  290,  ante,  a  letter  of  Wilson  to  Morris,  Dec.  28,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  sen.  III.,  1457,  and  nos.  321,  374,  435,  post. 

[301]!  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVI.  127;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VL  112; 
Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  IL,  p.  107. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  7,  8.  The  Massachusetts  council  had  recommended 
such  an  expedition  in  a  letter  of  Dec.  30  (Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  HL  1501),  but 
this  letter  appears  not  to  have  been  received  by  Congress  until  Jan.  23.    Cj.  no.  348,  post. 


214  Continental  Congress 

302.  Robert  Morris  to  John  Jay.* 

PniLADA.  Jany.  12th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  You  undoubtedly  must  have  been  well  acquainted  with  the  rapid 
prog^ress  made  by  our  Enemies  through  the  Jerseys,  and  the  danger  to 
which  this  City  has  been  exposed  for  some  weeks  past,  and  you  will  have 
heard  of  the  removal  of  Congress  to  Baltimore  in  the  midst  of  the  pannic; 
this  step  has  been  highly  censured  by  many  of  their  Friends  and  un- 
doubtedly lost  them  the  confidence  of  some  valuable  Men. 

I  confess  for  my  own  part,  I  am  not  amongst  the  number  of  those  that 
Censure  them  for  this  hasty  measure,  for  when  it  is  considered  that  the 
Enemy's  Troops  were  within  a  very  few  miles  of  us  and  no  apparent 
Force  sufficient  to  oppose  their  progress,  it  surely  was  time  for  a  public 
body  on  which  the  support  of  the  American  cause  so  much  depended,  to 
provide  for  their  safety,  mcer  personal  safety  I  suppose  would  not  have 
induced  many  of  them  to  fly,  but  their  security  as  a  body  was  the  object, 
had  any  number  of  them  fallen  into  the  Enemies  hands  so  as  to  break  up 
the  Congress,  America  might  have  been  ruined  before  another  choice  of 
Delegates  could  be  had  and  in  such  an  event  they  would  have  been  deemed 
criminal  and  rash  to  the  last  degree.^ .... 

303.  Robert  Morris  to  John  Langdon.* 

Philadelphia  Jany.  12th  1777. 
Sir, 

....  When  the  British  troops  made  such  a  rapid  progress  through 
the  Jerseys  and  got  wnthin  a  few  miles  of  us,  the  Congress  thought  proper 
to  remove  to  Baltimore,  at  that  time  I  sent  my  family,  my  books,  papers 
and  considerable  effects  into  Maryland  but  having  still  a  great  value  here 
and  being  desirous  of  spiriting  up  our  people,  all  in  my  power,  I  deter- 
mined to  wait  until  the  last,  happy  in  having  done  so,  as  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  being  very  useful  both  to  this  country  and  the  general 
cause;  the  Congress  know  this  well,  and  have  appointed  myself  and  two 
others  that  remained  here,  a  Committee  with  full  powers  to  transact  all 
Continental  business  that  may  be  proper  and  necessary  here." .... 

304.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Baltimore,  January  14th,  1777. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  I  exceedingly  approve  your  Conduct  with  respect  to  the  Ships 
in  your  River,  and  think  your  officers  discover'd  the  Spirit  of  the  Men, 

[302]!  >j_  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  American  Revolution,  I.  \2\  (copy). 

-  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  249,  253,  263,  280,  ante;  also  nos.  303,  306, 
post. 

[303]!  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  IL  271. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21 ;  also  nos.  255,  302,  ante. 
[304]  1  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Phila- 
delphia; N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:   Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  412. 


January,  lyyy  215 

at  same  time  your  interference  under  the  then  circumstances  was  abso- 
lutely necessary;  I  dare  say  your  disposition  of  the  several  Arm'd  Vessels 
after  you  are  fully  convinc'd  of  the  Removal  of  the  Ships  from  your 
Capes,  will  fully  meet  the  approbation  of  Congress.  Without  the  least 
appearance  of  Flattery  I  can  assure  you  your  whole  Conduct  since  our 
Flight  is  highly  approv'd,  and  happy  I  am  that  you  Remain'd,  many  agree- 
able Consequences  have  Resulted  from  it,  and  your  continu'd  Exertions 
will  be  productive  of  great  good,  I  must  therefore  beg  you  will  continue 
as  long  as  you  can  tho'  I  sincerely  wish  you  a  happy  Sight  of  good  Mrs 
Morris,  but  I  fear  your  departure  from  Philada  might  occasion  relaxation 
that  would  be  prejudicial.  I  know  however  you  will  put  things  in  a 
proper  way,  indeed  all  depends  upon  you,  and  you  have  my  hearty  thanks 
for  your  unremitting  Labours,  the  Publick  are  much  Indebted  to  you,  and 
I  hope  to  see  the  Day  when  those  publick  Acknowledgments  shall  be  made 
you.'^ 


in  point  of  Convenience  I  wish  to  return  to  Philada,  which  brings  me 
to  the  hint  in  your  Letter.  I  think  Sir,  that  as  the  Printing  presses  are 
here  and  set  to  work,  and  as  money  is  so  exceedingly  wanted,  and  a 
Removal  just  at  this  Time  would  occasion  so  great  a  Delay,  that  it  would 
not  be  prudent  to  think,  unless  thro'  the  greatest  necessity  of  a  removal 
at  present,  nor  untill  the  last  of  March,  by  that  time  I  hope  we  shall  be  able 
to  return  or  to  fix  upon  some  other  place  for  our  Residence  that  must 
depend  on  circumstances.  As  things  have  turn'd  out  I  am  very  sorry  vy^e 
Remov'd  at  all,  and  indeed  I  think  we  were  full  hasty  enough,  it  damp'd 
people  much,  but  your  Continuance  there  and  Conducting  Business  there 
will  give  a  Spring,  and  Join'd  to  the  Influence  of  our  Successes  will  make 
up  for  the  Flight  of  Congress.* .... 

We  have  not  yet  had  a  Representation  from  New  York,  Delaware  or 
Maryland,  the  latter  is  rather  strange 

305.  James  Wilson  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Carlisle  14th.  Jany.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Congress  see,  at  last,  the  Propriety  of  distributing  the  executive  Busi- 
ness of  the  Continent  into  different  Departments,  managed  by  Gentlemen, 
not  Members  of  Congress,  and  whose  whole  Time  and  Attention  can  be 
devoted  to  the  Business  committed  to  their  Charge.  Measures  were 
adopted,  when  I  left  Baltimore,  for  making  the  necessary  Arrangements.^ 

There  is  an  Office,  which,  I  believe,  would  be  of  considerable  use  to  the 
Public,  if  properly  discharged.     I  will  describe  to  you  my  Ideas  of  it. 

The  Duties  of  the  office  should  be — to  manage  all  Admiralty  Causes, 
on  Behalf  of  the  Continent,  in  the  Courts  of  Admiralty  and  Appeal,  where 
the  Congress  sets — to  conduct  all  Enquiries  and  Prosecutions  instituted 

2  See  nos.  245,  255,  269,  270,  271,  285,  290,  ante. 

3  Cf.  nos.  29s,  ante,  346,  347,  357.  359.  note  lO,  post.  ,.__,,       , 
1305]^  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 

Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  100. 
2  See  no.  298,  note  7,  ante. 

19 


210  Continental  Congress 

by  Congress — to  give  his  opinions  upon  such  Questions  in  the  civil  and 
Maritime  I^ivvs.  and  the  Law  of  Nations  as  shall  be  stated  to  him,  for  that 
Purpose,  by  Congress,  the  Hoard  of  Admiralty,  the  Board  of  Commerce, 
or  the  Committee  of  secret  Correspondence — to  draw,  or  reduce  to  Form, 
public  Instruments,  when  required  by  Congress,  or  the  Boards,  or  Com- 
mittee aforesaid. 

Several  other  Duties  naturally  fall  to  his  Share,  which  cannot  be  enu- 
merated nor  comprised  under  any  general  Head. 

The  Propriety  of  the  tirst  Article  is  obvious.  I  shall  suggest  one 
Advantage,  that  will  probably  result  from  it.  It  will  be  of  Importance 
that  the  Laws  and  Practice  of  the  Courts  of  Admiralty  should  be  brought, 
as  soon  and  as  well  as  possible,  into  a  System.  By  the  Intervention  of 
Juries,  which  are  unknown  in  the  Admiralty  Courts  of  other  Countries, 
this  is  rendered  a  Matter  of  much  Delicacy  and  Difficulty.  The  uniform 
Practice  of  one,  whose  Duty  and  Business  it  would  be  to  make  the  Subject 
his  particular  Study,  would  be  of  considerable  Use.  All  conversant  in 
Courts  know  that  they  receive  a  Tincture  from  the  Practitioners  well  as 
from  the  Judges. 

The  second  Head  of  the  Duty  of  this  Ofificer  is,  in  my  Opinion,  abso- 
lutely necessary.  Enquiries  must  be  had  into  the  management  of  public 
Affairs,  Prosecutions  also  must  be  instituted  against  public  Ofificers,  who 
are  accused  of  mal-conduct.  When  a  Committee  is  appointed  for  such 
Purpose;  it  is  every  Body's  Business  to  manage  matters — you  know  the 
Consequence — it  is  no  Body's  Business.  The  Friends  of  the  Person 
accused  think  themselves,  and  are  thought  by  others,  justified  in  doing 
every  Thing  in  his  Behalf.  It  is  troublesome — it  is  disagreeable,  without 
having  an  official  Obligation  and  an  official  Justification,  to  undertake 
the  Task  of  Prosecutor,  to  manage  the  Examination  of  Witnesses  who 
appear,  to  direct  others  to  be  sent  for,  w^ho,  from  the  Course  of  the  Tes- 
timony, are  discovered  to  be  capable  of  throwing  Light  upon  the  Subject, 
and  to  take  many  other  Steps,  without  which  the  matter  cannot  be  sifted 
to  the  Bottom.  The  Result  is,  that  Things  are  superficially  passed  over, 
without  Satisfaction,  to  the  Public,  to  those  who  make  the  Enquiry,  or 
him,  concerning  whom  it  is  made;  provided  he  has  been  innocent.  An 
Officer,  appointed  to  manage  Enquiries  and  Prosecutions,  on  Behalf  of 
the  Public,  would  prevent  these  ^lischiefs. 

The  Third  Branch  of  the  Duty  of  this  Officer  is  by  far  the  most  im- 
portant. I  hope  the  United  States  will  never  be  involved  far  in  the  Maze 
of  European  Politics ;  but  it  is  incumbent  upon  us  to  know  something  of 
them,  even  to  steer  clear  of  them.  Every  Letter  from  our  Commissioners 
at  foreign  Courts  almost  every  Resolution  of  Congress  about  foreign 
Affairs  will  bring  into  View  some  Principle  of  the  civil  or  maritime  Law, 
or  of  the  Law  of  Nations.  It  is  impossible  for  ^lembers  of  Congress, 
however  enlarged  their  Genius,  and  however  extensive  their  Knowledge 
may  be,  accurately  to  investigate  Subjects  of  this  kind  amidest  the  Hurry 
of  so  much  other  Business,  which  likewise  demands  their  Attention. 
Treaties  are  considered,  in  Europe  as  a  Kind  of  Science.  In  our  Transac- 
tions with  European  States,  it  is  certainly  of  Importance  neither  to  trans- 


January,  lyy/  217 

gress,  nor  to  fall  short  of  those  Maxims  by  which  they  regulate  their 
Conduct  towards  one  another. 

All  States,  as  far  as  I  know,  have  an  Office  similar  to  that  which  I 
have  described.  It  includes  Part  of  the  office  of  Advocate  General,  and 
Part  of  that  of  Attorney  General  in  England. 

If  your  sentiments  upon  the  subject  correspond  with  mine,  you  will 
mention  it  to  Congress.  If  they  agree  to  institute  the  office,  and  no  one 
offers  for  it  better  qualified,  in  your  opinion,  than  myself,  I  will  be  obliged 
to  you  for  proposing  me.  My  Reading  and  Course  of  Studies  have  been 
such  as  in  some  Measure,  to  prepare  me  for  it.  One  thing  I  can  engage — 
that  no  Pains  nor  Industry  shall  be  wanting,  on  my  Part,  to  qualify 
myself  as  fully  for  it  as  possible. 

I  have  expressed  myself  with  all  the  openness  of  a  Friend  to  a  Friend. 
I  would  not  mention  the  Subject,  if  I  did  not  think  it  of  Consequence.  1 
would  not  mention  myself,  if  I  did  not  think  I  could  be  of  Service  in  this 
Line.  I  have  not  been  so  unsuccessful  in  private  Life,  as  to  be  obliged 
to  obtrude  myself  upon  the  Public. 

You  will  make  such  Use  of  what  I  have  written  as  your  Judgment  and 
your  Friendship  shall  tell  you  is  proper, 

I  am  Dear  Sir 

Your  very  humble  Servant 

James  Wilson 
The  Honble.  Robt.  Morris  Esquire 

306.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter.^ 

Baltimore  Jan.  14,  1777. 
My  dear  Col. 

Tho  I  have  wrote  pretty  fully  to  Col.  Tayloe,  upon  the  present  state  of 
our  affairs  and  sent  him  the  papers,  which  I  know  you  will  partake  of; 
yet  I  cant  help  saying  a  word,  to  convince  you,  that  I  can  never  forget  you. 

Dont  you  give  us  credit  for  our  good  policy  in  removing  from  Philadel- 
phia? nothing  else  cou'd  awaken  the  whigs  of  that  State  to  a  sense  of 
their  danger.^  the  lethargy  of  the  middle  States  was  really  alarming; 
thank  God !  it  is  removed.  Our  new  Army  once  well  on  foot,  and  all  is 
safe,  but  I  believe,  my  friend,  we  must  be  content  with  home  spun  the 
rest  of  our  lives 

307.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Maryland  Assembly.^ 

Baltimore  Jany.  14th.  1777. 
(Circular) 

Gentlemen, 

....  The  depreciation  of  the  continental  currency  having  been  for 
some  time  past  a  most  growing  evil,  it  became  absolutely  necessary  to 

[306]!  Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  IV.  25. 

2  See  no.  244,  note  2,  ante. 
[307]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  16. 


218  Continental  Congress 

provide  smiie  remedy  against  it.  With  this  view  and  in  hopes  of  estabh'sh- 
ing-  the  crecht  of  it,  tlie  Congress  have  adopted  and  recommended  to  the 
several  states  such  measures,  as  if  proi)erly  and  vigorously  executed,  will 
most  undoubtedly  be  attended  with  success.'^ .... 

308.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
Committee  in  Philadelphia.^ 

Baltimore  Jany.  14th.  1777. 

....  The  Sentence  of  the  Court  Martial  in  the  Case  of  Colo.  Camp- 
bell, which  was  formerly  referred  to  Genl.  Schuyler,  you  will  perceive, 
from  the  enclosed  Resolve,  the  Congress  have  again  referred  to  Genl. 
Gates ;  who  being  on  the  Spot  in  Baltimore  has  given  his  Opinion  (a  Copy 
of  which  I  enclose)  that  the  Court  Martial  acted  in  an  unprecedented 
Manner,  and  that  Colo.  Campbell  did  not  deserve  to  be  cashiered  for  the 
Crimes  laid  to  his  Charge.' .... 

309.  Tpie  Secret  Committee  to  the  Commissioners  in  Paris.^ 

Philadelphia  January  14th.  1777 
Honorable  Gentlemen 

I  have  the  Honor  to  inclose  you  here  a  Copy  of  two  Resolves  of  Con- 
gress passed  the  19th  and  29th  November  by  which  the  Secret  Committee 
are  directed  to  import  Two  hundred  and  Twenty  six  Brass  Canon  and 
Arms  and  equipage  compleat  for  Three  Thousand  Horse.  You'l  observe 
they  are  also  directed  to  confer  with  the  Canon  Committee  as  to  how  many 
they  can  provide  here  of  the  Field  Pieces,  but  we  pay  little  regard  to  that 
part  well  knowing  they  will  not  be  able  to  procure  proper  Metal  for  many 
of  them. 

Therefore  I  must  request  in  the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee that  you  will  contract  immediately  for  these  necessary  Supplies 
and  send  this  out  to  these  States  by  various  conveyances  as  quick  as  pos- 
sible; indeed  I  hope  you  may  procure  [some  line]^  of  Battle  Ships  to  come 
out  with  them,  [and  then  there]  ^  will  be  little  danger  of  their  coming 
Saf[e] 

2  The  resolves  of  Jan.  14. 
[308]!^  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  ig. 

2  The  letter  is  addressed  to  "  Robert  Morris  Esqr.  and  Commie  ". 

'  Donald  Campbell  was  appointed  deputy  quartermaster-general  for  the  New 
York  department  July  17,  1775.  The  determination  on  the  sentence  of  the  court-martial 
had  been  dragging  since  July,  1776.  See  Arnold  to  Gates,  July  14,  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  I.  340;  Gates  to  Arnold,  July  15,  ibid.,  I.  915;  Gates  to  Schuyler,  Nov.  10, 
ibid..  III.  607;  Schuyler  to  Washington,  Nov.  11,  ibid.,  III.  641;  R.  H.  Harrison  to 
Schuyler,  Nov.  20,  ibid..  III.  780;  and  Campbell  to  Congress,  Dec.  10,  ibid..  III.  1149. 
See  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  19,  Oct.  16,  1776,  and  Jan.  11,  18,  29,  Feb.  13,  1777.  Campbell 
and  Gates  were  both  in  Baltimore  at  this  time.  See  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1509. 
[309]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Stevens  Facsimiles,  no.  6;  Brit.  Mus.,  Add.  MSS.,  Auck- 
land Papers ;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  246. 

2  In  the  facsimile  these  spaces  are  blank.    The  words  are  found  in  the  text  as 
printed  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr. 


January,  lyjy  219 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  great  regard  and  esteem,  Honorable 
Gentlemen  your  most  obedt  hble  Sevt. 

RoBT.  Morris, 
Chairman  of  the  Secret  Committee  of  Congress. 

P.  S.  These  resolves  would  have  been  sent  long  since  but  our  ports 
have  been  Blocked  up  by  the  British  men  of  war  and  the  confusion  we 
were  put  in  on  the  Rapid  March  through  the  Jersey,  and  near  approach 
to  this  City  by  the  Enemy,  put  it  totally  out  of  our  power  to  forward  any 
dispatches  for  some  time  past. 

R.  M. 

310.  Francis  Lewis  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  15  Janry.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  been  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the  7th  Inst,  and  as  it  prin- 
cipally related  to  the  business  of  the  Ordinance  Board,  I  am  now  to  inform 
you  that  the  members  who  at  Phila.  constituted  that  Committee  are  at 
present  absent,  and  from  the  pressing  applications  of  Generals  Washing- 
ton, Schuyler  and  Col  Knox  for  Cannon,  the  Congress  has  appointed 
Messrs.  Haywood  [Heyward],  Whipple,  and  Self  to  that  department,^ 
a  department  that  is  quite  new  to  us  and  therefore  cannot  be  executed  with 
the  prescision  we  could  wish,  especialy  as  Mr.  Paine  (the  former  Chair- 
man) has  taken  with  him  all  the  documents  relative  to  that  board. 

Pursuant  to  the  aforesaid  applications,  Congress  has  directed  the  Com- 
mittee to  procure  Ten  six  Inch  Brass  Howitzers,  forwarded  to  Tycon- 
deroga  as  soon  as  may  be,^  we  are  therefore  of  opinion  that  Mr.  Byers  * 
be  immediately  employed  in  casting  those  Howitzers,  and  the  Council  of 
Safety  at  Phila.  be  desired  to  agree  with  him  upon  the  best  terms  they  can, 
but  should  Mr.  Byers  for  want  of  proper  Moulds  or  by  other  obstructions, 
be  incapable  of  casting  Howitzers,  [in]  that  case  he  should  be  employed 
in  casting  as  many  brass  Field  Pieces  as  he  may  be  furnish'd  with  Mettle 
for  that  purpose  .... 

311.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

Baltimore  Jany  16  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  I  observe  that  our  Assembly  have  made  it  necessary  that  three 
of  their  Delegates  should  be  present  and  concurring  in  Opinion,  before 
the  Voice  of  our  State  can  be  taken  on  any  Question  in  Congress.    I  could 

[3io]iBrotherhead,  Book  of  the  Signers  (1861),  pp.  49,  276;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no. 
loii,  item  138. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  24,  1776.  Heyward  and  Whipple  were  added  to  the 
committee  on  the  Northern  army,  and  Lewis  to  the  cannon  committee,  which  is  doubtless 
the  committee  which  is  here  called  the  ordnance  board.    Cf.  no.  264,  note  4,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  28,  29,  1776;  cf.  ibid.,  Jan.  6,  13,  1777.  The  remainder  of 
the  letter  is  in  regard  to  making  contracts  for  cannon. 

*  James  Byers.    See  no.  20,  ante,  also  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  369. 
[ZiJ-V  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  285;   Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gushing), 
III.  346;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers. 


220  Continental  Congress 

wish  it  li.id  been  otherwise.  Three  only  of  your  Delej:jates  arc  now 
present.  It  may  so  happen  at  otlier  Times.  One  of  them  may  be  sick, 
lie  may  he  on  a  Committee  or  necessarily  al)scnt  on  pubHck  Husiness,  in 
which  Case  our  State  will  not  be  efifectualiy  represented.  While  I  am 
writing  at  the  Table  in  Congress  a  worthy  Colleague'  is  unavoidably 
employd  on  Business  of  the  Publick  at  home,  and  the  two  present  cannot 
give  the  Voice  of  the  State  upon  a  Matter  now  in  Question,  Were  all  the 
three  present,  one  of  them  might  controul  the  other  two  so  far  as  to  oblige 
them  to  be  silent  wlien  the  Question  is  called  for.  But  I  only  mention  the 
matter,  and  submit,  as  it  becomes  me,  to  the  Judgment  of  my  Superiors.' 


312.  Fr.\xcis  Lewis  to  the  President  of  the  New  York  Convention 

(Abraham  Ten  Broeck).^ 

Baltimore,  i6th  January,  1777 

I  was  favoured  with  your  letter  of  the  ist  inst.  together  with  sundry 
resolves  of  the  Honourable  the  Convention,  and  their  printed  Address 
to  their  constituents,  all  which  I  have  communicated  to  Congress,  and 
they  highly  approve  of  your  measures. 

I  am  directed  bj'  Congress  (at  their  expense)  to  get  a  sufficient  number 
of  those  Addresses  reprinted  here,  in  order  to  be  dispersed  through  this 
and  the  Southern  States,  as  also,  a  number  to  be  struck  oflf  in  the  German 
language,  300  copies  of  the  latter  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Honourable 
Convention,  at  Fishkills.  As  there  is  no  press  with  types  for  the  German 
language  in  this  town,  I  have  this  day  sent  one  copy  to  the  Council  of 
Safety,  at  Philadelphia,  requesting  them  to  get  it  translated  into  that 
language,  and  when  printed,  to  send  the  first  300  copies  to  you,  the  rest 
to  be  dispersed  through  that  and  the  neighbouring  States." 

Permit  me  Sir  to  repeat  my  sentiments  on  the  necessity  of  having  the 
State  of  New  York  fully  represented  in  Congress,  which  has  not  been  the 
case  for  many  months  past,  and  tho'  Congress  in  their  collective  capacity 

2  The  text  in  Adams's  Writings  reads,  "  IMr.  Gerry  ". 

3  The  Massachusetts  credentials  (dated  Dec.  10)  are  in  the  Journals,  Jan.  9.  The 
provision  complained  of  was  altered  Feb.  4  (see  the  Journals,  Mar.  12).    Cf.  no.  326,  post. 

[212]^  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  385. 

-  "  We  observe  in  one  of  the  Resolves  of  Congress  Mr.  Lewis  is  directed  to  have 
the  address  of  the  Convention  of  New  York  translated  and  published  in  the  German 
Language  and  as  we  had  wrote  the  Congress  that  we  had  undertaken  that  business  here, 
we  consider  this  Resolve  as  a  reproof,  therefore  shall  take  care  not  to  be  so  officious 
again,  the  work  of  translating  however  is  done  and  we  believe  either  in  or  ready  for  the 
Press."  (Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Jan.  26,  Papers  Cont. 
Cong.,  no.  137,  App.)  The  address  of  the  New  York  convention,  dated  Dec.  23,  is  in 
Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1382,  and  the  letter  to  Congress  in  which  it  was  enclosed, 
dated  Dec.  28,  with  an  addition  of  Jan.  i,  is  ibid.,  III.  1465.  "  As  two  of  the  delegates 
from  this  State,  Mr.  Livingston  and  Colonel  Floyd,  have  left  Philadelphia,  and  the 
Convention  did  not  know  whether  Mr.  Lewis  was  certainly  there,  I  am  directed,  sir, 
to  enclose  you  a  copy  of  an  Address  of  this  Convention  to  their  constituents."  See  the 
Journals,  Jan.  13,  16,  Feb.  6.  also  the  Bibliographical  Notes,  ibid.,  IX.  1081.  Besides  the 
letter  of  Dec.  28,  see  the  convention's  letter  to  Congress,  Dec.  21,  Force,  Am.  Arch., 
fifth  ser.,  III.  1350.     See  also  no.  315,  post. 


January,  lyyy  221 

has  ultimately  the  public  good  in  view,  yet  such  is  the  depravity  of  human 
nature,  that  partiality  will  often  (and  perhaps  impreceptably  [sic^ )  influ- 
ence the  minds  of  indeviduals  when  the  interest  of  a  particular  State  is 
immediately  concerned.^ 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  Congress  has  seriously  con- 
sidered your  late  application  relative  to  clothing  the  troops  raising  in 
your  State,  and  they  have  promised  to  exert  their  utmost  abilities  to  effect 
that  necessary  business.  In  September  last,  Congress  requested  the 
Legislatures  of  the  several  States  to  appoint  to  their  respective  States  a 
Commissary,  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  all  necessary  clothing,  and 
in  November  the  Secret  Committee  sent  of¥  two  agents  (one  of  them 
Mr.  Abm.  Livingston)  with  instructions  to  confer  with  those  commis- 
saries in  each  State,  as  far  eastward  as  New-Hampshire,  to  assist  in  the 
purchasing  and  procuring  said  clothing,  to  make  returns  of  the  quantity 
and  quality,  both  to  Congress  and  Genl.  Washington,  to  be  distributed  to 
such  troops  as  shall  be  enlisted  upon  the  new  establishment,  but  we  have 
not  as  yet  received  any  advice  from  those  gentlemen.*  .... 


313.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia 

(Patrick  Henry ).^ 

Baltimore,  17th  Jany,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  am  favored  with  yours  by  Maj.  Johnston,  and  I  should  certainly  have 
served  him  to  the  utmost  of  my  power  in  Congress,  if  the  appointment 
you  proposed  for  Maj.  Johnston  had  not  now  been  in  another  channel. 
You  know  Sir,  that  by  resolve  of  Congress  the  General  is  to  fill  up  all 
vacancies  in  the  Continental  troops  that  shall  happen  for  six  months  from 
the  date  of  the  resolve.^  I  have  recommended  it  to  the  Major  to  get  a 
letter  from  you  and  the  council,  with  one  from  Colonel  Harrison,  to  the 
General  in  his  favour,  and  if  he  is  very  intent  on  success,  to  carry  them 
himself.  I  think  this  will  not  fail  to  procure  him  the  commission  he 
desires,  and  in  the  mean  time,  the  Liutenants  \_sic'\  and  Ensign  may  be 
recruiting  the  company.^ .... 

s  Cf.  nos.  268,  292,  ante,  and  nos.  329,  330,  363,  402,  post. 

*  The  reference  is  probably  to  the  resolution  of  Sept.  25.  Cf,  an  erased  resolve 
of  Oct.  9.  Concerning  the  action  of  the  secret  committee,  see  the  Journals,  Dec.  i,  and 
no.  233,  ante;  also  a  letter  of  the  Massachusetts  council  to  the  President  of  Congress, 
Dec.  30,  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1501,  and  the  council  to  General  Lincoln, 
Dec.  31,  ibid.,  III.  1518. 

[313]^  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  III.  40;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh), 
I.  250. 

2  The  resolution  of  Dec.  27,  vesting  General  Washington  with  practically  dicta- 
torial powers. 

3  George  Johnston,  major  5th  Virginia  regiment,  became  lieutenant-colonel 
and  aide  to  Washington  Jan.  20,  1777.  See  Heitman,  Hist.  Register.  Hancock's  letter 
to  Brigadier-General  Lewis,  Jan.  18  (no.  317,  post),  was  sent  "By  Major  Johnson". 
Meanwhile  (Jan.  9),  Washington  had  requested  of  Col.  R.  H.  Harrison  his  opinion  of 
Johnston's  qualifications.  See  Fitzpatrick,  Calendar  of  the  Correspondence  of  Washington 
with  the  Oihcers. 


222  ContificHtal  Congress 

314.  The  Committee  in  Piin.AOELPiiiA  to  Richard  Dallam.* 

PiiiLADA.  January  18,  1777 

Sir, 

It  appears  reasoiiahk-  and  jii^t  to  us  that  all  officers  and  soldiers  in  the 
Continental  Service  should  be  entitled  to  their  Pay  while  they  remain 
Prisoners  in  the  Hands  of  the  Enemy,  and  this  Pay  to  continue  such  a 
number  of  days  after  their  Discharge  as  may  be  sufficient  for  their  return 
home.  And  wherever  it  appears  to  you  from  proper  Proofs  and  Testi- 
monials that  this  has  been  the  Case  of  any  Officers  or  Soldiers  within  your 
department  as  Paymaster  we  are  of  opinion  you  ought  to  make  good  their 
Pay  to  the  times  above  mentioned,  previously  taking  care  to  deduct  such 
sums  as  they  may  have  already  received. 

Richd  Dellam  Esqr. 

D  pay  Master  Genl.  to  the  Flying  Camp ' 

315.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.* 

Baltimore  Jany.  i8th,  1777. 
Sir, 

The  enclosed  Copy  of  a  Letter  from  the  Convention  of  New  York,  I 
am  directed  by  Congress  to  transmit  to  you,  and  to  request  your  Attention 
to  it  The  very  great  Distress  of  the  Troops  in  that  State  for  Want  of 
Cloathing  and  Blankets  calls  for  the  most  speedy  Relief;  and  the  Con- 
gress in  Order  to  afiford  them  every  Assistance  in  their  Power  have 
ordered  the  Continental  Agents  to  furnish  the  Commissary  of  Cloathing 
with  an  Account  of  such  Cloathes.  or  Materials  for  making  them,  as  may 
be  in  their  Possession.  These,  it  is  the  Desire  of  Congress,  you  will  dis- 
tribute among  the  Troops,  in  the  different  Departments,  in  the  Proportion 
you  may  think  proper ;  paying,  however,  a  particular  Regard  to  the  State 
of  New  York,  which,  from  its  present  unfortunate  Situation,  is  precluded 
from  all  Possibility  of  procuring  those  Necessaries  for  the  Troops  raised 
there.^  .  .  . 

[P.  S.]  The  enclosed  Copy  of  a  Letter  from  Genl.  Gates,  relative  to 
Monsieur  Da.  Liene  [De  Luce]'  I  am  directed  by  Congress  to  transmit 
to  you,  with  a  Request  that  you  will  employ  him  //  you  think  proper. 
I  have  paid  him  40  Dolls,  to  defray  his  Expences  to  you. 

(The  Copy  since  inclos'd  in  a  Letter  sent  by  Monsr.  De  Luce) 

[314]!  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  133,  f.  57. 

2  Richard  Dallam  was  elected  deputy  paymaster-general  of  the  flying  camp 
July  17,  1776. 

[3i5]iLibrary  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIIL  90. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  13,  16,  and  no.  312,  ante.  The  President's  letter  to  the 
New  York  convention,  Jan.  18.  is  in  the  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  9 ; 
Jour.  N.  y.  Prov.  Cong.,  IL  386 ;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VL  151 ;  and 
Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  H.,  f .  146.    See  also  no.  402,  post. 

3  Guillaume  de  Luce.  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  2,  17,  Mar.  21.  Hancock's  copyist, 
misreading  the  name,  wrote  "Da.  Liene".  Hancock  wrote  with  his  own  hand  that 
part  of  the  postscript  beginning :  "  I  have  paid  him  " ;  accordingly,  in  the  second  instance 
the  name  is  written  correctly. 


January,  lyy/  223 

316.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Committee  in 

Philadelphia.^ 

Baltimore  Jany,  i8th,  1777. 

Sir, 

I  do  myself  the  Honour  to  transmit  you  the  enclosed  Resolves,  by  which 
you  will  percieve  [sic']  the  Steps  taken  by  Congress  since  my  last. 

The  Affairs  of  our  Country  were  perhaps  never  so  critical,  as  they 
seemed  to  be  by  your  last  Accounts  which  were  dated  the  loth.  inst.^  and 
yet,  some  how  or  other,  it  has  happened,  we  have  not  heard  from  Philada. 
since  that  Time,  nor  from  the  General  for  two  or  three  Days  before. 
This  Interval,  you  may  suppose,  we  pass  in  the  greatest  Anxiety  and 
Suspence,  and  wish  to  be  relieved  from  it  in  any  Manner,  rather  than  be 
tormented  with  Doubt,  and  Uncertainty.  I  hope  therefore,  for  the  future, 
you  will  not  let  us  be  so  long  without  hearing  from  you,  but  will  send  us 
an  Express,  if  it  is  only  to  inform  us,  that  our  Affairs  have  undergone  no 
Alteration  since  your  last. 

I  am,  with  great  Respect 

Sir,  your  most  obed  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 
Robert  Morris  Esqr.  and  Com^^ 

317,  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Andrew  Lewis.^ 

Balto.  Jany  i8th,  1777. 
Sir, 

Your  Favour  of  the  loth  inst'  was  duly  reed,  and  immediately  laid 
before  Congress.  In  Consequence  of  which  I  am  directed  to  inform  you. 
that  it  is  their  opinion,  your  Continuance  for  the  present  in  Virginia  will 
best  promote  the  Interest  of  American  Liberty."  Your  Attention  to  the 
recruiting  Service,  and  forwarding  it  as  much  as  lies  in  your  Power  will 
be  a  most  effectual  Means,  in  the  present  Situation  of  Affairs  of  serving 
your  Country :  and  should  any  Movements  of  our  Enemy  threaten  to 
disturb  the  State  of  Virginia,  you  will  be  ready  to  act  in  its  Defence. 

While  the  Congress  highly  approve  the  Steps  you  have  taken  to  hasten 
the  March  of  the  Troops,  they  doubt  not  your  Zeal  and  Attachment  to  the 
Welfare  of  your  Country  will  induce  you  to  exert  yourself  in  the  same 
Manner  until  the  whole  of  the  Troops  are  forwarded 

Brigadier  Genl.  Lewis,  Virginia 
By  Major  Johnson. 

[316]!  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  31. 

2  The  letter  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Journals,  but  was  received  Jan.  14.     See 
the  Journals,  p.  37  n. 

[3i7]iMass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  121;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  115. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  10,  17. 


224  Continental  Congress 

317A.  The  Secret  Committee  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Baltimore  Jany.  18,  1777 
Sir, 

The  inclosed  resolve  ^  of  Concfress  cannot  he  executed  without  the 
books  and  papers  of  the  Secret  Committee.  And  if  the  wishes  of  many 
Members  be  j^ratified,  it  will  be  profK-r  to  make  known  what  prospects 
we  have  of  g^etting-  the  things  ordered,  and  for  this  purpose  what  are  our 
prospects  of  remittance  etc.  This  latter  cannot  be  complied  with  at 
present,  unless  we  had  the  pleasure  of  your  company  here.  Will  you  be 
so  kind  then  Sir,  as  to  order  the  books  here,  and  when  it  is  convenient  for 
the  public,  and  your  private,  affairs,  we  have  no  doubt  but  that  we  shall 
have  your  assistance  at  this  place. 

We  are  with  regard,  Sir 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  Servants 

Richard  Henry  Lee 
Fra  :  Lewis 
Wm  Whipple 


318.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.* 

[January  I9(?),  1777.]- 

....  I  laid  a  petition  from  Capt.  Campbell  before  Congress,  they 
declined  having  any  thing  to  say  to  it.  All  persons  taken  by  the  Ships  of 
War  or  privateers  of  any  State,  are  deemed  the  prisoners  of  such  State, 
and  are  generally  applied  to  the  redemption  of  their  own  Subjects;  on 
the  contrary  all  persons  taken  by  Continental  vessels  are  deemed  the 
prisoners  of  the  Congress  and  subject  to  their  disposal. 

The  Georgia  delegates  object  to  the  discharge  of  the  Gentlemen,  whose 
cases  you  referred  to  Congress." 

Unless  in  future  all  prisoners  taken  by  vessells  of  our  State  are  detained, 
such  of  our  people,  as  fall  into  the  Enemies'  hands,  cannot  be  redeemed. 
This  subject  is  of  consequence,  and  demands  the  attention  of  your  Board. 

Your  obedt  Servt 

Saml  Chase. 

[317  a] ^  Library  of  Congress,  Morris  Papers,  Accession  2505  (in  the  writing  of 
Richard  Henry  Lee). 

-  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  17. 
[318]!  ^rcA.  of  Md.,  XVI.  62. 

2  This  communication  from  Chase  is  attached  to  a  letter  of  Capt.  George  Cook 
to  the  council  of  safety,  dated  January  19,  1777. 

3  Cook's  letter  concerns  the  prisoners  taken  by  the  British  in  the  snow  George  (or 
Georgia).  The  vessel  was  captured  from  the  British  by  Captain  Cook  of  the  ship  Defence, 
retaken  by  the  British  frigate  Camelia,  and  once  again  captured  by  an  Am.erican  privateer 
under  Capt.  William  (?)  Campbell  (see  especially  Arch,  of  Md.,  XIL  510).  Cook  says: 
"  I  have  applied  to  Mr  Chase  and  Mr  Carroll  for  their  assistance  to  get  them  exchang'd, 
but  they  say  its  a  business  particularly  belonging  to  this  State.  I  do  not  doubt  was 
but  your  Honorable  Board  to  write  the  Congress,  but  what  they  would  get  them 
exchang'd  as  soon  as  possible."    See  nos.  238,  288,  ante. 


January,  i///  225 


i) 


319.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey 
(William  Livingston)/ 

Baltimore  Town,  Jany.  23d.  1777 
Sir, 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  enclosed  Resolution  of  Congress, 
request  your  Excellency  to  appoint  some  Gentleman  of  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  to  enquire  into,  and  take  the  Depositions  of  credible  Witnesses  on, 
the  several  Matters  contained  in  the  Resolve,  and  to  direct  them  to  trans- 
mit the  Testimony,  as  taken,  to  the  Committee  that  they  may  report  to 
Congress  as  soon  as  possible.'' 

The  Committee  have  been  informed  that  some  of  the  Prisoners  of  the 
17th  or  55th  Regiment,  taken  at  Princeton,  have  said  that  their  Major 
had  given  them  Orders  "  to  stand  till  they  were  cut  to  pieces  and  to  take 
no  Prisoners." — It  is  reported  here  that  several  of  our  Officers  were  shot 
or  stabbed  with  the  Bayonet,  after  they  had  surrendered.  Genl.  Mercer  ^ 
and  Lieut.  Yeates  are  mentioned  among  that  Number.  It  is  also  said  that 
several  Bodies  have  been  found  in  the  Jersies  hanging  on  Trees. 

I  am,  with  great  Respect, 

Your  Excy^  most  obedt.  Servt. 

Saml.  Chase. 

320.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  Jany  25th  1777  " 
My  Dear  Sir 

....  The  great  demand  for  Money  from  every  quarter  has  kept  our 
Treasury  so  low  that  I  have  not  had  it  in  my  power  to  send  you  any ;  There 
will  however  be  200,000  dollars  sent  in  two  or  three  days  at  farthest,  and 
Loan  Office  certificates  to  Mr.  Smith  to  the  amount  of  300,000  Dollars. 
Indeed  my  dear  friend  the  state  of  our  Treasury  is  such  that  I  hate  to 
think  of  it.  When  I  could  give  satisfactory  answers  to  Congress  upon  a 
requisition  being  made  for  a  Sum  of  Money  I  took  the  greatest  pleasure 
in  transacting  the  business  of  the  Treasury  Board,  but  of  late  we  have 
been  so  circumstanced  that  I  had  almost  as  live  go  to  a  Jail  as  go  near  the 
Treasury.  The  Period  is  not  far  distant,  when  the  last  five  millions  of 
Dollars  will  be  exhausted,  and  by  your  accounts  the  Loan  Office  in  your 
State,  will  not  do  much  for  us  unless  the  Interest  be  raised,  which  I  fear 
Congress  will  not  do,  and  what  is  to  be  done  then  I  know  not  to  pay  the 
innumerable  claimants  against  the  Continent.  Some  of  our  Members 
have  great  dependance  upon  the  Lottery,  at  best  it  is  but  a  game  and 

[319]!  Harvard  Univ.  Library,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  II.  203  (original). 

2  The  resolution  referred  to  is  in  the  Journals,  Jan.  16.  See  also  ibid.,  Jan.  18, 
Feb.  IS,  Apr.  18,  July  19,  and  the  Bibliographical  Notes,  ibid.,  XI.  1085. 

^  See  no.  411,  post. 
[320]  1  Copied   from  the  original   then  in   possession   of   Mr.    Stan.   V.   Henkels   of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  86. 

2  This  letter  may  have  been  written  as  late  as  Feb.  5,  for  the  statement  is  made 
at  the  close  that  Hooper  has  leave  of  absence,  and  this  was  not  granted  until  Feb.  4. 
On  the  other  hand,  Hooper  says  in  his  letter  of  Feb.  i  (no.  332,  post)  :  "  Nelson  by 
advice  of  a  Physician  goes  to  morrow." 


220  Continental  Congress 

when  I  consider  that  the  Tickets  are  equal  in  number  to  any  State  Lottery 
in  Great  Britain  and  that  they  have  all  Europe  to  vend  their  Tickets  in 
and  we  are  confin'd  to  America,  where  we  arc  not  much  acquainted  with 
these  tiiinf^^s.  I  confess  I  have  no  p^reat  expectation  of  it  being  drawn; 
perhajis  an  experiment  of  half  the  Ticketts  might  have  succeeded.  We  are 
greatly  in  want  of  able  Financiers  to  supply  our  Treasury. 

Harrison  and  Hooper  have  taken  to  their  Horses.  The  former  when 
mounted  looks  like  a  Commander  in  chief.  The  latter  would  make  a  good 
Aid  de  Camp  to  him ;  He  has  Leave  of  absence  on  account  of  his  health. 

321.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  Jany.  29th.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  [P.  S.]  As  some  Steps  have  been  Taken  with  Respect  to  the 
Magazines  at  Brookfield  and  Carlile  the  Congress  judge  it  best  they  should 
be  erected  there  in  preference  to  the  other  places  mention'd  by  Genl  Knox.^ 

322.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 
Gentlemen 

I  am  directed  by  Congress  to  lay  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  letter  from 
Mr.  Bingham  before  our  General  Assembly.^ 

The  privates  of  capt  Smiths  Company  petitioned  the  Congress  and  I 
am  ordered  to  enclose  the  papers  to  your  Board. ^ 

I  am.  Respectfully 

Yr.  Obed.  Servt 

S.  Chase 
Balto.  Town.  Jany.  29,  1777 

323.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke) .^ 

Baltimore  Jany.  30th.  1777. 
Sir, 

The  Time  of  Congress,  since  my  last,  hath  been  principally  taken  up 
in  devising  Ways  to  prevent  the  Depreciation  of  the  Continental  Money, 

[321]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  83;  ibid.,  Papers  Cent.  Cong., 
no.  58,  pt.  IL,  f.  39. 

2  On  the  same  day  Hancock  wrote  to  the  committee  in  Philadelphia :  "  You  will 
please  to  proceed  to  Erect  the  Magazine  etc.  at  Carlisle,  Congress  not  judging  it  proper 
to  fix  on  any  other  place  in  preference."  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong., 
no.  58,  pt.  IL,  f.  39.  See  nos.  290,  300,  ante,  374,  435.  post.  See  also  Washington  to  Knox, 
Feb.  II,  and  to  Congress,  Feb.  14,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  230,  236,  (ed.  Sparks),  IV, 
316,  322. 

[322]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  85 ;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  102. 
-  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  28.  and  nos.  2)23,  338.  post. 

^  A  remonstrance  of  the  men  of  Capt.  Nathaniel  Smith's  company,  Jan.  24, 
containing  a  threat  to  take  their  grievances  to  Congress,  is  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  73. 
Cf.  ibid.,  XVI.  25. 

1323]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the   Governors,   lyyt-iyyy,  p.   142;   Staples,  R.  I.  in 
Cont.  Cong.,  p.  116. 


January,  J///  227 

and  to  provide  for  the  future  army.  The  Resolves  ordered  to  be  trans- 
mitted to  the  Several  States  must  have  reached  you  before  this,  which 
renders  it  unnecessary  to  give  the  Substance  or  transmit  copies  of  them. 

Governor  Trumbull  hath  transmitted  the  doings  of  the  Comm*^.  of  the 
New-England  States  to  Congress.  They  will  be  taken  up  tomorrow,  and 
I  dont  doubt  approved.^ 

A  Letter  sent  by  Mr.  Jarvis  to  the  Secret  Committee  reopening  his 
furnishing  our  State  and  the  Massachusetts  with  Arms  taken  out  of  the 
Hancock  and  Adams,  and  desiring  to  know  whether  they  approved  his 
conduct  or  not,  and  how  in  future  he  was  to  act  in  Similar  Instances,  was 
by  them  laid  before  Congress  a  few  Days  ago.^  This  brought  on  a  severe 
Inquiry  into  the  Propriety  of  Rhode-Island's  asking  for  those  Arms,  a 
Review  of  her  former  Conduct  respecting  the  Cannon  etc.*  as  well  as 
into  the  Propriety  of  the  Conduct  of  Agent  Jarvis.  After  a  smart  Storm, 
the  Conduct  of  the  Agent  was  approbated.  I  hope  our  State  will  take 
special  Care  that  the  Arms  be  returned  as  soon  as  the  Necessity  for  taking 
them  shall  cease 


324.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Baltimore,  Jany.  30th.  1777 

Sir 

Some  Complaints  against  your  Deputy  Mr.  Carpenter  Wharton  having 
reached  Congress,  I  am  directed  to  give  you  this  Information  of  it,  with 
a  View  that  you  may  make  Enquiry  into  the  Matter,  and  take  proper 
Measures,  in  due  time,  to  prevent  any  Inconvenience  or  Loss,  either  to 
yourself,  or  the  Public.  Your  Prudence  and  Discretion  in  the  Conduct  of 
this  Affair,  I  can  rely  upon  with  the  utmost  Confidence.^  Wishing  you 
the  Compliments  of  the  Season,  and  every  Prosperity,  I  am,  with  Esteem, 
Sir, 

Your  most  obed.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

Jos :  Trumbull  Esqr. 
Commissy.  General. 


2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  28,  31,  Feb.  4-6,  12-15.  Cf.  nos.  326,  334,  336,  340,  347, 
353.  355-357.  359.  360,  368,  370,  post.  The  Convention  of  the  four  New  England  States 
was  held  in  Providence,  Dec.  25.  1776,  to  Jan.  2,  1777,  to  consider  the  questions  of  cur- 
rency, prices,  etc.  Its  proceedings  are  printed  in  Hoadly,  Records  of  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, I.  585-599- 

3  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  23 ;  also  ibid.,  Nov.  12,  13,  15,  1776,  and  a  letter  from 
the  board  of  war  to  Washington,  Nov.  18,  1776,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  746. 

*  For  the  episode  respecting  the  cannon,  see  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  630,  note  2. 
[324]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  140. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  29.     Cf.  no.  423,  post. 


22S  Continental  Congress 

325.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Maryland  Assembly/ 

Baltimore  Jany  31st  1777. 
(Circular) 

Gentlemen, 

As  there  is  not  a  more  distin.c^uislied  Event  in  the  History  of  America, 
than  the  Declaration  of  her  Independence — nor  any,  that,  in  all  probabil- 
ity, will  so  much  excite  the  Attention  of  future  Ages,  it  is  highly  proper, 
that  the  Memory  of  that  Transaction,  together  with  the  Causes  that  gave 
Rise  to  it,  should  be  preserved  in  the  most  careful  Manner  that  can  be 
devised, 

I  am  therefore  commanded  by  Congress  to  transmit  you  the  enclosed 
Copy  of  the  Act  of  Independence,  with  the  List  of  the  several  Members 
of  Congress  subscribed  thereto — and  to  request  that  you  will  cause  the 
same  to  be  put  upon  Record,  that  it  may  henceforth  form  a  Part  of  the 
Archives  of  your  State,  and  remain  a  lasting  Testimony  of  your  Approba- 
tion of  that  necessary  and  important  Measure.^ 

326.  The  Massachusetts  Delegates  to  the  President  of  the 

Massachusetts  Council.^ 

Baltimore,  31st  Jany  1777 

The  Removal  of  Congress  to  this  Place  and  the  Interruption  Occasioned 
thereby  in  the  affairs  of  the  Treasury,  have  prevented  an  early  Reimburse- 
ment of  the  Money  applyed  for  by  the  State  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  an 
Order  was  obtained  at  Philadelphia  for  £50,000  lawful,^  which  with 
300,000  Dollars  for  supplying  the  military  Chest  of  the  eastern  Depart- 
ment and  payment  of  the  Bounties  to  the  new  Levies  of  your  State,  will 
be  sent  from  hence  in  about  ten  Days.^  We  have  obtained  an  Order  on 
the  Loan  Office  at  Boston  for  £50,000  in  addition  to  the  Sums  already 
mentioned,  which  will  be  sent  by  the  president  and  compleats  the  £100,000 
required  by  the  State.'*  We  are  concerned  to  find  that  the  Interest  on  the 
[Loan  Office]  Certificates  must  continue  at  the  Rate  of  4  per  Cent,  being 
fully  persuaded  that  this  unreasonable  Oeconomy  will  impede  the  Success 
of  the  Loan,  and  burthen  the  Continent  with  a  greater  Expence  by  the 
Depreciation  that  will  result  from  further  Emissions.^ 

[325]  ^Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI,  69;  id.  to  Massachusetts,  Mass.  Arch.,  CXLII, 
21 ;  to  New  York,  N.  Y,  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  52,  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov. 
Cong.,  II.  379 ;  to  North  Carolina,  A''.  C,  State  Recs.,  XI.  371 ;  to  New  Jersey,  Votes  of 
Assem.  of  N.  J.,  1776-1781,  p.  80. 

2  See  the  Journals.  Jan.  18, 

[326]!  Mass.  Arch.  CXCVI.  183  (in  the  writing  of  Gerry)  ;  Hist.  Soc.  Pa.,  Conarroe 
Coll.,  I.  7   (copy  with  autograph  signatures,  dated  Jan.  30). 

-  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  22,  1776.    The  order  was  for  i66,666f  dollars. 

3  The  money  ordered  to  Ebenezer  Hancock,  deputy  paymaster-general  in  the 
Eastern  department,  Jan.  10.    Cf.  no.  348,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  30. 
5  See  below,  note  8, 


January,  lyyy  229 

The  Measures  wisely  adopted  by  the  Convention  of  the  New  England 
States,  are  transmitted  to  Congress  by  Governor  Trumbull,  and  a  Day  is 
appointed  for  considering  the  same,  when  a  similar  Mode  for  giving 
Stability  to  the  Currency  will  probably  be  recommended  to  the  Southern 
and  middle  Departments  of  the  Continent." 

We  think  it  necessary  to  suggest  to  the  honorable  assembly,  that  in 
consequence  of  the  commission  with  which  they  have  lately  honored  us, 
providing  that  "  any  three  or  more  "  of  their  Delegates  shall  be  present 
to  make  a  representation,  the  state  has  been  several  Days  unrepresented 
and  Congress  has  once  been  obliged  to  adjourn/  The  Inconvenience  from 
the  first  cannot  be  better  stated  than  by  mentioning,  that  the  Question  on 
raising  the  Interest  of  the  Certificates  was  lost  by  the  Indisposition  of 
one  of  the  Mass^  members,  and  the  want  of  a  Vote  in  consequence  thereof.* 

When  anything  material  to  the  State  occurs  We  shall  pay  due  attention 
thereto  being 

Sir  with  great  Respect 

Yours'  and  the  General  Assembly's  most  hum.  Servts 

Samuel  Adams 
Elbridge  Gerry 

I 

Hon^  James  Bowdoin,  Esqr. 

President  of  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  Bay 


T,2y.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Baltimore  Town.  Jany.  31st.  1777 
Gentlemen. 

I  sent  you  yesterday  by  Mr  John  Gassaway  nineteen  thousand  dollars.' 
I  must  again  press  you  to  solicit  a  Representation  for  our  State.^  The 
order  of  this  Day  is  to  appoint  a  Number  of  General  Officers.*  Are  we 
uninterested  in  the  Choice  of  Generals?  I  shall  endeavor  to  put  off  this 
Business  for  a  few  Days.  Three  of  the  middle  States,  N.  York,  Deleware 
and  Maryland,  unrepresented.  N.  Carolina  will  be  so  in  a  day  or  two. 
Complaints  are  so  loud  in  Congress  on  this  Subject,  that  Expresses  are 
sent  to  N.  York  and  Delaware,  and  I  expect  our  Assembly  will  be  intreated 
to  send  their  delegates.    It  is  not  only  necessary  to  be  represented,  but  be 

®  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 

''  Probably  Monday,  Jan.  27,  when  Congress  only  met  and  adjourned.  Cf.  no. 
311,  ante,  and  nos.  327,  329,  343,  post. 

8  This  was  probably  Jan.  14.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Feb.  8,  20,  26,  and  nos. 
332,  340,  344-346.  349,  350,  352,  357,  375,  382,  384,  385,  post. 

[327]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  III.  34;  Arch,  of  Md.  XVI.  104. 

2  Presumably  a  part  of  the  60,000  dollars  appropriated  Jan.  10.  See  the  council's 
letter  to  Chase,  Jan.  27,  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  82. 

3  "  We  observe  what  you  say  about  Delegates  to  Congress,  and  shall  use  our 
endeavours  to  have  it  complied  with  when  the  General  Assembly  get  together."  Council 
to  Chase,  Jan.  27,  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  82.  The  reference  is  to  a  letter  of  Chase,  Jan.  26, 
which  has  not  been  found.    Cf.  no.  338,  post. 

*  The  Journals  do  not  record  such  an  order  of  the  day  for  Jan.  31,  but  on 
Feb.  7  the  election  of  general  officers  was  set  for  Monday,  Feb.  17.  See,  further,  the 
Journals,  Feb.  18,  19,  20,  21.    Cf.  nos.  364,  365,  post. 


230  Continental  Congress 

assured  the  Business,  the  Interest  of  these  States  require  a  full  Represen- 
tation. We  have  not  30  Members  in  Conp;^ress,  and  it  is  not  only  improper, 
hut  impossible,  for  so  small  a  Number  to  conduct  so  very  important 
Business,  be  pleased  to  communicate  these  my  Sentiments  to  our  General 
Assembly." 

We  hourly  expect  to  hear  of  some  important  News  from  Camp. 

I  am,  Gent,  with  Regard  and  Respect, 

Saml.  Chase 

328.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington.* 

Philada.  Jany  31st.  1777 
Sir 

....  I  wrote  to  Congress  respecting  the  removal  of  the  stores  from 
hence  they  are  averse  to  it  unless  absolutely  necessary  but  as  the  acct  we 
then  gave  of  Genl.  Putnams  Force  at  Prince  Town  was  too  sanguine  I 
will  mention  it  again  and  be  governed  by  their  orders  for  I  confess  I 
think  such  removal  at  this  time  would  have  a  bad  effect  and  retard  many 
usefull  operations.* .... 

329.  Francis  Lewis  to  the  President  of  the  Nevv^  York  Convention 

(Abraham  Ten  Broeck).* 

Baltimore  31st.  Jany.  1777. 
Sir 

My  last  was  of  the  i6th.  Instant  to  the  Honble  the  Convention  in  answer 
to  your  favor  of  the  ist.  Currt.  I  therein  advised  the  urgent  necessity  of 
sending  a  sufficient  number  of  Delegates  to  represent  our  State  in  Con- 
gress, myself  being  the  onely  member  attending  for  above  six  Weeks 
past,  our  State  have  been  deprived  of  their  vote  on  Questions  in  my 
opinion  of  some  concequence,  and  altho'  Congress  endeavors  to  avoid 
partiality  as  a  collective  body,  yet  it  will  imperceptably  Steal  into  the 
minds  of  individuals,  perhaps  without  their  thinking  so.  permit  me  to 
observe  that  the  four  N.  E.  States  are  allways  represented.^ .... 

330.  Francis  Lewis  to  John  McKesson.* 

Baltimore  31st.  Janu[a]ry.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Your  favor  of  the  17th.  Instant  and  am  concerned  to  find  that  the 
appointment  of  Coll.  Warner  should  give  umbrage  to  any  Gentlemen  in 
our  State;  when  it  was  moved  in  Congress  several  objections  was  made 
to  the  motion,  was  at  length  put  to  the  Vote  when  a  majority  appeared 

5  Cf.  nos.  326,  ante,  329,  343,  351,  post. 
[328]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIIL  156. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  28. 
[329]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  48 ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  378. 

2  See  nos.  268,  292,  312,  326.  327.  ante,  and  nos.  330,  363,  402,  post. 
[330]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  49;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  378. 


January,  lyjj  231 

to  be  for  the  question."  this  I  can  venture  to  assure  you  that  in  all  debates 
of  this  kind  Congress  seems  determined  to  put  all  disputes  between 
individuals,  and  even  between  States  about  property  out  of  sight,  as 
debates  of  this  kind  the  last  year  between  the  States  of  Connecticut  and 
Pensylvania  took  up  the  whole  attention  of  Congress  to  the  great  detri- 
ment of  the  service  and  but  to  very  little  effect.  I  am  well  satisfied  in  my 
own  mind  that  Congress  has  not  the  least  Idea  as  a  collective  body  of 
suffering  any  State  to  be  dismembered  whatever  the  secret  views  of  indi- 
viduals may  be,  but  permit  me  to  say  that  to  leave  our  State  so  long 
unrepresented  in  Congress  is  a  fault  when  I  observe  to  you  that  the  four 
N  E  States  allways  keep  a  full  representation  when  in  some  debates  those 
States  may  be  injured  who  are  not  represented;  Congress  has  often  com- 
plained to  me  of  this  neglect,  and  indeed  urged  it  in  their  public  resolves 
but  to  no  effect  hitherto ; — I  hope  the  Convention  will  Speedily  remedy 
this  Evil.  I  liave  for  this  six  weeks  past  been  the  only  member  to  repre- 
sent our  State  in  Congress,  let  me  beg  you  would  make  this  known  to 
the  Convention,^  and  believe  me  to  be  sincerly 

Dr  Sir 

Your  very  Humble  Servt. 

.  F :  Lewis 

John  McKesson  Esqr. 

331.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Baltimore  31  Jany  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  find  by  your  Favour  of  the  6th.  that  the  order  for  importing  Flower 
was  at  Hand;  the  other  for  Rice  was  sent  by  Capt  Doughty.^  With 
respect  to  the  Quantity,  I  think  it  was  not  the  Intention  of  Congress  to 
limit  either.  The  affair  of  the  Salt  is  extraordinary,  and  which  cannot 
be  easily  justifyed  upon  any  principle  of  authority  or  expediency.' 
inclosed  is  your  Brothers  Commission  in  Consequence  of  his  Appoint- 
ment as  Dep.  Ad.  General ;  *  Mr  Hancock  informs  me  that  he  has  sent 
one  before  and  supposes  it  miscarryed.    I  am  in  Haste 

Sir  your  very  hum  Ser. 

E.  Gerry 
Joseph  Trumbull  Esqr. 

2  Seth  Warner  was  elected,  July  5,  1776,  colonel  of  a  regiment  to  be  raised  out  of 
the  officers  who  served  in  Canada.  A  difficulty  soon  arose  concerning  the  major  of  his 
regiment,  Elisha  Painter  (see  the  Journals,  Sept.  12,  1776,  Jan.  10,  18,  Apr.  7,  22,  25, 
T^777)i  and  dissatisfaction  with  Warner's  commission  soon  made  its  appearance  in  New 
York.  See  no.  193,  ante;  also  Schuyler  to  Congress,  Nov.  21,  Dec.  10,  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  796,  1160;  to  Governor  Trumbull,  Dec.  19,  ibid..  III.  1301 ;  and  the 
N.  Y.  convention  to  Washington  (undated),  ibid.,  III.  1264.  See  also  ibid..  III.  503. 
Cf.  the  Journals,  June  30,  and  no.  532,  post. 

3  Cf.  no.  329,  ante. 

[331]^  Conn.  State  Library,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  71. 

2  See  no.  287,  ante. 

3  Cf.  nos.  113,  145,  162,  166,  172,  ante. 

*  See  Trumbull's  letter,  Nov.  18,  1776,  to  William  Williams,  in  Force,  Am. 
Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1497  (cf.  no.  287,  note  4,  ante),  and  Schuyler  to  Congress,  Dec. 
30,  ibid.,  III.  1495.  John  Trumbull  was  elected  deputy  adjutant-general  Sept.  12,  1776. 
See  nos.  123,  124,  ante,  nos.  415,  419,  post. 

20 


232  Continental  Congress 

332.  William   Hooper  to  Rohkrt  Morris.' 

Baltimore  February  i.  1777. 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  I  lament,  my  dear  Sir,  the  very  small  representation  which 
America  presents  in  Conq-ress  the  members  will  soon  be  reduced  to  the 
number  of  22. '  how  unequal  to  the  importance  of  its  councils !  I  am  sorry 
to  say  that  I  think  they  already  savour  of  the  truth  of  an  Observation 
contrasted  to  that  in  holy  Writ.  That  in  the  Multitude  of  Counsellors 
there  is  wisdom.  Some  of  the  middle  and  Southern  colonies  have  much 
to  answer  for  in  their  want  of  representation.  It  is  a  Crime  however 
which  carries  its  own  punishment  with  it,  and  if  there  are  two  Interests 
in  America,  that  must  necessarily  prevail  which  always  has  its  advocates 
on  the  spot  to  promote  it.  while  the  other  is  deserted  by  those  whom  every 
tie  of  honour,  Duty  and  publick  virtue  should  induce  to  a  different  conduct. 
New  York  Delaware,  Maryland  may  almost  as  well  desert  the  Cause  as 
so  lamely  support  it  by  their  appearance  in  its  publick  Councils.' .... 

I  wish  some  expedient  could  be  fallen  upon  to  put  our  monied  matters 
in  a  proper  train  the  demands  upon  us  at  present  are  immense  and  must 
continue  so,  like  beginners  in  every  thing  else  we  want  Oeconomy  or 
rather  want  System.  Unless  officers  are  appointed  competent  to  the 
management  of  our  funds  we  must  be  ruined,  from  a  false  parsimony  in 
saving  hundreds  in  salaries  of  proper  Officers  we  are  sporting  away 
millions  in  the  w^ant  of  them.  I  wish  the  Loan  Office  may  suceed  at 
4  p  Cent  the  Southern  Colonies  will  not  consent  to  raise  it  they  consider 
the  Eastern  Governments  as  in  possession  of  almost  all  the  Continental 
currency,  and  the  rise  to  5  as  only  a  prelude  to  a  higher  demand  and  that 
in  proportion  to  our  necessities.* .... 

333.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to 

William  Bingham.^ 

Baltimore  in  Maryland  ist.  Feby.  1777 
Sir 

As  we  shall  write  you  shortly  again  our  attention  at  present  will  be 
confined  chiefly  to  your  favor  of  Decemr.  6th.  1776,  in  which  you  mention 
the  misconduct  of  Captn.  Patterson.  We  have  laid  your  letter  before  Con- 
gress, and  they  have  appointed  a  Committee  to  consider  the  most  proper 

1332]!  Stan.  V.  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  ^2  (facsimile)  ;  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc, 
Collections:   Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  415;  Hist.  Mag.,  XIV.  87. 

2  In  the  earlier  part  of  this  letter  Hooper  says,  after  speaking  of  a  recent  severe 
illness :  "  I  am  now  recovering,  and  God  willing  propose  moving  southward  in  a  few 
days.  Nelson  bj'  advice  of  a  Physician  goes  to  morrow.  He  is  in  a  bad  state  of  Health. 
Harrison  is  still  ill  and  unless  he  is  more  attentive  to  Exercise  and  Regimen  I  fear  the 
consequences  will  be  serious.  With  one  united  voice  we  ascribe  this  catalogue  of  Ills 
to  this  place.  I  declare  to  you  the  Congress  presents  such  a  scene  of  yellow  death  like 
faces,  that  you  would  imagine  Rhadamanthus  had  shifted  his  quarters  and  was  holding 
court  in  Baltimore."    Cf.  nos.  260,  262,  282,  295,  304.  ante,  340.  344,  note  2,  post. 

3  In  the  passage  omitted  Hooper  discusses  the  Pennsylvania  delegation,  charac- 
terizing in  particular  Wilson  and  Ross,  with  some  comment  upon  the  course  of  John 
Dickinson. 

*  See  no.  326.  note  8,  ante. 
[333]^  Collection  of  the  late  Garrett  D.  W.  Vroom,  Trenton;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt. 
Corr.,  II.  256;  Sparks,  Dipl.  Corr.  Rev.,  I.  255. 


February,  i^yy  233 

steps  to  be  taken  in  this  business,  that  speedy  and  condign  punishment 
may  be  appHed  to  Capn.  Patterson,  when  his  crime  shall  be  duly  enquired 
into  and  established  ^ — The  Congress  having  an  utter  abhorrence  of  all 
irregular  and  culpable  violation  of  the  law  of  nations,  and  that  friendship 
and  respect,  which  they  entertain  for  the  French  Nation.  We  wish,  you 
would  communicate  this  to  their  Excellencies  the  Governor  and  General 
of  Martinique — Congress  has  referred  the  matter  of  remittance  for  dis- 
charge of  the  obligation  you  and  Mr.  Harrison  have  entered  into,  to  the 
State  of  Maryland,  from  whence  you  will  no  doubt  receive  remittance  as 
soon  as  the  British  Ships  of  War  now  in  Chesapeake  Bay  will  permit. 

•      •      •      • 

Your  most  obedt.  hum^.  Servts. 

Benja.  Harrison 
Richard  Henry  Lee 
Will  Hooper 
RoBT  Morris,  at  Philada. 

334.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Baltimore  Feb.  i,  1777. 
My  dear  Sir, 

The  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  the  four  New  England  States 
have  been  read  in  Congress  and  are  now  under  the  Consideration  of  a 
Committee  of  the  whole.  They  are  much  applauded  as  being  wise  and 
salutary.^ .... 

P.  S.  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that,  a  fair  Occasion  offering,  I  moved  in 
Congress  that  the  Eldest  son  of  our  deceasd  Friend  Genl.  Warren  might 
be  adopted  by  the  Continent  and  educated  at  the  publick  expense.  The 
Motion  was  pleasing  to  all  and  a  Committee  is  appointed  to  prepare  a 
Resolve.  A  Monument  is  also  proposd  in  Memory  of  him  and  Genl. 
Mercer  whose  youngest  Son  is  also  to  be  adopted  and  educated.  But  these 
things  I  would  not  have  yet  made  publick.^ 

335.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Maryland  Assembly.^ 

Baltimore,  Feb'y.  ist,  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

In  Consequence  of  Information  that  a  Number  of  disaffected  People 
in  the  Counties  of  Somerset  and  Worcester  in  the  State  of  Maryland  had 

2  Capt.  ^VilHam  Patterson  of  the  schooner  Dolphin  captured  and  detained,  near 
St.  Pierre,  Martinique,  an  English  vessel  bearing  a  flag  of  truce  from  the  governor  of 
Dominica  to  the  general  of  Martinique.  See  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  121,  122,  127-128,  136, 
151.  See  also  the  Journals,  Jan.  28,  no.  322,  ante,  and  no.  338,  post.  Bingham's  letter 
of  Dec.  6  has  not  been  found. 

[334]^  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  286;   Writings  of  Samuel  Adams   (ed.  Gushing), 
III.  350. 

-  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  31,  Feb.  i,  Apr.  8,  12,  and  no.  411,  post.  Adams  also 
mentions  his  motion  in  a  letter  to  his  wife,  Feb.  i,  adding :  "  Communicate  this  only  to 
a  few  Friends  till  you  hear  further  of  it."    N.  Y.  Pub.  Library,  Samuel  Adams  Papers. 

I335]  ^Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  134;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cent.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  127. 


2'>^  Contiucntql  Congress 

proceeded  such  Leug^ths,  as  to  take  up  Arms  agl.  their  Country,  I  am 
directed  by  Coti^ress  to  transmit  to  you  a  Memorial  from  the  Inhabitants 
of  those  Counties,  together  with  the  Depositions  which  accompanied  the 
same.  The  dangerous  Nature  and  Tendency  of  this  Insurrection,  refjuire 
that  the  most  vigorous  and  effectual  Measures  be  immediately  taken  to 
suppress  it.  I  am  therefore  to  request  you  will  comply  with  the  enclosed 
Resolves  of  Congress  for  this  End.  Should  the  Exertions  of  your 
Militia  be  apprehended  to  be  inefTectual,  the  Congress  on  your  represent- 
ing the  Matter  to  them,  will  readily  order  any  additional  Assistance  that 
shall  be  thought  necessary.^ .... 

336.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary. ^ 

[February  4,  1777.] 

Upon  Motion  in  Congress  whether  the  meeting  held  by  the  four  New 
Engd  States  by  deputies  at  Providence  Decemr  25  1776  was  a  proper  one 
and  wdiether  it  did  not  stand  in  need  of  the  Approbation  of  Congress  to 
make  it  valid. 

It  was  said  by  Mr  Saml  Adams.  That  a  right  to  assemble  upon  all 
occasions  to  consult  measures  for  promoting  liberty  and  happiness  was 
the  priviledge  of  freemen — that  it  was  contested  by  Govr  Hutchinson  and 
that  it  was  dreaded  only  by  tyrants. 

Mr  Richd  Henry  Lee.  It  was  said  on  the  same  side  of  the  question 
that  we  were  not  yet  confederated — therefore  no  law  of  the  Union 
infringed. 

Col:  Wilson  on  the  negative  said  that  the  design  in  the  committee  of 
the  4  New  England  States  in  sending  their  proceedings  to  Congress  was 
to  demand  their  approbation 

That  the  same  was  clearly  intimated  by  the  tenor  of  the  appointments 
from  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut — that  the  committee  had  commanded, 
and  countermanded  continental  troops — that  the  said  troops  were  to  be 
paid  by  the  continent — therefore  that  the  business  the  Committee  trans- 
acted was  wholly  continental  and  of  course  required  the  approbation  of 
Congress. 

Mr  John  Adams  said  that  he  lately  travelled  thro'  New  Eng"^  and 
that  he  was  sure  that  the  approbation  of  the  Congress  of  the  meeting 
would  give  pleasure  to  the  committee  and  their  constitutents.  That  their 
meeting  was  founded  in  necessity,  that  Altho'  we  were  not  confederated 
the  same  principles  of  equity  and  reason  should  govern  us  as  if  we  were 
united  by  a  confederacy — that  the  four  New  England  States  bore  the  same 
relation  to  the  Congress  that  four  counties  bore  to  a  single  State.  These 
four  counties  have  a  right  to  meet  to  regulate  roads,  and  affairs  that  relate 
to  the  poor,  but  they  have  no  right  to  tax  or  execute  any  other  branch  of 
legislation.    In  like  manner  the  four  New  Eng*^  States,  or  any  other  four 

2  See  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  109-112,  and  passim  (index,  Somerset  County, 
Worcester  County)  ;  also  the  Journals,  Jan.  31,  Feb.  i,  4,  6,  10,  12,  17,  and  nos.  341. 
347.  443,  463.  post. 

[336]^  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 


February,  7777  235 

States  have  a  right  to  meet  upon  matters  wholly  indifferent,  but  they 
have  no  right  to  touch  upon  Continental  Subjects — that  the  committee 
from  the  4  New  Eng"*  States  have  touched  upon  continental  Subjects, 
therefore  the  Meeting  stands  in  need  of  the  Approbation  of  the  Congress. 

Dr  Rush.  The  desire  of  independance  is  natural  not  only  to  individuals 
but  to  communities.  There  was  a  time  (near  200  years)  when  it  was 
wrong  to  say  a  word  agst.  the  dependance  of  the  colonies  upon  Great 
Britain.  A  time  came  when  it  was  equally  criminal  to  enforce  that  depen- 
dance. The  time  may  come  and  probably  will  come  when  it  will  be  the 
interest  of  the  united  States  to  be  independant  of  each  other,  but  I  can  con- 
ceive of  no  temporal  punishment  to  be  severe  eno'  for  that  man  who 
attempts  to  dissolve,  or  weaken  the  Union  for  a  century  or  two  to  come. 
I  admire  the  proceedings  of  the  committee  assembled  at  Providence. 
They  are  full  of  political  virtue  and  wisdom,  and  I  think  the  other  States 
will  act  wisely  and  virtuously  in  proportion  as  they  resemble  them.  But 
I  think  the  Meeting  is  full  of  great  and  interesting  consequences,  and 
should  be  regarded  with  a  serious  and  jealous  eye.  Their  business  was 
chiefly  continental,  and  therefore  they  usurped  the  powers  of  congress  as 
much  as  four  counties  would  usurp  the  powers  of  legislation  in  a  state 
shd.  they  attempt  to  tax  themselves.  The  committee  have  in  one  instance 
in  regulating  the  price  of  goods  counterved  [contravened?]  an  express 
resolution  of  congress,  and  lastly  tho'  the  meeting  was  necessary  and  no 
injustice  intended  or  done  by  it  to  any  state,  yet  it  becomes  us  to  remember 
that  arbitrary  power  has  often  originated  in  justice  and  necessity. 

This  question  was  decided  by  a  majority  in  the  Committee  of  the  Whole 
house  in  the  aMrmative,  but  in  the  negative  a  few  days  afterwards.  It 
was  reconsidered  Feby  13rd. ^ 

337.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Baltimore  Feb'y  4th  1777. 
Sir: 

....  I  intend  hereafter  to  trouble  you  with  a  letter  every  post,  and 
shall  give  my  sentiments  of  the  different  political  principles  which  I  shall 
perceive  to  actuate  the  several  States,  the  measures  intended  to  be  pursued, 
the  intelligence  we  receive  and  the  important  decisions  in  Congress.  I 
find  a  considerable  jealously  is  entertained  of  the  Northern  States,  I  know 
not  how  justly,  at  present  I  must  refer  you  to  Mr.  Hooper  who  is  much 
better  qualified  to  give  you  satisfaction  on  all  these  matters  than  I  am. 
Our  situation  here  is  unsettled,  uncomfortable,  and  incredibly  expensive. 
These  circumstances  will  I  doubt  not  occasion  another  adjournment  of 
Congress 

Feh'y  ^th  ^ — This  day  it  was  resolved  in  Congress  that  Col.  Nash 
should  be  appointed  a  Brigadier  General,  that  he  should  proceed  to  the 

2  See  no.  355,  post',  also  the  references  in  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 
[337]'  A'.  C-  State  Rccs.,  XI.  37.3- 

2  This  letter,  found  ibid.,  p.  374,  is  evidently  only  an  addition  to  the  letter  of 
Feb.  4.     See  no.  359,  post. 


28G  Continental  Congress 

Western  part  of  the  State,  and  expedite  as  nnicli  as  possible  the  recruiting 
service,  and  that  the  several  Battalions  of  Continental  Troops  in  North 
and  South  Carolina  should  join  General  Washington  as  soon  as  may  be 
after  the  fifteenth  of  March.  It  was  proposed  to  request  your  assistance 
in  forwarding-  the  recruiting  business,  but  we  observed  that  you  were 
already  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  such  an  exertion  of  your  interest  and 
influence,  and  being  so  well  inclined  to  serve  to  your  utmost  power  the 
cause  of  America,  there  is  no  need  to  remind  you  of  it.' .... 

338.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Baltimore  Town  Febry.  6.  1777 

Thursday  Noon 
Gentlemen. 

Congress  are  very  anxious  that  some  immediate  Steps  should  be  taken 
by  our  State,  not  only  as  to  the  person  of  Captain  Patterson,  but  as  to  the 
Payment  of  the  Engagement  entered  into  by  the  Continental  and  your 
Agent.  Capt.  Patterson  is  viewed  as  a  pirate  and  after  examination,  if 
the  facts  should  appear  to  you  to  be  well  founded,  it  may  be  well  to  con- 
sider, if  it  would  not  be  proper  to  send  him  to  Martinico  for  trial  there,  by 
the  law  of  nations.  If  our  State  shall  pay  the  value  of  the  vessel  and 
goods  seised  by  Patterson,  would  it  not  be  proper  to  inform  the  Governor 
of  Martinique  that  the  whole  would  have  been  returned,  but  for  the 
Risque.  If  no  remittance  can  be  made  but  by  produce,  it  will  be  an  equal 
risque  to  send  back  the  vessel.  Could  not  Mr.  Morris  pay  the  money  for 
our  State?  An  opportunity  of  writing  will  present  itself  in  a  few  days. 
Would  it  not  be  proper  for  our  State  to  write  a  letter,  disavowing  the  con- 
duct of  Capt.  Patterson,  and  engaging  payment  as  soon  as  possible  and 
mentioning  the  men  of  war  in  our  Bay,  which  may  delay  the  remittance.* 

....  I  must  again  repeat  the  necessity  of  a  Representation.* 

339.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  Feby.  6th  1777. 

This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Mr.  Burke  -  from  the  Island  of  Jamaica 
a  Gentleman  of  Spirit,  and  wxll  affected  to  the  American  Cause,  who  had 
applied  to  Congress  to  be  taken  into  the  Service  of  these  States.  They 
have  directed  that  his  Application  be  referred  to  you,  that  you  may  do 
therein  as  you  shall  think  proper.     The  Congress  have  received  very 

3  Cf.  the  Journals. 
[338]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  87;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  122. 

2  See  nos.  322,  Z2>3,  a»'^- 

3  See  no.  327,  ante. 

[339]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  86. 

2  Bartholomew  Burke.  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  22,  30,  Feb.  4,  Apr.  7.  The  draft, 
dated  Mar.  4,  of  Washington's  authority  and  instructions  to  Captain  Burke  to  raise  a 
company  is  in  the  Washington  MSS.,  as  is  also  a  letter  of  introduction  from  Robert 
Morris,  dated  Feb.  14. 


February,  ly/y  237 

favourable  Accounts  of  the  great  Attachment  Mr.  Burke  has  to  the  Cause 
of  America,  and  of  his  Zeal  to  do  every  Thing  in  his  Power  to  support 
her  Liberties. 

340.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Baltimore,  7  February,  1777. 

I  am  at  last,  after  a  great  deal  of  difficulty,  settled  in  comfortable 
quarters,^  but  at  an  infinite  expense.  The  price  I  pay  for  my  board  is  more 
moderate  than  any  other  gentlemen  give,  excepting  my  colleagues,  who 
are  all  in  the  same  quarters  and  at  the  same  rates,  except  Mr.  Hancock, 
who  keeps  a  house  by  himself.  The  prices  of  things  here  are  much  more 
intolerable  than  at  Boston,  The  attempt  of  New  England  to  regulate 
prices  is  extremely  popular  in  Congress,  who  will  recommend  an  imitation 
of  it  to  the  other  States.^  For  my  own  part  I  expect  only  a  partial  and  a 
temporary  relief  from  it,  and  I  fear  that,  after  a  time,  the  evils  will  break 
out  with  greater  violence.  The  water  will  flow  with  greater  rapidity  for 
having  been  dammed  up  for  a  time.  The  only  radical  cure  will  be  to  stop 
the  emission  of  more  paper,  and  to  draw  in  some  that  is  already  out,  and 
devise  means  effectually  to  support  the  credit  of  the  rest.  To  this  end  we 
must  begin  forthwith  to  tax  the  people  as  largely  as  the  distressed  circum- 
stances of  the  country  will  bear.  We  must  raise  the  interest  from  four 
to  six  per  cent.*  We  must,  if  possible,  borrow  silver  and  gold  from 
abroad.  We  must,  above  all  things,  endeavor,  this  winter,  to  gain  further 
advantages  of  the  enemy,  that  our  power  may  be  in  somewhat  higher 
reputation  than  it  is,  or  rather,  than  it  has  been. 

341.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Baltimore  Town  Febry.  7th.  1777. 
Gentlemen 

The  marine  Committee  are  very  desirous,  that  the  Tender  of  the 
Defence  should  be  well  manned,  and  under  a  bold  active  prudent  officer, 
sent  down  with  the  Troops  destined  for  Som*.  and  Worcester  County. 

[340]  1  FawtViar  Letters,  p.  239. 

2  In  his  diary  he  writes : 

"  February  6.    Thursday.    Lx»dged  last  night,  for  the  first  time,  in  my  new  quarters, 

at  Mrs.  Ross's,  in  Market  Street,  Baltimore,  a  few  doors  below  the  Fountain  Inn 

The  Congress  sits  in  the  last  house  at  the  west  end  of  Market  Street,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  street ;  a  long  chamber,  with  two  fire-places,  two  large  closets,  and  two  doors. 
The  house  belongs  to  a  Quaker,  who  built  it  for  a  tavern."    Works,  II.  433. 

Adams  arrived  in  Baltimore  Feb.  i  (see  his  leter  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Feb.  2,  Familiar 
Letters,  p.  237),  and  took  his  seat  in  Congress  Feb.  4  (see  the  Journals,  Feb.  4,  and 
no.  336,  ante)  ;  cf.  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  288.  Concerning  conditions  at  Baltimore, 
cf.  Adams's  letter  of  Feb.  2,  mentioned  above,  and  nos.  260,  262,  282,  295,  ante.  See  also 
no.  344,  note  2,  post. 

In  regard  to  the  house  in  which  Congress  sat,  see  Scharf,  Chronicles  of  Baltimore, 
pp.  141,  153,  and  Scharf,  Baltimore  City  and  County,  p.  74.  In  the  latter  volume  is  a 
picture  of  "  Congress  Hall  ". 

3  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 

*  See  nos.  326,  note  8,  ante,  344-346,  349,  352,  357,  375,  382,  384,  385,  post. 
[341]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  86;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  124. 


238  Continental  Congress 

Congress  will  afford  every  Assistance  in  their  i)0\ver  to  prevent  any  Com- 
munication between  the  Insurj^ents  and  tiie  Men  of  war.  and  any  jjkmder 
of  our  Islands  or  Coasts,  it  is  earnestly  wished  and  expected  that  our 
State  will  order  every  Vessel  they  have  and  can  obtain  on  the  same  Duty. 
I  shall  sj)cak  to  Captain  Cook  about  his  tender. - 
No  Letters  from  General  Washing^ton     The  Post  is  not  yet  arrived. 

With  Respect  your  Obedt.  Servt. 

S.  Chase 

342.  WiLLi.\M  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

Baltimore.  Feby.  7,  1777. 

....  There  is  more  unanimity  in  Conj^ress  than  ever,  the  little 
Southern  jealousies  have  almost  subsided  and  the  Dickinsonian  politics 
are  Banished.  J.  Adams  and  Lovell  are  arrived  from  Massac**  and 
exceeding-  good  representatives  from  Virginia,  and  a  new  member  from 
N.  Carolina,  (one  Mr.  Burke),  who  I  think  is  the  Best  man  I  have  seen 
from  that  country." .... 

343.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

February  7,  1777. 

Motion  in  Congress  that  the  President  write  to  every  State  excepting 
Virginia  and  Masechusett's  Bay  recommending  a  fuller  representation, 
proposed  to  leave  out  the  Exceptions,  passed  in  the  Negative  Amend- 
ment proposed,  that  when  ever  any  State  was  unrepresented  the  President 
should  write  requesting  a  full  representation  agreed  by  a  Majority, 
motion  to  be  reconsidered.  Amendment  proposed  that  when  ever  any 
State  was  represented  by  less  than  three  President  should  write  etc. 
rejected.    Question  upon  the  whole  as  amended,  Nos  5  Ayes  4  i  Divided, 

In  this  Debate  the  States  fully  represented  insisted  on  tlie  Exceptions 
that,  it  might  appear  they  had  no  need  of  a  Memento.  Several  other 
States  insisted  that  no  state  ought  to  be  permitted  to  Commit  a  Vote  in 
the  General  Council  of  the  States  to  less  than  three.  That  less  nor  even 
that  Number  would  supply  Committees  it  was  Answered  to  the  first  that 
every  State  had  made  her  representation  as  best  Suited  her  Circumstances, 

2  Cf.  no.  335-  ante,  nos.  347,  443,  463,  post. 

[342]!  A/a^.  of  Hist.,  VIII.  371 ;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  969,  item  144. 

2  Cf.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.  Feb.  17,  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  293. 

[343]^  N.  C.  Hist.  Soc.  Chapel  Hill.  Burke  evidently  made  two  partially  distinct 
sets  of  abstracts.  Besides  the  fragment.  Feb.  7  and  8,  in  possession  of  the  North  Carolina 
Historical  Society,  and  the  abstracts,  Feb.  8-26,  printed  in  the  North  Carolina  State 
Records,  vol.  XL,  there  is  in  the  Emmet  Collection  in  the  Xew  York  Public  Library  a 
fragment  covering  the  debates  of  Feb.  20-27  (see  no.  367,  note  i,  post),  with  some 
account  of  debates  about  Mar.  14  and  Apr.  8.  For  some  dates  the  texts  show  only 
minor  variations ;  for  others  they  are  quite  distinct.  The  Emmet  copy  apears  to  have 
been  drafted  subsequently  to  that  used  in  the  A''.  C.  State  Recs.,  and  some  of  the  abstracts 
are  more  extended.  It  is  probable  that  the  Emmet  fragment  and  that  at  Chapel  Hill 
are  parts  of  the  same  manuscript.  The  original  from  which  the  text  of  the  A'.  C.  State 
Recs.  was  derived  has  probably  been  lost,  as  that  text  was  printed  from  an  executive 
letter-book  copy. 


February,  j///  239 

that  many  were  unable  to  spare  or  support  one  more  Numerous,  that  each 
was  best  Judge  how  many  of  her  citizens  She  would  Trust,  and  to  what 
length  she  would  Trust  them,  that  there  was  no  need  of  publicly  calling 
on  them  for  a  representation  more  full  because  they  had  already  wished 
the  same  thing  but  found  it  Inconvenient  to  be  Effected  that  therefore 
those  who  had  any  representation  at  all  [had]  done  what  their  circum- 
stances permit  [ed]  an  [  ?]  for  greater  Exertions,  to  the  second  that  the 
represent  [atives  of]  the  States  who  had  few  refused  nor  [  |  That 

the  weight  and  Trust  were  certainly  too  great  for  any  one  person  but  it 
was  an  evil  that  could  not  at  present  be  remedied,  and  therefore  it  must 
be  born,  that  requiring  three  to  form  a  Quorum  would  Embarass  several 
states  and  leave  such  states  often  without  any  representation  at  all, 
because  if  any  Accident  prevented  the  attendance  of  one,  the  Vote  was 
Necessarily  lost,  and  any  state  would  prefer  a  Vote  by  one  of  her 
Del[eg]ates  rather  than  No  Vote  at  all. 

North  Carolina  having  only  one  Delegate  present  urged  that  the  argu- 
ments [aimed  at?]  the  Insufficiency  of  One  Delegate  for  so  Important 
a  Trust  were  sensibly  felt  by  the  Delegate  who  already  tho'  but  a  very  few 
days  in  Congress  found  his  Experience  and  abilities  far  Inferior  to  his 
Duty,  but  this  was  not  the  fault  of  his  Country,  who  could  not  prevail  on 
lier  abler  men  to  undertake  a  Business  so  arduous  and  Inconvenient, 
that  She  had  Indeed  appointed  three  but  never  Expected  that  they  should 
be  always  in  Service  at  Once,  because  the  absence  was  too  long  from  their 
private  Families  and  Affairs,  and  She  had  not  Funds  to  support  a  greater 
Number,  that  One  who  Expected  to  have  been  here  w^as  prevented  by 
Illness,  the  other  had  Just  departed  and  after  a  long  attendance  was  per- 
mitted to  return  home  that  the  Single  Representation  of  that  State  was 
the  Misfortune  of  the  Delegate  on  whom,  all  Incompetent  as  he  is,  the 
burthen  of  so  high  a  Trust  had  fallen  and  also  the  misfortune  of  his 
Country  who  in  the  absence  of  his  more  able  Colleagues  could  not  be  so 
well  served,  that  Considering  it  as  a  matter  which  each  state  had  an 
Exclusive  right  to  Judge  of,  the  Delegate  could  not  agree  that  Congress 
should  at  all  Interfere  with  it,  that  having  Just  informed  the  Congress 
that  one  of  the  [delegates  had  been]  permitted  by  his  Countr>'  to  return, 
and  that  the  [consequence  is]  that  only  two  would  be  in  service  the 
Delegate  considered  the  Ammendment  relative  to  three  is  [as]  implying 
a  Censure  on  his  Country  and  he  must  therefore  protest  against  it.  The 
Intention  to  Censure  was  disclaimed.^ 

344.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  Feby.  8th  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  your  letter  to  Congress  of  the 
4th  instant  produced  a  Motion  this  day  for  adjourning  to  Philadelphia. 

2  See  no.  351,  post.    Cf.  nos.  311,  326,  ante. 
[344]  1  Copied   from   the  original  then  in  the   possession  of   Mr.    Stan.  V.   Henkels 
of  Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  92. 


240  Continental  Congress 

After  some  debate  it  was  resolved  by  a  majority  of  one  State  only  not  to 
put  the  (Question.  One  State  was  accidentally  unrepresented  for  a  few 
minutes  or  it  would  have  been  carried  in  the  Affuinative.  The  principal 
desig^n  of  this  letter  is  to  request  that  you  would  urge  the  necessity  of  our 
returning  to  Philada  in  your  next  letter.  By  our  Absence  from  Philada 
we  not  only  depreciate  the  money  there,  but  we  likewise  depreciate  it  by 
our  residence  here.  The  scarcity  of  Artificers,  the  want  of  sufficient 
number  of  boarding  houses,  the  constant  accession  of  Strangers  who  have 
business  with  the  Congress  and  who  create  a  fluctuation  in  the  Quantity 
of  provisions  brought  into  the  town  have  rendered  the  price  of  living,  and 
transacting  business  of  all  kinds  three  times  as  high  in  this  place  as  it  is 
in  many  parts  of  the  Continent,  and  Nearly  twice  as  high  as  in  Philadel- 
phia. But  there  are  other  considerations  which  ought  to  influence  us. 
Our  return  will  have  the  same  effect  upon  our  politicks  that  General 
Washington's  late  successes  have  had  upon  our  Arms.  Its  operation  per- 
haps may  not  be  confined  to  the  Continent.  It  may  serve  our  cause  even 
in  the  Court  of  France.^ 

Your  letter  produced  another  motion  in  Congress  of  greater  conse- 
quence than  the  one  just  now  mentioned,  namely  to  raise  the  interest  of 
money  received  into  our  loan  Offices  to  6  per  Cent.  It  produced  a  very 
long,  and  serious  debate.  The  question  was  postponed  'till  Monday  next 
at  the  request  of  Connecticut.  There  is  good  reason  to  believe  from  the 
part  the  several  States  took  in  the  debate  that  it  will  be  carried  in  the 
Affirmative  by  a  majority  of  two  or  three  States.  Col.  R.  H.  Lee  has 
changed  his  mind  upon  this  subject,  and  was  one  of  the  warmest  Advo- 
cates for  raising  the  interest  upon  the  floor.* 

We  live  here  in  a  Convent,  we  converse  only  with  one  another.  We  are 
precluded  from  all  opportunities  of  feeling  the  pulse  of  the  public  upon  our 
measures.  We  rely  upon  the  Committee  of  Philada  to  feel  it  for  us,  and 
we  expect  once  more  to  hear  thro'  you  how  it  beats  upon  the  subject  of 
returning  to  Philadelphia. 

From  Dr.  Sir  your  Most  humble  Servt 

Benjamin  Rush 

345.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

1777  Feb.  8th. 

Motion  for  offering  6  per  ct.  in  the  Loan  Office.^ 

For  it, — was  agreed  the  necessity  of  money  for  carrying  on  the  war, 
which  four  per  cent  had  not  yet  procured,  the  expediency  of  borrowing  on 
this  interest  to  prevent  further  emissions,  and  of  alluring  moneyed  men 
to  embark  in  our  interest.     Against  it. — that  the  public,  being  the  only 

2  The  motion  to  adjourn  to  Philadelphia  is  not  recorded  in  the  Journals  Feb.  8; 
see  however  the  Journals,  Feb.  17,  25,  27;  also  nos.  345,  347.  357,  359.  361-363,  368,  ^77, 
378,  382-384.  387-389,  392,  393,  post.    Cf.  nos.  282,  295,  304,  222,  340,  ante. 

3  See  no.  Z^^,  note  8.  ante.    Cf.  nos.  345,  346,  349,  post. 
[345]! iV.  C.  State  Recs..  XL  389. 

2  Another  account  by  Burke  of  this  debate  is  given  under  no.  346,  post.  See 
no.  326,  note  8,  ante ;  also  nos.  349,  352,  357,  375,  382,  384,  385,  post. 


February,  7777  241 

borrower,  must  get  the  money  at  the  interest  already  offered,  if  there  was 
any  to  be  lent ;  that  those  who  withheld  money,  only  did  it  in  hopes  our 
necessity  would  compel  us  to  give  a  higher  interest,  and  that  they  would 
withhold  it  as  long  as  they  had  any  prospect  of  forcing  us  to  offer  higher 
interest;  that  the  interest  would  be  a  heavy  and  unequal  burthen  on  the 
State,  because  those  who  now  possess  the  money  would  lay  the  rest  under 
a  heavy  tax  under  the  name  of  interest ;  that  there  was  little  money  to  be 
borrowed,  because  men  speculated  and  found  they  could  lay  it  out  to 
better  advantage;  that  the  necessity  for  money  made  it  more  expedient 
to  seek  a  more  certain  resource.  The  delegate  of  North  Carolina  could 
not  be  satisfied  that  Loan  Office  certificates,  and  bills  of  credit,  where  both 
had  the  same  security  for  their  redemption,  were  not  in  effect  the  same 
thing :  he  therefore  thought  Loan  certificates  another  emission  in  bills  of 
another  denomination,  with  this  unjust  inequality,  that  one  part  of  the 
community  would  thereby  be  taxed  for  the  others.  He  also  thought  that 
much  money  would  not  be  borrowed  on  them  at  any  interest,  unless  it 
was  for  the  more  convenient  purposes  of  exchange,  and  he  thought  it 
would  give  our  enemies  too  convenient  a  machine  for  affecting  our  hopes 
and  fears.  He  would  vote  against  a  Loan  altogether  if  it  were  now  the 
question,  and  the  same  reasons  induced  him  to  vote  against  the  increase 
of  interest.  Question  put,  Aye  5,  no  5.  Aye, — New  Hampshire,  M.  Bay, 
N.  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Virginia.  No. — Rhode  Island,  Connecticut, 
North  Carolina,  Georgia,  S.  Carolina. 

346.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Fehy  8th.  An  adjournment  to  Philadelphia  was  moved  for  and  post- 
poned ^  A  Resolve  was  moved  for  offering  6  pet.  Interest  in  the  Loan 
Office  the  Debate  took  up  greatest  part  of  the  Day,  and  the  determination 
was  postponed  at  the  request  of  Connecticut.' 

The  Arguments  chiefly  were  that  money  was  absolutely  Necessary  for 
carrying  on  the  War,  that  four  per  ct  which  was  already  offered  could  not 
procure  it  and  it  was  therefore  Necessary  to  Increase  the  Interest,  that 
this  mode  was  more  eligeable  than  a  farther  Emission  because  it  would 
draw  out  of  Circulation  that  superfluous  quantity  which  occasioned  the 
Rise  of  all  prices,  that  the  alluring  monied  men  to  embark  in  one  Com- 
mon Interest  with  the  other  orders  of  men  would  greatly  add  to  the 
Security  of  our  Independence. 

In  answer  it  was  urged  that  the  Offering  a  higher  Interest  would  not 
more  certainly  procure  the  money,  for  those  who  had  it  to  lend  would 
find  no  borrower  but  the  public,  and  those  who  had  not  could  not  lend  it 
on  any  Interest,  that  the  Interest  would  be  an  Accumulating  Debt  (if  it 
could  be  borrowed)  under  which  the  Country  must  Sink,  that  the  States 
would  be  very  unequally  burthened  because  those  who  now  possessed  the 
greater  part  of  the  Money  would   lay  the  other  States  under  a  heavy  Tax 

[346]!  N.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Chapel  Hill. 
2  See  no.  344,  note  2,  ante. 
^  See  no.  345,  ante. 


242  Continental  Congress 

to  them  under  the  name  of  Interest,  that  [when]  tliere  were  in  the 
Country  no  money  Lenders  [every]  man  found  that  every  (hiy's  Occur- 
rences [ofTered  him]  Opportunities  of  layinj^  out  his  money  to  much 
i,'reater  advantage,  tliat  however  Necessary  the  money  might  be  it  was 
still  the  more  Necessary  to  fall  on  some  Expedient  that  might  procure  it 
with  certainty,  that  the  Increase  of  Interest  having  been  tried  in  many 
States  without  EfTect  very  clearly  proved  money  was  not  to  be  borrowed. 
North  Carolina  urged  that  it  was  a  clear  Truth  that  money  was  Necessary, 
it  was  equally  clear  that  it  was  advisable  to  prevent  further  lunissions  and 
to  reduce  the  quantity  in  circulation  if  it  was  possible  to  Effect  it.  the 
Delegate  declared  that  when  he  ofTered  his  thoughts  before  that  Illus- 
trious assembly  he  did  it  with  the  greatest  Diffidence  and  deference  that 
he  should  not  trouble  them  with  any  on  so  abstruce  and  Intricate  a  Sub- 
ject as  the  present,  but  that  he  perceived  the  matter  had  not  Struck  any 
other  in  the  same  point  of  View  that  it  did  him,  that  he  felt  himself 
Oppressed  with  the  weight  of  the  Question,  and  having  the  misfortune 
Singly  to  have  the  vote  of  one  State  to  give  he  wished  to  do  it  on  Estab- 
lished Principles,  and  the  clearest  conviction,  he  therefore  beged  their 
Indulgence  and  candor  if  he  should  ofTer  objections  which  had  been 
answered  in  some  former  Debates  (for  there  had  been  many  on  that 
Subject)  which  he  had  not  the  Good  fortune  to  Hear,  he  urged  that  he 
had  not  been  able  to  derive  any  Satisfactory  Information  from  the  Debate 
that  the  money  could  be  had  by  way  of  Loan  on  any  Interest,  or  that 
money  raised  by  way  of  Loan  would  not  be  a  further  Emission  in  Efifect, 
that  he  perceived  there  were  few  or  no  money  lenders  in  the  Country, 
that  Farmers  and  Gentlemen  speculated,  and  reserved  their  [money]  for 
purchases,  and  Merchants,  always  reived  on  employing. 


347.  Abraham  Clark  to  the  Speaker  of  the  New  Jersey  Assembly 

(John  Hart).^ 

Baltimore  Febry  8,  1777. 

Dr  Sir, 

I  lately  heard  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey  had  met  but  cannot  learn 
where  ^  am  therefore  unable  to  give  a  proper  direction.  The  four  New 
England  Colonies  have  had  a  meeting  of  Committees  from  their  Legisla- 
tures to  consult  measures  for  their  mutual  defence  and  for  regulating 
Trade  and  Commerce.  Their  proceedings  are  before  Congress,  and  I 
expect  will  soon  Obtain  their  Approbation,  and  recommendation  will 
thereupon  be  sent  to  N.  York,  N.  Jersey  Pensa.  and  Maryland  to  appt. 
Com^"  to  meet  at  Phila.  for  the  purpose  of  regulating  the  Price  of  all 
Articles  of  Trade  etc.  the  Southern  States  will  also  be  desired  to  meet 
for  that  purpose,     those  matters  if  passed  you  will  soon  have  notice  of.^ 

l347]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll..  no.  2862;  N.  J.  Rev.  Corr.,  p.  24;  N.  Y.  Pub. 
Lib.,  Bulletin,  vol.  IL,  no.  7,  p.  247. 

-  .See  the  postscript  of  this  letter. 
3  See  no.  z^Z^  note  2,  ante. 


February,  lyjy  243 

I  am  much  alarmed  with  Gen^'  Washington's  Prod",  of  the  25th 
Janry.  he  hath  assumed  the  Legislative  and  Executive  powers  of  Govern- 
ment in  all  the  states.  I  moved  Congress  to  pass  a  Resolution  I  produced 
for  preventing  its  fatal  Consequences  and  the  Establishing  such  a  prece- 
dent. My  motion  was  Com^'^.  and  is  now  before  the  Com^.*  I  hope  our 
Legislature  will  take  proper  Notice  of  it,  whatever  issue  it  may  have  in 
Congress,  and  not  tamely  Submit  their  Authority  to  the  Controul  of  a 
power  unknown  in  our  Constitution;  We  set  out  to  Oppose  Tyranny  in 
all  its  Strides,  and  I  hope  we  shall  persevere. 

A  Regulation  for  providing  Carriages  for  the  Army  and  to  prevent  as 
much  as  possible  the  Custom  of  impressing  hath  long  been  before  Con- 
gress Com^*^.  and  recom*'^.  and  so  it  remains.  I  Wish  you  will  not  delay 
passing  a  Law  for  Regulating  impresses  of  this  kind.° ....  The  Devas- 
tations of  New  Jersey  by  the  Enemy  will  I  think  make  it  Necessary  to 
prevent  Cattle  etc.  running  at  large,  as  fences  on  the  main  road  are  mostly 
destroyed  and  cannot  soon  be  made,  and  I  think,  no  person  ought  to  be 
compelled  to  fence  agst.  street  Cattle  at  any  Time.  Mr.  Sergeant  talks 
of  resigning  and  i\Ir.  Stockton  by  his  late  proceedure  cannot  Act.®  I  wish 
their  places  may  be  Supplied  by  such  as  will  be  reputable  to  New  Jersey, 
not  only  by  their  integrity  but  Abilities. 

The  Tories  in  the  two  lower  Counties  of  Mar3dand  on  the  Eastern 
shore  and  Sussex  on  Delaware,  are  very  troublesome  and  C[ollec]ting 
forces  Aided  by  several  Men  of  War  in  Delaware,  but  more  Especially 
in  Chesopeek  Bay.  The  Militia  and  two  Contin'.  Regiments  are  marching 
Against  them.'' 

I  expect  Congress  will  soon  remove  from  hence  to  Lancaster,  tho'  it 
is  not  yet  determined.*  if  that  should  happen  I  shall  be  greatly  perplexed 
with  the  Chests.  One  Chief  reason  for  removing  is  the  Extravagant  price 
of  Living  here,  the  poorest  of  board  without  any  Liquor,  a  Dollar  a  day 
horse  keeping  3/6  or  4/  Wine  12/  a  bottle,  Rum  30/  per  Gall,  and  every- 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  6,  27,  and  no.  397,  post.  Washington's  proclamation  of 
Jan.  25  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Sparks),  IV.  297. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  2,  10,  1776,  Jan.  11,  22,  30,  Feb.  22,  1777. 

^  See  nos.  290,  291,  ante.  The  allusion  to  Stockton's  "  late  proceedure  "  is  doubt- 
less to  a  step  taken  during  his  imprisonment,  the  nature  of  which  has  been  left  in  ob- 
scurity. From  a  statement  made  to  the  editor  by  the  late  Mr.  William  Nelson  of 
Paterson,  N.  J.,  it  is  understood  that  he  had  at  one  time  seen  a  document  which  revealed 
the  nature  of  Stockton's  act.  Since  the  foregoing  was  put  in  type  there  has  come  to 
light  a  letter  from  John  Witherspoon  to  his  son,  David  Witherspoon.  written  from 
Philadelphia,  Mar.  17,  1777.  which  casts  additional  light  upon  the  case  of  Richard  Stock- 
ton. The  pertinent  passage  is  as  follows :  "  I  was  at  Princeton  from  Saturday  s'en 
night  till  Wednesday.  Your  uncle  is  well.  Old  Mr.  Serjeant  is  dead  of  the  Small  Pox. 
Judge  Stockton  is  not  very  well  in  health  and  much  spoken  against  for  his  conduct.  He 
signed  Howe's  Declaration  and  also  gave  his  Word  of  Honour  that  he  would  not  meddle 
in  the  least  in  American  affairs  during  the  War.  Mrs.  Cochran  was  sent  to  the  Ennemies 
Lines  by  a  Flag  of  truce,  and  when  Mr.  Cochran  came  out  to  meet  his  wife  he  said  to 
the  Officers  that  went  with  the  Flag  that  Judge  Stockton  had  brought  evidence  to 
General  Howe  to  prove  that  he  was  on  his  Way  to  seek  a  protection  when  he  was  taken, 
this  he  denies  to  be  true  yet  many  credit  it,  but  Mr.  Cochran's  known  quarrel  with  him 
makes  it  very  doubtful  to  candid  persons."  Catalogue,  no.  5  (April,  1922)  of  the 
George  D.  Smith  Estate  (item  102). 

7  See  nos.  335.  34i.  ante,  443,  463,  post. 
'  8 "  Lancaster "   perhaps   written  inadvertently   for   Philadelphia.     Cf.   nos.   344, 
note  2.  346,  ante,  386,  396,  post. 


244  Continental  Congress 

thii\e;  else  in  proportion  and  likely  soon  to  rise.'    I  am  Dr  Sir,  with  great 
Regard  to  your  House, 

Your  Obedt.  and  Hunib.  Servt. 

Abra  :  Clark 
John  Hart  Esqr : 

P.  S.  The  Price  of  living  I  only  gave  you  as  a  piece  of  intelligence  and 
not  to  Opperate  in  our  favour,  as  upon  Recollection  I  feared  you  might 
look  upon  it  as  interested. 

I  pd.  for  bringing  one  Chest  here  £  22 :  Msrs  Scudder  and  Patterson 
Consenting,    at  Writing  thus  far  I  hear  you  are  sitting  at  Haddonsfield. 

348.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Massachusetts  Assembly.^ 

Baltimore,  Febru^  8th,  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

I  have  been  honour'd  with  your  favrs  of  Decemr  30th  :  and  Janu^  13th  : 
which  I  laid  before  the  Congress.  I  hope  before  this  the  Honl.  Council 
have  rec'd  my  Letter  of  Janu^  loth :  which  they  will  find  a  full  answer  to 
yours  of  30th  Decemr.  brought  by  Mr  Throop,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to 
Refer  you,  and  therefore  need  not  Add  anything  more  on  that  Subject.^ 

The  Removal  of  Congress  from  Philada.  and  the  consequent  Stagna- 
tion of  all  Business  for  a  Season,  has  Occasional  the  Delay  in  forward^ 
the  Money,  so  much  wanted  in  our  State.  However  by  this  Oppor^  Three 
hundred  thousand  Dollars  is  Sent  to  the  Deputy  Pay  Master  Gen'l.  in 
Boston  for  the  purpose  of  paying  the  Bounties  and  Defray^  the  Expences 
of  Raising  the  New  Levies  in  the  Eastern  Departments  subject  to  the 
Warrants  of  General  Ward,  to  whom  I  w^ite  by  this  Oppor[tunit]y.  One 
hundred  thousand  Dollars  is  also  Sent  to  the  State  of  Connecticut  and 
One  hundred  thousand  Dollars  to  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  for  the 
same  purposes. 

I  am  exceedingly  sorry,  that  we  have  not  untill  now  been  able  to  comply 
with  your  Requisition,  long  since  made  for  Money,  in  consequence  of  your 
Advances  for  the  Service  of  the  Continent.^ .... 

349.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary.^ 

Feby.  10.  on  motion  to  raise  the  interest  of  money  to  6  per  cent  for 
loan  office  tickets,"  it  was  said  in  the  negative — 

I   That  there  was  no  other  way  of  laying  out  money. 

»  Cf.  nos.  260,  262,  282.  295,  ante. 
[348]!  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVI.  197;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  142; 
Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  137. 

2  See  the  letter  of  Jan.  10,  no.  301,  ante.  A  letter  of  Jan.  13,  from  the  Massachu- 
setts council,  was  received  Jan.  28. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  10,  18,  20;  cf.  no.  326,  ante.  Hancock's  letter  to  General 
Ward  is  in  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1297,  item  507.  The  deputy  paymaster-general  was 
Ebenezer  Hancock. 

[349]^  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 

2  The  motion  was  made  Feb.  8,  but  the  discussion  was  continued  on  the  loth. 
See  the  Journals,  p.  103,  note  i.  Cf.  nos.  345,  346,  ante.  See  nos.  326,  note  8,  344-346, 
ante,  357,  375,  382,  384,  385,  post. 


February,  lyyy  245 

2  That  loan  office  tickets  are  the  same  as  money,  and  therefore  in  case 
of  the  want  of  money  new  emissions  are  equally  proper. 

In  the  affirmative  it  was  said  by  Mr  Sergant  That  loan  office  tickets 
would  be  confined  only  to  one  State. 

By  Mr.  Jas.  Wilson — That  Bonds,  lands  etc.  were  transferrable  as  well 
as  loan  office  tickets,  and  therefore  the  argument  of  their  being  the  same 
as  money  is  without  force.  That  the  money  lenders  had  all  their  money 
paid  into  them,  that  3  millions  had  been  received  by  the  usurers  in  Pen- 
sylvania  all  of  which  was  probably  in  thier  hands,  and  that  if  the  interest 
was  raised  to  6  per  cent  it  wd.  procure  money. 

Mr  John  Adams.  That  loan  offices  tickets  would  not  circulate  because 
they  bore  an  interest.  That  Massachusetts  bay  in  the  last  war  emitted 
50,000  in  notes  bearing  an  interest  of  6  per  cent  which  were  immediately 
locked  up  and  withdrawn  from  the  circulation  even  tho'  gold  and  silver 
was  plentiful  among  them.  That  new  emissions  would  only  encrease  the 
difficulty,  that  the  continent  would  bear  only  7  millions.  That  Unless 
the  interest  was  raised,  the  money  holder  would  employ  his  money  in 
speculation  in  buying  lands,  and  in  monopolising  goods,  by  which  means 
the  necessaries  of  life  were  enhanced  in  thier  price.  That  this  alone 
would  regulate  the  price  of  goods,  that  no  other  wisdom  [two  lines  torn 
out] 

emission  he  would  rather  see  our  army  disbanded,  and  Howe  let  loose  to 
ravage  the  whole  country.^ 

Upon  calling  the  question  The  States  (10  in  number)  divided  equally. 

As  a  proof  of  the  impropriety  of  each  state  having  a  seperate  Vote,  it 
is  remarkable  that  there  were  18  members  for  raising  the  interest  and 
10  only  against  it.  The  States  that  voted  in  favor  of  it  were  New-Ham- 
shire,  Massachussettsbay,  New  Jersey,  Pensylvania,  and  Virginia.  The 
inhabitants  of  these  states  collectively  make  near  two  thirds  of  the  whole 
inhabitants  of  the  united  States.* 

Mr  John  Adams  [Tzvo  lines  torn  out^. 
political  character  in  the  same  light  as  they  do  a  suit  of  cloaths.    They  put 
it  on  and  off  at  pleasure.     But  we  trifle  with  all  morality,  we  trifle  with 
the  happiness  of  millions,  by  not  holding  up  ^  to  [     ]  unrea[sonable.] 

350.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore  Feby.  11.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that,  from  the  accidental  Absence  of  One 
State,  and  the  tergiversation  of  another,  the  congress  divided  upon  the 

3  Adams's  ideas  of  the  consequences  of  new  emissions  are  expressed  strongly 
but  somewhat  more  soberly  in  his  letter  to  Warren,  Feb.  12,  no.  352,  post. 

*  Cf.  nos.  352,  375,  post. 

5  The  next  leaf  of  the  Diary  has  been  torn  out  almost  entirely,  only  a  narrow 
strip  of  the  left-hand  margin  and  a  small  piece  of  upper  right-hand  corner,  containing  a 
few  words  and  fragments  of  words,  being  left.  On  the  second  line  appears  "  1777 ", 
with  what  appears  to  be  the  fragment  of  "11"  preceding  it.  Most  of  the  destroyed 
entry  was,  therefore,  probably  under  date  of  Feb.  11. 

[350]^  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  426. 


240  Continental  Congress 

important  question  of  raising-  the  interest  upon  loan  office  tickets  to  half 
cent.  We  are  all  in  confusion.  Nothing  can  save  us  but  a  reconsideration 
of  that  question.*  It  is  rumoured  here  that  you  do  not  intend  to  serve  in 
congress  in  consequence  of  your  late  Ai)pointment.  For  God's  Sake  do 
not  desert  them  ! — The  post  is  just  on  the  wing. 

Yours 

B.  Rush. 

351.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

I\I.\RYL.\ND    CoUNCn.    OF    S.\FETY.^ 

Baltimore,  Febry.  nth.  1777 
Gentlemen 

I  have  it  in  Charge  from  Congress  to  Request  that  the  State  of  Mary- 
land may  be  fully  and  constantly  Represented  in  Congress,  the  Necessity 
of  every  State  being  fully  Represented  to  Add  weight  to  the  Council  of 
America,  as  well  as  to  keep  up  that  Union  and  good  Correspondence  so 
essential  to  our  Country,  will  naturally  Suggest  the  propriety  of  this  Ap- 
plication, which  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  immediately  comply  with,  more 
especially  as  Business  of  the  utmost  moment  is  before  Congress.* .... 

352.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

Baltimore,  12  February,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  certificates  and  check-books  for  the  loan-office  I  hope  and  presume 
are  arrived  in  Boston  before  this  time,  and,  notwithstanding  the  discourag- 
ing accounts  which  were  given  me  when  I  was  there,  I  still  hope  that  a 
considerable  sum  of  money  will  be  obtained  by  their  means. 

It  is  my  private  opinion,  however,  that  the  interest  of  four  per  cent, 
is  not  an  equitable  allowance.  I  mean  that  four  per  cent,  is  not  so  much 
as  the  use  of  the  money  is  honestly  worth  in  the  ordinary  course  of  busi- 
ness, upon  an  average  for  a  year ;  and  I  have  accordingly  exerted  all  the 
little  faculties  I  had,  in  endeavoring,  on  Monday  last,  to  raise  the  interest 
to  six  per  cent.  But  after  two  days'  debate,  the  question  was  lost  by  an 
equal  division  of  the  States  present,  five  against  five.*  New  Hampshire, 
Massachusetts  Bay,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  Virginia  on  one  side, 
and  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  and 
Georgia,  on  the  other.  Here  was  an  example  of  the  inconvenience  and 
injustice  of  voting  by  States.  Nine  gentlemen,  representing  about  eight 
hundred  thousand  people,  against  eighteen  gentlemen,  representing  a 
million  and  a  half  nearly,  determined  this  point.  Yet  we  must  not  be 
startled  at  this.' 

2  See  no.  326,  note  8,  ante.  Rush  appears  to  have  made  notes  of  the  debates  of 
Feb.  ir,  but  afterwards  (he  or  another)  tore  the  leaf  from  his  Diary.  See  no.  349, 
note  5,  ante. 

[351]!  Md.  Hiat.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  22;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  130. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  7.     Cf.  nos.  327,  343,  ante. 
[352]!  Works,  IX.  452. 

2  Cf.  no.  340,  ante.    See  the  postscript  to  this  letter,  also  no.  326,  note  8,  ante. 

3  Cf.  no.  349,  ante. 


February,  lyyy  247 

I  think  it  my  duty  to  mention  this  to  you,  because  it  must  be  astonishing 
to  most  people  in  our  State,  that  the  interest  is  so  low.  I  know  they  are 
at  a  loss  to  account  for  it  upon  any  principles  of  equity  or  policy,  and 
consequently  may  be  disposed  to  blame  their  delegates;  but  you  may 
depend  upon  it,  they  are  not  in  fault. 

I  tremble  for  the  consequences  of  this  determination.  If  the  loan 
officers  should  not  procure  us  money,  we  must  emit  more,  which  will 
depreciate  all  which  is  already  abroad,  and  so  raise  the  prices  of  provisions 
and  all  the  necessaries  of  life,  that  the  additional  expense  to  the  continent 
for  supplying  their  army  and  navy  will  be  vastly  more  than  the  two  per 
cent,  in  dispute,  besides  all  the  injustice,  chicanery,  extortion,  oppression, 
and  discontent,  which  is  always  occasioned  everywhere  by  a  depreciating 
medium  of  trade.  I  am  much  afraid  of  another  mischief.  I  fear  that  for 
want  of  wisdom  to  raise  the  interest  in  season,  we  shall  be  necessitated, 
within  a  few  months  to  give  eight  or  ten  per  cent.,  and  not  obtain  the 
money  we  want  after  all. 

I  have  been  so  often  a  witness  of  the  miseries  of  this  after-wisdom, 
that  I  am  wearied  to  death  of  it. 

Had  a  bounty  of  twenty  dollars  a  man  been  offered  soldiers  last  June, 
it  would  have  procured  more  than  the  enormous  bounties  that  are  now 
offered  will  procure.  Had  government  been  assumed  in  the  States  twelve 
months  sooner  than  it  was,  it  might  have  been  assumed  with  spirit,  vigor, 
and  decision,  and  would  have  obtained  an  habitual  authority  before  the 
critical  time  came  on,  when  the  strongest  nerves  of  government  are 
necessary ;  whereas  now,  every  new  government  is  as  feeble  as  water,  and 
as  brittle  as  glass. 

Had  we  agreed  upon  a  non-exportation,  to  commence  when  the  non- 
importation commenced,  what  an  immense  sum  should  we  have  saved! 
Nay,  very  probably  we  should  have  occasioned  a  very  different  House  of 
Commons  to  be  chosen,  the  ministry  to  have  been  changed,  and  this  war 
avoided.  Thus  it  is.  You,  who  will  make  no  ill  use  of  these  observations, 
may  read  them,  but  the  times  are  too  delicate  and  critical  to  indulge  freely 
and  generally  in  such  speculations.  It  is  best,  I  believe,  that  no  mention 
should  be  made  that  the  rate  of  interest  has  been  again  debated,  lest  some 
saving  men  should  withhold  their  money  in  hopes  of  compelling  the  public 
to  raise  the  interest.  If  the  interest  should  never  be  raised,  those  who  lend 
in  our  State  will  fare  as  well  as  others ;  if  it  should,  the  interest  of  all  will 
be  raised,  that  which  is  borrowed  now  as  well  as  that  which  shall  be 
borrowed  hereafter.  I  sincerely  wish  that  our  people  would  lend  their 
money  freely.  They  will  repent  of  it  if  they  do  not.  We  shall  be  com- 
pelled to  emit  such  quantities  that  every  man,  except  a  few  villains,  will 
lose  more  by  depreciation  than  the  two  per  cent.  Not  to  mention  again 
the  scene  of  anarchy  and  horror,  that  a  continuation  of  emissions  will 
infallibly  bring  upon  us. 

The  design  of  loan-offices  was  to  prevent  the  farther  depreciation  of  the 
bills  by  avoiding  farther  emissions.  We  might  have  emitted  more  bills 
promising  an  interest,  but  if  those  had  been  made  a  legal  tender  like  the 

21 


248  Continental  Congress 

other  bills,  and,  consequently  mixed  in  the  circulation  with  them,  they 
would  instantly  have  depreciated  all  the  other  hills  four  per  cent.,  if  the 
interest  was  four,  and  more  than  that,  too,  by  increasing;  the  (juantity  of 
circulating  cash.  In  order  to  prevent  these  certificates  from  circulation, 
and  consequently  from  depreciating  the  bills,  we  should  give  them  such 
attributes  as  will  induce  men  of  fortune  and  others  who  usually  lend 
money,  to  hoard  them  up.  The  persons  who  usually  lend  money  are, 
I.  Men  of  fortune,  who  live  upon  their  income,  and  these  generally  choose 
to  have  a  surplusage  to  lay  up  every  year  to  increase  their  capitals.  2. 
Opulent  merchants  who  have  more  money  than  they  choose  to  risk,  or  can 
conveniently  employ  in  trade.  3.  Widows,  whose  dower  is  often  converted 
into  money  and  placed  out  at  interest,  that  they  may  receive  an  annual 
income  to  live  upon,  without  the  care  and  skill  which  is  necessary  to 
employ  money  advantageously  in  business.  4.  Orphans,  whose  guardians 
seldom  incline  to  hazard  the  property  of  their  wards  in  business.  5.  A  few 
divines,  lawyers,  and  physicians,  who  are  able  to  lay  by  a  little  of  their 
annual  earnings.  6.  Here  and  there  a  farmer  and  a  tradesman,  who  is 
forehanded  and  frugal  enough  to  make  more  money  than  he  has  occasion 
to  spend.  Add  to  these, — 7.  Schools,  colleges,  towns,  parishes,  and  other 
societies,  which  sometimes  let  money.  All  these  persons  are  much  attached 
to  their  interest,  and  so  anxious  to  make  the  most  of  it,  that  they  compute 
and  calculate  it  even  to  farthings  and  single  days.  These  persons  can  get 
six  per  cent.,  generally,  of  private  borrowers,  on  good  security  of  mort- 
gages or  sureties. 

Now.  is  it  reasonable  in  the  State  to  expect  that  monied  men  will  lend 
to  the  public  at  a  less  interest  than  they  can  get  from  private  persons  ? 

I  answer,  yes,  when  the  safety  of  the  State  is  not  in  doubt,  and  when 
the  medium  of  exchange  has  a  stable  value,  because  larger  sums  may  be 
put  together,  and  there  is  less  trouble  in  collecting  and  receiving  the 
interest,  and  the  security  is  better.  But  the  case  is  otherwise,  when  men 
are  doubtful  of  the  existence  of  the  State,  and  it  is  worse  still,  when  men 
see  a  prospect  of  depreciation  in  the  medium  of  trade.  All  governments 
in  distress  are  obliged  to  give  a  higher  interest  for  money  than  when  they 
are  prosperous. 

The  interest  of  money  always  bears  some  proportion  to  the  profits  of 
trade.  When  the  commerce  of  a  country  is  small,  lodged  in  few  hands, 
and  very  profitable,  the  interest  of  money  is  very  high.  Charles  the  Fifth 
was  necessitated  to  give  twenty-four  per  cent,  for  money;  afterwards  it 
fell  in  Europe  to  twelve,  and  since  to  six,  five,  four,  and  three. 

I  think  I  shall  never  consent  to  go  higher  than  six  per  cent.,  as  much  as 
I  am  an  advocate  for  raising  it  to  that,  and  in  this  I  have  been  constant  for 
full  nine  months.  The  burden  of  six  per  cent,  upon  the  community  will 
very  soon  be  heavv^  enough.  We  must  fall  upon  some  other  methods  of 
ascertaining  the  capitals  we  borrow.  A  depreciating  currency  we  must 
not  have,  it  will  ruin  us.  The  medium  of  trade  ought  to  be  as  unchange- 
able as  truth,  as  immutable  as  morality.  The  least  variation  in  its  value 
does  injustice  to  multitudes,  and  in  proportion  it  injures  the  morals  of 
the  people,  a  point  of  the  last  importance  in  a  republican  government. 


February,  ij/j  249 

15  March,  1777. 

Thus  far  I  had  written  a  long-  time  ago,  since  which,  after  many  days 
deHberation  and  debate,  a  vote  passed  for  raising  the  interest  to  six  per 
cent.  If  this  measure  should  not  procure  us  money,  I  know  not  what 
resource  we  shall  explore.* 

To  read  this  will  be  punishment  enough  for  your  omission  to  write  to 
me  all  this  while.    I  have  received  nothing  from  you  since  I  left  Boston. 

353.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feh'y.  12th.  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania  were  very  solicitous  to  pro- 
cure a  vote  of  Congress,  approving  a  meeting  lately  held  by  committees 
appointed  by  the  four  New  England  Governments,  to  the  end  that  this 
approbation  might  imply  a  right  to  disapprove.  It  occasioned  very  long 
and  interesting  debates.  At  length  the  general  opinion  was  that  Congress 
had  necessarily  a  right  to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  any  meeting  and  to 
require  to  know  what  was  transacted  at  any  such  meetings,  and  also  to 
require  an  explanation  of  anything  that  was  dubious,  and  satisfaction  for 
anything  that  was  alarming  to  the  whole,  or  any  one  of  the  States ;  that 
this  right  necessarily  existed  in  their  power  to  take  care  each  for  his 
respective  State  that  no  injury  happened  to  her  from  without.  But  that 
Congress  had  no  right  to  prohibit  meetings,  or  censure  them  if  the  transac- 
tions in  them  were  not  injurious  to  others.  The  delegate  of  North 
Carolina  refuse  [d]  to  say  what  his  State  could  not  do,  declaring  he 
thought  she  could  do  every  thing  which  she  had  not  precluded  herself 
from  by  plain  and  express  declaration :  to  yield  up  any  of  her  rights  was 
not  in  his  power,  and  very  far  from  his  inclination :  that  by  the  Law  of 
Nations  she  had  a  right  to  demand  a  satisfactory  account  and  explanation 
of  any  transaction  of  one  or  more  States,  and  she  had  appointed  him  to 
watch  lest  any  injury  should  come  to  her  from  without.  In  this  he  would 
use  his  best  endeavours.  The  question  put,  the  approbation  was  denied, 
many  voting  against  it  lest  its  ambiguity  should  create  further  disputes ; 
of  this  number  was  North  Carolina.^ 

354.  The  Medical  Committee  to  George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  Feby  13th  1777 
Sir 

The  Congress  Apprehending  that  the  Small  Pox  may  greatly  endanger 
the  Lives  of  our  fellow  Citizens  who  compose  the  army  under  your 
Excellency's  Command,  and  also  very  much  embarrass  the  Military  Oper- 
ations, have  directed  their  Medical  Committee  to  request  your  Excellency 
to  give  orders  that  all  who  have  not  had  that  Disease  may  be  Inoculated, 
if  your  Excellency  shall  be  of  Opinion  that  it  can  be  done  without  preju- 
dice to  your  Operations.^ 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  26. 
[ZSZVN.  C.  Siate  Recs.,X.l.  2^^. 

2  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante,  and  especially  no.  357.  post. 
[354]^  Library  of  Congress.  Letters  to  Washington,  XIII.  244. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  12. 


250  Continental  Congress 

Some  Battalions  from  Virgfinia  are  now  on  their  march  to  Join  you, 
and  are  orclcrctl  to  take  the  upi)cr  rout,  in  order  to  avoid  Philadelphia 
where  the  Infection  now  prevails.  It  is  submitted  to  your  Excellency 
whether  they  oug^ht  not  to  stop  somewhere  in  order  to  undergo  Inocula- 
tion. The  Committee  request  your  Excellency  to  g^ive  the  Necessary 
orders  if  it  be  your  Opinion  that  they  can  be  so  long;  spared  from  Service. 

We  bei?  leave  to  remind  you  tliat  the  Southern  Troops  are  greatly 
alarmed  at  the  Small  Pox,  and  that  it  very  often  proves  fatal  to  them  in 
the  Natural  way.  This  Suggestion  we  doubt  not  will,  with  regard  to  this 
object,  draw  your  particular  attention  to  the  Troops  who  may  be  ordered 
to  Join  you  from  those  States  We  hope  Sir  this  attention  may  prevent 
the  Danger  and  Inconvenience  apprehended  by  Congress,  and  we  have  the 
most  perfect  reliance  on  your  Excellencys  w^ell  known  Humanity,  and 
singular  regard  to  your  Troops  for  carrying  their  Intention  into  Effect, 
if  it  be  adviseable. 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  the  utmost  respect  (in  the  name  of  the 
medical  Committee) 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  Servant 

B :  Rush.  Chairman 

355.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary. ^ 

Feby  14,  i777- 

Upon  the  question  whether  the  Congress  should  recommend  to  the 
States  to  adopt  the  plan  for  reducing  and  regulating  the  price  of  labor, 
Manufactures,  imports,  and  provisions  which  had  been  adopted  in  the 
four  new  England  States.^ 

It  was  said  in  the  negative  by  Mr  Jas  Smith.  That  such  a  recommenda- 
tion would  interfere  with  the  domestic  police  of  each  State  which  were 
of  too  delicate  a  nature  to  be  touched  by  the  Congress. 

Dr  Rush.  I  am  against  the  whole  of  the  resolution.  It  is  founded  in 
the  contrary  of  justice,  policy  and  necessity  as  has  been  declared  in  the 
resolution.  The  wisdom  and  power  of  goverment  have  been  employed  in 
all  ages  to  regulate  the  price  of  necessaries  to  no  purpose.  It  was 
attempted  in  Eng*^.  in  the  reign  of  Edward  II  by  the  English  parliament 
but  without  effect.  The  laws  for  limiting  the  price  of  every  thing  were 
repealed,  and  ]Mr  Hume  who  mentions  this  fact  records  even  the  very 
attempt  as  a  monument  of  human  folly.  The  congress  with  all  its 
authority  have  failed  in  a  former  instance  of  regulating  the  price  of  goods. 
You  have  limited  Bohea  tea  to  f  of  a  dollar,  and  yet  it  is  daily  sold  before 
your  eyes  for  30/.  The  Committee  of  Philada  limited  the  price  of  West 
India  goods  about  a  year  ago.  But  what  \vas  the  consequence?  The 
merchents  it  is  true  sold  their  rum,  sugar  and  molasses  at  the  price  limited 
by  the  committee,  but  they  charged  a  heavy  profit  upon  the  barrel,  or  the 
paper  which  contained  the  rum  or  the  sugar.     Consider  Sir  the  danger 

[355]!  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 
2  See  no.  336,  ante,  also  the  references  in  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 


February,  7777  251 

of  failing  in  this  experiment.  The  Salvation  of  this  continent  depends 
upon  the  Authority  of  this  congress  being  held  as  sacred  as  the  cause  of 
liberty  itself.  Suppose  we  should  fail  of  producing  the  effects  we  wish 
for  by  the  resolution  before  you.  Have  we  any  charecter  to  spare  ?  Have 
we  committed  no  mistakes  in  the  management  of  the  public  Affairs  of 
America?  We  have  Sir.  It  becomes  us  therefore  to  be  careful  of  the 
remains  of  our  Authority  and  charecter.  It  is  a  common  thing  to  cry 
aloud  of  the  rapacity  and  extortion  in  every  branch  of  business  etc.  among 
every  class  of  men.  This  has  led  some  people  to  decry  the  public  Virtue 
of  this  country.  True  Sir  there  is  not  so  much  of  it  as  we  could  wish, 
but  there  is  much  more  than  is  sometimes  allowed  on  this  floor.  We 
estimate  our  Virtue  by  a  false  barometer  when  we  measure  it  by  the  price 
of  goods.  The  extortion  we  complain  off  arises  only  from  the  excessive 
quantity  of  our  money.  Now  Sir  a  failure  in  this  Attempt  to  regulate 
the  price  of  goods  will  encrease  the  clamors  against  the  rapacity  of  dealers, 
and  thus  depreciate  our  public  virtue.  Consider  Sir  the  consequence  of 
measuring  our  virtue  by  this  false  standard.  You  will  add  weight  to  the 
Arguments  used  at  St  James's  to  explode  patriotism  altogether,  and  by 
denying  its  existence  in  this  country  destroy  it  forever.  Persuade  a 
Woman  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  chastity,  and  if  there  is  that  She 
does  not  possess  it,  and  She  may  be  easily  seduced  if  She  was  as  chaste  as 
Diana.  Sir,  The  price  of  goods  may  be  compared  to  a  number  of  light 
substances  in  a  bason  of  water.  The  hand  may  keep  them  down  for  a  while, 
but  nothing  can  detain  them  on  the  bottom  of  the  bason  but  an  Abstrac- 
tion of  the  Water.  The  continent  labours  under  a  universal  malady. 
From  the  crown  of  her  head  to  the  Soal  of  her  feet  She  is  full  of  disorders. 
She  requires  the  most  powerful  tonic  medicines.  The  resolution  before 
you  is  Nothing  but  an  Opiate.  It  may  compose  the  continent  tor  a  night, 
but  She  will  soon  awaken  again  to  a  fresh  sense  of  her  pain  and  misery. 

Col:  Richd  Henry  Lee,  in  the  affirmative.  Mr  President,  The  learned 
Doctor  has  mistook  the  disorder  of  the  continent.  She  labours  under  a 
spasm,  and  Spasms  he  knows  require  palliative  medicines.  I  look  upon 
the  resolution  before  you  only  as  a  temporary  remedy.  But  it  is  absolutely 
necessary.  It  is  true  the  regulations  formerly  recommended  by  Congress 
were  not  faithfully  carried  into  execution,  but  this  was  owing  to  the  want 
of  regular  governments.  New  and  regular  goverments  have  been  insti- 
tuted in  every  part  of  America,  and  these  will  enable  all  classes  of  people 
to  carry  the  resolutions  into  execution. 

Mr  Saml  Chase,  in  the  Affirmative.  Mr  President  This  is  a  necessary 
resolution.  It  is  true  it  failed  formerly  in  Philada.  because  it  abounded 
with  tories.  But  it  succeeded  in  Maryland.  It  must  be  done.  The  mines 
of  Peru  would  not  support  a  war  at  the  present  high  price  of  the  neces- 
saries of  life,  your  Soldiers  cannot  live  on  their  pay.  It  must  be  raised 
unless  we  limit  the  price  of  the  cloathing  and  other  articles  necessary  for 
them. 

Mr  Seargant — Negative.  The  price  of  goods  cannot  be  regulated  while 
the  quantity  of  our  money  and  the  articles  of  life  are  allowed  to  fluctuate. 


252  Cont'mcntal  Congress 

This  is  and  must  be  the  case  with  us,  therefore  we  cannot  regulate  the 
price  of  anything. 

Col  James  IVilson,  Negative.  Mr  President,  I  differ  from  the  gentle- 
man from  Virginia  about  the  possibility  of  carrying  the  resolution  before 
you  into  execution.  The  modern  goverments  I  am  sure  have  not  half  the 
vigilance  or  authority  that  the  conventions  and  committees  formerly  had, 
and  yet  these  failed  in  this  business.  Connecticut  where  the  influence  of 
good  laws  prevail  greatly,  adopted  this  plan  with  diffidence.  There  are 
certain  things  Sir  which  Absolute  power  cannot  do.  The  whole  power 
of  the  Roman  Emperors  could  not  add  a  single  letter  to  the  Alphabet. 
Augustus  could  not  compel  old  batchclors  to  marry.  He  found  out  his 
error,  and  wisely  repealed  his  edict  least  he  should  bring  his  Authority 
into  contempt.  Let  us  recommend  the  resolution  to  the  consideration  of 
the  States  only  without  giving  our  Opinion  on  it,  that  they  may  discuss 
it  with  unbiassed  minds.  Foreign  trade  is  absolutely  necessary  to  enable 
us  to  carry  on  the  war.  This  resolution  will  put  an  end  to  it,  for  it  will 
hang  as  a  dead  weight  upon  all  the  operations  of  external  commerce. 

Dr  Witherspoon,  negative.  Sir,  It  is  a  wise  maxim  to  avoid  those 
things  which  our  enemies  wish  us  to  practise.  Now  I  find  that  our 
enemies  have  published  the  Act  of  the  Asembly  of  Connecticut  for  regula- 
ting the  price  of  necessaries  in  the  New  York  paper  in  order  to  shew  our 
distress  from  that  Quarter.  I  believe  the  regulations  would  be  just,  if  the 
quantity  of  money  and  the  scarcity  of  goods  bore  an  exact  proportion  to 
each  Other.  But  the  price  of  goods  is  by  no  means  proportioned  to  the 
quantity  of  money  in  every  thing.  The  encrease  of  price  began  ist  upon 
the  Luxuries  2ly  Necessaries,  3rd  Manufactories  and  4ly  grain,  and  Other 
produce  of  the  earth.  Now  the  reason  why  it  has  reached  the  grain  etc 
last,  is  owing  to  thier  quantity  being  plentiful  and  to  an  overproportion 
of  money.  Remember  laws  are  not  almighty.  It  is  beyond  the  power  of 
despotic  princes  to  regulate  the  price  of  goods.  Tea  and  Salt  are  higher 
in  proportion  than  any  Other  Articles  of  trade  owing  entirely  to  thier 
price  being  limited.  In  Pensylvania  salt  was  limited  to  15/  but  was  sold 
for  60/  per  bushel,  w^hile  at  the  same  time  it  was  sold  in  Virginia  where 
there  was  no  limitation  for  10/  a  bushel.  I  fear  if  we  fail  in  this  measure 
we  shall  weaken  the  Authority  of  Congress.  We  shall  do  mischief  by 
teaching  the  continent  to  rest  upon  it.  If  we  limit  one  article,  we  must 
limit  every  thing,  and  this  is  impossible. 

Mr  John  Adams,  Negative.  Perhaps  I  may  here  speak  agst.  the  sense 
of  my  constitutents,  but  I  cannot  help  it,  I  much  doubt  the  justice,  policy 
and  necessity  of  the  resolution.  Its  policy  and  necessity  depend  upon  its 
practicability,  and  if  it  is  practicable,  I  beleive  it  \\\\\  be  unjust.  It  amounts 
to  the  same  as  raising  the  value  of  your  money  to  double  its  present  value 
and  this  experiment  was  tried  in  vain  even  in  the  absolute  goverment  of 
France.  The  high  price  of  many  Articles  arises  from  their  scarcity.  If 
we  regulate  the  price  of  imports  we  shall  immediately  put  to  \_sic\  stop 
to  them  for  ever. 

Dr  Rush.  Sir,  It  has  been  said  that  the  high  price  of  goods  in  Philada. 
arose  from  the  monoplies,  and  extortion  of  the  tories.     Here  I  must  say 


February,  lyyy  253 

the  tories  are  blamed  without  cause.  A  similar  Spirit  of  Speculation  pre- 
vails among  the  Whigs  in  Philada.  They  are  disposed  to  realise  thier 
money  in  lands,  or  goods,  But  this  is  not  owing  to  any  timidity  or  disaf- 
fection among  them.  They  fear  the  further  depreciation  of  your  money 
by  future  emissions.  Stop  your  emissions  of  money  and  you  will  stop 
Speculation,  and  fill  your  treasury  from  the  loan  Offices.  I  beg  leave  to 
inform  Congress  that  the  committee  of  Philada.  was  supported  by  the 
country  people  in  thier  Attempt  to  regulate  the  price  of  West  India  goods, 
but  were  notwithstanding  unsuccessful.  Now  Sir,  the  country  people  are 
equally  concerned  with  the  merchants  in  keeping  Up  the  price  of  every 
thing,  and  in  eluding  laws  for  reducing  them.  I  am  not  apt  to  reply  to 
words  much  less  to  play  upon  them.  The  gentleman  from  Virginia  has 
miscalled  the  malady  of  the  continent.  It  is  not  a  spasm,  but  a  dropsy. 
I  beg  leave  to  prescribe  two  remedies  for  it.  i  Raising  the  interest  of  the 
money  we  borrow  to  6  per  cent,  this  like  a  cold  bath  will  give  an  immediate 
Spring  to  our  affairs — and  2  taxation.  This  like  tapping,  will  diminish 
the  Quantity  of  our  Money,  and  give  a  proper  value  to  what  remains. 

The  resolution  was  amended.    The  plan  of  the  4  New  England  States 
w^as  referred  only  to  the  Other  States,  to  act  as  they  tho't  proper.' 

356.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feb.  15th.  Yesterday  was  consumed  in  desultory  debates  upon  a  report 
of  a  special  committee  upon  the  proceedings  of  the  four  New  England 
Governments  above  mentioned,  and  it  was  recommitted.^  This  day  it  was 
brought  in  under  a  form  agreeable  to  what  was  the  sense  of  the  House  on 
what  was  yesterday  considered.  At  first  it  expressed  the  opinion  of  Con- 
gress, that  the  proceedings  were  founded  in  justice,  policy  and  necessity, 
and  merited  the  warmest  approbation.  The  second  declared  neither  appro- 
bation or  opinion,  except  particularly  relating  to  the  New  England 
Governments,  because  of  their  peculiar  circumstances,  but  proposed  laying 
it  before  the  other  States  for  their  imitation  if  they  thought  proper,  avoid- 
ing as  much  as  possible  any  expression  that  might  suggest  to  the  States 
that  Congress  approved  or  disapproved.  In  this  form  it  passed  without 
a  negative,  and  it  w-as  voted  that  several  States  should  be  advised  to  confer 
with  each  other  on  this  subject :  viz :  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland  and  Virginia :  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  Nothing  very  remarkable  happened  in  this  debate  except  that 
Virginia  insisted  on  being  connected  with  Maryland,  and  refused  to  be 
connected  with  the  Southern  States.  The  delegates  present  from  Virginia 
w^ere  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  and  Man.  Page,  all 
residing  on  Rapahanock  and  Potomack  rivers.  The  Delegate  from 
North  Carolina  represented  that  great  part  of  the  exportation  of  North 
Carolina  was  through  Virginia,  that  her  market  was  therefore  in  that 
State,  and  that  she  ought  undoubtedly  to  be  consulted  in  regulating  the 

8  The  resolve  in  its  final  form  was  passed  Feb.  15.    Cf.  nos.  356,  368,  post. 
[356]! iV.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  390. 

2  See  no.  355,  ante;  also  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 


254  Continental  Congress 

prices  since  she  was  so  much  interested  therein  that  it  was  unjust  and 
ungenerous  in  \'irj^inia  to  endeavmir  to  rci,uilate  them  without  her,  and 
evidently  shewed  she  was  wilhnj;-  to  do  what  wouhl  affect  the  interest  of 
North  Carolina  without  her  knowledge  or  consent.  Virginia  persisted, 
and  the  vote  passed  for  her  conferring  with  Maryland  etc.  The  question 
was  now  proposed  for  the  conference  of  the  Southern  States;  the  Dele- 
gates opposed  it,  alledging  that  their  articles  of  exportation  would  be 
always  very  low,  by  reason  of  the  danger  and  difficulty  of  exporting; 
that  none  had  provisions  to  spare  but  North  Carolina,  and  her  market  for 
them  being  chiefly  to  Virginia  she  was  precluded  from  regulation  in  that 
article  by  the  regulation  made  in  Virginia,  of  which  as  she  would  have  no 
notice  she  could  not  accomodate  herself  thereto,  and  her  Delegate  declared 
she  had  too  much  vigilance  and  sagacity  to  make  regulation  since  it  might 
preclude  her  from  taking  advantage  of  circumstances  to  defend  herself 
from  the  injustice  of  her  neighbor  Virginia;  that  since  Virginia  chose  to 
confer  with  other  States  in  making  regulations  which  might  affect  North 
Carolina,  and  refused  to  confer  with  her  where  her  interest  was  so  nearly 
concerned,  Virginia  was  entitled  to  no  attention  from  North  Carolina, 
and  she  ought  to  have  it  in  the  power  of  her  citizens  to  avail  themselves 
of  all  advantages  which  circumstances  might  throw  in  their  way.  The 
question  put — all  voted  for  the  conference  of  the  Southern  States  except 
their  own  Delegates.*  R.  H,  Lee  privately  told  the  Delegate  from  North 
Carolina  that  he  need  not  be  disturbed  on  this  occasion,  because  Virginia 
could  make  no  regulation  but  what  must  affect  herself.  The  Delegate 
replied  that  it  was  arrogantly  assuming  to  judge  of  her  affairs,  and  affect 
them  without  her  consent ;  it  was  taking  advantage  of  her  situation  to  be 
arbiter  of  the  commerce  of  North  Carolina,  and  it  was  shewing  an  entire 
disregard  to  her  interest  and  circumstances,  and  having  them  entirely  to 
depend  on  the  decisions  of  the  Northern  States,  without  even  being  con- 
sulted. The  Delegate  declared  he  thought  this  such  an  instance  of  con- 
tempt and  disregard  in  Virginia,  that  he  could  not  but  receive  it  with 
indignation.* 

Thos.  Burke. 

357-  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke)/ 

Baltimore  Febry.  15th.  1777. 
Sir 

Before  this  Time  the  Loan-Office  Certificates  sent  to  our  State  I  hope 
have  reached  it.  I  should  be  glad  to  be  informed  as  early  as  possible  W'hat 
Sum  will  probably  be  collected  among  Us ;  and  w^hat  the  Sentiments  of 
the  Assembly  are  on  the  Interest  which  Congress  have  ordered  to  be  given 
for  Money  borrowed  by  them.  It  seems  that  the  Committee  of  the  States 
of  New  England  tho't  the  Interest  of  Four  pr.  Cent  sufficient  for  the 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  15,  and  no.  368,  post. 
*  Cf.  no.  359,  post. 
[357]^  MSS.  of  the  late  William  D.  Ely,  Providence,  Declaration  of  Independence,  III.; 
Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  AISS.,  LIX.  145  (copy  of  part). 


February,  j///  255 

Purpose,  and  mean't  when  the  States  should  borrow  Money  to  emit  it  at 
five  pr.  Cent.,  thinking  that  there  was  the  Difference  of  One  pr.  Cent 
between  continental  and  colonial  Security.  As  there  may  possibly  be  a 
Question  about  Increase  of  Interest  hereafter  I  should  be  glad  to  be 
informed  how  high  the  Assembly  thinks  it  would  be  proper  for  Congress 
to  go  in  Order  to  answer  their  Purpose  of  collecting  Continental  Dollars 
by  Loan-OfTfice  Certificates  in  our  States ;  for  by  their  Sentiments  I  mean 
to  be  governed.  At  present  it  stands  at  Four  per  Cent,  and  I  hope  that  an 
Increase  of  Interest  will  never  become  necessary ;  for  thereby  the  Public 
Debt  would  be  enhanced.  Its  continuing  at  four  per  Cent,  depends  greatly 
upon  the  Encouragement  that  the  Assemblies  of  the  Several  States  shall 
give  to  the  Loan  Office.  Our  State  will  I  dont  doubt  pay  as  they  have  ever 
done  a  due  Regard  to  the  Resolutions  of  Congress ;  for  it  is  her  Interest 
to  stand  well  with  the  superintending  Power  of  these  States.^  Congress 
have  taken  into  Consideration  the  Doings  of  the  Committee  of  the  New- 
England  States,  and  have  approved  of  the  Measures  taken  for  the  Defence 
of  the  State  You  govern,  of  the  Regulation  of  the  Prices  of  Articles  of 
Produce  etc.,  and  have  recommended  it  to  the  other  States  in  the  Union 
to  take  such  Measures  for  regulating  and  fixing  the  Price  of  Provisions 
etc  as  they  may  think  expedient ;  they  approved  also  of  the  Embargo ;  but 
disapprove  of  the  Emission  of  Paper  Money  by  the  States.  This  is,  as 
well  as  I  can  recollect,  the  Substance  of  the  Resolves,  for  they  past  this 
Day  and  I  have  not  been  able  to  get  a  Copy  of  them.  They  will  be  pub- 
lished ;  but  as  I  know  it  will  give  the  State  great  Pleasure  to  be  assured 
that  Congress  approve  of  the  Measures  taken  for  its  Defence,  as  that 
Approbation  involves  in  it  the  Idea  of  pa5ang  the  Expence  thereof,  I  can- 
not forbear  giving  you  the  earliest  Intelligence  of  it.' 

A  Question  of  considerable  Importance  was  started  on  considering  the 
Doings  of  the  Committee.  A  Resolve  was  moved  for  in  some  such  Form 
as  this, — Resolved  that  as  the  Communication  between  Congress  and  the 
New-England  States  was  interrupted,  and  the  State  of  Rhode-Island  v/as 
threatend  with  an  Invasion  or  actually  invaded  Congress  considering  the 
Necessity  of  their  taking  Measures  for  their  Defence  approve  of  their 
Meeting  etc.  The  Advocates  for  the  Motion  went  upon  this  Principle 
that  none  of  the  United  States  have  a  Right  to  meet  without  the  prior  or 
subsequent  Approbation  of  Congress;  those  that  took  the  other  Side  of 
the  Question  asserted  that  any  Two  or  more  of  the  States  have  a  Right 
to  meet  for  the  Purpose  of  consulting  upon  Matters  relative  to  themselves ; 
and  after  a  long  metaphysical  Debate  which  took  up  Part  of  three  Days 
Congress  were  equally  divided.  All  the  Members  agreed  that  the  meeting 
was  right  considering  the  Circumstances;  but  split  upon  the  Question  of 
Right  hinted  at.* 

....  Congress  talk  of  returning  to  Philadelphia.  I  hope  my  next 
will  be  dated  at  that  City.  I  shall  rejoice  when  I  get  near  the  Scene  of 
War,  and  out  of  this  expensive  dirty  Town.^ .... 

2  See  nos.  340,  344,  345,  349,  352,  ante,  375,  382,  384,  385,  post. 

3  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  458,  post. 
*  Cf.  no.  353,  ante. 

■*  See  no.  344,  note  2,  ante. 


25G  Continental  Congress 

358.  William  Hooper  to  Joseph  Hewes.' 

Halifax  Monday  February  15.  1777 
Dear  Joseph 

Here  I  arrived  late  yesterday  after  a  most  fatiguing  Journey  all  the 
way  on  Horseback  from  Baltimore  hither.  An  unremitting  attendance 
upon  congress  all  day  and  uj)on  committees  on  Evenings  during  the 
solitary  representation  of  North  Carolina  by  degrees  impaired  my  accus- 
tomed stock  of  health  and  at  length  brought  on  a  fever  which  for  several 
days  bafHed  the  skill  of  Doctor  Wirzenthall  and  the  power  of  medicine. 
It  had  a  crisis  which  proved  fortunate,  I  took  the  advantage  of  an  Inter- 
mission and  resumed  my  seat  in  Congress — a  Relapse  was  the  Conse- 
quence and  I  had  very  nearly  measured  my  length  under  Ground  in  that 
worst  of  all  terrestrial  places,  a  situation  bad  as  it  is  yet  preferable  to 
being  above  it  long  in  that  wretched  place.  I  have  not  yet  recovered.  I 
was  broiling  in  a  fever  all  last  night  and  I  can  scarce  muster  strength  to 
get  on  Horseback  tho  I  propose  to  go  on  this  day.^ 

Burke  came  to  my  relief  on  Saturday  the  first  day  of  February  and 
your  express  delivered  me  your  packet  about  two  hours  before  Burke 
appeared.  Your  Express  with  the  fatigue  of  his  Journey  and  from  other 
causes  found  himself  much  indisposed  and  from  this  and  his  apprehension 
of  the  Small  pox  was  averse  to  proceeding  to  Philadelphia.  Fortunately, 
the  next  morning  two  congress  expresses  set  ofT  one  for  Philadelphia  to 
return  the  next  Saturday — the  other  for  Boston  to  return  as  soon  as  might 
be.  Your  letters  for  Philad.  I  gave  to  the  former  and  wrote  R  Morris 
,who  was  there  and  your  Brother  to  dispatch  answers  by  the  return 
Express  under  Cover  to  Mr  Hancock  for  you.  Your  Letter  to  the  Gover- 
nour  of  Mass'"*  went  by  the  Boston  express.  I  gave  directions  to  Mush- 
raw  to  call  upon  Mr  Hancock  on  Saturday  for  any  letters  which  might 
come  to  him  for  you  and  if  they  were  not  arrived  to  wait  till  they  did  and 
then  proceed  immediately  to  Edenton.  I  apprized  Mr  Hancock  of  this 
measure  so  that  no  mistake  can  occur  in  the  Conduct  of  it.  Your  Letter 
to  the  President  etc.  were  layed  before  Congress,  a  Committee  at  my 
request  appointed,  and  by  Mushraw  or  soon  afterwards  in  a  letter  by 
Burke  you  will  know  the  Result.^ .... 

The  North  Carolina  Regiments  as  well  the  6  in  So  Carolina  as  the  three 
new  ones  here  are  ordered  to  join  G  Wash°".  as  soon  as  it  can  be  effected. 
He  is  distressed  for  want  of  men,  has  not  I  fear  7000  and  many  of  those 
are  militia,  when  the  Enemy  are  loooo  Strong  and  are  prevented  attacking 
him  only  from  want  of  Cannon 

[P.  S.]  ....  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  Era®  Nash  was  made  a  Brig: 
Genl  and  is  to  2:0  to  the  Northward 


&^ 


[358]^  Furnished  by  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  H.  Manning  of  Albany. 

^Cf.  Hooper  to  Robert  Morris,  Feb.  i,  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:  Revolu- 
tionary Papers,  I.  415. 

3  See  no.  282,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  Feb.  4,  June  4;  see  also  the  journal  of  the 
North  Carolina  Provincial  Congress,  Dec.  21,  23,  1776,  in  N.  C.  Col.  Recs.,  X.  980,  996. 
Copies  of  the  North  Carolina  memorial,  etc.,  are  in  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVH.  256-265. 
See  also  no.  549,  post. 


February,  jyy/  257 

359.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina/ 

Baltimore  Feb'y.  ioth.[i6?]  1777.- 
Sir: 

my  last  to  you  was  by  Mr.  Hooper,  and  I  suppose  you  have  received  it 
long  before  this.'  I  then  announced  my  intention  of  troubling  you  every 
post,  and  I  now  sit  down  in  order  to  perform,  in  some  part,  my  promise. 

Of  the  political  principle  [s]  of  the  respective  States  I  am  not  yet  able  to 
speak  very  clearly,  for  they  are  kept  as  much  as  possible  out  of  view.     I 
conjecture,  however,  that  all  are  under  some  apprehensions  of  combina- 
tion in  the  Eastern  States  to  derive  to  themselves  every  possible  advantage 
from  the  present  war,  at  the  expense  of  the  rest.     I  am  not  yet  satisfied 
that  there  is  any  combination  amongst  them.    I  rather  think  that  they  only 
combine  when  they  have  one  common  interest,  which  is  seldom  the  case, 
and  I  am  sure  this  is  not  peculiar  to  them.     On  some  late  questions  I 
observed  they  divided ;  one  was  relative  to  the  interest  to  be  paid  on  loans, 
another  relative  to  the  meeting  of  several  States.     In  the  sequel  of  this 
letter  I  mean  to  give  you  an  abstract  of  the  debates  on  these  questions, 
and  therefore  shall  say  no  more  of  them  here.     But,  sir,  I  am  more  con- 
cerned to  find  that  Pennsylvania,  Alaryland,  Jersey  and  some  others  are 
exceedingly  jealous  of  the  states  whose  bounds  to  the  westward  are  yet 
unascertained,  and  I  am  much  mistaken  if  they  do  not  upon  all  occasions 
endeavour  to  fix  very  extensive  power  in  a  mere  majority  of  Congress  in 
order  to  get  resolutions  unfavorable  to  the  claims  of  such  states  entered 
into.     To  be  more  explicit,  I  believe  they  will  endeavour  by  degrees  to 
make  the  authority  of  Congress  very  extensive,  and  when  it  shall  be  fully 
established  and  acknowledged,  to  make  such  a  party  in  it  as  will  pass 
resolves  injurious  to  the  rights  of  those  states  who  claim  to  the  South  Seas. 
You  will  see  by  some  matters  in  the  abstract  of  debate  which  I  shall  sub- 
join that  this  conjecture  is  not  quite  void  of  foundation.*     I  am  clearly 
of  opinion  at  all  events  that  those  states  who,  like  ours,  have  such  claims 
should  be  explicit  in  declaring  they  will  give  no  power  to  their  Delegates 
to  bind  them  in  any  thing  that  regards  their  Bounds.     I  am  not  yet  able 
to  be  particular  with  respect  to  the  measures  intended  to  be  pursued.    We 
are  endeavouring  to  forward,  by  every  expedient,  the  recruiting  service, 
and  also  the  putting  our  Frigates  to  sea.     Our  greatest  difficulty  is  in 
supplying  the  Treasury.     This  requires  the  nicest  management.     If  we 
go  on  emitting  money  the  quantity  in  circulation  so  enhances  the  prices 
of  things  that  we  shall  only  make  money  without  being  able  to  get  for 
it  more  commodities,  and  it  will,  of  course,  destroy  its  own  purpose.    The 
Loan  Office  is  at  length  considered  as  little  better  than  new  emissions,  and 
a  Tax  seems  the  only  adequate  expedient.    There  is  a  plan  under  consider- 

[359]^  A^  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  376. 

2  This  leUer  was  probably  written  Feb.  16  (Sunday)  and  finished  on  the  17th. 
There  are  several  references  to  matters  occurring  Feb.  14,  15,  and  at  the  close  of  the  letter 
is  mentioned  the  resolution  of  the  17th  for  adjournment  to  Philadelphia. 

3  The  letter  of  Feb.  4  and  5,  no.  337,  ante. 

*  See  the  abstracts  of  debates  concerning  the  New  England  conference,  Feb.  12,  iS, 
nos.  353,  356,  ante.  Cf.  no.  465,  post.  In  regard  to  the  attitude  of  Maryland  and  other 
states  toward  the  claims  "  to  the  South  Seas  ",  see  no.  68,  note  2,  ante. 


258  Continental  Congress 

ation  for  this  purpose;  when  it  shall  be  deteriiiined  I  will  be  more  explicit.* 
You  will  receive  from  the  President  a  copy  of  some  transactions  in  the 
New  Eng^Iand  Governments  together  with  the  Resolutions  of  Congress 
relative  thereto.  You  will  perceive  that  the  intention  of  sending  them 
to  the  difTerent  states  is  to  suggest  to  them  to  fall  on  methods  something 
similar  if  they  see  it  proper  and  necessary.  Tho'  no  States  are  more  in 
need  of  such  regulations  than  where  the  armies  march  through,  yet  they 
opposed  it,  under  the  pretence  that  regulating  prices  would  be  imprac- 
ticable; but  a  majority  of  Congress  were  of  opinion  that  it  might  be 
rendered  so  far  effectual  as  to  prevent  engrossers  and  forestallers,  and 
speculators,  who  purchased  in  hopes  of  a  rising  price,  and  thereby  rendered 
necessary  articles  very  scarce  and  difificult  to  be  obtained.  For  my 
thoughts  on  the  subject,  I  will  refer  you  to  the  abstract  of  debates,  that 
is  so  far  as  regards  our  own  State.  I  indeed  have  no  great  opinion  of  an 
attempt  to  regulate  prices  in  a  country  where  the  holders  are  under  no 
necessity  of  selling;  but  knowing  our  own  State  was  not  much  interested 
in  this  business  I  voted  for  it.  in  order  to  damp  the  practice  of  speculative 
monopoly  which  prevails  in  all  the  Northern  States.  You  will  see  in  the 
abstract  my  reasons  for  not  approving  it  in  ours.*  I  really  feel  myself 
much  displeased  at  the  disregard  Virginia  showed  to  our  interest  in  the 
matter,  and  I  believe,  were  I  a  member  of  your  Assembly  I  should  move 
that  she  might  be  desired  to  avow  or  disavow  the  conduct  of  her  Delegates 
in  Congress.  But  this  I  need  not  urge  to  you  who  are  so  good  a  judge  of 
her  interest,  so  jealous  of  her  honour,  and  so  careful  to  maintain  her 
rights." 

We  have  just  received  some  very  agreeable  intelligence  from  the  army, 
but  I  expect  it  will  be  in  the  paper  before  I  can  close  this  letter.  If  not  I 
will  procure  abstracts  and  enclose  them  to  you.  There  are  some  Tory 
disturbances  on  the  Eastern  shore  of  this  State,  and  the  Civil  Power  do 
not  seem  to  proceed  with  sufficient  vigour  against  them.  There  [were] 
some  Troops  however  sent  against  them,  and  I  suppose  my  next  will 
contain  something  final  relative  to  them.  I  take  abstracts  of  all  the  impor- 
tant debates  in  Congress,  principally  with  a  view  of  transmitting  to  you. 
I  think  i-t  right  that  my  country  should  know  how  I  give  her  voice,  and 
upon  what  principles  I  determined  for  her.  If  I  am  right  her  approbation 
will  not  only  determine  me,  but  others  also,  to  proceed  with  firmness. 
If  I  am  mistaken  she,  only,  can  correct  me,  and  by  correcting  me  inform 
others  more  fully  of  their  duty.  I  doubt  not  the  candor  of  my  country- 
men, they  will  believe  I  act  for  them  to  the  best  of  my  judgment,  and 
when  that  judgment  errs  I  am  desirous  it  should  be  better  instructed  by 
them,  or  if  they  find  it  defective,  and  unfit  for  their  service,  'tis  surely 
right  they  should  have  an  opportunity  of  substituting  a  better  in  so  impor- 
tant a  trust.     The  intelligence  above  mentioned  is  in  the  paper;  it  is  that 

^  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  20,  22,  26 ;  cf.  nos.  345,  346,  ante,  382,  384,  post. 

*  See  no.  356,  ante. 

7  See  his  statement  concerning  Richard  Henry  Lee  in  the  abstracts  of  Feb.  15, 
no.  356,  ante.  Burke's  idea  of  Congress  as  a  body  of  diplomatic  representatives  of 
sovereign  states  was  pronounced  though  not  by  any  means  singular.  Cf.  his  opinions 
(undated),  in  .V.  C.  State  Recs..  XI.  701. 


February,  z///  259 

under  the  Philadelphia  head,  February  the  15th,  but  I  am  sorry  to  tell 
you  it  is  contradicted  by  later  accounts.*  We  have  received  authentic 
intelligence  from  London  that  Chesapeake  Bay  is  next  campaign  to  be 
the  seat  of  v^ar,  and  the  enemy  mean  to  land  first  on  the  Eastern  Shore.' 
The  Tories  in  Somerset  and  Worcester  are  broken,  and  the  persons  who 
chiefly  excited  them  are  taken  prisoners.  The  Congress  have  resolved  to 
adjourn  on  Tuesday  from  this  town  to  Philadelphia,  to  sit  there  on  the 
Tuesday  following.^" 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  your  Excellency's  most  obe'd.  serv't. 

Thos.  Burke. 
His  Excellency  Gov.  Caswell. 

360.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Baltimore,  Feb.  16,  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  General  Howe  has  declared  that  he  intends  that  General  Lee 
shall  be  tried  by  the  Laws  of  his  Country.  So  he  is  considered  as  a 
deserter  from  the  British  Army.  You  know  the  Resolution  of  Congress 
concerning  this  Matter.  It  is  my  Opinion  that  Lt.  Colo.  Campbel  ought 
immediately  to  be  secured.  He  is  to  be  detained  as  one  upon  whom  Retal- 
liation  is  to  be  made.^ ....  Congress  is  now  busy  in  considering  on  the 
Report  of  the  joynt  Committees  of  the  Eastern  States.  A  curious  Debate 
arose  on  this  Subject,  which  I  have  not  time  now  to  mention.  I  will 
explain  it  to  you  in  my  next.* 

360A.  Robert  Morris  to  William  Bingham.^ 

Philadelphia  Feby.  i6th.  1777. 
William  Bingham  Esqr. 

Dear  Sir 

....  I  must  also  request  you  to  spare  me  all  you  can  in  the  Introduc- 
tion of  French  Officers  to  me.  I  do  not  speak  their  Language  and  being 
so  exceedingly  employed  as  I  am  the  time  they  take  from  me  in  Visits  and 
applications  can  very  ill  be  spared  and  is  really  very  troublesome  to  me 
coud  I  speak  the  Language  and  had  spare  time  it  woud  be  a  pleasure  but 

8  The  newspaper  referred  to  was  probably  the  Maryland  Gazette,  of  which  no 
copy  of  a  date  approximating  Feb.  16  has  been  found.  In  a  letter  to  James  Warren, 
Feb.  17  {Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  293),  John  Adams  speaks  of  a  rumor  of  an  engage- 
ment in  which  the  enemy  left  327  dead  on  the  field.  This  was  probably  based  on  a 
letter  from  the  committee  in  Philadelphia,  Feb.  13,  read  in  Congress  Feb.  17.  The 
committee  gives  an  account  of  the  affair  at  Quibbletown,  New  Jersey,  as  related  by 
Major  Ottendorff,  concluding:  "This  is  the  Substance  of  what  Genl  Gates  could  collect 
from  the  Major's  bad  French-Dutch-English  Lingo."  (Papers  Cont.  Cons  no  i^7 
App.,  f.  155.)     Cf.  no.  369,  post.  ^"       ■     ■"" 

^  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  17. 

10  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  17,  25,  27  (pp.  164,  168).    Cf.  no.  344,  note  2,  ante,  nos 
362,  363,  368,  377,  378,  382-384,  387-389,  392,  393,  post. 

[360]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  291;  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  360. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  6,  and  nos.  290,  291,  297-299,  ante,  160,  366,  367,  371,  post 

3  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante.  The  discussion  had  closed  on  Saturday,  the  day 
preceding  the  date  of  this  letter. 

[36oa]^  Library  of  Gongress,  Morris  Papers,  Accession  2233. 


2G0  Continental  Congress 

it  is  now  too  much  the  reverse.  I  know  very  well  you  cannot  avoid  it 
somotinies  and  I  shall  always  j)ay  attention  to  them  when  you  do  reconi- 
nienti,  hitherto  1  have  j:jot  all  of  them  Apix^intments  but  really  they  are 
flocking  over  in  such  Numbers  from  every  Port  and  by  every  Ship  that 
I  don't  know  what  we  shall  do  with  them  (all  this  in  Confidence)  and 
when  you  recommend  any  of  them  to  the  Secret  Committee  of  Corre- 
spondence dont  put  those  letters  under  my  Cover  but  give  them  directed  to 
the  Committee  or  else  they  fasten  on  me  at  once  in  this  way  each  Member 
will  have  his  Chance  for  the  Trouble.' .... 

361.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

Baltimore,  Feb.  17,  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

I  have  the  melancholly  Prospect  before  me  of  a  Congress  continually 
changing,  untill  very  few  Faces  remain,  that  I  saw  in  the  first  Congress. 
Not  one  from  South  Carolina,  not  one  from  North  Carolina,  only  one 
from  Virginia,  only  two  from  Maryland,  not  one  from  Pennsylvania,  Not 
one  from  New  Jersey,  not  one  from  New  York,  only  one  from  Connecti- 
cutt,  not  one  from  Rhode  Island,  not  one  from  New  Hampshire,  only  one, 
at  present,  from  the  Massachusetts.  Mr.  S.  Adams,  Mr.  Sherman,  and 
Coll.  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Mr.  Chase  and  Mr.  Paca,  are  all  that  remain. 
The  rest  are  dead,  resigned,  deserted  or  cutt  up  into  Governors,  etc.  at 
home." .... 

Congress  have  this  day  voted  to  return  to  Philadelphia  tomorrow 
Week 


362.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Baltimore  Febry  18,  1777 
My  Dear  Sir 

Yesterday  I  rec'd  Directions  from  Congress,  to  Adjourn  on  Tuesday 
next,  25th  inst,  from  the  Town  of  Baltimore  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia^ 
this  I  dare  Say  will  afford  you  pleasure,  and  I  am  to  Request  that  immedi- 
ately on  Receipt  of  this  you  will  please  to  issue  orders  to  Mr.  Hiltsheimer 
for  four  good  cover'd  Waggons,  with  four  good  Horses  and  a  Sober 
Driver  to  each,  to  be  Sent  to  me,  with  all  possible  Dispatch  to  Convey 
Down  to  Philada  the  Public  Papers  etc.  do  let  them  be  well  Chosen  and 
I  beg  your  immediate  attention  to  this.^ ....  I  Judge  I  shall  be  in 
Philada  by  Saturday  week.    God  bless  you 

-  See  no.  136,  ante;  also  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  14,  19,  and  nos.  407,  410,  418,  post. 
[361]  1  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  293. 

-  There  is  further  comment  on  the  new  state  governments  and  new  delegations. 
[362]!  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Phila- 
delphia; Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  9. 

2  In  a  letter  written  later  tlie  same  day  Hancock  says :  "  Pray  do  hurry  on  the 
waggons  I  wrote  you  for  this  mors.  I  cannot  move  without  them,  nor  can  Thompson — 
four  will  be  enough — do  let  them  be  good  and  well  Cover'd,  with  good  horses  and 
drivers."  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  419;  copy,  from  the 
original,  in  possession  of  the  Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington.  The  removal  to 
Philadelphia  was  a  few  days  later  suspended.  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  25,  and  nos.  277, 
382-384,  post.    Cf.  nos.  344,  note  2,  359,  note  10,  ante. 


February,  z///  2G1 

363.  Francis  Lewis  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention   (Abraham  Ten  Broeck).^ 

Baltimore  18  Febry.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  repeatedly  wrote  pressing  letters  backed  by  resolves  of  Congress 
for  a  full  representation  of  our  State.'  but  have  as  yet  not  been  honoured 
with  an  answer.  Permit  me  still  to  remind  you  that  in  my  opinion  our 
State  may  suffer  for  the  want  thereof,  for  Instance,  the  General  has 
recommended  to  Congress  the  promotion  of  three  Majors  Generals  from 
Brigadiers,  and  Ten  Brigadiers  from  Colonels,  and  has  given  in  a  list  of 
some  persons  as  a  hint  to  Congress ;  the  mode  and  persons  has  occasion'd 
many  days  debate,  and  is  this  day  to  be  brought  on  again,  and  notwith- 
standing many  declarations  to  the  contrary,  Colonial  prejudices  sway  the 
minds  of  individuals,  that  each  state  appear  interested  in  the  debates,  for 
promotion  in  the  line  of  their  respective  State  [s]^  from  this  Sir  you  may 
judge  how  the  State  of  New  York  is  circumstanced,  having  no  vote  in  this, 
and  many  other  weighty  points,  and  which  I  hope  the  Honble  Convention 
will  speedily  rectify 

I  am  also  to  informe  you  that  Congress  have  appointed  the  25th.  Instant 
for  the  day  on  which  they  will  adjourn  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia,*  so  that 
the  Delegates  you  shall  send  to  Congress  may  meet  them  there. 

364.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feb.  1 2th  to  19th  1777. 

Several  days  of  this  week  were  consumed  in  debates  on  the  appointment 
of  General  Officers.^  The  debates  were  perplexed,  inconclusive  and  irk- 
some. The  Delegates  of  several  States  were  desirous  of  fixing  a  rule  of 
promotion,  and  several  were  offered  and  rejected.  Maryland,  Virginia, 
and  North  Carolina  desired  that  each  State  should  recommend  officers  in 
proportion  to  the  men  they  furnish :  three  Battalions,  one  Brigadier,  nine 
[battalions],  one  Major  General.  This  was  rejected.  It  was  then  pro- 
posed to  promote  General  Officers  as  they  stood  in  rank,  and  rejected.  To 
all  the  rules  a  saving  was  added,  that  the  Congress  might  deviate 
from  any,  in  favour  of  merit  eminently  distinguished  and  generally 
acknowledged. 

North  Carolina  argued  that  some  rule  should  be  observed,  and  entered 
on  the  Journals.    That  the  Congress  would  be  an  object  of  very  jealous 

[363] IN.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  VIII.  367;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong., 
II.  358. 

2  See  nos.  268,  292,  329,  330,  ante ;  also  no.  402,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  7,  18-21,  and  nos.  364,  365,  372,  376,  392,  419,  599,  post. 
Cf.  no.  327,  ante. 

*  See  nos.  359,  362,  ante.    "  Congress  are  about  return  to  Philadelphia.    I  believe 
they  will  adjourn  thither  next  week."    Whipple  to  Langdon,  Feb.  18,  Force  Transcripts, 
Whipple,  p.  285.    The  resolve  had  already  passed  the  preceding  day.    The  date  given  to 
Whipple's  letter  may  however  be  an  error. 
[364V  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  380. 

2  See  no.  363,  note  3,  ante;  also  Gouverneur  Morris  to  Washington,  May  27,  1778, 
in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 


262  Continental  Congress 

api)rchcnsion,  unchecked  and  unlimited  as  it  is,  if  the  officers  of  the  army 
hekl  their  honor  at  the  precarious  pleasure  of  a  majority.  Officers  hold 
their  honor  the  most  dear  of  anything.  Setting  them  aside  when  they 
were  entitled  to  promotion  would  wound  that  honor  very  sorely.  Their 
attention  would  therefore  he  entirely  to  that  authority  which  had  so  much 
power  to  wound  it,  or  to  cherish  it.  This  policy  was  always  ohserved  by 
monarchs,  and  the  end  was  to  keep  the  army  dependent  on  them :  but 
such  policy  was  unbecoming^  in  Congress,  who  ought  to  give  no  room  for 
jealousy.  The  rule  of  succession  is  most  familiar  to  officers,  and  there- 
fore most  agreeable  to  them ;  but  the  proportion  would  give  greatest 
satisfaction  to  the  States,  and  the  satisfying  them  was  of  greatest  impor- 
tance and  ought  to  be  adopted. 

At  length  it  was  proposed  to  resolve,  that  regard  be  had  to  the  rank,  to 
the  quota,  and  to  merit.  It  was  agreed  to,  but  no  notice  was  taken  of  it 
in  the  nomination  or  appointments.  N,  Carolina  did  not  vote  for  Major 
Generals ;  because  the  delegate  found,  no  rule  was  observed,  and  he  knew 
nothing  of  the  merit  of  any  officers  in  nomination,  and  did  not  choose  to 
give  a  vote  in  Congress,  for  which  he  could  give  no  reason. 

365.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary.^ 

Feby  19  1777 

Upon  the  question  for  referring  the  appointment  of  three  major  gen- 
erals to  the  general  officers  of  the  army  ^  it  was  said  in  the  negative 

Dr  Rush 

I  have  heard  the  congress  more  than  once  called  a  republic.  I  love  to 
realize  the  idea,  and  I  hope  it  will  inspire  us  with  the  virtuous  principles 
of  republican  goverments.  One  of  the  most  powerful  and  happy  com- 
monwealths in  the  world  Rome  called  her  general  officers  from  the  plough 
and  paid  no  regard  to  rank,  service  or  seniority.  We  have  of  late  been 
successful  it  is  true,  but  I  despair  of  our  country  being  saved  'till  the 
instrumentality  of  military  wisdom  and  virtue  are  employed  for  that 
purpose,  and  these  can  never  be  had  'till  we  use  a  soverign  power  in  calling 
them  forth  where  ever  we  find  them.  It  is  to  no  purpose  to  talk  of  the 
practice  of  despotic  princes.  They  promote  acording  to  seniority  it  is 
true,  but  they  possess  an  absolute  power  of  recalling,  disgracing,  or  break- 
ing their  general  Officers  as  soon  as  they  make  them,  and  we  find  they 
are  fond  of  exerc[is]ing  this  pow^r  upon  the  least  neglect,  inattention,  or 
want  of  Success.  The  case  is  different  with  us.  A  general  may  loose  a 
battle  or  a  province,  and  we  possess  no  power  to  recall  or  to  displace  him. 
If  the  motion  is  passed  I  shall  move  immediately  afterwards  that  all  the 
civil  power  of  the  continent  may  be  transferred  from  our  hands  into  the 
hands  of  the  army,  and  that  they  may  be  proclaimed  the  highest  power 
of  the  people. 

[365]^  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 
2  See  no.  363,  note  3,  ante. 


February,  1777  263 

Dr  Wetherspoon. 

Mr  President,  I  am  against  the  motion.  It  will  produce  faction,  and 
disputes  among  your  generals.  I  once  left  the  honors  of  the  college  over 
which  I  preside  to  the  choice  of  the  senior  class,  But  it  produced  so  much 
confusion  and  ill  blood,  that  I  was  obliged  to  resume  that  power  again, 
and  have  since  excercised  to  the  satisfaction  of  my  pupils  as  well  as  my 
own. 

Col  Richd  Henry  Lee. 

I  wish  the  learned  Doctor  would  distinguish  between  the  practice  of 
children  and  men.  Our  generals  would  certainly  make  a  judicious  choice, 
and  would  not  be  governed  by  the  principles  which  actuate  boys  at  schools. 

Mr.  John  Adams. 

Mr  President,  I  differ  from  the  gentleman  who  spoke  last.  There  are 
certain  principles  which  follow  us  thro'  life,  and  none  more  certainly  than 
the  love  of  the  Urst  place.  We  see  it  in  the  forms  on  which  Children  sit 
at  Schools.  It  prevails  equally  to  the  last  period  of  life.  I  am  sorry  to 
find  it  prevails  so  little  in  this  Assembly.  I  have  been  distressed  to  see 
some  members  of  this  house  disposed  to  idolise  an  image  which  thier 
own  hands  have  molten.  I  speak  here  of  the  superstitious  veneration  that 
is  sometimes  paid  to  Genl  Washington.  Altho'  I  honour  him  for  his  good 
qualities,  yet  in  this  house  I  feel  myself  his  Superior.  In  private  life  I 
shall  always  acknowledge  that  he  is  mine.'  It  becomes  us  to  attend  early 
to  the  restraining  our  army.  This  we  shall  find  the  next  difficult  thing  to 
prevent :  the  depreciation  of  our  money.  I  have  no  fears  from  the  resig- 
nation of  Officers  if  junior  Officers  are  preferred  to  them.  If  they  have 
virtue  they  will  continue  with  us.  If  not,  thier  resignation  will  not 
hurt  us.* 

366.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary.^ 

[February  20,  1777.] 

Congress  received  a  letter  Feby  20th  1777  from  Genl  Lee  a  prisoner  in 
New  York  (written  by  permission  of  Lord  and  general  Howe)  requesting 
a  conference  with  two  or  three  members  of  congress  upon  matters  of  the 
last  importance  to  himself,  and  his  opinion  to  Ameri[c]a.  upon  which  it 
was  said  by 

Dr  Rush. 

Mr  President,  In  considering  of  the  propriety  of  this  request  it  becomes 
us  I  to  attend  to  the  present  situation  of  the  Court  of  Britain,  2ly  to  the 
conduct  and  charecters  of  Lord  and  general  Howe,  and  3  to  the  conduct, 
and  charrecter  of  general  Lee.  i  The  court  of  Britain  is  alarmed  with 
the  fear  of  a  french  war.  They  wish  to  terminate  the  present  war  in 
america  by  a  negociation  as  well  as  by  the  sword.    They  have  no  terms  to 

3  Adams's  remarks  to  this  point  are  quoted  by  Rush  in  his  Memorial,  p.  104. 
*  Cf.  no.  372.  post. 
[366]  1  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 
22 


264  Continental  Congress 

offer  us.  They  mean  only  to  deceive  and  divide  us.  2  Lord  and  genl 
Howe  were  chosen  as  fit  instruments  for  seducing  and  deceivinj.,'  the  col- 
onies. Tlicy  have  practi.sed  many  Arts  for  that  purpose.  Witness  the 
conference  they  extorted  from  the  conj^^ress  thro'  Genl  Sullivan  last 
summer.  They  have  been  told  by  the  reinforcement  of  tories  that  lately 
joined  them  its  effect  upon  the  people  of  America,  and  they  expect  thro'  a 
better  instrument  (Genl  Lee)  to  produce  greater  and  worse  effects  by  a 
conference  with  the  members  of  congress  set  on  foot  at  their  request  by 
the  general.  3  General  Lee  with  all  his  great  qualities  possesses  the 
weakness  of  being  easily  imposed  upon.  His  charecters  of  men  are  dic- 
tated by  caprice  or  passion.  I  have  seldom  known  him  give  a  true 
charecter  of  any  man.  He  is  fond  of  negociations  and  conferences.  He 
tried  to  bring  about  an  interview  with  Genl  Burgoyne  at  Cambridge  for 
that  purpose.  He  urged  a  second  interview  with  Lord  Howe  last  summer. 
I  beleive  Genl  Lee  to  be  honest  and  sincerely  attached  to  our  cause,  but 
some  people  suppose  he  threw  himself  in  the  way  of  being  taken  prisoner. 
Considering  all  these  things  I  maintain  that  a  compliance  with  the  general 
request  would  be  impolitic,  and  highly  dangerous  to  the  union  and  safety 
of  the  united  States. 

Mr.  Jno  Adams. 

Mr  President,  I  am  against  the  proposed  conference.  It  will  do  mis- 
chief. The  last  conference  wnth  Lord  Howe  did  no  good.  The  Whigs 
were  alarmed  with  it,  and  the  tories  complained  that  the  reason  why  it 
did  not  end  in  a  negociation  was  because  improper  men  were  sent,  and 
because  the  congress  did  not  relax  eno'  from  its  dignity.  I  admire  Genl 
Lee  for  his  military  talents,  but  he  possesses  an  unbounded  Share  of 
Vanity.  This  Vanity  led  him  to  correspond  with  Genl  Burgoyne,  and 
induced  him  to  propose  himself  as  one  of  a  committee  to  confer  with  Lord 
Howe.  His  Lordship  has  no  terms  to  offer  us.  The  kings  Speech  is 
decisive  against  us.  It  lets  loose  all  the  dogs  of  war  and  corruption  upon 
us,  But  it  carries  a  remedy  to  its  terrors  along  with  it.  it  holds  out  the 
probability  of  a  war  w'th.  France. 

Mr  Chase. 

I  am  against  the  conference,  but  I  move  for  the  publication  of  Genl 
Lee's  letter  to  the  congress  in  order  to  satisfy  our  constituents  who  have 
heard  that  it  contains  propositions  of  peace. 

Mr.  Mid  die  ton. 

I  am  against  the  conference  for  the  reasons  that  have  been  given. 
Lord  Howe  has  made  use  of  Genl.  Lee  as  a  decoy  duck  to  take  in  the 
colonies.  I  am  against  the  publication  of  the  General  ['s]  letter  to  the 
congress.  Unless  you  publish  with  it  his  letter  to  Genl  Washington  in 
which  he  requests  the  company  of  his  Aiddecamp  and  his  dogs. 

Col  Harrison. 

I  suspect  Lord  and  General  Howe  have  offered  Genl  Lee  his  life  on 
condition  of  his  bringing  About  this  conference  which  is  designed  to 


February,  lyyy  2G 


o 


betray  us  into  a  negociation.  It  will  suspend  our  military  Operations, 
and  injure  us  in  the  court  of  France  where  our  commissioners  are  now 
soliciting  an  Alliance  for  us.  The  last  conference  wth  Lord  Howe  had 
this  effect.^  Let  us  suppose  that  he  means  only  to  confer  with  us  about 
his  private  affairs,  and  let  us  pass  a  resolution  declaring  our  determination 
to  support  him  and  our  willingness  to  hear  and  transact  any  thing  that 
related  to  his  safety  or  interest. 

This  resolution  was  unanimously  agreed  to.^ 

367.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feh'y.  20th  A  Committee  on  a  letter  from  General  Howe  to  General 
Washington  reported,^  that  five  Hessian  Field  Officers,  and  a  Col.  Camp- 
bell ^  should  be  confined  in  order  for  retaliation,  and  that  they  should  have 
copies  of  the  resolutions  and  letters  relative  to  this  matter,  in  order  to 
manifest  the  reluctance  of  Congress  to  this  severity;  which  became 
necessary,  being  the  only  means  whereby  they  could  teach  their  enemies 
to  regard  the  Law  of  Nations  and  the  rights  of  humanity.  Some  severe 
epithets  were  prefixed  to  enemies  in  the  report,  and  they  were  objected  to 
as  unbecoming  the  dignity  of  Congress.  A  debate  ensued  in  which  some 
Gentlemen  pointed  out  the  impropriety  of  a  bold  figurative  style  in  public 
Instruments,  and  the  beauty  and  propriety  of  simplicity.  R.  H.  Lee,  of 
Virginia  (as  usual)  insisted  strongly  on  retaining  the  epithets,  because 
they  expressed  only  what  our  enemies  really  are,  and  urged  that  the  best 
writers  always  used  such  terms  on  the  like  occassions.  The  Delegate  from 
North  Carolina  observed  that  simplicity  of  style  was  true  beauty,  and 
dignity,  in  the  language  of  public  bodies.  Embellishments  of  splendid 
epithets  and  figures,  if  proper  at  all,  w^ere  only  for  rhetoricians  and  such 
as  write  for  amusement,  that  he  could  wish  our  Energy  might  appear  in 
our  Actions,  and  that  our  Language  might  be  simple  and  unadorned,  he 
said  he  admired  the  Peasants  of  Switzerland  who  in  their  Struggles  for 

2  See,  for  instance,  Deane  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  Nov.  28, 
1776,  Wharton,  Rez:  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  196. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  20,  21,  and  nos.  367,  371,  375,  376,  386,  390,  395,  403,  404, 
407,  428,  post,  also  nos.  290,  291,  297-299,  ante.  Lee's  letter  to  Washington,  Feb.  9,  and 
that  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Feb.  10,  are  in  New  York  Hist.  See,  Collections: 
Lee  Papers,  II.  357,  358;  the  latter  is  also  found  in  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks), 
I.  350  n. ;  Washington's  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  239  n.,  (ed.  Sparks),  IV.  324  n.  For  an 
extensive  study  of  the  whole  episode,  see  G.  H.  Moore,  The  Treason  of  Charles  Lee, 
reprinted  in  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:   Lee  Papers,  IV.  335-427. 

[367]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Library,  Emmet  Collection,  no.  1162;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  380. 
The  Emmet  copy  begins  with  the  words  "  for  amusement ",  near  the  middle  of  this 
abstract  for  Feb.  20.  Up  to  that  point  the  text  is  that  of  A'^.  C.  State  Recs.,  thereafter 
it  follows  the  Emmet  copy.     See  no.  343,  note  i,  ante. 

2  Howe's  letter  was  enclosed  in  a  letter  of  Washington,  Feb.  5.  See  the 
Journals,  Feb.  14,  15,  20;  cf.  ibid.,  Jan.  2,  6,  and  no.  291,  ante.  See  also  no.  366, 
note  3,  ante. 

3  Lt.-Col.  Archibald  Campbell.  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  6,  Feb.  29,  Mar.  14,  June  2, 
6,  July  22,  Aug.  7,  19;  also  nos.  291,  297,  299,  360,  ante;  see  also  Washington  to  the 
Massachusetts  council,  Feb.  28,  to  Lieutenant-Colonel  Campbell,  Mar.  i,  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  Mar.  i,  6,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  254,  257,  257  n.,  274,  (ed.  Sparks), 
IV.  330,  333,  334,  349.  A  letter  from  Campbell  to  General  Howe,  Feb.  i,  setting  forth  his 
situation,  is  in  the  Remembrancer,  V.  138.    Cf.  nos.  403,  407,  post. 


2G6  Continental  Congress 

Freedom  were  as  remarkable  for  Modesty  in  their  Languap^e,  as  for  Vigor 
in  their  Exertions,  that  he  wished  the  Congress  would  Imitate  them  in 
both,  on  the  Question  the  Exceptionable  passage  was  exi)unged.  the 
Debate  now  turned  on  the  Question  whether  the  Law  of  Nations  was 
proper  to  be  mentioned.  Some  Gentlemen  Argued  that  it  was  improper 
to  apply  it  to  the  proceedings  against  General  Lee  because  they  proposed 
trying  him  by  the  Laws  of  liis  own  Country,  but  others  Insisted  that  they 
had  no  power  to  try  him  more  than  any  other  Prisoner  by  those  Laws, 
many  Distinctions  were  attempted  which  I  did  not  understand,  at  length 
the  North  Carolina  Delegate  declared  he  thought  all  Laws  were  to  be 
laid  aside  but  what  both  Parties  were  subject  to  in  Common,  these  were 
only  the  Laws  of  Nature  and  Nations,  the  Municipal  Laws  of  all  Coun- 
tries at  War  were  silent  with  respect  to  the  mere  Transaction  that  relates 
to.  or  were  the  Consequence  of  War.  That  it  was  the  proper  Policy  of 
Britain  still  to  regard  the  Americans  as  subjects  and  to  Insist  on  the 
Execution  of  the  Municipal  Laws,  but  it  was  the  proper  policy  of  America 
to  maintai[n]  that  the  American  States  stand  in  no  other  reIat[ion] 
[to]  Britain  than  as  an  Independant  Empire  *  at  War  with  her,  and  there- 
fore that  the  Law  of  Nations  alone  ought  to  be  observed  betvveen  them, 
that  retalliation  is  the  only  Instrument  whereby  Nations  can  Compell  the 
observance  of  that  Law.  and  America  ought  therefore  firmly  to  retalliate 
when  the  Law  of  Nations  was  Violated,  the  Question  was  carried  in 
favor  of  the  Insertion  of  the  Law  of  Nations. 


368.   The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Maryland  Assembly.^ 

Baltimore  Feby  20th.  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

In  Consequence  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  several  Committees  from  the 
States  of  Massachusetts  Bay  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire  and  Rhode 
Island  being  laid  before  Congress,  they  have  come  to  the  enclosed  Resolves, 
which  I  am  commanded  to  transmit  to  you.  together  with  those  Parts  of 
the  Minutes  that  relate  to  the  Price  of  Labour  and  other  articles. 

Altho  Congress  approve  the  Measures  adopted  by  the  Body  to  prevent 
the  Depreciation  of  their  Currency,  (except  striking  Bills  to  bear  Interest) 
yet  they  have  referred  to  the  Consideration  of  the  other  States  the  Pro- 
priety of  regulating  the  Prices  of  Goods,  and  at  the  same  Time  recommend 
to  them  to  devise  such  Expedients  as  they  may  think  will  be  most  likely 
to  remedy  the  Evils  occasioned  by  the  exorbitant  Prices  of  Manufactures 
and  all  other  Articles  of  Trade.  I  am  therefore  to  request  you  will 
appoint  Commissioners  to  meet  at  York  Town  in  Pennsylvania  on  the 
third  Monday  in  March  next  then  and  there  to  confer  with  other  Com- 

*  The  word  "  State  "  first  written  was  erased  and  "  empire  "  substituted. 

[368]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc.  Red  Book,  VI.  24;  id.  to  Massachusetts,  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVI. 

246,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  145;  id.  to  New  York,  N.  Y.  State 

Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  2,  and  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  301 ;  id.  to  New 

Jersey,  Votes  of  Assent,  of  N.  J.,  1776-1781,  p.  84;  to  North  Carolina,  N.  C.  State  Recs.. 

XI.  394. 


February,  7777  267 

missioners  from  the  States  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania, 
Delaware,  and  Virginia,^  on  the  Subject  of  adopting  such  a  System  of 
Regulation  as  may  be  most  suitable  to  those  States.  I  beg  Leave  to 
request  your  Attention  to  the  whole  of  the  enclosed  Resolves  and  have 
the  Honour  to  be, 

Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obed.  and  very  hble.  Serv. 

John  Hancock,  Presidt.' 

Honble  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Maryland. 

369,  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Maryland  Council  of  Safety.^ 

Baltimore  Town  Febry  20th.  1777. 
Gentlemen. 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  the  Report  of  the  Engagement  on  Fryday 
Week  is  without  any  other  Foundation  than  a  little  Skirmish,  which  the 
General  barely  mentions  in  his  Letter  to  our  Committee  in  Philadelphia.^ 

Congress  are  anxiously  expecting  a  Reinforcement  to  our  brave  and 
worthy  General  from  the  new  Levies,  above  Six  weeks  ago  Congress 
directed  General  Smallwood  to  take  a  tour  thro  the  State,  and  exert  his 
Influence  in  raising  our  Quota,  and  they  called  on  all  our  public  Bodies, 
and  every  Friend  to  America,  to  yield  him  their  Assistance.^  I  mention 
this  because  Congress  flattered  themselves  with  great  Success  from  this 
Measure  and  it  is  said  it  has  been  neglected. 

A  little  attention  to  our  public  Affairs,  and  the  State  of  our  Army  will 
convince  any  Man  that  the  most  vigorous  Exertions  are  necessary  and 
must  be  adopted  to  procure  our  Quota.  I  shall  not  enlarge  on  this  impor- 
tant subject.  I  beg  leave  to  call  your  immediate  attention  to  it,  and  if  a 
Moment's  delay  can  be  granted,  be  pleased  to  consider  the  following 
Extract  of  a  letter  from  Genl.  Washington  to  his  friend  Colo.  Harrison, 
of  12  Instant.  "  with  great  Truth  I  can  add,  that  Heaven  alone  knows 
upon  what  principle  they  (the  enemy)  act,  or  by  what  means,  they  are 
kept  quiet.  That  we  are  not  able  to  make  the  least  stand,  if  they  move, 
is  as  clear  as  the  Sun  in  its  Meridian  Brightness.  Whilst  you  are  at  an 
expence  equal  to  the  maintenance  of  a  large  army  and  expect  that  we  are 
very  strong,  we  have  scarce  men  enough  to  mount  the  Common  Guard  " 

2  The  letter  to  North  Carolina  reads :  "'  to  meet  at  Charlestown  in  South 
Carolina,  on  the  first  Monday  in  May  next  then  and  there  to  confer  with  other  Com- 
missioners from  the  States  of  South  CaroHna  and  Georgia  ".  A  variant  form  was  sent  to 
the  New  England  States.  See  nos.  323,  326,  334,  336,  340,  347,  353,  355,  356,  357,  359, 
360,  ante,  370,  post. 

3  To  the  Massachusetts  copy  of  the  circular  letter  is  appended  the  following 
note : 

"  Your  f  avr.  of  30th  Jany  and  i  Feby  have  been  Just  Rec'd. 

"  I  have  Rec'd  Directions  from  Congress  on  Tuesday  next  to  Adjourn  Congress  to 
Philada.  and  shall  set  off  for  that  Place  on  Wednesday  morn&."  See  nos.  377,  378,  383, 
post. 

[369]  iMd.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  88;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  147. 
2  See  no.  359,  note  8,  ante. 
s  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  21,  31,  1776. 


2G8  Continental  Congress 

I  thouglit  this  Iiilcllij^ence  necessary  for  your  Information,  but  the 
Conitnunication  of  it  to  our  General  Assembly  must  be  made  with  every 
Caution  of  Secrecy.  The  knowledp^e  of  it  may  brinj^  Destruction  on  our 
Country. 

I  wish  it  was  in  my  power  to  advise  in  the  jircsent  Crisis.  The  Mode 
in  the  Resolve  of  Congress  to  Genl  Smalhvood  may  be  of  some  Service. 
The  Gentlemen  of  this  County  have  not  as  yet  assisted,  by  public  meetings 
and  associations,  to  carry  any  public  Measures  into  Execution.  I  beg 
leave  to  submit  the  enclosed  proposal  to  your  Consideration,  if  adopted 
it  ought  to  be  late  in  tlie  Session,  and  after  all  other  Exertions  have  been 
made.     I  am,  Gent,  with  Regard  and  Respect, 

Your  Obedient  Servant, 

Saml.  Chase. 

370.  John  Adams  to  Joseph  Palmer.^ 

Baltimore  Feb.  20,  1777 
Dr  Sir 

....  Congress  have  been  upon  the  subject  of  regulating  the  Prices 
of  Labour  and  Provisions.    I  shall  inclose  you,  what  they  have  done. 

Are  not  these  mere  temporary  Expedients,  and  palliation  Remedies. 
We  must  aim  at  a  radical  Cure.  The  success  of  our  Camp  appears  to  me 
to  depend  intirely,  (under  God,)  on  our  Supporting  the  Credit  of  our 
Currency.  This  must  be  done  at  all  Events  but  cannot  be  done  long  by 
regulating  Prices.  We  must  cease  emitting.  We  must  borrow,  and  We 
must  import  if  possible  a  Fund  of  Gold  and  Silver  to  redeem  the  Bills  as 
they  become  payable." .... 

371.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feby  21  A  Letter  from  General  Lee  requesting  a  Committee  of  Con- 
gress to  be  sent  to  New  York  to  whom  he  might,  with  Permission  of  Lord 
and  General  How,  impart  something  of  great  Consequence  to  himself  and 
of  no  less,  in  his  opinion  to  the  public,  his  letter  was  in  very  pressing 
Terms.  It  was  the  General  Sense  of  Congress  that  no  Conference  ought 
to  be  held  with  any  but  Embassadors  properly  authorised  by  the  Court 
of  Britain  to  treat  of  Peace  That  Lord  and  General  How  could  have  no 
Powers  on  such  a  subject  by  Virtue  of  their  Commissions  which  was  par- 
ticularly Limitted  by  Parliament  to  other  Purposes.  That  any  Conference 
with  them  would  be  Impolitic  and  degrading,  degrading  because  beneath 
the  Dignity  of  Congress  to  Tr[e]at  with  persons  whose  very  Powers  sup- 
posed them  objects  of  their  Dominion,^  and  even  of  their  Mercy.    Impol- 

[370]  J^N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Myers  Coll.,  Distinguished  Americans,  p.  554.    Addressed  to 
"  The  Hon.  Joseph  Palmer  Esqr.  Braintree  Massa.  Bay  ". 
2  See  no.  323,  note  2,  ante. 
[371]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1162;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  382;  Harvard 
Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  36,  p.  458  (copy). 

2  In  the  A''.  C.  State  Records  the  reading  is :   "  degrading,  because  their  powers 
supposed  Congress  objects  of  their  dominion". 


February,  lyy/  269 

itic  because  it  would  give  an  Opportunity  of  circulating  Stories  '  in  the 
Courts  of  Europe  that  the  Congress  were  on  Treaty  of  reconciHation  with. 
Britain  and  by  this  means  suspend  for  sometime  their  Intention  of 
befriending  us.  but  it  was  also  agreed  that  the  C[ong]ress  ought  to  give 
every  possible  attention  to  Genera  [1]  Lee's  personal  Safety,  the  Difficulty 
was  in  the  mode,  Some  being  of  opinion  it  ought  to  be  by  permitting  any 
person  he  pleased  to  go  and  Confer  with  him  on  any  matter  relative  to 
his  private  Business,  others  that  it  ought  to  be  by  ordering  the  General 
to  send  an  Officer  for  that  purpose.*  at  length  the  Congress  came  to  a 
resolution  to  Direct  General  Washington  to  Inform  General  Lee  of  the 
Measures  they  were  taking  for  his  safety,  and  to  request  him  to  inform 
them  of  any  thing  which  they  could  farther  do,  but  that  they  could  not 
think  it  Consistant  with  the  Dignity  of  Congress  to  send  a  Committee  to 
Treat  with  him  on  any  public  Business.* 

372.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Baltimore,  21  February,  1777. 

....  We  have  made  General  Lincoln  a  continental  Major  General. 
We  shall  make  Colonel  Glover  a  Brigadier.  I  sincerely  wish  we  could 
hear  more  from  General  Heath.  Many  persons  are  extremely  dissatisfied 
with  numbers  of  the  general  officers  of  the  highest  rank.  I  don't  mean  the 
Commander-in-chief,  his  character  is  justly  very  high,  but  Schuyler, 
Putnam,  Spencer,  Heath,  are  thought  by  very  few  to  be  capable  of  the 
great  commands  they  hold.  We  hear  of  none  of  their  heroic  deeds  of 
arms.  I  wish  they  would  all  resign.  For  my  part  I  will  vote  upon  the 
genuine  principles  of  a  republic  for  a  new  election  of  general  officers  annu- 
ally, and  every  man  shall  have  my  consent  to  be  left  out,  who  does  not 
give  sufficient  proof  of  his  qualifications.^ .... 

373.  The  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington.^ 

War  Office  Feby  21st  1777 
Sir 

I  am  directed  by  the  Board  of  War  to  inform  you  that  it  is  the  Opinion 
of  Congress  that  the  Men  of  the  Corps  of  Virginia  Light  Horse  under  the 
Command  of  Major  Bland  ^  receive  the  usual  Bounty  on  their  reinlisting 
for  three  Years  or  during:  the  War  into  the  Continental  Service.' .... 


'& 


3  The  text  in  A''.  C.  State  Records  is :  "  impolitic,  because  it  would  give  opportunity 
for  representing". 

*  "  The  Difficulty  ....  purpose  "  is  not  in  N.  C.  State  Records,  and  there  is  a 
variation  in  the  beginning  of  the  next  sentence. 

^  See  no.  366,  note  3,  ante ;  also  a  letter  of  Tench  Tilghman  to  Robert  Morris, 
Mar.  2,  in  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.  Collections:   Revolutionary  Papers,  I,  422, 
[372]^  Famt/iar  Letters,  p.  248. 

2  See  no.  363,  note  3,  ante. 
[373]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCIV.  203. 

2  Theodorick  Bland. 

'  Cf.  the  Journals,  Jan.  14. 


270  Continental  Congress 

374.  John  Adams,  Diary.* 

[February  21,  1777.] 

21.  Friday This  niorning,  received  a  long  card  from  Mr.  H. 

expressing  great  resentment  about  fixing  the  magazine  at  Brookfield, 
against  the  bookbinder  and  the  General.^  The  complaisance  to  me,  and 
the  jealousy  for  the  Massachusetts,  in  this  message,  indicate  to  me  the 
same  passion  and  the  same  design  with  the  journey  to  Boston  in  April.* 

375.  Benjamin  Rush  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Baltimore  Feby.  22.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

The  question  for  raising  the  interest  of  our  loan  office  tickets  to  6  per 
cent,  was  attempted  again  the  day  before  yesterday  in  Congress  but  was 
lost  as  formerly  by  a  division  of  the  States.  Every  post  and  express  that 
arrives  brings  us  complaints  of  the  want  of  money,  and  asurances  of  the 
impossibility  of  getting  it  as  the  low  interest  of  4  per  cent.  These  com- 
plaints are  echoed  daily  from  every  corner  of  the  room  but  to  no  purpose. 
The  States  that  oppose  the  raising  of  the  interest  are  Rhode  Island,  Con- 
necticut, North  and  South  Carolinas,  and  Georgia.  Maryland  is  divided. 
It  is  worthy  of  notice  here  that  only  seven  members  of  the  congress  who 
represent  five  of  the  above  States  decided  the  above  question,  contrary  to 
the  inclinations  of  not  less  than  17  members  who  represented  the  States 
that  voted  for  raising  the  interest,  and  who  represent  at  least  jrds  of 
the  people  of  America.*  This  unjust  mode  of  representation  I  hope  will 
be  altered  in  the  confederation.  If  it  is  not  it  will  end  sooner  or  later  in 
the  ruin  of  the  Continent.  We  shall  attempt  the  important  question  once 
more  before  we  adjourn  to  Philada.  If  we  fail  we  are  undone.  Another 
emission  of  money  will  in  my  opinion  be  a  public  fraud  which  no  State- 
necessity  can  justify.  The  loss  of  two  or  three  provinces  would  not  hurt 
our  cause  half  so  much  as  the  news  of  our  bankruptcy. 

The  Congress  have  concluded  unanimously  not  to  send  a  deputation 
of  their  body  to  General  Lee.  The  present  distracted  situation  of  the 
Court  of  Britain,  the  characters  and  conduct  of  Lord  and  General  Howe, 
and  the  disposition  which  Genl.  Lee  always  shew^ed  for  negociations,  and 

[ZlAY^orks.  II.  436. 

2  See  nos.  290,  3(X).  321,  ante,  the  Journals,  Feb.  20,  and  no.  435,  post.  The  "book- 
binder "  was  Gen.  Henry  Knox. 

3  In  his  Diarj',  for  Feb.  17,  .^dams  wrote:  "Mr.  Hancock  told  C.  W.  [Colonel 
Whipple?],  yesterday,  that  he  had  determined  to  go  to  Boston  in  April.  Mrs.  Hancock 
was  not  willing  to  go  till  May,  but  Mr.  Hancock  was  determined  upon  April.  Perhaps 
the  choice  of  a  governor  may  come  on  in  May.  What  aspiring  little  creatures  we  are! 
How  subtle,  sagacious,  and  judicious  this  passion  is!  How  clearly  it  sees  its  object, 
how  constantly  it  pursues  it,  and  what  wise  plans  it  devises  for  obtaining  it ! "  Works, 
II.  436.     See  no.  383.  post. 

[STS]'- Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  93. 

2  See  nos.  326,  note  8,  340,  344,  346,  349,  352,  357,  ante;  cf.  nos.  382,  384,  385, 
post. 


February,  lyj'j  271 

conferences  with  the  General  Officers  belonging  to  the  british  Army 
induced  the  Congress  readily  to  adopt  a  suspicion  that  the  royal  Commis- 
sioners had  suggested  the  maneuvre  in  order  to  suspend  our  military 
operations,  and  to  divide  and  deceive  the  States.  This  suspicion  was 
rendered  the  more  probable  from  the  circumstances  of  this,  being  about 
the  time  in  which  our  Commissioners  at  the  Court  of  France  will  urge  the 
necessity  of  a  speedy  declaration  in  our  favor,  and  which  can  only  be  pre- 
vented by  the  news  that  we  are  negociating  with  Great  Britain.  It  is  well 
known  the  conference  with  Lord  Howe  last  summer  had  well  nigh  ruined 
our  interest  at  the  Court  of  France.  The  Congress  have  passed  a  resolu- 
tion that  will  we  hope  satisfy  the  General  that  while  we  are  jealous  of  our 
honor,  we  are  determined  to  neglect  nothing  that  concerns  his  safety,  or 
private  affairs.* 

We  have  yesterday  appointed  Colonels  Poor,  Glover,  Patterson,  Var- 
num,  Wayne,  Dehaes,  Muhlenberg,  Weedon,  Jno.  Cadwallider  and  Wood- 
ford Brigadiers  General.  Lord  Sterling,  with  Messrs  Mifflin,  Sinclair,* 
Steven  and  Lincoln  are  Majors  General. 

376.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

Baltimore  22d  Feby  1777 
My  Dear  Sir 

....  after  repeated  requisitions  of  Genl :  Washington,  Congress  have 
made  a  number  of  Genl  Officers.  The  Genl :  Proposal  is,  that  there  sho*^ 
be  a  Major  Genl:  to  every  three  Brigades  and  a  Brigadier  to  every  three 
Regiments,  he  also  proposed  three  Lieut  Genls :  but  this  I  believe  will 
not  be  speedily  comply'd  with,  as  its  the  General  opinion  in  Congress  that 
the  Senior  Major  Genl :  may  answer  the  purpose  for  the  Present.  Five 
are  added  to  the  list  of  Major  Genls :  and  ten  to  the  list  of  Brigadiers 
among  the  latter  is  Col :  Poor  who  was  strongly  recommended  by  Genl : 
Gates  as  well  as  by  the  Commander  in  chief  this  will  make  a  vacancy  in 
your  late  arangement  which  I  hope  will  be  well  fill'd.  I  only  wish  that 
real  merit  may  influence  the  choice.^  I  am  fearful  that  sending  men  off  in 
small  Parties  wall  be  injurious  to  the  recruiting  service,  as  sending  part 
of  a  company  will  backward  the  enlistment  to  complete  it.  I  hope  proper 
care  will  be  taken  to  send  good  surgeons  as  much  depends  on  them. 
Morgan  and  Stringer  are  both  displaced,  and  the  Medical  Department 
will  be  put  on  a  very  different  footing  from  what  it  was  last  Campaign 
You  are  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  a  reformation  perticularly  in  that 
department  and  I  hope  great  care  will  be  taken  in  the  appointment  of 
Regimental  Surgeons  *  I  also  hope  proper  measure  [s]  will  be  persued  by 
each  state  to  furnish  their  respective  Soldiers  with  cloathing  for  notwith- 
standing every  method  that  can  be  taken  by  Congress,  there  will  be  but 

3  See  no.  366,  note  3,  ante. 

4  Arthur  St.  Clair. 

[376]  1  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Correspondence,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  18-22.    Cf.  no.  363,  note  3,  ante. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  14,  20,  27;  also  no.  298,  ante,  no.  431,  post. 


272  Continental  Congress 

a  scanty  supply  unless  the  difTercnt  states  pay  perticular  attention  to  their 
own  men  liiclosM  is  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Genl.  Lee  which  j^ave  me  no 
small  uneasiness  when  I  first  heard  uf  it  least  some  mi^jht  think  it  expe- 
dient to  comply  with  the  request,  but  to  my  great  joy  when  it  came  before 
Congress  there  did  not  appear  one  advocate  for  the  measure,  it  evidently 
appearing  to  be  a  scheme  of  those  incendiaries  (the  two  Howe's)  to 
amuse,  and  slaken  our  measures,  but  they  are  disapointcd !  I.ee  at  the 
same  time  wrote  to  Genl :  Washington  desiring  him  to  send  one  of  his 
aids  de  camp  to  him  and  his  dogs  which  I  suppose  the  Genl :  has  comply'd 

with,    soon  after  Lee  was  taken  Genl:  W. was  directed  to  offer  six 

Field  officers  for  him,  that  being  the  price  of  a  Major  Genl :  and  at  the 
same  time  to  assure  Howe  that  the  treatment  that  Lee  received  sho**  be 
exactly  retaliated  on  them,  which  promise  I  hope  will  be  religiously 
adheer'd  to !  * .  .  .  . 

377.   The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Feby  22d.  1777 
Sir 

We  have  dispatched  an  express  to  Congress  this  morning  with  your 
letter  of  the  20th  which  will  be  with  them  in  time  to  prevent  their  adjourn- 
ment next  Tuesday  from  Baltimore.^  We  have  had  a  conference  with  the 
Council  of  Safety  and  after  communicating  to  them  the  intelligence  con- 
tained in  your  Excellencys  letters  to  Genl  Gates  and  that  to  Congress  ' 
We  requested  them  to  give  immediate  orders  for  putting  all  their  Forces 
by  Water  into  the  best  posture  they  possibly  can,  we  also  advised  their 
collecting  such  of  the  Militia  as  have  not  been  in  actual  service  into  such 
readiness,  as  to  be  subject  to  immediate  orders,  this  can  be  done  without 
giving  any  alarm,  or  at  least  any  general  alarm.  Genl  Gates  will  station 
proper  Ofificers  at  New  Town  and  give  orders  respecting  the  Boats  on  the 
Jersey  side  of  Delaware,  the  present  Cold  Weather  had  made  so  much 
Ice  in  the  Rivers  and  Creeks  that  they  cannot  be  brought  over,  therefore 
if  any  sudden  movements  of  the  Enemy  make  it  necessary,  they  must  all 
be  destroyed.  We  read  with  much  concern  one  paragraph  in  your  Excel- 
lencys letter  to  Genl.  Gates  relative  to  the  removal  of  the  Public  Stores, 
in  which  you  are  pleased  to  cast  a  blame,  that  we  do  not  deserve  every 
requisition  and  recommendation  of  yours  has  been  strictly  and  instantly 
attended  to  by  this  Committee,  we  have  complyed  with  your  wishes  in 
every  instance  and  done  all  that  our  situation  wou'd  enable  to  promote 
the  Public  Service  in  every  line  that  came  under  our  notice,  'tis  true  that 
our  judgement  was  against  removing  the  Public  Stores  from  this  city 
since  your  success  at  Trenton  and  Prince  Town  for  various  reasons  that 
are  not  necessary  to  enumerate  at  this  time,  but  not  depending  on  our  own 

*  See  no.  366,  note  3,  ante. 
[377]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIIL  306. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  24,  25,  27,  and  nos.  382,  384,  387-389,  392,  393,  post.    See 
also  no.  344,  note  2,  ante. 

3  Washington's  letters  to  Gates,  Feb.  19,  20,  are  in  the  Library  of  Congress, 
Washington  Papers. 


February,  lyjl  273 

judgement  or  inclination,  we  stated  to  Congress  your  recommendation's 
on  that  Subject  and  our  opinion  with  some  reasons  in  support  of  it  and 
they  were  pleased  to  order  them  to  remain  untill  other  events  shou'd 
happen  that  might  make  a  removal  necessary,*  and  Now  Sir  that  you 
again  recommend  this  business,  We  will  give  immediate  orders  to  every 
department  to  hold  the  Stores  in  readiness  to  be  carried  away  at  an  hours 
warning.''  thus  much  we  thought  necessary  to  say  in  our  own  defence, 
assuring  your  Excellency  at  the  same  time  that  no  board  ever  did  or  will 
pay  more  attention  to  your  recommendations  than  this  Committee. 
With  the  most  ardent  wishes  for  Your  success  and  glory 
We  remain  your  Excellencys  Most  devoted  and  Obedt  hble  Servants 

RoBT  Morris, 
Geo  Clymer 
Geo  Walton. 

378.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Baltimore  Feby.  23d.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  As  I  am  empowered  to  adjourn  the  Congress  from  Baltimore 
to  Philada.  on  next  Tuesday,  and  shall  set  out  myself  on  Wednesday,  I 
must  request  you  will  please  to  direct  your  Letters  to  me  at  Philada,  the 
Powers  of  the  Committee  of  Congress  in  that  Place  expiring  on  our 
Arrival  there.^ .... 

379.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Baltimore  Feby.  23d.  1777. 
Sir, 

As  the  State  of  the  Army  is  by  no  Means  such  as  could  be  wished,  and 
in  Point  of  discipline  and  Order  has  suffered  much  since  you  relinquished 
the  Department  of  Adjutant  General;  In  Confidence  therefore  that  you 
will  retrieve  it,  and  place  it  again  on  a  respectable  Footing,  I  am  directed 
by  Congress  earnestly  to  solicit  you  to  reassume  the  Office  of  Adjutant 
General,  with  your  present  Rank  and  Pay.^ 

*  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  28. 

5  Such  an  order,  to  James  Mease,  is  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  "  U.  S.  R." 
In  a  letter  to  Washington,  dated  "  Feby.  29th  ",  the  committee  says :  "  We  Issued  orders 
in  writing  to  every  Department  here,  that  have  the  care  of  Public  Stores  to  be  prepared 
for  the  removal  of  them  and  to  the  quarter  Master  General  to  supply  the  Number  of 
Waggons  necessary  for  each  departmt.  but  we  felt  distressed  exceedingly  at  the 
necessity  of  doing  so,  because  the  expence  and  destruction  occasioned  thereby  is 
terrible."  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIV.  39. 
[378]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  92. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  17,  25 ;  also  nos.  344,  note  2,  377,  note  2,  ante. 
"  The  Inclos'd  for  Genl.  Washington,  I  leave  open  for  your  perusal  as  also  the  Resolves 
Inclos'd  after  Reading  please  to   Seal  and   Send  by  Express   to  him  with  the  other 
letters  for  the  Genl  Officers.    The  letters  to  Gates  and  Mifflin,  please  to  deliver  them." 
Hancock  to  Morris,  Feb.  23,  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  11. 

[379]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VIII.;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book, 
VI.  148 ;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  p.  143. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  20. 


274  Continental  Congress 

The  Good  of  the  Service,  which  is  so  essentially  concerned  in  your  com- 
plvinj^  with  the  Desire  of  Cungfress  on  this  Occasion,  will,  I  make  no 
Doubt,  induce  you  to  p^ratify  their  Wishes.  At  the  same  Time  I  am  jier- 
suaded,  you  will  always  add  to  your  own  Happiness,  whenever  you  can 
any  Ways  promote  the  Cause  of  American  Liberty  and  Independence.  I 
have  the  Honour  to  be,  with  great  Respect,  Sir 

your  most  obed.  and  very  hble  Serv. 

John  Hancock  Prest 

Honble  Major  Genl  Gates 

380.  Thomas  Burke.  Abstract  of  Debates.* 

Feby  24th  A  Letter  from  General  Washington  ^  was  read  Informing 
Congress  that  General  How  and  Lord  Piercy  had  come  over  from  New 
York  to  Brunswick  with  a  reinforcement  of  Troops  and  heavy  Artillery, 
that  he  apprehended  the  Enemy  Intended  to  enlarge  their  Quarters  and 
procure  Forrage  in  Jersey  or  to  march  towards  Philadelphia,  that  he  was 
not  in  a  Condition  to  prevent  either,  the  Congress  went  into  a  Committee 
of  the  whole  hereupon,  and  General  Washington  was  Ordered  to  call  to 
his  aid  all  the  Continental  Troops  under  General  Heath  on  the  North  side 
of  the  River,  and  all  that  were  in  Providence,  to  write  letters  to  all  the 
Collonels  in  the  States  North  of  Maryland  ordering  them  to  send  the 
recruits  to  Join  him  as  fast  as  they  were  raised,  except  such  Regiments 
as  were  Destined  for  the  Northern  Department,  the  Board  of  War  was 
ordered  to  write  similar  letters  to  all  the  other  States  North  of  North 
Carolina,  and  the  state  of  New  York  was  requested  to  supply  the  place  of 
General  Heath  with  Militia.^  New  Jersey  and  Pensylvania  were  also 
requested  to  reinforce  General  W^ashington  with  Militia  from  each.* 

To  this  Report  of  the  Committee  of  the  whole  was  subjoined  a  Declara- 
tion of  Congress  that  it  was  their  Intention  to  reinforce  the  General  so 
as  to  enable  him  not  only  to  Curb  and  Confine  the  Enemy  within  their 
present  Quarters  but  with  the  Blessing  of  God  Entirely  to  subdue  them 
before  they  are  reinforced.  This  pompous  Paragraph  was  very  much 
Condemned  by  some  Gentlemen  as  an  unworthy  Gasconade,  and  it  was 
warmly  debated.  North  Caroli[na]  observed  that  Threats  were  unbecom- 
ing a  Private  Gentleman,  and  much  more  unbecoming  a  Political  Body 
That  this  pompous  boast  if  not  realised  would  render  the  Congress  exceed- 
ingly rideculous,  and  there  was  great  reason  to  fear  it  would  not,  that  our 
vigor  ought  to  appear  by  Efforts,  not  Words,  that  at  best  it  w^as  an  useless 

[380]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll..  no.  1162;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  383;  Harvard 
Univ.  Lib..  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  36,  p.  459  (copy). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  24.  and  no.  377,  ante.  Washington's  letter,  dated  Feb.  20. 
is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  240,  (ed.  Sparks),  IV.  325.  See  Hancock  to  Washington, 
Feb.  25,  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  L  347. 

3  Hancock's  letter  to  the  New  York  convention,  Feb.  25,  is  in  Calendar  of  N.  Y. 
Hist.  Manuscripts:  Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  640.  See  the  convention's  reply,  by  Abraham 
Ten  Broeck.  its  president,  ibid..  I.  641.    See  also  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  829,  830. 

*  There  are  several  considerable  variations  between  this  text  and  that  in  N.  C. 
State  Records.    The  summary  of  the  resolves  there  given  is  not  quite  accurate. 


February,  J///  275 

superfluity  and  ought  to  be  expunged,  the  Question  was  put  and  Jersey 
Pensylvania  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina  voted  for  expunging,  the 
rest  for  retaining.  N  :  B.  Maryland  was  not  represented.^  there  appeared 
upon  this  whole  debate  a  great  desire  in  the  Delegates  of  the  Eastern 
States,  and  in  one  of  New  Jersey  to  Insult  the  General."  Georgia  always 
votes  with  Connecticut  and  is  no  other  use  in  the  Congress.'' 

381.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feb'y  2^.  This  day  there  was  a  very  interesting  debate  on  some 
amendments  proposed  to  a  report  of  a  Committee,  appointed  to  consider 
of  some  means  for  preventing  desertion ;  -  but  the  main  question  was  con- 
cerning the  jurisdiction  of  Congress  and  the  States.  The  decision  was 
postponed.  The  debate  lay  chiefly  between  Mr.  Wilson,  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  Delegate  from  North  Carolina.  The  opinion  of  a  great  majority 
was  with  the  latter;  but  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  to  decide.  N.  B.  This 
is  all  that  I  can  now  transmit:  but  as  you  know  the  opinion  of  your 
Delegate  on  such  questions,  you  can  judge  the  opinion  of  Congress;  and 
for  this  reason  it  is  that  I  mention  that  a  majority  was  in  his  favour. 

382.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Fehy  25th.  The  Question  of  Interest  was  again  debated,  and  post- 
poned ^  A  Report  was  taken  up  relative  to  Deserters.^  it  stood  Orig- 
inally a  recommendation  of  Congress  to  the  several  states  to  Enact  Laws 
Empowering  all  Constables  Ferry  keepers  and  Freeholders  to  take  up 
persons  suspected  of  being  Deserters  and  carry  them  before  any  Justice 
of  the  Peace.  An  Amendment  was  moved  the  purport  of  which  was  that 
the  Power  should  go  Immediately  from  Congress — without  the  Interven- 

s  The  statement  concerning  the  "  pompous  paragraph ",  as  given  in  N.  C.  State 
Records,  might  be  construed  to  mean  that  the  declaration  was  passed  and  then  expunged. 
The  account  here  given  indicates  that  the  declaration  was  in  the  report  of  the  committee 
of  the  whole,  but  was  rejected  by  Congress  on  a  final  vote.  The  votes  for  retaining  the 
paragraph  are  explicitly  mentioned  as  those  of  the  "  four  Eastern  States,  Virginia,  and 
Georgia".     The  absence  of  Maryland  is  not  mentioned. 

6  The  New  Jersey  members  were  Richard  Stockton,  John  Witherspoon,  Jonathan 
Dickinson  Sergeant,  Abraham  Clark,  and  Jonathan  Elmer.  Stockton  had  been  taken 
prisoner  by  the  British  and  did  not  return  to  Congress  (see  no.  347,  ante),  and  Elmer 
had  obtained  leave  of  absence  Feb.  14.  Only  Witherspoon,  Sergeant,  and  Clark  therefore 
were  present  at  this  time.  Sergeant's  known  hostility  to  Washington  suggests  him  as  the 
member  alluded  to  by  Burke.    See  however  no.  347,  ante. 

"^  The  phrase  in  A'^.  C.  State  Records  is :  "  of  no  further  use  in  Congress  ".    Cf. 
the  abstract  for  Feb.  26,  no.  384,  post,  and  see  Burke's  explanation  in  his  letter  to 
Governor  Caswell,  May  23,  no.  503,  post. 
l38i]i  AT.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  384. 

2  The  committee  was  appointed  Feb.  12,  and  brought  in  its  report  Feb.  13.  See 
Burke's  extended  account  of  this  debate,  no.  382,  post.  The  resolution  as  passed  is  in 
the  Journals,  Feb.  25. 

[382]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1162. 

2  See  nos.  326,  note  8,  340,  345,  349,  352,  357,  375,  ante,  384,  385,  388,  392,  394,  post. 

3  See  no.  381,  ante.  Cf.  this  discussion  with  that  concerning  the  adjournment  to 
Philadelphia  (Feb.  26,  27,  nos.  384,  387,  post),  and  with  Burke's  disquisition,  in  his 
letter  to  Caswell,  Mar.  11  {N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  417),  on  the  dangers  of  entrusting  too 
much  power  to  Congress. 


276  Continental  Congress 

tion  of  the  states,  many  Gentlemen  were  inattentive  and  it  passed.  The 
Delepfate  from  North  Carohna  desired  to  bo  infonned  if  he  niijj^ht  enter 
his  Protest  ajjainst  it.  he  was  informed  by  the  cliair  that  he  could  not.  he 
then  desired  to  have  his  dissent  entered  on  the  Journal,  declaring^  he  was 
not  Apprehensive  of  any  Injury  from  it  in  the  state  he  represented  because 
he  knew  it  would  never  be  there  observed  the  People  too  well  knowing 
the  Maxims  of  their  Government,  but  that  as  it  was  as  much  as  his  Life 
was  worth  to  consent  to  the  Congress  exercising  such  a  Power,  he  desired 
that  he  might  be  able  to  prove  from  the  Journals  that  he  did  not.  he 
said  it  appeared  to  him  that  Congress  was  herein  assuming  a  Power  to  give 
authority  from  themselves  to  persons  within  the  States  to  sieze  ard 
Imprison  the  persons  of  the  citizens  and  thereby  to  endanger  the  person  1 
Liberty  of  every  man  in  America.  A  motion  was  now  made  for  recon- 
sidering, on  the  reconsideration  the  Debate  lay  chiefly  between  Mr. 
Wilson  of  Pensylvania,  and  the  North  Carolina  Delegate  Mr.  Wilson 
argued  that  every  object  of  Continental  Concern  was  the  subject  of  Con- 
tinental Councils,  that  all  Provisions  made  by  the  Continental  Councils 
must  be  carried  into  execution  by  Continental  authority.  That  the  Army 
was  certainly  a  Continental  object,  and  preventing  Desertion  in  it  was 
certainly  as  Necessary  an  object  as  the  raising  of  it,  that  nothing  could 
be  more  Necessary  to  prevent  Desertion  than  to  take  Effectual  Measures 
for  Apprehending  Deserters,  that  this  Power  must  Necessarily  be  in  the 
Congress,  and  that  they  certainly  had  Power  to  authorise  any  persons  in 
the  states  to  put  them  in  Execution.  That  the  Power  of  taking  up 
deserters  was  in  every  soldier  and  officers  of  the  army,  and  that  the  Con- 
gress might  make  any  Justice  of  Peace  in  any  state  such  an  Officer  and 
thereby  give  him  that  Pow-er,  and  if  by  making  him  an  Officer  they  could 
give  him  that  Power,  they  surely  could  without,  that  the  officers  and 
soldiers  of  the  army  were  certainly  not  subject  to  the  Laws  of  the  states. 
That  this  was  no  more  than  what  was  every  day  done  in  appointing 
commissari  [es]  to  purchase  provisions  and  other  things  under  the  resolves 
of  Congress.  That  the  Congress  had  always  directed  their  resolves  to 
be  put  in  Execution  by  Committess  of  Inspection  and  it  was  never  denied 
that  they  had  Power 

The  Delegate  of  North  Carolina  answered  that  he  admitted  Continental 
objects  were  subjects  of  Continental  Councils  but  denied  that  the  pro- 
visions made  by  Continental  Councils  were  to  be  enforced  by  Continental 
authority.  That  it  would  be  giving  Congress  a  Power  to  prostrate  all 
the  Laws  and  Constitutions  of  the  states  because  they  might  create  a 
Power  within  each  that  must  act  entirely  Independant  of  them,  and  might 
act  directly  contrary  to  them  that  they  might  by  virtue  of  this  Power 
render  Ineffectual  all  the  Bariers  Provided  in  the  states  for  the  Security 
of  the  Rights  of  the  Citizens  for  if  they  gave  a  Power  to  act  coercively 
it  must  be  against  the  subject  of  some  State,  and  the  subject  of  every  state 
was  entitled  to  the  Protection  of  that  particular  state,  and  subject  to  the 
Law^s  of  that  alone,  because  to  them  alone  did  he  give  his  consent,  that 
he  hoped  the  Gentleman  would  not  Insist  on  this  Principle  which  in  its 


February,  1777  277 

Nature  was  so  very  Extensive  and  alarming.  That  the  states  alone  had 
Power  to  act  coercively  against  their  Citizens,  and  therefore  were  the  only 
Power  competent  to  carry  into  execution  any  Provisions  whether  Conti- 
nental or  Municipal,  that  he  was  well  satisfied  no  Power  on  Earth  would 
ever  obtain  authority  to  act  coercively  against  any  of  the  Citizens  of  the 
state  he  represented  except  under  their  own  Legislature;  unless  it  was 
obtained  by  Violence,  that  His  fellow  Citizens  were  struggling  against 
unlawful  exertions  of  Power,  and  they  would  submit  to  them  from  no 
authority,  that  he  admitted  the  army  to  be  a  proper  object  to  be  governed 
and  directed  by  Continental  Councils,  and  that  it  is  proper  the  Congress 
should  provide  for  punishing  Desertion,  and  that  Desertion  was  a  very 
[great]  evil,  but  that  who  is  a  Deserter  or  who  is  not  is  a  Question  that 
must  be  determined  previous  to  any  Punishment,  and  who  ever  can 
determin  it  has  a  Power  over  the  Life  and  Liberty  of  the  Citizens,  for  as 
much  as  any  man  may  be  accused  of  Desertion  but  every  one  accused  may 
not  be  Guilty,  that  If  the  Congress  has  the  Power  to  appoint  any  Person 
to  decide  this  Question  the  Congress  has  Power  unlimitted  over  the  Lives 
and  Liberties  of  all  men  in  America  and  the  Provisions  so  anxiously  made 
by  the  respective  States  to  Secure  them,  at  once  Vanish  before  this  Tre- 
mendous Authority,  however  proper  it  might  be  for  Congress  to  punish 
Desertion  it  was  Necessary  for  the  states  to  prevent  arbitrary  and  unjust 
punishments  and  Imprisonments  of  their  Citizens,  and  unless  some  mode 
were  provided  for  trying  the  above  Question  every  man  was  liable  to  be 
imprisoned  at  the  Discretion  of  Officers  and  servants  of  the  Congress 
no  power  could  be  competent  to  this  but  such  as  is  created  by  the  Legis- 
lature of  each  state,  and  if  any  Question  releated  [sic']  to  the  Internal 
Polity  of  a  state  it  certainly  was  this  which  Involved  all  the  Rights  of 
the  Citizen's  personal  Freedom  He  would  not  speak  for  other  states,  but 
for  his  own  he  would  declare  that  the  Constitution  had  anxiously  provided 
that  no  man  should  be  Imprisoned  or  in  any  Degree  Injured  in  his  Person 
or  Property  but  under  the  authority  of  the  Laws  of  the  state  that  it  was  a 
fundamental  Maxim  well  understoo[d]  there  that  no  Magisterial  author- 
ity could  be  given,  but  by  the  Legislature,  and  none  could  be  exercised 
beyond  what  was  expressly  laid  down  in  the  Laws.  The  Congress  cer- 
tainly could  not  give  a  Power  within  any  state  to  hear  and  Determin 
Offence  or  to  sieze  and  Imprison  the  Persons  of  the  Citizens,  yet  most 
assuredly  the  Power  contended  for  was  no  less,  unless  every  Deserter  was 
branded  in  the  Face  so  that  it  could  be  determined  without  [doubt]  who 
was  Deserter  and  who  was  not.  he  was  sorry  to  hear  the  Gentleman  say 
that  the  Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Army  were  not  subject  to  the  Laws 
of  the  States,  and  hoped  the  Gentleman  would  retract  it,  for  assuredly  the 
army  must  always  be  in  some  State  and  might  be  in  every  State,  and  if 
they  were  not  subject  to  the  Laws  of  the  respective  States,  it  would 
follow  that  a  powerful  Body  of  men  within  any  State  might  Violate  with 
Impunity  all  the  Rights  of  the  Citizens  and  subject  them  to  the  worst  of 
Oppressions,  that  being  contrary  to  all  the  purposes  for  which  men  enter 
into  Society,  the  admission  of  it  must  dissolve  all  Society  and  Government, 


278  Coutinentijl  Congress 

and  being  peculiarly  detested  by  the  Americans  who  were  struggling  at 
the  risque  of  Life  and  property  against  Oppression,  it  never  could  take 
place  among  them,  until  they  lost  all  Common  Sense,  and  all  Love  of 
Freedom  That  tiie  Power  of  taking  up  deserters  if  it  was  in  every  officer 
and  soldier  it  did  not  follow  that  every  officer  and  soldier  might  call  whom 
he  pleased  a  deserter,  and  Imprison  and  punish  him  as  such,  that  there 
must  be  a  Power  to  determin  whether  deserter  or  not,  and  the  Congress 
could  give  no  such  Power  without  giving  authority  to  some  Individuals 
within  the  states  to  exercise  Magisterial  Discretion  and  subject  the  citizens 
to  that  discretion,  he  could  not  conceive  a  state  Independant  if  any 
Power  could  do  this  except  their  Internal  Legislature  who  had  their 
authority  for  that  purpose  from  the  People,  he  would  declare  firmly  it 
could  not  be  done  in  North  Carolina  by  any  other,  if  their  Bill  of  Rights 
and  Constitution  were  of  any  Effect,  and  not  meer  Waste  paper,  for 
they,  provided  that  no  free  man  within  the  state  should  be  in  any  way  or 
Degree  restrained  of  his  Liberty  or  damaged  in  his  Property  except  under 
the  Laws  of  the  state  to  which  h[is]  consent  must  be  given,  because  every 
freeman  had  a  Voice  [in  the]  Legislature.  That  in  North  Carolina  no 
Military  Officer  could  act  in  any  civil  department  whatever,  and  he 
believed  they  could  not  in  any  state  where  Government  was  Established, 
yet  if  it  were  otherwise  his  civil  authority  must  be  derived  from  the  state 
and  not  the  Congress,  and  the  rules  and  Limits  whereby  it  was  to  be 
exercised  must  be  expressly  laid  down  by  the  state  and  could  not  be  altered 
or  extended  by  the  Congress  unless  they  had  a  Power  over  the  Internal 
Laws  of  the  states  which  Power  never  would  be  given,  and  no  one  pre- 
tended to.  That  the  Difference  was  manifest  between  giving  Commis- 
sions to  purchase  within  the  states,  and  giving  Magisterial  authority  that 
one  was  only  empowering  some  Individuals  to  exchange  money  for  com- 
modities in  fair  contract  which  each  party  must  previously  agree  to.  here 
was  not  the  shadow  of  restraint  but  was  founded  on  the  most  liberal  Idea 
of  Consent,  no  Contract  being  valid  unless  all  the  Transactions  are  bona 
fide  consented  to  by  all  the  contractors,  and  it  was  every  day  done  by 
Individuals  of  the  states  the  most  remote,  and  unconnected  with  each 
other  that  the  other  was  enabling  Individuals  to  hear  and  determin 
accusations  against  other  Individuals,  to  pass  Judgement,  and  to  subject 
them  to  punishment,  which  surely  was  the  highest  act  of  Dominion,  and 
could  be  Justified  only  by  the  Laws  of  the  state  which  had  the  consent 
and  authority  of  the  People  (here  he  Illustr[at]ed  by  quoting  the  case  of 
the  Negro  Somerset).*  That  it  was  true  the  Congress  directed  their 
resolves  to  the  Committees  of  Inspection  to  be  put  in  Execution,  but  surely 
it  must  be  remembered  that  the  Congress  recommended  to  the  states  to 
appoint  such  for  that  purpose,  and  the  states  did  appoint  them  accordingly, 
their  authority  was  certainly  derived  from  that  appointment,  and  not  from 
the  Congress,    in  North  Carolina  the  matter  was  beyond  dispute  for  the 

*  For  the  case  of  the  negro  Somerset,  decided  by  Lord  Mansfield  in  1772,  see  J.  C. 
Hurd,  Law  of  Freedom  and  Bondage,  I.  189-193,  373-3S2. 


February,  I'/yy  279 

resolves  which  constituted  Committees  expressly  empowered  them  to 
execute  the  resolves  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Mr.  Wilson  in  reply  admitted  that  he  laid  down  the  Principle  too 
largely,  and  that  when  he  said  the  officers  and  soldiers  were  not  subject 
to  the  Laws  of  the  states  he  meant  only  that  in  their  Military  duty  they 
were  subject  only  to  the  Congress  he  did  not  directly  answer  the  argu- 
ment from  North  Carolina  but  argued  ah  inconveniente  that  the  Power 
was  Necessary  he  said  if  the  states  alone  were  competent  to  this  Power 
it  would  follow  that  no  deserter  could  be  punished  or  apprehended  but  in 
the  state  where  he  inlisted,  and  consequently  by  keeping  out  of  that  state 
he  was  sure  of  Impunity — that  this  was  in  Effect  declaring  that  desertion 
could  not  be  punished  and  consequently  that  the  army  might  be  imme- 
diately disbanded,  that  he  did  not  contend  for  giving  the  Power  to 
Justices  of  the  Peace  etc.  as  such,  but  as  Individuals  proper  to  execute  the 
resolution  he  moved  to  amend  by  taking  out  the  words  suspected  of 
being,  which  would  leave  it  deserters  which  he  hoped  would  remove  all 
objections. 

Mr.  R.  H  :  Lee  from  Virginia  said  it  was  a  Misfortune  to  be  too  learned, 
that  he  could  see  no  more  in  it,  than  he  saw  every  day  in  the  Newspapers 
which  was  advertising  and  offering  a  Reward  for  Deserters,  and  this 
was  certainly  exercising  no  Magisterial  Power. 

Mr.  J.  Adams  from  Massachusetts  confessed  the  matter  passed  him 
without  his  attention,  that  he  was  inclined  to  think  from  what  passed 
that  the  articles  of  War  must  be  enacted  into  Laws  in  the  several  states, 
and  he  believed  the  officers  thought  so  or  they  would  proceed  with  greater 
Vigor. 

The  Delegate  from  North  Carolina  rejoined  to  all  these. — to  Mr 
Wilson.  That  Necessity  was  never  to  be  admitted  as  an  argument  for 
assuming  a  Dangerous  and  improper  Pow[er]  tho  it  might  be  admitted 
as  an  Excuse  for  some  particular  unlawful  exercise  of  authority,  and  then 
the  Necessity  must  appear  striking  and  Inevitable,  to  the  Power  which 
Judges  an[d]  Excuses  the  act.  that  otherwise  the  Plea  of  Necessity 
woul[d]  subvert  all  restraints  laid  on  persons  entrusted  with  p[ower 
and?]  authority,  and  always  had  been  used  by  T[yra]nts  for  [that]  pur- 
pose. Instance  ship  money,  dispensations,  and  the  presen[t]  oppressive 
Proceedings  of  Britain,  but  even  that  Plea  had  no  foundation  here,  the 
states  were  competent  to  enact  Laws  for  the  apprehending  deserters,  and 
there  surely  was  no  reason  to  doubt  but  that  they  would  on  a  recom- 
mend [ation]  for  that  purpose,  that  the  Inconvenience  the  Gentleman 
mentioned  was  Imaginary.  It  will  not  follow  that  desertion  could  not  be 
prevented  or  punished  altho  it  should  be  admitted  that  the  states  alone 
were  competent  to  give  the  Power  of  arresting  suspected  persons,  and 
trying  the  Question  deserter  or  not,  nor  could  it  be  concluded  from  this 
that  deserters  could  be  apprehended  nowhere  but  in  the  states  where  they 
enlisted.  That  desertion  was  a  Crime  and  like  all  other  Crimes  to  be 
punished  whereever  it  should  be  committed,  and  by  the  Power  who  had 
competent  Jurisdiction,  that  the  Crime  once  committed  the  offender 
23 


2S0  Continental  Congress 

might  be  apprehciuled  in  any  state  and  removed  to  tlic  Jurisdictifin  vvlio 
had  power  to  puiiisli.  but  every  In(Hvidu[al]  who  might  be  ai)prehended 
had  a  right  to  call  for  the  Iiiterposi[ti]on  of  the  state  where  he  was  appre- 
hended to  Enquire  whether  he  was  a  person  liable  to  suspicion,  and 
whether  the  restraint  of  his  Liberty  was  lawful  or  not.  but  the  Power  to 
Interpose  in  this  manner  could  only  be  derived  from  the  Internal  Legisla- 
ture so  [  ?]  the  Power  to  arrest  must  be  derived  from  the  same  source, 
or  it  would  follow  that  the  citizens  of  each  state  might  be  restrained  of 
their  Liberty  by  an  authority  not  derived  from  themselves  which  could 
not  subsist  witli  freedom  and  Independance.  tis  plain  from  these  con- 
siderations that  desertion  was  no  more  secure  of  Impunity,  than  Murder, 
for  in  both  the  offender  must  be  assisted  by  Virtue  of  an  authority  derived 
from  the  state  where  found,  and  each  must  be  tried  by  the  competent 
Jurisdiction  and  punished  according  to  the  Laws  of  the  Community 
against  which  he  offended.  The  amendment  would  [not]  rem[ove  the 
ojbjection  because  whether  the  word  suspected  was  in  or  not  [the 
objecjtions  must  remain  the  same,  no  one  could  be  more  than  suspect [ed 
befjore  conviction,  and  the  Question  of  Guilt  or  Innocence  must  be 
[determined]  some  where  previous  to  punishment 

The  Distinction  between  Magistrates  as  Magistrates,  and  as  persons 
proper  to  execute  resolves  was  incomprehensible,  if  any  thing  render 
them  more  proper  than  freeholders  it  was  what  distinguished  them  from 
Freeholders  which  certainly  was  being  Magistrates,  and  what  but  their 
authority  as  Magistrates  rendered  them  fitter  for  Executing  the  resolve? 
twas  surely  their  Power  that  was  considered  as  rendering  them  more  fit, 
and  whence  could  they  derive  their  Power  but  from  their  Quality  as 
Magistrates?  in  fact  it  Avas  an  attempt  to  convey  authority  from  the 
Congress  to  the  Magistrates  of  the  states,  which  would  Involve  the  Per- 
sonal right  of  every  citizen  and  which  could  be  derived  from  no  Power 
but  the  People  of  the  respective  states. 

To  Mr  Lee  The  Difference  is  certainly  very  perceptable  between  offer- 
ing a  reward  to  any  Individual  who  shall  apprehend  Deserters  and  subject 
them  to  the  proper  tribunals  for  deciding  concerning  Guilt  or  Innocence 
(for  the  advertisements  could  have  no  other  Effect)  and  Impowering 
persons  in  the  States  to  decide  this  Question,  and  to  Imprison  and  remove 
out  of  the  state  in  consequence  of  such  decision,  the  One  was  no  more 
than  Inviting  people  to  run  the  hazard  of  an  action  for  being  mistaken, 
and  to  be  delligent  in  looking  out  for  deserters  by  hopes  of  the  reward, 
but  the  other  was  giving  Power  to  Exercise  discrition  in  deciding  Guilt 
or  Innocence,  and  consequently  of  freedom  and  Imprisonment,  and  Event- 
ually Life  and  Death,  that  in  the  latter  case  no  remedy  could  be  had  for 
the  Injury,  if  the  Congress  could  give  the  Power  because  the  Magistrate 
must  decide  Judicially,  and  must  be  subject  to  no  punishment  for  being 
^listaken,  because  every  Judge  undertook  to  use  his  best  endeavours  to 
discover  Truth,  but  did  not  promise  to  be  Infallible,  but  the  states  would 
undoubtedly  punish  the  IMagistrate,  for  acting  without  Jurisdiction,  which 
would  prove  they  did  not  admit  the  power  of  Congress 


February,  lyjy  281 

To  Mr.  Adams.  The  Congress  was  Impowered  by  the  several  states  to 
levy  an  Army,  and  to  conduct  the  War,  and  the  Government  of  the  army 
v^^as  Incident  to  that  Power  the  army  could  not  be  governed  without  rules 
and  such  rules  were  the  articles  of  War,  which  the  Congress  undoubtedly 
had  a  right  to  make,  and  every  soldier  was  particularly]  bound  to  submit 
to  them,  because  he  consents  to  be  governed  by  them,  and  tried  and  pun- 
ished by  them  not  by  representation  merely  but  by  actual  person — consent, 
for  they  are  read  to  him  at  the  time  of  Inlistm[ent.]  But  the  Power  of 
Congress  could  not  extend  to  subject  any  other  but  such  as  enlisted  and 
personally  consented  to  the  articles  of  War,  and  it  was  the  Duty  of  the 
states  to  Interpose  whenever  the  Question  arose  whether  soldier  or  not, 
because  otherwise  their  citizens  might  be  subjected  to  Martial  Law  against 
their  Consent,  and  when  ever  any  soldier  apprehended  the  courts  martial 
exceeded  their  Jurisdiction  he  had  a  right  to  bring  the  matter  before  the 
civil  Tribunal  of  the  State  where  he  was,  because  other  wise  the  Military 
might  become  absolute  and  Independant  of  the  civil  authority. 

During  this  Debate  Mr.  Wilson  Instanced  a  case  where  the  Congress 
had  committed  a  man  by  their  own  authority,  and  no  objection  made. 

The  Delegate  from  N.  C :  declared  he  was  sorry  to  hear  it,  but  would 
excuse  it  because  he  would  suppose  some  special  circumstances  of  Neces- 
sity, he  declared  had  he  been  present  it  should  not  have  passed  without 
Opposition,  and  he  hoped  it  never  would  be  repeated  for  since  no  Power 
could  call  the  Congress  to  account,  if  they  could  Imprison,  they  might  do 
the  greatest  wrong  without  any  remedy,  and  the  Liberty  of  America 
would  be  at  the  mercy  of  a  Majority  in  Congress  which  mig[ht]  not 
Exceed  five  members,  because  nine  states  make  a  Congress,  and  there  are 
more  than  five  represented  by  a  single  member. 

The  Question  for  adjournment  to  Philadelphia  was  carried  in  the 
negative.^ 

383.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltimore,  Febry.  26th  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

In  Consequence  of  yours  by  Express  respecting  the  State  of  our  Army, 
and  the  Reinforcements  of  Howe's  Army  at  Brunswick,  and  yr  opinion 
that  at  present  it  would  not  be  prudent  for  Congress  to  Return  to  Philada, 
the  Congress  have  determin'd  to  suspend  their  Remove  for  some  days,  at 
least  untill  we  hear  from  you,  which  I  hope  will  be  soon,  and  that  the 
way  is  clear  for  us  to  pursue  our  own  course.^ .... 

5  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  25 ;  also  no.  377,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  384,  387,  post. 
[383]^  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:   Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  421. 

2  "  In  consequence  of  your  letters,  and  one  from  Mr.  Morris,  Congress  have 
suspended  their  move  to  Philadelphia  for  a  few  days."  Hancock  to  Washington,  Feb.  25, 
Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  I.  347.  See  no.  277,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  Feb.  24, 
25,  27.     See  also  nos.  384,  387-389,  392,  393,  post.  ^ 

"  I  left  Philadelphia  the  13th  of  Deer.  When  I  shall  return  is  uncertam  but  I  believe 
it  will  be  soon ;  for  Congress  have  the  Matter  of  a  Removal  thither  in  Contemplation." 
William  Ellery  to  William  Vernon,  Feb.  26,  R.  I.  Hist.  Soc,  Publications,  VIII.  203. 


282  Continental  Congress 

I  refer  you  to  my  Letter  to  the  General,  and  the  resolves  of  Congress 
therein.     I  have  left  the  letter  open  for  your  perusal,  after  which  please 

to  Seal  and  forward  to  the  Genl.  by  a  special  Express Send  us 

good  news  and  let  us  go  on  to  Philada  and  Dispatch  what  Business  we 
have  on  hand,  that  I  may  have  Leave  to  Return  to  Boston  the  last  week 
in  April.' 

384.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Feby  26th.  The  Question  came  on  again  relative  to  Interest  on  Loan 
certificates  and  it  was  determined  to  give  the  six  per  cent,  Connecticut 
assenting  and  giving  a  Majority,  because  it  drew  Georgia  with  it.^ 

There  was  an  attempt  to  extend  the  Interest  to  the  certificates  which 
should  be  given  in  payment  of  Lottery  prizes,  but  it  was  rejected,  the 
debates  were  long  and  troublesome,  but  unimportant.  North  Carolina 
was  always  against  the  Increase  of  Interest  because  the  delegate  con- 
sidered it  a  resolution  to  carry  on  the  War  at  6  per  cent  Interest  rather 
than  four,  and  that  any  sum  of  money  which  might  be  accumulated  in  the 
great  cities  even  if  they  could  be  borrowed  at  six  per  cent  yet  the  advantage 
arising  from  that  acquisi  [ti]on  by  no  means  compensated  for  the  increased 
interest  at  which  the  War  must  be  carried  on.' 

The  Question  was  put  in  the  morning  for  an  adjournment  to  Philada.* 
all  the  southern  Delegates  were  against  it  except  Georgia  who  always 
votes  with  Connecticut.^  the  reasons  were  given  that  so  much  business 
of  Consequence  was  before  the  Congress  it  was  improper  to  suspend  that 
Business  by  an  adjournment  at  so  busy  a  season  that  the  weather  w^as  so 
bad.  and  several  states  so  circumstanced  there  was  very  little  probability 
of  the  Congress  meeting  at  Philadelphia  in  several  Weeks,  that  the 
General  was  of  Opinion  that  the  Enemy  Intended  an  attack  on  Philadel- 
phia and  if  they  attempted  it  he  had  no  force  to  stop  them,  in  fine  that  it 
w'ould  be  foregoing  a  certainty  of  doing  Business  for  a  very  great  uncer- 
taint}'.  for  it.^  the  only  reason  of  any  weight  came  from  the  Board  of  War 
which  was  that  for  want  of  ]Mechanics,  and  Waggons  the  Business  of 
their  department  went  on  verj'  heavily  at  Baltimore,  this  was  answered 
by  observing  that  an  adjournment  would  cause  an  entire  suspension  of 
that  and  all  business,  and  there  was  no  probability  of  an  early  meeting  at 
Philadelphia,  there  was  a  peevish  altercation  on  the  ]\Iatter,  and  the 
delegate  from  North  Carolina  moved  to  put  off  the  Question  on  behalf 

3  See  no.  374,  ante. 
[384]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1162;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  384;  Harvard 
Univ.  Lib..  Sparks  MSB.,  no.  36,  p.  460  (copy). 

2  Cf.  no.  380,  note  7,  ante. 

3  See  no.  382,  ante,  nos.  385.  388,  392,  394,  post.  Whilethis  paragraph  is  essen- 
tially the  same  in  substance  as  the  corresponding  paragraph  in  A^.  C.  State  Recs.,  it 
differs  in  form  of  expression. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  17,  25,  2j.  There  is  no  record  in  the  Journals  of  such  a 
debate  on  Feb.  26.    See  no.  387,  post ;  also  no.  377.  note  2,  ante. 

5  Cf.  no.  380,  ante,  and  no.  503,  post. 

6  The  text  in  N.  C.  State  Recs.  reads  :  "  For  if  the  only  reason  ",  etc.  "  For  it " 
is  a  customary  phrase  with  Burke  for  introducing  affirmative  argument. 


February,  lyyy  283 

of  the  Colony,  a  Fierce  debate  ensued  J :  Adams,  Doctr  Weatherspoon 
Mr  Wilson,  Mr  Sherman  and  some  others  alledged  that  it  must  be  refered 
to  a  Majority  whether  the  rule  could  apply  to  this  case,  and  in  short 
whether  the  Colony  should  be  permitted  to  exercise  the  right  of  post- 
poning the  Question.  R :  H  :  Lee  with  great  pirspicuity  and  force  of 
argument  urged  the  violent  Impropriety  of  putting  such  a  Question  at  a 
time  when  a  state  attempted  to  avail  itself  of  a  Privilege  reserved  to  each 
by  the  original  Rules  of  the  Congress  which  certainly  formed  ^  its  Con- 
stitution, and  that  if  the  rule  was  thought  inconvenient  the  proper  way 
would  be  to  let  the  stat[e]  first  av[a]il  itself  thereof  and  afterwards  con- 
sider the  rule  and  alter  and  amend  it  if  thought  Necessary.  F.  L:  Lee 
observed  that  the  rule  was  originally  intended  to  prevent  a  Majority  from 
deciding  on  any  matter  with  too  much  precipitation  and  if  it  was  to  be 
submitted  to  a  Majority  when  it  was  proper  to  apply  the  rule,  or  when  a 
state  might  avail  itself  of  it,  the  Majority  would  always  determin  against 
applying  it  at  all.  Mr  Haywood  from  S.  Carolina  urged  that  he  thought 
it  a  very  extraordinary  kind  of  proposition  to  submit  to  a  Majority 
whether  that  Majority  should  be  checked  by  a  Power  apsolutely  reserved 
for  that  purpose  in  the  Constitution  of  the  Congress.  The  Delegate  from 
North  Carolina  declared  that  he  would  enter  into  no  Debate  on  the  subject 
whether  he  should  avail  himself  of  a  right  which  was  reserved  to  every 
state  in  the  Original  Constitution  of  the  Congress,  that  those  rules  must 
have  been  entered  into  by  Common  consent,  and  nothing  but  common 
consent  could  dispense  with  them  that  if  a  Majority  of  Congress  could 
vote  away  the  rules  of  the  Congress  which  common  consent  had  Estab- 
lished, they  were  a  Body  bound  by  no  rule  at  all  and  only  Governed  by 
arbitrary  discretion,  that  if  this  was  the  Case  no  state  was  secure,  a 
Majority  might  vote  that  two  three  four  or  five  states  should  form  a 
Congress,  altho  the  present  rule  required  nine,  that  the  votes  should  not 
be  by  states  but  by  voice  Individually,  in  short  any  the  smalest  Number 
of  the  Delegates  might  take  upon  them  the  whole  authority  of  the  Con- 
gress, that  putting  the  right  of  the  state  to  the  Question  was  assuming 
to  exercise  an  arbitrary  tyrannical  discrition  and  if  it  was  done  he  should 
consider  it  as  a  most  violent  Invasion  of  the  right  of  his  state  which  he 
would  endeavour  to  resent  as  became  him.  that  [if]  the  Question  was  at 
all  put  he  should  be  at  no  loss  how  to  conduct  himself,  that  he  would 
always  to  the  best  of  his  Judgement  make  a  prudent  use  of  any  privilege 
with  which  he  was  Invested,  but  he  hoped  he  should  always  have  firmness 
enough  to  maintain  every  the  smallest  Privilege  of  the  state  he  represented, 
that  gentlemen  were  exceedingly  mistaken  if  they  deemed  him  a  Man  who 
would  tamely  suffer  any  Invasion  or  encroachment  on  its  Rights,  that, 
if  that  Assembly  proceeded  to  so  arbitrary  and  Tyrannical  an  Exertion  of 
Power  he  would  consider  it  as  no  longer  That  which  ought  to  be  trusted 
with  the  Liberties  of  their  Fellow  Citizens,  and  he  would  shape  his  conduct 
accordingly.®    The  Delegates  of  New  Hampshire  Maryland,  Virginia  and 

"^  In  N.  C.  State  Recs.  the  word  is  printed  "  framed  ". 

8  See  Burke's  letter  to  Governor  Caswell,  Mar.  ii,  no.  400,  post.    A  part  of  that 
letter  which  is  omitted  is  a  further  exposition  of  Burke's  views  on  this  point. 


284  Continental  Congress 

South  Carolina  Joined  in  this  very  strenuously  insisting  that  it  was  a 
most  violent  and  arbitrary  act  of  Power  to  put  any  Question  at  all  on 
this  niattcr,  and  the  others  (some  Individuals  among  them  being  of 
Opinion  also  with  N:  C:  [)]  perceiving  the  determined  resolution  of 
N :  C :  to  withdraw  from  Congress  if  any  such  Question  should  be  put, 
they  waved  their  Opixjsition,  and  he  exercised  his  right." 

385.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary. ^ 

[February  26,  1777.] 

The  Question  for  raising  the  interest  of  loan  office  certificates  from 
4  to  6  per  ct  was  determined  in  the  affirmat[iv]e  by  the  following  states 
NH  :  MB  :  C-  NJ.  P :  V.  and  G :  In  the  negative  RI :-  N  and  S.  C  :-  Mary- 
land divided.'' 

386.  The  Committee  in  Philadelphia  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada  Feby  26th.  1777 
Sir 

VVe  have  this  night  rec'd  from  Congress  the  dispatches  sent  herewith, 
by  these  you  will  see  the  promotions  that  have  taken  place  and  that  no 
deputation  of  Members  of  Congress  are  to  meet  Genl  Lee,  who  I  suppose 
will  be  much  disapointed  but  surely  he  shou'd  have  pointed  out  more 
clearly  the  design  of  his  request,  as  the  consequences  of  complyance  or 
even  of  the  refusal  may  be  important.  It  woud  appear  from  what  we 
have  lately  heard  that  Genl.  Howe  intends  sending  him  to  England  which 
we  shall  be  sorry  for,  as  such  a  measure  may  possibly  involve  in  its  con- 
sequences more  destruction  than  either  side  really  wnsh  for.^  We  have 
recommended  to  Congress  either  to  remain  where  they  are,  or  if  they  do 
remove  to  let  it  be  to  Lancaster  which  we  think  wou'd  be  much  more  con- 
venient than  Baltimore,  the  Public  business  meets  great  obstructions 
from  their  distance  and  the  difficulties  of  getting  dispatches  backwards 
and  forwards,  they  are  exceedingly  retarded  by  bad  roads  and  the 
frequent  stoppage  at  Susquehannah  Ferry  and  in  our  oppinion  when  they 
did  move  they  shou'd  have  gone  to  Lancaster,  if  they  remove  again 
before  Genl.  Howes  designs  are  clearly  evinced  or  frustrated,  it  shou'd  be 
there.  We  Issued  orders  last  Week  to  have  all  the  Public  Stores  in  readi- 
ness to  remove  from  this  place  and  are  now  urging  to  every  department 
the  propriety  of  carrying  those  orders  into  execution  not  only  so  far  as 
relates  to  their  being  in  readiness  but  as  to  the  actual  removing  of  them 

*  There  are  only  minor  verbal  or  phrasal  variations  between  this  abstract  of 
debate  on  the  adjournment  and  that  in  A''.  C.  State  Recs.  To  the  latter  is  added  the 
sentence:  "The  next  day  the  adjournment  was  carried."  Two  typographical  errors 
which  affect  the  sense  have  been  noted  above. 

[385]^  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  26,  and  no.  384,  note  3,  ante. 
[386]^  Library  of  Congress,  letters  to  Washington,  XIV.  13. 
2  See  no.  366,  note  3,  ayite. 


February,  z///  285 

which  we  shall  insist  on  in  complyance  with  your  repeated  requisitions  on 
this  head.*    We  are 

Your  Excellencys  Most  obedt  hble  Servts 

RoBT  Morris, 
Geo.  Clymer 


387.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.* 

[February']  zy.  the  Question  for  adjournment  came  on  again  and  Vir- 
ginia South  Carolina  and  Maryland  strenuously  opposed  it  as  exceedingly 
impolitic  and  Improper,  their  arguments  were  very  conclusive  but 
entirely  ineffectual.  North  Carolina  only  observed  that  he  would  give 
his  dessent  in  such  Terms  as  might  make  an  Impression  on  the  memory 
of  the  Gentlemen  present  that  he  would  spare  this  could  he  enter  it  on  the 
Journal  but  since  he  could  not  he  must  provide  by  this  means  for  his 
Defence,  in  case  he  should  be  Impeached  hereafter  for  any  thing  passing 
in  Congress,  he  must  expect  to  call  on  the  Gentlemen  as  Witnesses  how  he 
v^oted,  since  he  could  not  produce  the  Testimony  of  the  Journals — that  he 
was  sorry  to  perceive  that  a  predetermined  Majority  was  as  much  a  ratio 
ultima  in  Congress  as  in  the  British  Parliament — that  he  was  no  way 
anxious  for  the  personal  safety  of  Congress,  he  believed  if  they  were  all 
killed  or  Captivated  public  Business  wou[ld]  suffer  no  other  Injury  except 
the  delay  until  other  members  could  be  chozen,  that  he  knew  his  country 
had  much  better  men  than  himself,  and  he  believed  every  state  has  as  good 
as  any  in  Congress,  but  he  would  give  his  Negative  for  the  plain  reason 
that  it  was  very  Imprudent  to  put  a  certain  stop  to  Important  Business, 
and  run  a  very  precarious  hazard  of  resuming  it  agai[n]  even  after  an 
Interval  of  some  Weeks  which  would  be  an  Inevitable  delay,  the  adjourn- 
ment was  carried,  for  it  M  :  B  :  R :  I :  Connecticut  N  :  J  :  Pennsylvania, 
Georgia  again  [st]  it  New  Hampshire  Maryland  Virginia,  N:  Carolina, 
S  :  Carol  [ina]^  The  same  day  Mr  Chase  from  Maryland  offered  a  resolu- 
tion for  entering  all  the  Proceedings  whether  passing  in  the  negative  or 
affirmative  on  the  Journals,  and  the  yeas  and  no's  if  any  state  required  it, 
also  that  the  Congress  doors  should  be  opened,  except  on  particular  Occa- 
sions— and  all  Debates  held  in  public — he  was  seconded  by  North  Carolina 
who  observed  it  was  very  proper  the  Congress  should  have  the  public 
check  on  them,  and  that  as  every  member  was  liab[le]  to  be  impeached 
by  the  state  he  represented,  it  was  a  Justice  to  him  and  to  the  state  that 
his  votes  should  be  entered  on  the  Journals,  that  the  state  might  be  furn- 
ished with  Testimony  to  prosecute,  and  the  Delegate  with  Testimony  to 
defend  himself — postponed.' 

^  See  no.  377,  ante. 
[387]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib..,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1162. 

2  See  no.  384,  ante. 

3  Chase's  motion  is  given  in  a  foot-note  in  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford),  VII.  164, 
although  as  there  given  it  is  not  quite  so  inclusive  as  here  represented.  A  resolve  of  this 
character  was  passed  Aug.  2,  1777.    Cf.  a  resolve  of  Aug.  28.    See  also  nos.  400,  585,  l)ost. 


280  Continental  Congress 

388.  John  Hancock  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

Baltim'.  Febry.  27th  1777 
My  Dear  Sir. 

\  enclose  you  the  Resolves  of  Congress,  respecting  the  Augmentation 
of  the  Interest,  I  hope  will  now  have  the  Effect  of  Taking  off  all  the 
Certifficates  at  the  Loan  Offices.  I  think  if  Monied  Men  will  not  give  in 
their  Money  it  will  argue  a  want  of  Patriotism  at  least. ^  My  Dr  Friend, 
you  have  Reduced  me  to  a  most  distress'd  Scituation  as  I  find  by  a  Letter 
this  moment  Rec'd  from  Mr.  Tailor  my  Sec'y  that  you  had  Counter- 
order'd  my  Waggons ;  what  I  shall  do,  I  know  not.  I  can't  get  away  here. 
Congress  is  Adjourned  to  Philada  and  I  must  be  there  on  Wednesday 
next  10  O'clock  a.  m.  and  I  cannot  Remove  my  Papers,  and  by  this  Stop- 
page of  the  Waggons  am  oblig'd  to  leave  the  whole  of  my  Family  behind. 
For  God's  Sake,  hurry  the  Waggons  along.  I  know  you  did  it  for  the 
best,  but  it  has  distress'd  me  immensely,  let  me  intreat  you  to  order  the 
Waggons  on  instantaneously.  Thompson  is  oblig'd  to  stay  behind  for 
want  of  those  Waggons.  I  shall  set  off  on  Saturday  alone  to  my  great 
Mortification  and  hope  to  meet  the  Waggons  on  the  Road.  Aid  me  all 
you  can,  pray  hurry  the  Waggons,  or  Business  will  suffer  amazingly.' 

God  Bless  you  I  am 

Yours  Sincerely 

John  Hancock 

You  will  print  the  Resolves  as  to  the  Interest 


389.  James  Wilson  to  Robert  Morris.* 

Baltimore  28th  Feby  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  The  adjournment  to  Philada  was  not  carried  without  some 
Difficulty  and  some  Warmth.  The  Measure,  I  am  persuaded  will  have 
an  happy  Effect  upon  public  Affairs.  The  Encrease  of  Interest  will,  I 
hope,  give  a  Spring  to  the  Sinews  of  War." 

390.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  Landon  Carter.^ 

Baltimore  Febry  28,  1777 
My  dear  Colonel. 

....  Genl.  Lee  lately  wrote  to  Congress  desiring  a  com*^^  to  confer 
with  him  on  his  and  public  affairs.    It  was  considered  as  a  sneaking  trick 

[388]  1  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  13  (extract). 

2  See  nos.  382,  384,  385,  ante,  392,  394,  post. 

3  See  no.  377,  note  2,  ante. 

[389]^  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  lOi  (extract). 

2  See  nos.  377^  382,  383,  384,  387,  388,  ante,  392,  393,  post. 
[390]!  Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Transcripts,  II.  4. 


March,  ijjj  287 

of  Howe's  to  hold  out  the  delusive  idea  of  treaty  and  reconciliation  and 
thereby  throw  a  languor  upon  our  preparations ;  and  therefore  instantly 
and  unanimously,  rejected,  but  the  tories  are  making  their  use  of  it  by 
asserting  that  honorable  terms  of  peace  have  been  offer'd  us.  But  surely 
our  people  will  not  always  continue  to  be  the  dupes  of  these  infamous 
wretches.^ .... 


391.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina,^ 

Baltimore  March  2nd  1777. 
Sir: 

The  bearer  has  permission  to  go  to  your  State  to  solicit  the  discharge 
of  the  prisoners  taken  after  the  defeat  at  Moores'  Creek.  He  being  a 
simple  unobnoxious  creature,  I  consented  to  his  going,  at  their  request, 
tho'  their  endeavour  was  to  get  some  more  knowing  one.  I  believe  his 
embassy  will  not  be  very  successful ;  for  I  told  them  they  must  not  expect 
ever  to  live  in  North  Carolina  on  any  other  terms  than  swearing  allegiance 
to  the  State  and  giving  security  for  their  good  behavior :  but  this  they  do 
not  relish.  They  are  desirous  of  knowing  whether  their  families  and 
property  will  be  reserved  for  them,  if  they  are  exchanged.  Farquhard 
Campbell  speaks  with  much  resentment  and  hautiness;  he  seems  to  think 
the  State  ought  to  court  him  to  become  her  subject.  I  found  they  were  not 
at  all  secure  in  close  confinement,  and  the  guarding  them  was  exceedingly 
expensive.  I  therefore  consented  to  their  being  on  parole  in  Frederick 
Town  in  this  State.  They  are  incessant  importimers,  and  I  believe  every 
Delegate  is  glad  they  are  removed  from  the  residence  of  Congress.  Angus 
McDonald,  the  bearer,  is  to  return  to  them  if  you  think  proper.^ 
I  am,  Sir,  with  due  respect  and  esteem. 

Your  Excellencv's  most  obed't.  serv't. 


Thos.  Burke. 


Governor  Caswell. 


392.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia,  March  4th,  1777. 
Honored  Sir, 

The  Congress  adjourned  from  Baltimore  last  Thursday  to  meet  in  this 
city  yesterday,  but  a  sufficient  number  of  members  did  not  come  in  to  pro- 
ceed to  business.     It  was  found  very  inconvenient  to  set  at  so  great  a 

2  See  no.  366,  note  3,  ante. 
[391]^  A'^.  C  State  Recs.,  XL  401. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  17,  25 ;  also  Mar.  27,  June  10,  t8  ;  cf.  ibid.,  Feb.  5,  22, 
Mar.  22,  and  no.  190,  ante.  A  letter  from  Farquhard  Campbell  to  Governor  Caswell, 
Mar.  3,  is  in  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  403.  See  also  a  letter  from  the  board  of  war  (by 
Richard  Peters,  secretary)  to  Governor  Johnson  of  Maryland,  Apr.  15,  in  Arch,  of  Md., 
XVL  213. 

[392]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  II.  25;  Library  of  Congress,  Force 
Trans.,  Trumbull,  VI.  56. 


288  Continental  Congress 

distance  from  the  seat  of  war,  especially  at  a  time  when  a  new  army  is 
forming.* ....  Congress  never  gave  any  orders  at  any  time  not  to  risque 
a  general  battel,  as  was  reported  last  fall,  but  always  left  that  matter  to 

the  discretion  of  the  commanding  officers It  seems  to  be  the 

present  opinion  of  the  Congress  that  there  be  no  further  emission  of  bills 
than  what  is  already  ordered,  if  it  can  possibly  be  avoided,  and  tiiat  the 
most  effectual  measures  be  taken  to  support  the  credit  of  those  already 
emited.  Accordingly  a  tax  is  recommended  to  the  several  States,  and  as 
the  rule  to  determine  the  quotas  is  not  yet  established  by  the  legislatures 
of  the  several  States  (which  is  to  be  done  by  the  Confederation)  each 
State  is  called  upon  to  raise  as  large  a  sum  as  circumstances  will  admit, 
with  an  engagement  to  allow  interest  at  6  per  cent  for  what  any  State  may 
raise  more  than  its  just  quota  of  the  whole  sum  tliat  shall  be  raised.' .... 
Your  Honr  has  doubtless  been  informed  of  the  promotions  lately  made 
of  general  officers  in  the  army;  previous  to  the  choice  the  Congress 
resolved,  "  That  in  the  appointment  of  general  officers  due  regard  shall  be 
had  to  the  line  of  succession,  personal  merit,  and  the  number  of  troops 
raised  or  to  be  raised  by  the  several  States."  We  mentioned  Brigadiers 
Wooster  and  Arnold  as  candidates  for  Major  Generals  on  the  two  first 
principles,  and  Brigadier  Wadsworth  and  Colo  Huntington,  who  were 
both  recommended  by  General  Washington,  as  fit  persons  for  Brigadiers; 
but  the  last  principle  prevailed  to  pass  them  all  by — viz,  That  Connecticut 
had  more  general  officers  than  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  troops 
furnished  by  that  State.*  .... 

393.  Mann  Page,  jr.,  to  George  Weedon.^ 

Dear  Sir: 

....  We  have  nothing  worth  telling  you  of  in  this  place,  except  that 
Congress  has  been  so  mad  as  to  return  to  Philadelphia 

Baltimore,  March  5,  1777. 

Brigadier  General  George  Weedon. 

2  See  nos.  344,  note  2,  377,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  400,  post. 

3  In  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  (C  81  A  4)  is  a  draft  of  this  letter  which  varies  greatly 
from  the  letter  printed  in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  which  was  the  letter  sent. 
In  this  draft  is  the  following  paragraph :  "  Congress  has  increased  the  interest  of  money 
borrowed  and  to  be  borrowed  in  the  loan  offices  to  6  pr  cent,  having  Information  from 
Boston  and  Philadelphia  that  money  could  not  be  procured  at  a  lower  interest.  Men  who 
live  on  the  interest  of  their  money  are  unwilling  to  lessen  their  income  when  their 
expenses  are  increasing  by  the  rise  of  every  necessary.  Congress  has  recommended  to 
the  Legislatures  of  the  States  to  raise  as  large  a  Sum  by  a  Tax  the  current  year  as  their 
circumstances  will  admit.  It  is  hoped  that  each  State  will  raise  its  Quota  of  3  million 
Dollars  at  least,  [if]  they  be  allowed  six  per  cent  pr.  annum  for  what  any  of  them  raise 
more  than  their  Quota."  See  the  resolves  relative  to  the  proceedings  of  the  New  England 
committee,  Feb.  15;  also  Burke's  abstract,  Feb.  26  (no.  384,  ante).  Cf.  the  Journals, 
Feb.  20,  22,  26,  and  27  (p.  167,  note  3). 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  19-21,  and  nos.  363-365,  372,  376,  ante;  also  no.  419,  post. 
[393]^  Seventy-six  Society,  Publications:   Maryland  Papers,  p.  77. 


March,  i///  289 

394.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia,  March  6th,  1777. 

Sir: — 

....  As  a  State  Lottery  is  one  of  the  Measures  that  Congress  hath 
taken  to  put  a  Stop  to  the  Torrent  of  Depreciation,  I  hope  it  will  be 
countenanced  and  encouraged  by  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and  that  the 
Loan-Office  too  will  be  patronised  and  promoted.^  The  Interest  on  the 
Loan-Office-Certificates  was  lately  raised  to  Six  per  Centum,  which  I 
should  think  would  be  a  sufficient  Inducement  to  Money  Lenders  to  lend 
their  Money ;  especially  when  it  is  considered  that  if  large  Sums  of 
Money  can  be  borrowed  it  will  tend  greatly  to  check  the  sinking  Credit  of 
Continental  Money,  and  thereby  benefit  them  as  well  as  others.'  Congress 
have  Resolved  that  the  Paper  Bills  issued  by  the  States  might  be  received 
at  the  Loan-Office  and  exchanged  for  Certificates ;  and  that  the  Bills  so 
received  should  remain  there,  and  go  as  far  as  they  might  toward  the 
Payment  of  the  continental  Debt  due  to  the  respective  States ;  *  and 
accordingly  Letters  to  this  purpose  have  been  transmitted  to  the  Keepers 
of  the  Loan-Offices  in  the  Several  States.  I  mention  this  the  more  particu- 
larly ;  because  it  will  probably  prevent  Congress  from  ordering  the  Com- 
mi*  of  the  Loan  Office  in  our  State  to  issue  Notes  for  the  Payment  of  the 
Debt  due  to  it ;  which  is  a  Mode  pointed  out  by  you  in  Case  it  should  be 
impracticable  to  supply  Messrs.  Greene  and  Howell  with  the  Money  asked 
for.  I  returned  here  the  Day  before  Yesterday.  The  Weather  hath  been 
so  bad  as  to  prevent  Members  enough  from  coming  up  to  make  a  Congress. 
As  soon  as  they  meet  I  shall  use  my  Influence  to  procure  an  Order  on  the 
Treasury  for  the  Money ;  ®  but  not  with  any  Hopes  of  Success  at  present ; 
for  there  is  not  more  than  a  Million  Dollars  in  the  Treasury,  and  that 
Sum  is  already  mortgaged.^ 

1394]^  R-  I-  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777,  p.  25;  Staples.  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong., 
p.  120. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  i,  1776,  and  passim  (index,  Lottery). 

3  Cf.  nos.  382,  note  2,  384,  385,  388,  392,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  14. 

5  See  Cooke  to  Ellery,  Feb.  18,  in  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  118,  and  the 
Journals,  Mar.  12 ;  also  no.  405,  post.  Concerning  the  mission  of  Jacob  Greene  and 
David  Howell,  see  Cooke's  letter  of  Feb.  18,  the  Journals,  Mar.  12  (p.  171,  note  3),  and 
no.  420,  post. 

^  In  the  same  letter  Ellery  adds : 
"  I  wish  I  had  been  notified  of  the  intention  of  the  State  to  send  persons  here  for  money, 
before  they  had  sent  them.  In  that  case  I  would  have  advised  to  postpone  the  matter 
until  the  five  millions  of  dollars  which  are  ordered  to  be  struck  should  have  been  com- 
pleted. However,  I  will  do  all  I  can  in  this,  as  well  as  every  matter  directed  by  the  State 
of  Rhode  Island,  etc.,  and  hope  I  shall  be  able  to  get  some  money,  although  I  utterly 
despair  of  obtaining  a  quarter  part  of  what  is  now  due.  The  President  will,  I  presume, 
transmit  to  you  the  resolves  recommending  it  to  the  States  not  to  emit  more  money ;  nor 
borrow  at  a  higher  rate  of  interest  than  six  per  cent.,  etc.'' 


200  Continental  Congress 

395.  Robert  Morris  to  George  Washington.* 

PiiiLADA.  March  6th.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  It  is  truly  lamentable  that  we  have  never  been  able  to  this  day  to 
Conquer  that  h""un(laniental  error  made  in  the  outset,  by  short  enlistments, 
it  was  not  untill  Conviction  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  it  stared  every 
man  in  tiie  Face  that  the  wholesome  measure  of  enlisting  for  three  years 
or  during  the  War,  could  be  carried  in  Congress  and  since  it  was  carried 
there,  it  meets  with  insuperable  obstacles  raised  by  the  former  practice, 
for  the  Bounties,  high  wages  and  short  Service  has  vitiated  the  Minds  of 
all  that  Class  of  people  and  they  are  grown  the  most  mercenary  beings 
that  exist.' .... 

In  the  mean  time  the  public  Stores  are  removing,  and  Congress  have 
adjourned  back  to  this  place  many  of  the  Members  are  come  up  and  the 
rest  on  the  road.  I  dont  expect  they  will  make  a  House  sooner  than 
Monday,  but  your  late  dispatches  shall  be  delivered  to  the  President  soon 
as  he  arrives.  I  wish  with  you  Sir  that  they  had  complyed  w'ith  General 
Lee's  request,  and  when  I  sent  forward  those  dispatches  to  Baltimore  I 
wrote  my  sentiments  to  some  of  the  Members  and  altho  it  woud  have 
been  inconvenient  for  me  and  I  urged  not  to  be  appointed  on  that  errand 
yet  I  would  have  gone  rather  than  he  shoud  have  been  disapointed. 
Whether  they  will  take  up  the  matter  again  or  not  I  don't  know,  but  I 
much  doubt  it  as  from  the  little  conversation  I  have  had  with  some  of  the 
Members  now  here  they  seem  very  averse  to  it.  however  I  expect  this 
matter  as  well  as  the  confinement  of  the  Hessian  Field  officers  will  at 
least  be  referred  to  the  Consideration  of  a  Committee  in  consequence  of 
your  letters  on  the  Subject  and  if  I  can  influence  a  Complyance  with  your 
wishes  it  will  give  me  pleasure  for  my  own  Sentiments  coincide  with  yours 
exactly  in  these  two  points  at  the  same  time  I  must  hint  to  you  what  I  take 
to  be  one  of  the  most  forcible  arguments  that  probably  has  been  used  in 
Congress  against  this  Measure.  I  have  not  heard  that  it  was  used,  but  as 
it  occurred  to  myself  on  reading  Genl  Lee's  letters  I  mean  the  effect  it  may 
have  at  the  Court  of  France  shou'd  they  hear  as  they  undoubtedly  woud 
that  Members  of  Congress  visited  Genl  Lee  by  permission  of  the  British 
Commissioners.  The  meeting  with  Ld.  Howe  at  Staten  Island  last  Sum- 
mer injured  Air  Deane's  negotiations  much  and  retarded  supply's  intended 
for  us.^  I  am  now  at  the  15th  of  March  and  must  appologize  to  you  Sir 
for  not  answering  fully  your  letter  and  for  not  having  sent  this  away  long 
since;  but  I  have  been  attacked  by  a  weakness  in  my  Eyes,  and  writing  is 
the  most  dangerous  thing  I  can  do  whilst  it  continues.    On  this  account  I 

[395P  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIV.  66;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  348. 

2  In  a  letter  to  the  commissioners  in  Paris,  Mar.  28,  Morris  discusses  at  some 
length  the  evils  of  short  enlistments.  A  copy  of  the  letter  is  in  the  Am.  Phil.  Soc, 
Franklin  Papers,  vol.  V.  (n.),  no.  134,  and  also  in  the  library  of  the  University  of 
Virginia,  Lee  Papers. 

3  See  no.  366,  note  3,  ante.  Morris  is  replying  to  a  letter  from  Washington,  dated 
Mar.  2,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  262.  Cf.  Washington  to  the  Presideni  of  Congress, 
Mar.  I,  6,  ibid.,  pp.  257,  274.    Cf.  the  Journals,  Mar.  14,  24,  29,  June  2. 


March,  ly//  291 

am  oblig-ed  to  absent  myself  from  Congress  and  refrain  from  business  but 
in  all  situations  of  life  I  shall  ever  remain  with  the  sincerest  esteem  your 
Excellencys, 

most  obedt  hble  Servant 

RoBT  Morris. 

396.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  7  March,  1777. 

The  President,  who  is  just  arrived  from  Baltimore,  came  in,  a  few 
minutes  ago,  and  delivered  me  yours  of  February  8,  which  he  found  at 
Susquehannah  river,  on  its  way  to  Baltimore 

We  may  possibly  remove  again  from  hence,  perhaps  to  Lancaster  or 
Reading.  It  is  good  to  change  place;  it  promotes  health  and  spirits;  it 
does  good  many  ways ;  it  does  good  to  the  place  we  remove  from,  as  well 
as  to  that  we  remove  to,  and  it  does  good  to  those  who  move 

397.  Abraham  Clark  to  Elias  Dayton.^ 

Phila.  Friday  evening  March  7th  1777. 
My  Dr  Friend 

....  You  tell  me  you  might  inform  me  what  you  have  been  doing  etc. 
but  for  certain  reasons  refrain.  You  have  been  unfortunate  in  the  Line  of 
Promotion  happening  from  certain  Circumstances,  last  summer  several 
Promotions  were  made.  Mr.  Maxwell  was  proposed  by  the  Canada  Com- 
missrs.  as  a  person  deserving  of  particular  Notice.  You  had  been  placed 
in  a  obscure  part  of  the  world  and  Gen!.  Schuyler  had  never  mentioned 
you  as  having  done  any  thing  good  or  bad,  he  is  alway  Sparing  of  Praise, 
however,  tho'  I  highly  esteemed  Mr.  Maxwell  I  did  not  think  him 
altogether  qualified  for  a  Genl.  and  proposed  you,  N.  York  joined  me, 
but  the  Delegates  of  Jersey  Divided  between  you  two  and  thereby  neither 
Obtained  it  then  "  towards  fall  I  was  at  home  sick  when  Genl.  Maxwell 
was  apptd.  as  I  am  told,  by  desire  of  some  Jersey  Delegates  then  present ; 
this  apptment  gave  N.  Jersey  two  Generals  Ld.  Stirling  having  been  apptd 
before,  and  this  is  more  than  our  Quota.  You  stood  in  Nomination  at 
the  last  promotions  but  we  could  not  with  any  face  insist  upon  another. 
I  esteem  Genl.  Maxwell  and  am  rejoiced  to  hear  of  his  behaving  well  last 
Sunday  Week  at  Woodridge  tho'  before  I  find  he  was  not  greatly  esteemed 
by  a  Certain  General.  You  ask  my  advice  with  regard  to  yourself.  Your 
Chance  of  promotion  soon  you  may  judge  from  what  I  have  above  related.' 

[Z^^]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  249. 

[397]!  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  II.,  p.  215  (original). 

2  The  occasion  alluded  to  was  probably  Aug.  9,  1776.  See  the  Journals ;  cf.  ibid., 
May  29,  June  3.    William  Maxwell  was  appointed  brigadier-general  Oct.  22,  "1776. 

3  Dayton  was  not  made  a  brigadier-general  until  Jan.  7,  1783.  See  the  Journals, 
Aug.  14,  1780,  Mar.  8,  1781,  May  8,  June  3  (p.  315  n.),  5,  Nov.  25  (p.  753  n.),  Dec. 
12,  1782,  Jan.  7,  1783.  Cf.  no.  742,  post.  See  also  Qark  to  Dayton,  Dec.  19,  1780,  and 
July  29,  Dec.  16,  1782,  and  Boudinot  to  Dayton,  Dec.  25, 1782,  and  Jan.  7,  1783,  in  vols.  IV. 
and  V.  of  these  Letters. 


292  Continental  Congress 

I  assure  you  I  never  was  fond  of  your  entering  into  the  Service,  I  most 
earnestly  wished  you  employed  in  the  Civil  Line,  this  was  prevented  long 
ago  by  your  Averseness  to  it,  or  your  timidity,  we  really  want  you  more 
in  this  way  than  the  Military,  hut  how  to  effect  it  I  cannot  tell ;  If  you 
should  now  decline  the  Service  I  fear  it  would  place  you  in  an  unfavour- 
able Light  with  the  Public,  and  to  remain  Llle  will  neither  be  profitable 
to  you  or  the  Public,  that  upon  the  whole  I  cannot  advise  you  how  to  Act. 
You  inquire  how  Jonathan  *  can  get  his  Com""  this  you  can  Obtain 
from  Genl.  Washington,  he  hath  the  Comm"^  to  give  out  and  also  the 
Nomination. 

I  came  to  Philadel*.  last  Tuesday  evening.  Congress  Adjrd.  to  meet 
here  last  \\'e(lnesday  but  a  sufficient  Numr.  to  proceed  to  business  have 
not  yet  come  in  unless  they  have  got  here  this  evening.  Our  Assembly  is 
sitting  at  Haddonfield  about  7  Miles  from  hence,  by  a  Letter  reed,  this 
day  from  the  Speaker  I  am  desired  to  attend  there  a  few  days  and  shall 
go  to  morrow,  If  I  can  leave  Delegates  to  represent  our  State  in  my 
Absence,  otherwise  stay  till  I  can.  as  I  am  not  sure  there  is  any  but  my 
self  in  Town,  when  I  shall  have  an  Oppertunity  to  visit  Eliz.  Town  I 
cant  say.  I  have  not  seen  any  of  my  family  since  Novr.  and  shall  not  I 
believe  verv  soon. 

Our  Friend  Mr.  Caldwells  Services  I  am  particularly  Attentive  to,  but 
the  wheels  drag  heav}%  a  Presbyterian  Clergyman  is  not  with  some  a 
Popular  Name,  and  tho'  I  have  the  assurance  of  Congress  in  his  favour 
I  can  promise  Nothing  but  my  best  endeavours.^ 

You  say  some  of  our  Eliz'Town  Gentry  want  the  Genrl.  to  alter  his 
Proclamation.  It  must  render  any  man  Unpopular  to  Speak  in  favour 
of  those  who  joined  the  Enemy  and  took  Protection,  but  I  think  the 
Genrls.  proclamation  a  Violation  of  our  Civil  Rights  and  Ventured  to 
call  it  in  question  in  Congress.  My  ]\Iotion  was  committed  to  a  Com*, 
who  reported  favourable  of  the  Procla.  but  foreseeing  their  report  would 
be  contested  they  desired  that  the  same  might  lie  for  consideration ; " 
That  I  suppose  was  with  design  that  it  should  never  be  called  for,  and  I 
Suppose  never  will  unless  I  do  it,  for  it  is  Notorious  the  Genrl.  directly 
counter  acted  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  9th.  of  March  last.  Strictly 
forbidding  any  officer  to  impose  or  require  any  Oath  of  the  Inhabitants, 
and  he  requires  an  oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  United  States  when  such  an 
Oath  is  Absurd  before  our  Confederation  takes  place.  Each  State  requires 
an  Oath  to  the  Particular  State,  in  many  other  instances  the  Procla".  is 
exceptionable,  and  very  improper,  and  I  believe  was  the  Production  or  at 
least  set  on  foot  by  some  too  much  in  the  Genrls.  Good  Graces,  he  is  too 
much  incumbered  to  attend  to  every  thing,  and  tho'  I  believe  him  honest, 
I  think  him  fallible.  My  Paper  suffers  me  only  to  add,  that  I  am  with 
great  regard  most  Affectionately  yours  etc. 

Abra  :  Clark. 

*  Dr.  Jonathan  Dayton,  brother  of  Elias  Dayton.     He  was  elected  regimental 
paymaster  of  Colonel  Dayton's  battalion  Aug.  26,  1776. 

6  See  no.  398,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  6  and  27,  and  no.  347,  ante. 


March,  lyyy  29;5 

398.  Abraham  Clark  to  James  Caldwell.^ 

Philada.  Friday  Evening  March  7th  1777. 

My  Dr  Sir 

Congress  have  once  more  Ventured  to  this  Town,  where  I  shall  be  glad 
to  hear  from  you  when  Opportunity  Presents.  I  have  Nothing  interesting 
either  to  the  Public  or  your  self  to  Communicate.  I  was  in  hopes  before 
this  to  have  been  able  to  inform  you  Congress  had  to  some  purpose  con- 
sidered your  extraordinary  Services.  The  com^  apptd.  for  that  purpose 
reported  a  reward  for  you,  not  great,  but  such  as  would  have  been  useful 
to  you  at  this  Time,  Congress  allowed  your  Merrit  and  desert  but  seemed 
loath  to  make  a  pecuniary  reward,  and  recommitted  the  report,  desiring 
the  Com^  to  keep  it  for  the  Present  to  see  if  something  worthy  for  them 
to  give  and  you  to  receive  would  not  fall  in  the  way.  Some  began  to  think 
it  right  to  Suffer  you  to  hold  the  Office  of  Paymaster  to  that  of  Chaplain 
and  they  Agreed  to  raise  the  Chaplains  pay  to  40  dollars — but  nothing 
is  yet  determined.  I  can  assure  you  of  nothing  but  that  you  have  some 
hearty  friends  in  Congress,  and  would  have  more  were  you  not  a  Presbyt" 
Clergyman.  If  any  thing  arises  I  hope  it  will  be  Acceptable,  but  till  it 
does  come  don't  Appropriate  it,  nothing  is  more  uncertain  than  a  depen- 
dance  upon  public  bodies,  they  are  moved  like  the  wind,  but  rather  more 
uncertain.  I  shall  watch  for  a  favourable  gale.^ .... 
I  am  Dr  Sir  with  great  regard  yours  etc. 

Abra  :  Clark. 
[Addressed :] 
To 
The  Revd. 

Mr.  James  Caldwell,^ 

at  head  Quarters 

Morristown 

399.  John  Hancock  to  Mrs.  Hancock.* 

Philadelphia  loth  March  1777 
My  Dear  Dear  Dolly: 

My  detention  at  the  Ferry  and  the  badness  of  the  Roads  prevented  my 
arriving  here  untill  Fryday  evening.  ...  I  have  been  exceedingly  busy, 
since  I  have  been  here,  tho'  have  not  yet  made  a  Congress,  are  waiting 
for  the  South  Carolina  gentleman.^  .... 

[398]  1  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan.  Declaration  of  Independence,  II. 

2  See  the  Jotirnals,  Feb.  5,  Mar.  15;  cf.  ibid.,  Apr.  14,  May  27.  See  also  nos.  52, 
53,  ante. 

3  Some  account  of  Rev.  James  Caldwell  is  found  in  N.  J.  Hist.  Soc,  Proceedings, 
first  ser.,  III.  77-89;  Hatfield,  History  of  Elisabeth,  New  Jersey,  pp.  513-536;  and  Boudi- 
not,  Life  of  Elias  Boudinot,  I.  187-189.  See  also  an  article  in  N.  J.  Hist.  Soc,  Pro- 
ceedings, 1916.  There  are  also  many  newspaper  extracts  concerning  him  in  X.  J.  Arch., 
second  ser. 

[399]!  Sears,  John  Hancock,  p.  215 ;  Crawford.  Old  Boston  Days  and  Ways,  p.  237. 

2  Possibly  this  should  be  gentlemen  (that  is,  Thomas  HeyAvard  and  Arthur  Mid- 
dleton).  The  attendance  of  Middleton  after  the  adjournment  to  Philadelphia  is  not 
however  recorded  in  the  Journals  until  May  29.  In  a  letter  to  his  wife,  Mar.  11,  Hancock 
says :  "  No  Congress  to-day,  and  I  have  been  as  busily  employ'd  as  you  can  conceive  " 
( Crawford,  op.  cit.,  p.  241 ) . 


294  Continental  Congress 

400.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).* 

Philadelphia  March  nth  1777. 
Sir 

Our  adjournment  from  Baltimore  has  put  all  our  Proceedings  to  a 
stand  and  our  unsettled  Situation  has  prevented  my  writing  to  you  as 
often  as  I  at  first  Intended.  I  believe  you  have  no  cause  to  regret  it,  for 
I  had  nothing  to  communicate  worth  your  attention. 

The  more  experience  I  acquire,  the  stronger  is  my  Conviction,  that 
unlimited  Pozver  can  not  be  safely  Trusted  to  any  man  or  set  of  men  on 
Earth.  No  men  have  undertaken  to  exercise  authority  with  Intentions 
more  generous  and  disinterested  than  the  Congress  and  none  seem  to 
have  fewer  or  more  feeble  motives  for  increasing  the  Power  of  their 
body  Politic.  What  could  Induce  Individuals  blest  with  peaceable  domes- 
tic affluence  to  forego  all  the  enjoyment  of  a  pleasing  home,  to  neglect 
their  private  affairs,  and  at  the  expence  of  all  their  time  and  some  part  of 
their  private  fortunes,  to  attend  public  Business  under  many  Insurmount- 
able Difficulties  and  Inconveniences?  What  but  a  generous  Zeal  for  the 
public  ?  And  what  can  Induce  such  men  to  Endeavour  at  increasing  the 
Power  with  wdiich  they  are  Invested,  when  their  Tenure  of  it  must  be 
exceedingly  Dangerous  and  precarious  and  can  bring  them  Individually 
neither  pleasure  or  profit?  this  is  a  Question  I  believe  cannot  be  answered 
but  by  a  plain  declaration  that  Power  of  all  kinds  has  an  Irresistible  pro- 
pensity to  increase  a  desire  for  itself,  it  gives  the  Passion  of  ambition  a 
Velocity  which  Increases  in  its  progress,  and  this  is  a  passion  which  grows 
in  proportion  as  it  is  gratified.  I  hope  sir  you  will  pardon  me  these  Reflec- 
tions. I  know  they  have  not  escaped  you.  but  I  find  my  attendance  in 
Congress,  short  as  it  has  been,  obtrudes  them  on  me  every  day.  great 
part  of  our  time  is  consumed  in  debates,  whose  object  on  one  side  is  to 
increase  the  Power  of  Congress,  and  on  the  other  to  restrain  it.  The 
advocates  do  not  always  keep  the  same  side  of  the  Contest,  the  same 
persons  who  on  one  day  endeavour  to  carry  through  some  Resolutions, 
whose  Tendency  is  to  increase  the  Power  of  Congress,  are  often  on  an 
other  day  very  strenuous  advocates  to  restrain  it.  from  this  I  infer  that 
no  one  has  entertained  a  concerted  design  to  increase  the  Power;  and 
the  attempts  to  do  it  proceed  from  Ignorance  of  what  such  a  Being  ought 
to  be.  and  from  the  Delusive  Intoxication  which  Power  Naturally  imposes 
on  the  human  Mind.^.   .  .   . 

These  and  many  other  considerations  make  me  earnestly  wish  that  the 
Power  of  Congress  was  accurately  defined  and  that  there  were  adequate 
Check  provided  to  prevent  any  Excess.     I  am  also  exceedingly  desirous 

[400]  1  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm. ;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  417.  The  letter  in  possession  of  the 
North  Carolina  Historical  Commission  is  endorsed  in  Burke's  writing :  "  Copy  letter 
to  Govr.  Caswell.  No.  i  ",  and  contains,  besides  minor  variations,  some  passages  not  found 
in  the  letter  as  printed  in  jV.  C.  State  Records.  To  one  passage  (omitted  here)  is  attached 
this  note :   "  This  thought  is  expressed  in  a  more  concise  manner  in  the  original." 

2  Some  further  reflections  upon  the  dangers  of  unlimited  power  and  the  possi- 
bilities of  combinations  among  the  larger  states,  which  would  endanger  the  independence 
of  the  lesser,  are  here  omitted. 


March,  i/y/  295 

to  have  particular  Instructions  relative  to  some  Heads  which  I  shall 
Inclose  to  you  to  be  laid  before  the  assembly.  One  thing  now  embarasses 
me  very  much,  it  is  this.  Whenever  any  Matter  wherein  the  Jurisdiction 
or  authority  of  Congress  is  contested  is  debated,  it  is  usual  to  lay  it  over 
undetermined,  by  the  rule  of  secrecy  you  know,  Sir,  I  am  not  at  liberty 
to  communicate  anything  before  it  is  determined  and  therefore  cannot 
Consult  the  State  upon  it.  in  these  cases  all  our  time  is  lost,  for  nothing 
is  entered  on  the  Journals,  and  nothing  therefore  can  give  Testimony 
hereafter  that  such  points  were  contested,  and  even  reject [ed]  by  a 
majority  as  is  indeed  the  usual  case.^  Relative  to  the  measures  Intended 
to  be  pursued  by  Congress  I  have  nothing  new  to  add.  they  are  Endeav- 
ouring at  a  foreign  alliance,  and  have  some  hopes  of  success,  they  will 
Increase  as  much  as  possible  their  Naval  Force,  and  are  using  every 
Endeavour  to  recruit  a  strong  army  to  take  the  Field  early  in  the  Spring, 
their  Endeavours  in  this  respect  will  be  ineffectual  if  not  earnestly 
seconded  by  the  States.  I  have  no  doubt  Sir  of  your  most  particular 
attention  to  this  Important  object.  I  am  often  suggesting  to  Congress 
that  the  Civil  Power  of  the  States  is  the  best  Instrument  for  calling  forth 
their  Proportion  of  Exertions  in  this  or  any  Cause,  but  they  hear  with 
reluctance  any  thing  that  looks  like  the  Interposition  of  such  a  Power  in 
Military  affairs,  tho'  no  one  will  venture  directly  to  oppose  or  reject  it. 
I  need  not  repeat  to  you  my  own  Thoughts  on  this  subject,  you  have 
often  heard  me  deliver  them.  I  have  not  yet  altered  my  Opinion.  With 
respect  to  Intelligence  I  will  enclose  you  the  papers  and  anything  not 
contained  in  them  I  will  subjoin. 

I  enclose  you  an  abstract  of  the  Debates  in  Congress  on  every  Question 
of  any  Consequence  that  has  been  determined  in  Congress  since  my  last. 
By  these  you  will  see  what  has  been  decided,  and  why.  You  will  from 
them  also  better  Judge  of  the  various  Opinions,  or  rather  the  fluctuations 
of  Opinion  in  Congress,  this  is  an  Evil  from  which  nothing  but  experi- 
ence, and  a  better  Constitution  of  Congress  can  deliver  us.  my  own 
Opinions,  being  those  in  which  my  Country  is  particularly  Interested.  I 
wish  her  to  be  fully  informed  of.  I  shall  submit  them  to  you  Sir  as  her 
principal  Guardian,  with  all  the  simplicity  of  unadorned  Truth,  and  when 
they  are  reprehensible  I  wish  them  to  be  reproved,  that  the  public  servants 
in  this  Department  may  better  learn  their  Duty,  and  that  I  in  particular 
may  be  Instructed  not  to  give  the  sense  of  the  State  in  a  Manner  which  she 
may  not  approve.  The  last  Matter  in  the  abstract  will  shew  you  that  even 
thus  early,  men  so  eminent  as  members  of  Congress,  are  willing  to  explain 
away  any  Power  that  stands  in  the  way  of  their  particular  purposes.* 
what  may  we  not  expect  some  time  hence,  when  the  Seat  of  Power  shall 
become  firm  by  Habit,  and  men  will  be  accustomed  to  Obedience,  and 
perhaps  forgetful  of  the  Original  principles  w'hich  gave  rise  thereto.  I 
believe  Sir  the  Root  of  the  Evil  is  deep  in  human  Nature,     its  growth 

^  Cf.  Burke's  abstract  for  Feb.  27  (no.  387,  ante). 

*  See  Burke's  abstract  of  debates  on  the  question  of  adjournment,  Feb.  26,  27 
(nos.  384,  387,  ante). 

24 


296  Continental  Congress 

may  be  kept  clown  but  it  cannot  be  entirely  extirpated.  Power  will  some- 
time or  other  be  abused  unless  men  are  well  watched,  and  checked  by  some- 
thinqf  which  they  cannot  remove  when  they  please 

Our  expenses  here  Sir  are  incredible,  every  Horse  is  ten  Shillings  a 
Day,  and  every  thing  else  is  in  proportion.  It  is  now  the  19th  of  March 
and  since  our  arrival  in  this  City  we  have  done  nothing,  we  had  barely 
a  Congress  for  a  few  days  last  week,  but  none  this  week  yet."  the  few 
members  in  Town  are  closely  engaged  in  Committees,  and  what  I  write 
is  done  in  the  time  when  other  People  are  asleep.  You  will  therefore  not 
wonder,  should  you  find  it  very  Incorrect. 

There  are  letters  from  Doctr.  Franklin  in  France  of  the  loth  of  decem- 
ber.  they  represent  a  War  in  Europe  as  certainly  iminent  and  we  have 
received  very  particular  marks  of  the  Favor  of  the  French  Court,  which 
I  am  not  at  liberty  to  disclose." 

You  will  See  a  Resolution  in  the  Papers  recommending  to  the  States 
to  assess  Blankets  for  the  soldiery.^  This  is  absolutely  Necessary,  because 
such  things  can  not  otherwise  be  had  in  our  State 

Tis  probable.  Sir,  the  Assembly  may  make  choice  of  some  more  able 
men  to  serve  in  this  Department.  I  should  be  very  far  from  deeming  it 
an  Injury  to  me,  and  I  am  certain  it  could  be  none  to  the  State.  I  have 
resolved  very  early  in  this  Dispute  to  decline  no  service  that  my  country 
require  me  to  perform  altho  almost  all  offices  are  equally  out  of  my  way, 
and  none  are  desirable  to  me.  But  if  the  Assembly  shall  think  proper  to 
direct  me  to  continue  in  this  Department,  I  hope  I  may  be  allowed  to 
return  to  my  private  affairs  for  a  few  weeks  in  the  Summer,  if  I  have 
this  permission  I  promise  Sir  that  I  will  not  avail  myself  of  it  to  the  delay 
or  prejudice  of  public  Business.^  .  .  .    • 

401.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  New  York  Delegates.^ 

Philadelphia  March  nth.  1777 
Congress  Chamber 

Resolved  as  the  Opinion  of  the  Representatives  of  Eight  of  the  United 
States  now  Conven'd  at  the  State  house  in  Philadelphia,  that  the  critical 
State  of  our  Affairs  requires  the  immediate  Meeting  of  Congress,  and  that 
the  President  be,  and  he  is  hereby  Requested  to  Send  a  Message  by 
Express  to  the  Delegates  of  the  Delaware  State,  and  another  to  the 
Delegates  of  the  State  of  New  York  desiring  their  Attendance  in  Con- 
gress, that  for  w^ant  thereof  the  Business  of  the  Continent  may  no  longer 
be  delay'd.^ 

5  The  letter  in  A''.  C.  State  Records  reads :  "  Since  our  arrival  in  this  city  we 
have  done  very  little  in  Congress.  Untill  within  a  few  days  We  had  no  Congress,  and  now 
we  have  but  nine  States."    See  no.  401.  post,  and  cf.  the  Journals,  Mar.  17,  18. 

6  Cf.  no.  409,  post. 

7  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  12. 

8  The  manuscript  from  which  these  extracts  are  printed  ends  here,  but  in  N.  C. 
State  Recs.  are  two  brief  additions  of  Mar.  22  and  24,  and  a  further  postscript  of  two 
lines,  written  after  Mar.  26. 

[40i]iN.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  187;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong., 
II.  409. 

2  See  nos.  392,  395,  399,  400,  ante. 


March,  lyyj  297 

Gentlemen 

In  Consequence  of  the  foregoing  Resolve,  I  am  most  earnestly  to 
Request  you  will  be  pleas'd  to  give  your  Attendance  in  Congress  at  this 
place  as  speedily  as  possible;  our  affairs  require  immediate  Attention,  and 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  there  should  be  a  full  Representation.  I  there- 
fore hope  to  have  the  pleasure  of  Seeing  you  here  immediately  I  am 
much  hurried,  can  only  Add  that  I  am  with  much  Esteem, 

Gentlemen 

Your  most  Obedt  Servt 

John  Hancock  Presidt 
Hon*  Delegates  in  Congress 
from  New  York 


402.   Francis  Lewis  to  the  New  York  Convention.^ 

Baltimore  12th.  March  1777 

Gentlemen 

I  wrote  you  the  i6th.  31st  Janry.  and  i8th.  Febry.  addressed  to  the 
President,^  since  which  I  have  been  honoured  with  his  of  the  13th.  Febry. 
directing  several  articles  to  be  purchased  out  of  the  Montgomery's  Prizes 
for  the  use  of  the  State,  which,  it  was  not  in  my  power  to  execute  for  the 
following  reasons  vizt.  upon  an  application  of  Congress  setting  forth, 
that  as  several  hundred  Recruits  for  the  new  Battalions  were  daily  com- 
ming  into  this  town  from  the  States  of  Virginia,  and  Maryland  in  order 
to  reinforce  Genl.  Washingtons  Army,  and  these  being  destitute  of  proper 
Cloathing  etc.  it  would  be  absolutely  necessary  that  the  several  articles 
captured  by  the  Montgomery  and  suitable  for  the  Soldiery  should  be 
applyed  here,  and  requested  my  assent,  which  I  perremptory  refused. 
The  next  day  it  was  moved  in  Congress  that  an  order  should  Issue 
appointing  four  persons  to  appraise  all  the  Woolen  and  linnens  etc.  suit- 
able for  the  Soldiery  captured  by  the  Montgomery  armed  Vessell.  upon 
the  motions  being  read  I  objected  to  the  proceeding  as  partial,  and  gave 
the  following  reasons,  that  as  the  property  was  on  condemnation  vested 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  together  with  the  Captain  and  Crew,  of  the 
Montgomery,  and  that  the  latter  insisted  upon  having  their  property 
dissposed  off  in  the  customary  manner  at  public  Vendue,  and  urged  the 
evil  that  might  attend  such  a  precedent,  especially  as  I  had  directions  from 
your  Convention  to  purchase  those  Articles  and  forward  them  to  you  for 
the  Cloathing  your  Troops,  who  they  (the  Congress)  well  knew  that  the 
State  of  N''  York  in  its  present  circumstance  had  no  port  open  through 
which  they  could  introduce  any  supplys ;  but  maugre  all  my  objections  the 
Question  was  put,  and  carried  nemine  Con.  for  the  motion,  and  four 

l402]iN.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  126;  copy,  signed  by  Lewis,  ibid., 
V.  21 ;  Minutes  of  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,  VIIL  138  (copy)  ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov. 
Cong.,  I.  858,  II.  396. 

2  See  nos.  312,  329,  363,  ante. 


298  Continental  Congress 

Gentlemen  of  this  Town  appointed  appraizers;'  The  Members  of  Con- 
gress having  left  this  a  few  days  afterwards  by  adjournment  to  Phila, 
the  appraizers  when  met,  declared  themselves  inadequate  to  the  appoint- 
ment, being  totally  unacquainted  with  the  value  of  those  goods,  which 
together  with  the  Capt.  and  Crew's  opposition  to  that  mode,  produced  an 
agreement  between  the  Parties  that  all  should  be  sold  at  Auction  except 
the  Woolens  and  course  Linnens.  which  the  Congress  was  to  take  at  the 
Rates  of  a  dollar  Curr^  for  what  cost  one  shilling  sterling,  for  the 
Woolens ;  and  4/6  p  yard  for  the  course  Linnens.  the  rest  of  the  Cargo 
that  sold  at  Vendue  I  compute  upon  an  average  went  of¥  at  abt.  one 
thousand  p  Cent,  as  a  specimen,  yard  wide  Irish  Linnen  that  cost  2/8d. 
p  yd  sterling  sold  for  24/  Currency  p  yd.  a  dollar  is  a  7/6.  Cordage  Sold 
at'£i4  5/ii. 

I  forgot  to  mention  that  in  answer  to  my  arguments  against  the  motion. 
Congress  availed  themselves  of  a  letter  from  General  Washington  advis- 
ing them  that  the  Convention  at  Fishkill  had  there  stopped  (as  I  think) 
thirty  six  Waggons  laden  with  Cloathing  for  the  Army  immediately  under 
his  Command,  he  says  "  indeed  I  cannot  blame  them  knowing  their  dis- 
tressed situation  "  however  of  this  a  handle  was  made  to  obviate  my 
objections.* .... 

Our  State  being  still  unrepresented  in  Congress,  it  was  thought  neces- 
sary I  should  remain  here  a  few  days  longer  to  transact  some  business  in 
the  Marine  department,  in  that  time  I  shall  get  the  sales  of  the  prizes 
etc.  compleated  and  set  of  for  Phila.  from  thence  transmit  you  the 
Acco*^ ;  please  to  furnish  me  with  your  directions  in  the  disposal  of  the  net 
proceeds,  and  permit  me  again  to  remind  you  of  having  our  State  repre- 
sented in  Congress    it  has  suffered  by  the  omission.^    I  am  respectfully 

Gentlm. 

Your  very  Humble  Servt 

F :  Lewis 


403.  Thomas  Burke.  Abstract  of  Debates.^ 

Philadelphia  [March  14?]  1777 

There  was  a  Debate  on  the  subject  of  Retaliation  soon  after  the  arival 
of  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  occasioned  by  a  suggestion  of  General 
Washington  that  our  circumstances  made  it  impolitic  to  use  such  Lan- 
guage,    the  Enemy  have  a  superiority  over  us  in  captive  officers  at  least 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  25,  27.  The  Journals  contain  no  record  concerning  this 
matter  on  Feb.  24,  the  day  on  which,  according  to  Lewis,  the  application  was  made.  Feb. 
27  Congress  appointed  three  appraisers  for  the  purpose.  The  resolution  of  Feb.  25  had 
authorized  the  board  of  war  to  appoint  appraisers.    See  further,  no.  441,  note  2,  post. 

*  The  letter  of  Washington  here  referred  to  is  no  doubt  that  of  Jan.  26, 
Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  203,  (ed.  Sparks),  IV.  298.  The  letter  is  in  reply  to  Hancock's 
letter  of  Jan.  18,  ante. 

5  See  no.  406,  post. 
[403]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1162. 


March,  7777  299 

six  to  one,  that  there  is  still  subsisting  an  agreement  for  exchange  which 
the  resolutions  of  Congress  for  retaliation  might  violate.^ 

Some  extraordinary  Opinions  were  thrown  out  by  Mr,  Loval  and 
Doctor  Weatherspoon,  tending  to  the  Doctrine  that  we  were  bound  by 
no  such  agreements  no  longer  than  we  found  them  convenient.  Several 
Gentlemen  denied  this  Doctrine,  but  maintained,  that  the  Enemy's  treat- 
ment of  General  Lee  was  an  infringement  on  their  part,  and  the  agreement 
was  therefore  become  void.  North  Carolina  vehemently  opposed  the 
Doctrine  alledging  that  it  violated  all  public  Faith,  and  was  in  a  word 
declaring  to  mankind  that  we  ought  never  to  be  trusted,  that  it  was  good 
policy  even  abstracted  from  all  moral  consideration,  to  keep  inviolate  the 
Faith  of  Nations,  because  on  that  alone  was  founded  all  compact  between 
them,  that  to  a  young  country  the  reputation  of  Fidelity  was  as  Essential 
as  that  of  Immaculate  chastity  to  a  young  Beauty  the  smallest  blot  in 
either  must  sink  the  subject  for  ever  in  the  Estimation  of  mankind,  that  if 
the  Cartile  (which  he  was  not  enformed  of)  was  violated  by  the  Resolu- 
tions of  Congress,  he  was  clearly  of  Opinion  that  they  ought  to  be 
rescin[d]ed.  the  Debate  now  turned  on  the  Question  whether  the  Treat- 
ment of  General  Lee  was  an  infringement,  the  Facts  produced  to  prove 
it  were  the  confinement  of  the  General  under  Custody  of  the  Provost  at 
New  York,  and  the  Evasion  of  General  How  to  the  Question  whether 
he  should  be  considered  as  a  prisoner  of  War  or  not  North  Carolina  was 
of  Opinion  this  did  not  amount  to  a  Direct  Breach,  but  that  a  Catigorical 
answer  ought  to  be  demanded  and  the  Enemy  informed  that  a  refusal 
would  be  deemed  a  Breach,  but  that  all  farther  proceeding  was  premature, 
the  Congress  were  of  a  Different  Opinion,  and  it  appeared  some  days 
afterwards  that  General  Washington  thought  of  it  in  the  same  manner 
with  the  Congress.^ 

404.  John  Adams  to  Nathanael  Greene.^ 

[March  — ,  1777.Y 

....  You  ask  why  General  Lee  is  denied  his  request.  You  ask.  Can 
any  injury  arise ?  Will  it  reflect  any  dishonor  upon  congress?  I  do  not 
know  that  it  would  reflect  any  dishonor,  nor  was  it  refused  upon  that 
principle.  But  congress  was  of  opinion  that  great  injuries  would  arise. 
It  would  take  up  too  much  time  to  recapitulate  all  the  arguments  which 
were  used  upon  occasion  of  his  letter.     But  congress  was  never  more 

2  The  letter  of  Washington  to  which  Burke  alludes  was  that  of  Mar.  i,  supple- 
mented by  a  letter  of  Mar.  6.  Both  letters  were  under  discussion  in  Congress  Mar.  14. 
Cf.  no.  367,  note  3,  ante,  and  nos.  404,  407,  post.  See  also  the  Journals,  Feb.  20,  June  9, 
10  (p.  449). 

^  Cf.  Washington's  letter  to  Howe,  Apr.  9,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  311,  (ed. 
Sparks),  IV.  380.  The  latter  part  of  the  abstract  probably  relates  to  the  discussion 
Mar.  24. 

[404]!  Works,  I.  260 ;  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:  Lee  Papers,  IV.  421. 

2  This  letter  was  written  in  reply  to  a  letter  of  Greene,  dated  Mar.  3,  1777  (Greene, 
Life  of  Greene.  I.  334).  Greene  was  in  Philadelphia  several  days  from  Mar.  20,  there- 
fore Adams's  letter  must  have  been  written  sometime  after  the  3d  and  before  the  20th 


oOO  Continental  Congress 

unanimous  than  upon  that  question.  Nobody,  I  believe,  would  have 
objected  against  a  conference  concerning-  his  private  affairs  or  his  par- 
ticular case.  But  it  was  inconceivable  that  a  conference  should  be  neces- 
sary upon  such  subjects.  Any  thing  relative  to  these  might  have  been 
conveyed  by  letter.  But  it  appears  to  be  an  artful  stratagem  of  the  two 
grateful  brothers  to  hold  up  to  the  public  view  the  phantom  of  a  negotia- 
tion, in  order  to  give  spirits  and  courage  to  the  Tories,  to  distract  and 
divide  the  Whigs  at  a  critical  moment,  when  the  utmost  exertions  are 
necessary  to  draw  together  an  army.  They  meant,  further,  to  amuse 
opposition  in  England,  and  to  amuse  foreign  nations  by  this  manoeuvre, 
as  well  as  the  Whigs  in  America,  and  I  confess  it  is  not  without  indigna- 
tion that  I  see  such  a  man  as  Lee  suffer  himself  to  be  duped  by  their  policy 
so  far  as  to  become  the  instrument  of  it,  as  Sullivan  was  upon  a  former 
occasion.'.  .  .  . 


But  further.  We  see  what  use  government  and  the  two  houses  make 
of  the  former  conference  with  Lord  Howe.  What  a  storm  in  England 
they  are  endeavouring  to  raise  against  us  from  that  circumstance. 

But  another  thing.  We  have  undoubted  intelligence  from  Europe  that 
the  ambassadors  and  other  instruments  of  the  British  ministry  at  foreign 
courts  made  the  worst  use  of  the  former  conference.  That  conference 
did  us  a  great  and  essential  injury  at  the  French  court,  you  may  depend 
upon  it.    Lord  Howe  knows  it,  and  wishes  to  repeat  it. 

Congress  is  under  no  concern  about  any  use  that  the  disaffected  can 
make  of  this  refusal.  They  would  have  made  the  worst  use  of  a  confer- 
ence. As  to  any  terms  of  peace,  look  into  the  speech  to  both  Houses,  the 
answers  of  both  Houses.  Look  into  the  proclamations.  It  is  needless  to 
enumerate  particulars  which  prove  that  the  Howes  have  no  power  but  to 
murder  or  disgrace  us. 

The  retaliation  that  is  to  be  practised  on  Lee's  account,  was  determined 
on  when  I  was  absent,  so  that  I  can  give  no  account  of  the  reasons  for  that 
measure.  Yet  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  right;  and  as  to  the  disagreeable 
consequences  you  mention,  these,  I  hope  and  presume,  will  not  take  place. 
If  they  do,  they  will  be  wholly  chargeable  on  the  enemy.  The  end  of 
retaliation  is  to  prevent  a  repetition  of  the  injury.  A  threat  of  retaliation 
is  to  prevent  an  injury,  and  it  seldom  fails  of  its  design.  In  Lee's  case,  I 
am  confident,  it  will  secure  him  good  treatment.  If  Lee's  confinement  is 
not  strict,  that  of  Campbell  and  the  Hessians  ought  not  to  be.  The  inten- 
tion was  that  they  should  be  treated  exactly  as  Lee  is. 

Our  late  promotions  may  possibly  give  disgust;  but  that  cannot  be 
avoided.  This  delicate  point  of  honor,  which  is  really  one  of  the  most 
putrid  corruptions  of  absolute  monarchy,  I  mean  the  honor  of  maintaining 
a  rank  superior  to  abler  men,  I  mean  the  honor  of  preferring  a  single  step 
of  promotion  to  the  service  of  the  public,  must  be  bridled.  It  is  incom- 
patible with  republican  principles.  I  hope,  for  my  own  part,  that  congress 
will  elect  annually  all  the  general  officers.    If,  in  consequence  of  this,  some 

8  See  no.  366.  note  3.  ante;  also  Washington  to  Arnold,  Apr.  3,  Writings  (ed. 
Sparks),  IV.  377.  Concerning  the  Sullivan  incident,  see  the  Journals,  Sept.  2,  17,  1776, 
and  no.  102,  note  2,  ante. 


March,  ly//  301 

great  men  should  be  obliged,  at  the  year's  end,  to  go  home  and  serve  their 
country  in  some  other  capacity,  not  less  necessary,  and  better  adapted  to 
their  genius,  I  do  not  think  the  public  would  be  ruined.  Perhaps  it  would 
be  no  harm.  The  ofificers  of  the  army  ought  to  consider  that  the  rank,  the 
dignity,  and  the  rights  of  whole  States  are  of  more  importance  than  this 
point  of  honor ;  more,  indeed,  than  the  solid  glory  of  any  particular  officer. 
The  States  insist,  with  great  justice  and  sound  policy,  on  having  a  share 
of  the  general  officers  in  some  proportion  to  the  quotas  of  troops  they  are 
to  raise.  This  principle  has  occasioned  many  of  our  late  promotions,  and 
it  ought  to  satisfy  gentlemen.  But  if  it  does  not,  they,  as  well  as  the 
public,  must  abide  the  consequences  of  their  discontent. 

I  shall  at  all  times  think  myself  happy  to  hear  from  you,  my  dear  Sir, 
and  to  give  the  utmost  attention  to  whatever  you  may  suggest.  I  hope  I 
shall  not  often  trouble  you  to  read  so  long  a  lurry  of  small  talk. 

405.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia  M'h  15th  1777. 
Sir. 

I  have  the  Pleasure  to  inform  you  that,  beyond  my  Expectation,  I  have 
procured  a  Resolve  of  Congress,  in  favour  of  our  State,  for  an  Order  upon 
the  Auditor  General  for  Two  hundred  thousand  Dollars,  upon  the  Loan 
Office  for  Sixty  Thousand  Dollars,  and  upon  the  Treasury  for  One 
hundred  and  forty  thousand  Dollars  to  be  paid  out  of  the  new  Emission 
order'd  to  be  issued.^  Before  Congress  left  Baltimore,  they  order'd  a 
Million  of  Dollars  to  be  deliver'd  to  the  Auditor  General  subject  to 
Draughts  from  Congress.®  The  Money  is  on  the  Road,  and  so  soon  as  it 
arrives  the  Order  upon  him  will  be  paid,  and  your  Commis'rs  dispatch'd. 


406.  Lewis  Morris  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 

Convention.^ 

Sir, 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  letter  by  express,  and  should 
immediately,  in  compliance  with  your  request  have  laid  the  papers  it  con- 
tained before  congress,  but  for  some  reasons  that  I  flatter  myself  will  be 
very  obvious  to  you,  I  thought  it  prudent  to  defer  it  for  some  time.^ 

From  the  circumstance  of  the  adjournment  of  Congress  from  Baltimore 
to  this  place,  there  is  now  a  very  unequal  representation.  I  am  alone  from 
the  state  of  New  York,  as  Mr  Lewis  has  not  yet  come  up,*  and  it  being  of 

[405]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777,  p.  33;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong., 
p.  122;  Hist.  Mag.,  XVIII.  46. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  12,  no.  394,  ante,  and  no.  420,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  22. 

[406]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  IX.  165 ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  IL  404. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  7,  8,  and  no.  445,  post.    The  convention's  letter,  Mar.  i, 
is  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  1.  820;  the  enclosures  of  Jan.  20  are  ibid.,  pp.  777,  77%. 

3  See  no.  402,  ante. 


302  Continental  Congress 

the  utmost  importance  to  that  state  as  well  as  individuals  thereof,  for 
whom  I  have  the  highest  esteem.  I  have  declined  risquing  the  event  of  so 
important  an  affair,  until  in  a  full  and  equal  assembly  the  justice  of  it 
may  have  its  proper  consideration  and  effect 

You  may  depend,  sir,  I  will  be  watchful  to  introduce  your  letter,  and 
the  subject  of  it  into  congress  upon  the  first  dawning  of  a  favorable  chance 
for  its  success,  and  then  as  it  will  be  supported  by  such  powerful  influence 
as  I  have  mentioned,  I  think  I  may  give  you  an  assurance  that,  though  not 
speedily,  yet  eventually,  it  will  terminate  in  a  manner  agreeable  to  your 
wishes. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir. 

Your  most  Obedient  humble  servant,  , 

Lewis  Morris.  • 

Philadelphia  March  i6th.  1777 

To  Abraham  Ten  Broeck  Esq. 

407.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington/ 

Philada.  March  17th.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  sundry  resolves  of  Congress  of  a 
very  important  Nature,  to  which  I  beg  Leave  to  solicit  your  Attention.^ 

The  Congress  having  had  your  Letters  of  the  ist  and  6th  Inst,  under 
Consideration,  have  come  to  the  inclosed  Resolve  on  the  subject,  by  which 
you  perceive  they  decline  making  any  Alteration  in  the  Resolve  of  the 
6th.  January,  and  that  it  was  not  their  Intention  that  Colo.  Campbell 
should  experience  any  other  Hardship  than  such  Confinement  as  is  neces- 
sary to  his  Security  for  the  end  they  had  in  View  when  they  passed  that 
Resolve. 

The  obvious  Distinction  made  by  Genl.  Howe  in  his  Treatment  of 
Genl.  Lee  who  is  notoriously  committed  to  the  Custody  of  the  Provost 
and  denied  his  parole,  while  our  other  Officers  are  admitted  to  it,  w^as  the 
ground  on  which  Congress  proceeded  when  they  passed  that  Resolve,  the 
Intention  of  which  was  to  shew  that  in  Proportion  as  Severities  against 
him  were  increased  the  same  Treatment  should  be  exercised  on  six  Field 
Officers 

The  Principle  of  Retaliation  was  early  adopted  by  the  States  of  Amer- 
ica, and  if  adhered  to,  will  be  the  most  likely  Way  to  prevent  our  Enemies 
from  making  Distinctions,  which  have  no  other  Foundation  but  the  Grati- 
fication of  their  Revenge,  Genl.  Lee  having  an  undoubted  Right  to  every 
Indulgence  that  our  other  Officers,  Prisoners  among  them,  may  receive.^ 

I  have  wrote  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Virginia,  and  likewise  to 
Colo.  Stephen  on  the  Subject  of  the  enclosed  Resolves.* 

[407]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  104;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  L  357. 

2  Presumably  the  resolves  of  Mar.  13,  14,  15,  which  concerned  General  Washington. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  14,  and  nos.  366.  note  3,  367,  371,  376,  386,  390,  395,  403, 
404,  ante.    See  also  the  Journals,  Mar.  24.  29.     Cf.  no.  576,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  13.    "Colo.  Stephen"  was  Col.  Edward  Stevens.    See 
the  Journals,  Apr.  15. 


March,  7777  303 

The  Congress  have  endeavoured  to  put  a  Stop  to  Foreigners  coming  over 
to  America  to  enter  the  Service,  not  only  by  directing  the  Committee  of 
Secret  Correspondence  to  write  to  the  Agents  abroad  to  discourage  them 
from  such  Views,  but  by  declaring  that  they  shall  not  be  employed,  unless 
they  are  well  acquainted  with  our  Language.'* 

Your  several  Favors  of  the  20th.  23d.  and  28.  Feby.  and  ist.  and  6th. 
of  March  have  been  duly  received  and  laid  before  Congress.  I  am  also 
this  minute  honored  with  your  Favour  of  the  14th.  which  shall  be  laid 
before  Congress  as  soon  as  possible.®  I  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  Senti- 
ments of  the  greatest  Esteem,  Sir, 

Your  most  obed  and  very  hble  servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

408.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett.* 

Philadelphia  17th  March  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

My  last  was  the  22d  Feby  ^  since  which  I  have  not  been  favor'd  with 
any  of  Yours. 

Congress  adjourn'd  the  28th  and  did  not  meet  here  till  the  nth  inst ' 
and  have  now  but  a  thin  House,  which  makes  the  Business  extreemly 
Laborious  for  those  that  attend,  the  whole  time  of  the  Members  being 
taken  up  on  Committees  when  the  House  is  not  setting.  The  expence  of 
living  here  is  beyond  all  Bounds,  every  thing  has  risen  more  than  double 
since  you  left  this,  unless  some  effectual  stop  can  be  put  to  the  sinking 
Curr^.  I  dont  know  what  will  be  the  Consequence,  and  how  that  is  to  be 
effected,  I  cannot  devise,  unless  by  taxation. '  why  has  not  N.  H.  adoptd 
this  measure?  she  is  exceedingly  fond  of  following  the  example  of 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut;  in  some  things  why  not  in  this?  which 
in  my  judgment  is  the  wisest  they  ever  set  her. 

How  goes  on  Your  recruiting  service?  .... 

409.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  18  March,  1777. 

I  had  this  morning  the  pleasure  of  your  favor  of  February  22d,-  by 
the  post.    This  is  the  first  letter  from  you  since  I  left  you. 

You  are  anxious  to  know  what  expectations  are  to  be  entertained  of 
foreign  aid.     I  wish.  Sir,  it  was  in  my  power  to  communicate  to  you  the 

5  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  14,  19,  and  nos.  410,  418,  489,  501,  note  2,  post.  Cf. 
nos.  136,  360A,  ante. 

8  The  first  five  of  these  letters  were  read  in  Congress  Mar.  12.  See  the  references 
in  the  Journals  (p.  171,  note  i).  The  letter  of  Mar.  14  was  not  presented  until  Mar.  19, 
as  there  was  not  a  quorum  on  either  the  17th  or  the  18th. 

[408]  1  Copied   from  the  original   then  in  possession   of   Mr.   Stan.  V.   Henkels  of 
Philadelphia. 

2  No.  27^,  ante. 

3  Properly  Feb.  27  and  Mar.  12,  respectively.    Cf.  no.  401,  ante. 
Uo9]iH^orjfe.y,IX.456. 

2  Warren's  letter  is  in  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  294. 


304  Continental  Congress 

little  that  I  know  of  this  matter;  hut  I  am  uiuler  such  injunctions  and 
engagements,  to  communicate  nothing  relative  to  foreign  affairs,  that  1 
ought  not  to  do  it ;  and,  if  I  was  at  liberty,  such  is  the  risk  of  letters  by 
the  post  or  any  other  conveyance,  that  it  would  be  imprudent. 

Thus  much  I  may  say,  that  we  have  letters  from  Dr.  Franklin  and  Mr. 
Deane;  both  agree  that  every  thing  is  as  they  could  wish;  ....  Thus 
much  you  may  depend  on,  that  you  may  have  any  thing  that  France  affords 
in  the  way  of  manufactures,  merchandise,  or  warlike  stores,  for  sending 
for  it.    I  can  go  no  further  as  yet.'  .... 

410.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Philada.  March  i8th.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  have  the  Honour  to  transmit  you  sundry  Resolves  of  Congress  in 
Obedience  to  their  Commands. 

The  Number  of  Foreigners  already  employed  in  the  Army  of  these 
States,  is  a  prodigious  Weight  upon  the  Service;  and  the  Evil  is  likely 
to  encrease  unless  a  speedy  Stop  can  be  put  to  it.  For  this  Purpose,  the 
Congress  have  not  only  determined  that  no  Commissions  should  be 
granted  to  any  foreign  Officers  who  are  ignorant  of  the  English  Language 
but  have  directed  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  write  to 
their  Agents  abroad  to  discourage  Gentlemen  from  Coming  to  America, 
with  expectation  of  being  taken  into  the  Service,  unless  they  are  acquainted 
with  our  Language.^ 

The  Sense  of  Congress  relative  to  some  Expressions  in  your  Letter  of 
the  [4  February]  is  so  clearly  conveyed  in  the  enclosed  Resolves,  that  I 
shall  only  add,  it  is  their  Expectation  you  will  be  more  guarded  for  the 
future;  and  that  you  write  in  a  stile  better  adapted  to  their  rank  and 
Dignity,  as  well  as  your  own  Character.^ 

3  A  letter  from  Franklin,  Dec.  8,  was  read  in  Congress  Mar.  12,  It  is  in  Wharton, 
Ret.'.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  221.  See  also  numerous  letters  of  Silas  Deane,  ibid.,  II.,  passim. 
Cf.  no.  400,  ante,  nos.  421,  422,  post.  In  a  letter  to  John  Jay,  Mar.  i,  Washington  raises 
the  question  whether  it  would  not  be  wise  to  make  public  some  of  the  "  important  pieces 
of  intelligence  "  received  from  Europe.  The  letter  is  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  277. 
[410]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  162;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cent.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  p.  156. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  14,  19 ;  cf.  no.  407,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  12,  15.  Cf.  no.  287,  ante,  and  no.  423,  post.  The  perti- 
nent part  of  Schuyler's  letter  of  Feb.  4  which  occasioned  this  action  is  given  in  Tucker- 
man,  Life  of  Schuyler,  p.  156.  Cf.  Lossing,  Life  of  Schuyler,  vol.  II.,  ch.  viii.  In  a 
letter  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  Mar.  16,  Schuyler  says: 

"  On  Monday  the  21st  [24th]  Instant  I  propose  to  begin  my  Journey  to  Philadelphia, 
how  long  I  shall  be  absent  is  Impossible  Even  to  Guess  at.  I  am  something  more 
Certain  on  another  point — that  is  I  shall  not  return  a  General.  I  find  Congress  will  have 
no  Occasion  for  me  I  am  happy  that  they  have  persons  capable  of  advising  them  on 
every  thing  to  be  done  In  this  department  so  much  so  that  It  does  not  Even  appear 
necessary  to  Consult  me  on  any  Matter  whatsoever,  they  spare  me  much  trouble  but 
I  shall  have  still  much  less  when  retired  at  Saratoga  Indulging  myself  In  rural  amuse- 
ments unperplexed  by  business,  undisturbed  by  laws  and  freed  from  the  disagreeable 
Importunity  of  their  Mightenesses  the  princes  of  the  Wilderness."  Conn.  Hist.  Soc, 
Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  II.,  no.  73.    Cf.  no.  461,  post. 


March,  7777  305 

411.  Samuel  Adams  to  Miss  Mercy  Scollay.^ 

Philadelphia  March  18,  1777 
My  dear  Miss  Scollay 

....  While  I  was  in  Baltimore,  an  opportunity  presented  of  making 
a  proposal  which,  if  agreed  to,  would  be  honorary  to  my  Friend  and 
beneficial  to  his  son.  General  Mercer  having  been  slain  in  battle,  or  rather 
barbarously  murdered,^  a  motion  was  made  in  Congress  for  a  monument 
to  be  erected  to  his  memory,  and  that  his  youngest  son  should  be  educated 
at  the  expense  of  the  continent.  I  did  not  think  myself  partial  in  judging 
that  the  services  and  merit  of  General  Warren  considered  as  a  patriot  or 
a  soldier  were  not  inferior  to  those  of  General  Mercer,  and  therefore  added 
to  the  motion  that  the  same  honor  should  be  paid  to  his  memory  and  that 
one  of  his  sons  should  be  educated.  I  proposed  the  eldest.  It  was  agreed 
that  my  motion  should  be  first  entered  on  the  journal,  and  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  consider  of  both.  Congress  soon  after  adjourned  to  this 
place.  The  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  are  not  all  of  them  arrived.  I 
am  persuaded  it  will  be  agreed  to  in  the  Committee,  but  as  the  determina- 
tion in  the  house  may  be  uncertain,  I  think  it  best  that  it  should  not  be 
made  known  abroad  till  we  see  the  Events.' .  .  .  .  ' 

412.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.^ 

Philadelphia  March  20th  1777 
Sir 

I  received  your  favour  of  the  loth  Instant,  by  Mr  Brown  with  a  Copy 
of  your  account  as  settled  by  the  Commissioners. 

After  I  saw  you  at  Kingsbridge  I  returned  to  Congress  but  tarried  there 
but  a  few  days,  the  day  before  I  went  home  Congress  agreed  to  augment 
the  Pay  of  the  Regimental  Officers.^  I  supposed  they  would  consider  the 
Pay  of  the  Stafl  before  they  dismissed  the  subject  but  it  seems  they  did 
not.  their  principal  object  at  that  time  was  to  establish  a  new  Army. 
When  I  left  Congress  there  was  as  full  a  representation  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut  as  the  Assembly  allowed  to  attend  at  one  time.  I  was  detained 
at  home  by  sickness  some  considerable  time,  while  at  home  I  received 
your  letter  of  the  22d  of  October  but  could  not  give  you  a  satisfactory 
answer  till  I  returned  to  Congress. 

I  arrived  at  Baltimore  the  2d  of  January  when  General  Wolcott  shewed 
me  your  Letter  to  the  Delegates,  dated  the  i6th  of  Novr.  with  the  repre- 

[411]!  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks,  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  I.,  p.  159  (copy). 

2  Cf.  no.  319,  ante. 

3  See  no.  334,  note  3,  ante;  Gen.  Joseph  Warren  left  four  orphan  children,  of 
whom  the  two  younger  were  in  the  family  of  John  Scollay  of  Boston,  under  the  particular 
care  of  his  daughter,  Mercy  Scollay.  See  the  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gushing), 
IV.  167,  169,  171,  236.  In  regard  to  a  movement  to  have  Gongress  provide  for  the  three 
younger  as  well  as  the  eldest  of  the  Warren  children,  see  vol.  III.  of  these  Letters,  under 
Sept.  16,  1778;  also  the  Journals  of  that  date  and  July  i,  1780.  Something  of  the  history 
of  the  matter  may  be  found  in  Frothingham,  Life  of  Joseph  Warren,  pp.  542-546 ;  I.  N. 
Arnold,  Life  of  Benedict  Arnold,  pp.  216-221 ;  and  Sparks,  Life  of  Arnold,  pp.  126-129. 

[4i2]iGonn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  II.,  no.  74. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  7,  8,  1776,  Jan.  30,  1777  (p.  74).    Cf.  no.  166,  ante. 


306  Continental  Congress 

sentation  you  had  made  to  the  Commissioners  of  Congress  in  the  Northern 
department.  1  took  the  earhcst  opportunity  to  move  Congress  on  the 
Subject,  upon  which  the  Pay  of  the  Staff  officers  was  referred  to  the  Board 
of  War.  On  the  27th  of  January  the  Board  reported  as  their  opinion  that 
your  Pay  ought  to  be  augmented  to  75  Dolhirs  per  month  which  was 
agreed  to  by  Congress.^  Upon  which  I  immediately  wrote  to  you  enclos- 
ing a  Copy  of  the  resolution,*  but  I  suppose  you  were  absent  when  the 
Letter  arrived  at  Albany,  as  I  understand  by  Mr  Brown  you  have  been 
at  Lebanon  about  two  months.  There  was  also  about  the  same  time  a  sum 
of  money,  I  think  500,000  Dollars,  sent  to  the  military  Chest  in  your 
department.  The  Board  of  war  reported  in  favour  of  augmenting  the 
Pay  of  your  Assistants  and  some  other  staff  officers  which  lies  before 
Congress  not  acted  upon.  I  will  move  Congress  to  consider  it.^  the  Pay 
of  your  Assistants  I  am  sensible  is  too  low  for  the  present  times.  I  have 
had  the  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with  Mr  Pierce. °  I  know  him 
to  be  a  Gentleman  of  Abilities  and  Merit,  and  strict  Integrity,  such 
persons  I  wish  may  always  meet  with  proper  encouragement  from  the 
public.  A  Deputy  Paymaster  General  is  allowed  6  rations  and  a  Regi- 
mental Paymaster  3,  by  a  resolution  of  Congress  of  the  loth  of  October 
last.'' 

As  to  what  you  mention  of  a  neglect  to  give  you  information  of  the 
resolutions  of  Congress  respecting  the  duties  of  your  office,  I  am  sure 
there  has  been  no  intention  to  treat  you  with  Neglect,  from  any  disesteem 
of  your  person  or  services,  for  I  believe  you  have  executed  your  Office  to 
as  good  satisfaction  as  any  Officer  in  the  public  service.^  The  resolutions 
of  Congress  should  be  published  monthly  at  least,  for  the  information  of 
all  concerned,  but  Congress  has  not  yet  been  able  to  procure  it  to  be  done : ' 
I  understand  by  the  President  that  he  transmits  to  General  Schuyler  what 
respects  the  Northern  department,  expecting  that  he  would  give  the  need- 
ful information  to  others.  Perhaps  General  Schuyler  did  not  know  but 
that  the  resolutions  which  respect  your  office  had  been  transmited  to  you 
from  Congress,  which  I  think  would  be  the  proper  way.  I  have  sent  you 
copies  of  some  resolutions  in  time  past  but  know  not  whether  they  came 
to  hand. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  20,  30.  The  board  of  war  may  have  held  its  meeting 
Jan.  27,  but  Congress  only  met  and  adjourned  on  that  day.     .See,  further,  no.  757,  post. 

*  There  is  a  letter  of  Jan.  30  from  Sherman  to  Trumbull  in  Conn.  Hist.  Soc., 
Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  II.,  no.  67,  mentioning  other  resolutions  but 
not  this  one.    The  appropriation  mentioned  further  on  was  for  300,000  dollars  on  Jan.  30. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  20,  Feb.  14  (p.  121),  Apr.  i.  Cf.  ibid.,  June  12,  July  2, 
Aug.  28  (p.  693). 

6  John  Pierce,  jr.,  assistant  paymaster. 

"  By  a  resolve  of  Oct.  10,  1776,  regimental  paymasters  were  given  the  rank 
of  first  lieutenants  and  allow'ed  the  same  rations  as  captains.  The  allowance  to  a  captain 
rested  upon  a  resolve  of  Jan.  10,  1776.  The  rations  of  a  deputy  paymaster  general 
and  several  other  officers  were  fixed  by  a  resolve  of  Oct.  21,  1776  (see  also  the  Journals, 
Oct.  7,  Dec.  21,  1776).  In  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  1505,  is  a  table  of  the 
pay  and  rations  of  the  staff  prepared  in  the  war  office  Dec.  31,  1776.     See  no.  422,  post. 

8  See  Trumbull's  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Nov.  16,  1776,  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fifth  sen,  III.  731. 

9  See  no.  387,  note  3,  ante. 


March,  i///  307 

I  must  do  General  Wolcott  the  Justice  to  say  that  his  not  Complying 
with  your  request  in  your  letter  of  the  i6th  of  November  sooner  was  not 
from  any  disposition  to  treat  it  with  neglect,  for  he  seemed  really  con- 
cerned to  have  the  matter  accomplished,  but  he  was  left  alone,  and  the 
Congress  moved  from  Philadelphia  to  Baltimore  about  the  time  he  re- 
ceived the  letter  which  necessarily  occasioned  the  delay. 

I  shall  always  take  pleasure  in  rendering  you  any  service  in  my  power, 
and  especially  when  it  will  promote  the  public  good.    I  am  Sir  due  regards 

Your  humble  Servant 

Roger  Sherman 
Jonathan  Trumbull  Junr.  Esqr. 

413.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia,  March  21st,  1777. 
Sir, 

....  I  forgot  to  mention  in  my  last  the  affair  of  the  cannon  which 
Congress  requested  the  loan  of ;  ^  some  gentlemen  seemed  much  surprized 
at  the  prices  of  70  and  80  pounds  per  ton,  as  some  had  been  purchased  and 
more  engaged  here  at  £40  this  currency  per  ton.  I  understand  the  Salis- 
bury cannon  are  not  so  heavy  as  these ;  therefore  the  difference  of  price 
is  not  so  great  as  was  imagined.  When  it  was  proposed  to  borrow  them, 
we  represented  that  they  were  wanted  for  the  defence  of  the  State  of  Con- 
necticut, and  if  lent  others  must  be  immediately  provided  in  their  stead, 
therefore  we  conceived  Congress  would  not  think  such  a  requisition 
reasonable,  but  lest  giving  so  high  a  price  should  make  a  bad  precedent 
and  raise  the  price  here,  it  was  resolved  to  apply  to  borrow  them.  We 
gave  as  a  reason  why  they  could  not  be  afforded  cheaper,  that  the  furnace 
was  rebuilt  and  put  in  blast  at  a  great  expence  for  the  purpose  of  casting 
some  cannon  for  the  use  of  that  State,  the  scarcity  of  wood,  the  high  price 
of  coal  and  the  distance  it  was  carted,  etc 

414.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 

(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

....  Being  a  Committee  of  Congress  appointed  to  confer  with  Major 
(jeneral  Greene  now  in  this  city,  we  find  it  is  General  Washington's  settled 
opinion  that  Genl.  Howe  may  suddenly  attempt  to  gain  this  Capital.^  We 
wish  that  the  new  levies  in  your  State  may  be  forwarded  with  the  utmost 
expedition  possible :  so  that  they  may  either  join  our  troops  already  in 
the  Jersies,  or  at  least  be  at  hand  to  arrrest  the  enemy  at  the  Delaware, 
in  the  supposed  attempt  to  pass  it 

Philada.  March  22d  1777. 

[413]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  II.  35;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  C  8r  A  6 
(draft). 

2  See  the  Journals.  Feb.  12.     Cf.  ibid.,  Nov.  28,  Dec.  23,  29,  1776. 
[4i4P  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IX.  11 ;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  187. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  20,  21  (pp.  189,  191 ) ,  24,  Apr.  2,  4. 


308  Continental  Congress 

415.  Jamf.s  Lovem,  to  John  Trumbull.' 

J.  'I'ruiiibull  Esqr; 

March  22(1  [1777.] 

Sir: 

I  wrote  you  a  few  T.ines,  by  Mr  Bates,  in  regard  to  yr.  manner  of 
returning-  your  Commission.  I  was  not  aware  of  some  circumstances, 
attending  your  appointment,  which  have  upon  this  occasion  been  can- 
vassed. I  shall  not  accurately  enter  upon  any  discussion,  of  the  propriety 
or  Impropriety  of  your  resignation  ;  I  sliall  only,  as  an  affectionate  friend, 
give  you  this  early  Intelligence  of  a  number  of  facts,  which  will  enable 
you  to  make  a  final  Determination  in  this  Matter. 

The  Commissions  of  several  Inclos'd  in  Letters  of  less  apparent  resent- 
ment than  your's  had  been  readily  admitted  for  resignation,  some  very 
cutting  resolutions  had  been  made,  on  insolent  passages  of  the  late  Letters 

of  S r.^  especially  on  those  parts  which  called  for  stigmas  on  you  or 

your  Brother.  Immediately  your  Letter  is  open'd,  and  by  your  friends 
committed,  instead  of  the  resignation  being  instantly  accepted;  a  favour- 
able report  was  made,  but  overuled  by  a  motion  to  postpone  the  considera- 
tion.    Upon  this  G G ^  sent  in  a  recommendatory  letter, 

explaining  the  circumstances  of  your  appointment.*  But  this  would  not 
do;  Congress  are  highly  piqu'd  at  the  style  and  manner  of  your  demand, 
in  a  Case  which  will  appear  to  you  now,  in  the  line  of  favour,  and  not  of 

strict  right.     You  are  to  know,  that  G G 's  power  was  in 

Canada,^  so  that  your  appointment  before  his  entrance  there,  was  not 
strictly  proper.  Whether  your  first  Commission  was  dated  after  any 
formal  Debate  upon  this  point,  I  cannot  say,  but  that,  and  the  late  one  are 
of  one  Date,  founded  on  your  nomination  in  Congress,*  I  suppose.  Every 
Member  is  entirely  willing  to  accord  you  a  Commission  agreeable  to  the 
Date  you  expect ;  but  they  are  as  determin'd  on  the  other  Hand,  to  lose, 
even  your  acknozuledg'd  abilities^  if  they  do  not  receive  a  Different  Request 
from  what  is  now  before  them. 

You  were  certainly  unacquainted  with  the  Criticisms  which  may  take 

place  on  G G s  power  of  appointment  out  of  Canada.    You 

are  also  unacquainted  with  the  provocations  which  have  been  given  to 
Congress  for  attention  to  the  Style  of  the  Letters  of  their  officers,  prior 

to  the  Receipt  of  your's.    Gen :  G is  attach'd  to  you,  the  Congress 

admit  your  Merit ;  and,  while  they  are  dispos'd  to  give  you  a  Rank  which 

[415]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc.  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull.  Commercial  (copy)  ;  L.  I. 
Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Papers  (copy)  ;  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  vol.  of  copies,  p.  263;  Hist.  Mag., 
I.  290. 

'  Schuyler.     See  the  resolves.  Mar.  15;  cf.  no.  410.  anfe. 

3  General  Gates. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  14,  19,  20. 

5  See  the  Journals,  June  17,  July  8,  1776;  also  nos.  6,  18,  75,  anie. 

^Trumbull's  appointment  by  Gates  was  June  28,  1776;  his  election  by  Congress 
was  Sept.  12.    See  nos.  123,  124,  anie. 


March,  7777  309 

shall  save  you  from  any  appearance  of  demerit,  they  think  that  you  your- 
self will  Judge  the  Commission  more  valuable  for  proceeding  from  a  body 
attentive  to  their  own  Honour. 

No  Time  will  be  lost  by  this  Accident,  if  you  Determine  to  procure  the 
Commission,  by  the  Method  I  shall  take  the  freedom  to  point  out ;  because 
you  may  go  on  to  act,  from  an  absolute  certainty  to  receive  it,  by  the  first 
Opportunity,  after  your  Letter  shall  arrive  here. 

To  the  Hon*  J  :  H  :  Esqr  etc.^ 

Sir: 

Since  I  address'd  a  Letter  to  yr:  Honour  from  Providence,  enclosing 
my  Commission,  I  have  been  led  to  find  I  was  mistaken  in  the  Apprehen- 
sion that  my  Appointment  to  the  office  of  De.  A.  Genl. — on  the  28th  of 
June,  from  which  time  I  have  acted,  was  so  much  in  the  usual  manner,  as 
to  render  my  Commission  bearing  an  after  Date,  a  decisive  Degradation, 
when  compared  with  usual  practice ;  but,  the  same  desire  of  serving  my 
Country  in  the  most  effectual  Manner,  which  had  govern'd  all  my  actions, 
in  the  course  of  my  Adjutancy,  since  the  day  of  my  first  Appointment, 
leads  me  to  be  anxious  that  I  may  not  be  under  any  appearances  of  Dis- 
grace, from  any  circumstance  in  my  Commission  as  this  would  lessen  the 
Efficacy  of  my  most  vigorous  Exertions.  Therefore  I  entreat  your  Honor 
would  move  the  Honble  Congress  to  favor  me  with  a  Commission  con- 
sonant in  Date  to  my  Appointment  from  Genl.  Gates ;  assuring  them  of  my 
Zeal  for  the  Service  of  the  United  States,  and  of  the  greatest  Respect  for 
their  Body. 

I  am 

Hon*  Sir,  etc. 

I  do  not  afifect  to  point  out  a  verbal  exact  model  for  you.  It  is  the  tenor 
only.  With  something  similar  you  may  be  assur'd  of  an  instant  comply- 
ance  here;  The  Delay  therefore  depends  on  yourself.  I  hope  you  will 
make  none  * 

I  am  etc  etc. 

J:  LOVELL. 

^  Lovell  is  suggesting  to  John  Trumbull  that  he  write  a  letter  of  this  character 
to  President  Hancock. 

8  Cf.  no.  419,  post,  and  see  the  Journals,  Apr.  19.  The  file  of  letters  in  the 
Jonathan  Trumbull  Papers,  from  which  this  letter  is  taken,  is  endorsed  by  John  Trum- 
bull:  "  Copy  of  Letters,  to  and  from  Congress  and  Mr.  Lovell  on  the  Subject  of  my 
Resignation."  The  letters  extend  in  date  from  Feb.  22  to  Apr.  6.  Among  them  is 
that  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  this  letter.  It  is  dated  Mar.  16.  Affixed  to  the  file 
is  the  following  memorandum,  in  the  writing  of  James  Lovell : 

"  After  Mr.  Lovell  reed  the  last  Letter  before  mentioned,  some  Member  moved  thai 
it  should  be  reflferred  to  Genl  Gates  to  fill  his  place  On  which  Dr.  Witherspoon  rose 
and  said  he  had  no  objection,  in  case  he  was  restrained  from  re-appointing  Mr.  Trumbull. 
On  which  some  Person  replyed  that  there  was  no  Danger  of  that  young  Gentleman's 
Spirit  stooping  to  accept  that  office  now."  Cf.  no.  466,  post.  The  group  of  letters  is 
printed  in  Hist.  Mag.,  I.  289-292. 


310  Continental  Congress 

416.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon.' 

Philadelphia  24th.  March  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  We  have  been  in  great  want  of  arms  to  put  in  the  hands  of  the 
new  levies  and  were  this  day  considering  of  means  to  obtain  them,  when 
in  the  midst  of  debate  on  that  subject,  news  were  brought  us  that  1 1,000 
stand  and  a  number  of  locks  was  that  minute  arrived  ;  this  is  the  most  lucky 
circumstance  that  could  have  happened.  This  vessel  is  from  Nantz  and 
had  a  long  passage.  She  brings  no  public  news  nor  have  I  yet  heard  of 
any  private.* 


417.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  March  24,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

This  Morning  a  Vessell  has  arrived  in  this  City  with  6800  stand  of 
excellent  Arms  and  1500  Gun  Locks,  belonging  to  Congress,  and  1500 
more  private  Property.    These  last  We  have  ordered  to  be  bought. 

This  News  you  may  depend  on.  The  Letters  were  brought  into  Con- 
gress, in  the  Midst  of  a  Debate  concerning  a  Resolution  to  impower  the 
General  to  procure  Arms  wherever  he  could  find  them.^ 

Thus  it  is.  On  how  many  Occasions  when  We  have  been  unable  to  see 
any  Way  to  help  ourselves  has  Providence  sent  Us  an  unexpected  Relief ! 
Thus  it  has  been,  and  thus  it  will  be.    I  am.  etc., 

John  Adams 


418.  The  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence  to  the 

Commissioners  in  Paris.^ 

Philadelphia  March  25,  1777 
Sir, 

We  are  commanded  by  Congress  to  transmit  Copies  of  their  Resolve 
of  the  13  instant  to  all  the  Gentlemen  abroad  that  hold  correspondance 
with  any  of  their  Committees  The  Necessity  of  such  a  resolution  and 
due  attention  to  it,  is  fully  evinced  by  the  heavy  expence  america  has  been 
put  to  by  many  Gentlemen  received  into  their  Service,  who  have  found  it 
impossible  to  render  themselves  usefull  for  want  of  the  Language  and  we 
think  this  the  most  likely  means  to  save  others  the  charge  and  trouble  of 
a  long  voyage,  as  well  as  the  mortification  of  being  disapointed  in  their 
expectations. 

[416]!  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  315;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib., 
Sparks  Coll.,  no.  52,  vol.  IL,  p.  1781. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  24;  cf.  nos.  417,  421,  post. 
[417]^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  306. 

2  See  the  Journals  (p.  197)  ;  cf.  no.  416.  ante.    See  also  Robert  Morris  to  John 
Jay,  Apr.  i.  Correspondence  of  Jay.  I.  125. 

[418]!  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Franklin  Papers,  vol.  V.  (11.),  no.  122. 


March,   7-777  311 

You  will  therefore  serve  all  such  and  oblige  us  by  discouraging  their 
coming  to  America  for  Military  employments  ' 

We  are  Sir 

Your  Obed.  Servants 
By  order  of  the  Committee  of  Secret  Correspondence 

RoBT  Morris 

[Addressed :] 
To 
The  Honorable  Doctr  Benjn  Franklin 
Silas  Deane  and  Arthur  Lee  Esqrs. 
Paris 

419.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull/ 

Philadelphia  March  26.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  am  favoured  wth  yours  of  the  loth.  and  as  far  as  Time  will  permit 
Shall  reply  to  the  several  Matters  therein  hinted. 

With  respect  to  General  Arnold,  he  is  considered  by  Congress  as  a  brave 
and  deserving  Officer,  and  had  it  been  possible  to  have  proceeded  in  the 
line  of  Succession  in  appointing  officers  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
promoted.  This  cannot  be  done  with°.  giving  great  Dissatisfaction  to  the 
States  that  had  no  officers  in  the  army  in  the  beginning  of  the  War ;  who 
claim  a  Right  to  their  proportion,  agreable  to  the  Number  of  Men  wch. 
they  furnish  for  the  Service,  of  Major  and  Brig.  Generals.  The  principles 
of  appointmt.  are  therefore  reduced  to  three  Heads,  and  a  Regard  will  be 
had  to  each  of  these,  "  the  present  Rank  of  the  officers,  their  Merit,  and 
the  proportion  already  mentioned  ",  and  upon  the  two  first  I  think  General 
Arnold  will  meet  a  timely  promotion.^ 

I  am  informed  that  upon  a  report  of  the  Board  of  War  upon  your 
Brother's  Letter,  Congress  discovered  a  Resentment  at  the  disrespectful 
Freedom  expressed  therein,  and  would  not  consent  to  give  him  a  Comm. 
of  an  earlier  Date.  I  think  he  had  a  Right  to  his  Claim,  but  cannot 
altogether  approve  of  the  Stile  in  which  he  addressed  the  Legislative 
authority  of  the  Continent.  It  is  the  fixed  Determination  of  Congress  to 
preserve  the  civil  above  the  military,  and  the  authority  of  that  will  not  be 
surrendered,  should  it  be  necessary  to  disband  the  army  in  preserving  the 
same.    Your  Friends  will  endeavour  to  reconcile  the  Matter,  and  if  Meas- 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  14,  19,  and  nos.  136,  360A,  407,  410,  ante,  489,  501, 
note  2,  post. 

[419]  1  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  72. 

2  See  Washington  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Mar.  6  (Writings,  ed.  Sparks,  IV. 
251),  Arnold  to  Washington,  Mar.  26  (Letters  to  Washington,  ed.  Sparks,  I.  359).  and 
Washington  to  Arnold,  Apr.  3  (Writings,  ed.  Sparks,  IV.  377).  Arnold  was  elected 
major-general  May  2,  1777,  in  recognition  of  his  conduct  at  Danbury.  See  the  Journals, 
May  2,  Aug.  8,  Nov.  12,  29,  and  nos.  476,  497,  582,  583,  585,  607,  post.  In  accordance  with 
instructions  of  Congress,  Nov.  29,  Washington  sent  to  Arnold.  Jan.  20,  1778,  a  new  com- 
mission. See  Washington's  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  289,  (ed.  Sparks).  V.  215. 
According  to  Heitman,  Historical  Register,  Arnold's  commission  bore  date  of  Feb.  17, 
1777.     Concerning  the  principles  of  promotion,  see  nos.  363-365,  372,  376,  392,  ante. 

25 


312  Continental  Congress 

ures  slioukl  be  adopted  by  your  Brother  to  explain  and  set  it  right,  which 
by  revising:  his  Letter  might  to  him  appear  expedient,  I  think  they  will 
be  able  to  obtain  their  Wisiies.' 

Your  proposals  relative  to  a  Q.  M.  G.  cannot  be  attended  to  at  present, 
as  General  Mifflin  is  desired  to  retain  tlic  office.  When  he  can  be  spared, 
an  attention  will  be  paid  to  the  Gentleman  whom  you  mention. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your  Success  in  procuring  Supplies,  and  wish  that 
Measures  may  be  immediately  pursued  to  provide  Gardens  for  Supplying 
the  army  daily  with  Vegetables,  and  also  to  procure  large  Quantities  of 
Vinegar.  Without  these  the  Soldiery  will  be  sickly  and  dispirited  and  the 
Service  injured,  if  not  ruined — pray  attend  to  them  as  Matters  of  the  last 
Im{X)rtance  * — few  Men  can  subsist  upon  Bread,  Meat,  and  Water.  Your 
Application  for  Cash  was  immediately  attended  to,  as  the  Treasury  had 
recovered  from  the  Inconveniences  wch.  resulted  from  the  adjournmt.  to 
Baltimore.'^ 

Your  application  to  Congress  relative  to  your  Salary  shall  be  considered 
by  the  Treasury  this  week  and  reported  to  Congress  as  soon  [as]  deter- 
mined.® .... 

Colo  Trumbull. 


420.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia  March  30th,  1777. 
Sir: 

Agreeable  to  the  Directions  in  your  Letter,  by  Messrs.  Greene  and 
Howell  I  have  exerted  myself  to  the  utmost  of  my  Power  and  have  been 
happy  enough,  by  the  kind  Offices  of  the  President  and  others  in  Conse- 
quence of  my  Application,  to  procure  a  very  great  Part  of  the  Ballance 
due  to  the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  etc.  which  I  wish  may  go  safe  to  our 
Treasury.  The  Commrs.  will  inform  you  into  the  unhappy  Cause  of  their 
Detention; "  they  will  also  acquaint  you  with  the  monie  they  paid  Messrs. 
Purviances  out  off  the  monie  received  from  the  Treasurer  in  Baltimore, 
and  when  it  was  expected  that  Capt.  Coffin  ^  would  sail,  and  with  every 
Article  of  Intelligence.  If  the  Monies  paid  by  them  to  the  Purivances 
should  not  amount  to  the  Ballance  of  their  Account,  I  shall  improve  that 
Circumstance  to  obtain  a  Resolve  for  an  additional  Sum,  and  take  the 
Money  along  with  me,  if  I  can,  when  I  return  to  our  State 

-  see  nos.  123,  124,  331,  415,  ante,  466,  496,  post. 
*  Cf.  nos.  145,  162,  166,  266,  ante,  450,  post. 
°  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  15. 

^  See  the  Journals,  June  10  (p.  448)  and  16.    Cf.  no.  175,  ante. 
[420]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777,  p.  51 ;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Ccng., 
p.  123. 

2  See  nos.  394,  405,  ante ;  also  no.  538,  post.  The  "  unhappy  cause  of  their 
detention"  was  probably  the  interval  between  the  adjournment  of  Congress  from 
Baltimore  and  its  reassembling  in  Philadelphia. 

3  Capt.  Charles  Coffin.    See  the  Journals,  Apr.  16. 


March,  lyyj  313 

421.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren/ 

Philadelphia,  March  31,  1777 

Dear  Sir, 

We  have  this  clay  received  Letters  from  Europe,  of  an  interesting 
Nature.^  We  are  under  Injunctions  of  Silence  concerning  one  very  im- 
portant Point :  and  indeed  I  don't  know  how  far  I  am  at  Liberty  concern- 
ing some  others  :  but  thus  much  I  may  venture  to  communicate :  That  We 
have  an  offer  of  three  Millions  of  Livres  in  Specie,  without  Interest,  and 
to  be  paid  when  We  shall  be  settled  in  Peace  and  Independence ;  that  all 
Europe  wish  Us  well,  excepting  only  Portugal  and  Russia ;  that  all  the 
Ports  of  France  and  Spain  and  Italy  and  all  the  Ports  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, excepting  Portugal,  are  open  to  our  Privateers  and  Merchant 
Ships.  That  there  is  no  danger  of  our  wanting  Arms  or  Ammunition  for 
the  future — between  six  and  seven  hundred  Barrells  of  Powder  having 
arrived  in  Maryland,  and  indeed,  We  had  plenty  of  Powder  before.  In 
short,  my  Friend,  altho  We  have  many  grievous  Things  to  bear,  and  shall 
have  more;  yet  there  is  nothing  wanting  but  Patience.  Patience  and 
Perseverance,  will  carry  Us  through  this  mighty  Enterprize — an  Enter- 
prize  that  is  and  will  be  an  Astonishment  to  vulgar  Minds  all  over  the 
World,  in  this  and  in  future  Generations.  An  Enterprize  however,  which, 
Faithfullness  to  our  Ancestors  who  have  sett  Us  Examples  of  Resistance 
to  Tyranny,  Faithfullness  to  the  present  and  future  Generations,  whose 
Freedom  depend  upon  it  laid  us  under  every  moral  and  religious  obliga- 
tion to  undertake.  Our  Accounts  from  Europe  are  that  great  Prepara- 
tions are  making  for  War  and  that  every  Thing  tends  to  that  Object,  but 
when  or  where,  or  how  Hostilities  will  commence  is  yet  unknown.  France 
and  Spain,  will  act  in  concert  and  with  perfect  Amity,  neither  will  take 
any  Step  without  the  other. 

The  American  Ministers  abroad,  advise  Us  to  exert  ourselves  in  every 
Respect,  as  if  We  were  to  receive  no  Assistance  from  abroad.  This  is 
certainly  good  Advice  and  if  We  have  Wisdom  enough  to  follow  it,  a 
Division  by  a  War  in  Europe  will  be  a  more  effectual  Relief  to  us.' 
I  am,  etc. 

[421]!  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  307. 

2  They  were  probably  Arthur  Lee's  letter  of  Jan.  3  (practically  identical  with 
that  of  Dec.  31),  Franklin's  letter  of  Jan.  4,  and  that  of  Franklin,  Deane,  and  Lee, 
dated  Jan.  17  (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  IL  242,  244.  248).  A  paragraph  which 
appeared  in  the  Pennsylvania  Packet,  Apr.  8,  and  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  Apr.  9, 
suggests  all  three  of  these  letters:  "By  the  last  advices  from  France  we  learn  that 
Arthur  Lee,  Esq.  who  is  appointed  by  the  United  States  to  act  in  concert  with  Dr. 
Franklin,  was  arrived  at  that  court,  where  he  with  the  Doctor  were  received  and* 
treated  with  all  respect  shewn  to  European  Ambassadors,  and  that  they  have  already 
negotiated  a  loan  of  two  million  livres,  for  and  on  account  of  the  United  States." 
Cf.  no.  422,  423,  post;  also  Samuel  Adams  to  his  wife,  Apr.  i  (Writings,  IIL  367),  and 
Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henr}^,  Apr.  7  (Letters,  I.  268). 

3  Cf.  no.  409,  ante. 


314  Continental  Congress 

422.  Roger  Sherman  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.* 

Philadelphia  April  i.  1777 
Sir 

I  received  your  favour  of  the  20th  Ultimo,  am  sorry  to  hear  that  the 
recruiting  service  goes  on  so  slow  in  Connecticut  at  this  time  when  we 
ought  to  have  an  Army  in  the  Field  sufficient  to  subdue  the  Enemy. 
General  Gates  is  ordered  to  Tycondaroga.  he  sets  out  to  morrow.  It  is 
not  determined  what  other  General  officers  are  to  be  sent  there.  General 
St  Clair  is  talked  of  for  one.^  Congress  has  this  Day  passed  some  resolu- 
tions for  regulating  the  payment  of  the  army  which  are  ordered  to  be 
published  in  the  News  Papers.  The  Pay  of  the  Assistant  Paymasters  in 
the  Northern  Department  was  this  Day  augmented  to  forty  Dollars  per 
month  and  3  rations  per  Day.  The  Pay  of  the  Regimental  Paymasters 
is  the  same — that  was  fixed  last  Saturday  the  29th  Ult.^  We  have  Letters 
from  our  Ambassadors  at  Foreign  Courts  as  late  as  the  27th  of  January. 
The  accounts  are  favourable  beyond  our  expectation,  they  have  been 
offered  the  loan  of  large  sums  of  money  without  Interest  to  be  repaid 
when  these  States  shall  be  settled  in  Peace.  It  was  not  certainly  known 
wiiether  a  war  would  soon  take  place  between  France  and  Great  Britain, 
tho'  very  probable.* .... 

I  shall  move  to  have  a  further  supply  of  Money  immediately  sent  to 
Albany.^  I  should  think  it  advisable  for  you  to  return  there  as  soon  as 
your  affairs  will  admit. 

423.  Roger  Sherman  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  April  2d.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  suppose  the  President  has  informed  you  what  was  done  in  Virginia 
relative  to  the  purchase  of  Flour  and  Indian  Corn.     William  Aylet  Esqr. 

[422]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  II.,  no.  77. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  25,  Apr.  i,  29.  The  resolve  ordering  St.  Clair  to 
Ticonderoga  was  passed  the  same  day  on  which  this  letter  was  written. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  29,  Apr.   i ;  cf.  no.  412,  ante. 

*"  Letters  from  France  of  the  21st  January  bring  many  pleasing  intelligences. 
Some  part  must  not  yet  be  communicated.  Two  millions  of  livres  are  in  bank  in  Paris, 
ready  to  answer  our  drafts.  France  and  Spain  are  exceedingly  friendly  to  us."  Thomas 
Burke  to  Governor  Caswell,  Apr.  r,  1777,  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  437.  Cf.  no.  421,  note 
2,  ante,  436,  439,  470,  473,  post.  Burke  and  Sherman  appear  to  have  in  mind  particularly 
the  letter  of  Franklin,  Deane,  and  Lee,  dated  Jan.  17,  with  a  postscript  of  January  22 
(Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  248).  What  letters  from  the  commissioners  had  been 
received  by  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  cannot  be  determined  from  the 
Journals;  Feb.  2  nothing  later  than  Deane's  letter  of  Oct.  i  had  been  received  (see  the 
committee  to  the  commissioners,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  258).  The  Journals 
mention,  Feb.  24  (erased  entry),  letters  from  Deane  dated  Oct.  8  and  25,  and  on  Mar. 
19  one  from  Franklin  dated  Dec.  8.  The  next  record  in  the  Journals  is  June  3,  men- 
tioning letters  of  Nov.  27  and  Feb.  6,  brought  by  Du  Coudray,  although  a  letter  of 
May  2  (no.  473,  post)  from  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs,  successor  of  the  com- 
mittee of  secret  correspondence,  mentions  the  receipt,  "  about  the  middle  of  April ",  of 
letters  of  Feb.  6  and  8.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  June  3,  30,  Aug.  i,  2,  3.  Sherman's 
letter  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  Apr.  2  (no.  423),  post,  contains  a  fuller  statement  of  foreign 
news. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  8. 
[423]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 


April,  lyyj  315 

Deputy  Commissary  General  (who  is  a  very  honest  discreet  man)  is 
directed  to  purchase  and  store  sufficient  quantities  of  those  articles  and 
have  them  ready  to  deliver  to  your  order  ^  the  highest  price  he  had  given 
for  Corn  when  he  wrote  was  half  a  Dollar  per  Bushel.  Much  depends 
upon  your  employing  none  but  persons  of  Strict  Integrity,  and  great 
prudence  and  discretion  in  your  department  otherwise  the  greatest  Frauds 
and  peculation  may  take  place,  your  Credit,  and  I  fear  the  public  Interest 
has  suffered  much  from  your  employing  a  Gentleman  in  this  place  to  pur- 
chase provisions,  there  are  great  Complaints  against  him  that  he  gives 
very  exorbitant  prices  and  that  the  prices  of  articles  have  been  much 
increased  by  his  indiscretion  I  have  no  personal  knowledge  of  these  things 
but  they  are  publicly  talked  of  by  persons  of  the  best  Credit.  Congress  did 
not  think  proper  to  displace  him  because  he  is  your  Deputy  and  you 
accountable  for  his  conduct,  but  the  President  was  twice  directed  by  Con- 
gress to  inform  you  of  the  complaints.  Mr  Wharton  is  the  person. 
Enclosed  is  a  Copy  of  an  Advertisement  Posted  up  by  one  of  his  Deputies.' 
It  is  said  that  last  winter  Mr  Wharton  made  public  declaration  in  this 
City  that  he  was  employed  to  purchased  a  large  Quantity  of  Rum  for  the 
Army  and  the  highest  price  would  be  given,  and  that  he  gave  like  notice 
to  the  people  in  the  Country  as  to  the  purchase  of  Pork  and  Beef  and  other 
provisions.  I  don't  know  on  what  terms  you  employ  people  but  sure  I  am 
it  will  not  do  to  employ  them  to  purchase  on  Commissions  unless  you  limit 
the  prices :  For  the  greater  prices  they  give  the  more  will  be  their  profits, 
which  is  such  a  temptation  as  an  honest  man  would  not  wish  to  be 
led  into.* 

A  Gentleman  at  Baltimore  has  made  proposals  for  supplying  the  army 
by  Contract  at  a  certain  price  per  ration  not  to  risque  more  than  his  own 
time  and  trouble.  He  has  also  proposed  another  plan  by  which  all  the 
provisions  for  the  Army  and  those  purchased  for  exportation  either  by 
the  public  or  private  merchants  should  go  through  the  same  hands,  so 
that  they  may  govern  the  prices  by  not  interfering  one  with  another,  a 
Copy  of  both  are  Enclosed  I  wish  to  have  your  opinion  on  them  and 
whether  you  would  be  willing  to  undertake  in  either  way.  I  am  one  of 
a  Committee  to  whom  it  is  referred.  Mr  Smith  of  Baltimore  and  Mr 
Gerry  are  the  other  two  we  thought  it  not  best  to  do  any  thing  upon  it 
'till  we  knew  your  thoughts  on  the  Subject.  I  wish  you  would  write  to  me 
whether  you  think  either  of  those  ways  preferable  to  the  present  rnode.^ 


P.  S.     General  Schuyler  about  2  months  ago  transmitted  to  Congress 
the  Copy  of  a  letter  published  in  Gain's  New  York  Paper,  said  to  be 

2  See  the  Journals.  Mar.  29. 

3  The  enclosure  referred  to  is  a  copy  of  an  advertisement  of  George  Eichelberger. 
*  See  no.  324,  ante,  and  the  Journals.  Jan.  29,  Mar.  14,  Apr.  18.  26,  June  26. 

5  The  Baltimore  gentleman  was  William  Buchanan.  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  20. 
He  was  elected  deputy  commissary-general  of  purchases  June  18,  and  commissary- 
general  of  purchases  Aug.  5,  after  the  resignation  of  Joseph  Trumbull.  Cf.  nos.  145, 
162,  164,  165,  172,  175,  239,  ante.  The  proposals  for  victualling  the  army  are  found 
with  this  letter. 


316  Continental  Congress 

Written  by  you  to  Colo.  Williams,  and  requested  that  Justice  !nijj;-lit  be 
done  to  his  Character,  l)ut  no  answer  was  returned  he  has  lately  re|)eated 
his  Complaint,  C()mi)lainin^-  that  Conti^ress  has  not  done  him  that  Justice 
in  the  affair  which  they  might  and  ought  to  have  done,  on  which  the 
President  was  desired  to  Inform  him  that  it  was  improper  for  Con- 
gress to  interfere  in  Disputes  between  officers  in  the  Army,  but  that 
they  ought  to  be  settled  agreable  to  the  Rules  of  the  Army — withal  admin- 
istring-  a  Gentle  reproof  to  him  for  the  indecent  Stile  in  which  he  wrote 
to  Congress  on  that  as  well  as  some  other  Occasions.  I  am  sorry  your 
Letter  was  intercepted  (if  you  wTote  such  a  one) — though  I  think  the 
authority  of  Gains  Paper  is  not  sufficient  proof  to  support  any  charge 
whatever." 

R.  S. 

424.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
Governor  of  Maryland  (Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

Philadelphia  April  2d  1777 
Sir, 

....  You  will  perceive  from  the  inclosed  Copy  of  a  Letter  from 
General  Washington  that  the  Information  it  contains  is  of  the  most 
serious  Nature,  and  that  our  Enemies  are  meditating  an  Invasion  of  the 
State  of  Maryland.  In  this  Situation  of  Affairs,  I  am  earnestly  to  request 
you  will  take  such  ]Measures.  as  will  have  a  Tendency  to  Defeat  their 
designs,  should  any  Attempts  be  made  in  Consequence  of  this  Intelligence 

The  inclosed  Resolve  of  Congress  respecting  the  removal  of  the  public 
Stores  to  the  places  therein  mentioned,  I  am  to  request  you  will  pay  the 
utmost  Attention  to,  and  give  orders  for  removing  the  same  as  soon  as 
possible.^ 

425.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia,  Apl  6th,  1777. 
Sir 

....  Inclosed  is  a  Resolve  of  Congress  respecting  your  granting 
Commissions,  which  I  transmit  because  in  the  Multiplicity  of  the  Presi- 
dents Business  it  may  be  forgot  by  him.  I  laid  the  Paragraph  of  your 
Letter  which  related  to  that  point  before  Congress  immediately  upon  the 
Receipt  of  your  Letter.  Congress  did  nothing  in  the  flatter  which 
amounted  to  an  Acquiescence.  A  Day  or  Two  ago  a  Letter  from  the 
President  of  So.  Carolina  was  read  in  Congress  representing  that  for  the 
Want  of  Commissions  Instructions  etc.  he  had  issued  Commissions,  and 

^  See  no.  287.  note  4,  ante ;  also  the  Journals.  Mar.  12,  15.    Schuyler's  second  letter 
referred  to  is  that  of  Feb.  4.     See  no.  410,  ante. 

[424]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  26  (copy)  ;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  196. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  2.     Cf.  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  289.     Washington's 
letter  of  Alar.  31  is  ibid.,  V.  290,  and  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  197.    Cf.  ibid.,  XVI.  206. 

[425]!  R.  I.  Arch..  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777,  p.  59;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong., 
p.  124;  Hist.  Mag.,  XVIII.  47. 


April,  7777  317 

desiring  that  a  Resolve  might  pass  which  might  give  VaHdity  to  his  Com- 
missions. This  brought  to  my  Mind  your  granting  Commissions,  and 
induced  me  to  move  the  Resolve  which  is  now  inclosed.^  If  Cont'l  Com- 
missions should  be  wanted  you  will  send  for  them  in  Time 

426.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  6  April,  1777. 

You  have  had  many  rumors  propagated  among  you  which  I  suppo>e 
you  know  not  how  to  account  for.  One  was,  that  Congress,  the  last 
summer,  had  tied  the  hands  of  General  Washington,  and  would  not  let  him 
fight,  particularly  on  the  White  plains.  This  report  was  totally  ground- 
less. Another  was,  that  at  last,  Congress  untied  the  General,  and  then  he 
instantly  fought  and  conquered  at  Trenton.  This  also  was  without 
foundation,  for  as  his  hands  were  never  tied,  so  they  were  not  untied. 
Indeed,  within  a  few  days  past,  a  question  has  been  asked  Congress,  to  the 
surprise,  I  believe,  of  every  member  there,  w'hether  the  General  was  bound 
by  the  advice  of  a  council  of  war?  No  member  of  Congress,  that  I  know 
of,  ever  harbored  or  conceived  such  a  thought.  "  Taking  the  advice  of 
a  council  of  war  "  are  the  words  of  the  General's  instructions,  but  this 
meant  only,  that  councils  of  war  should  be  called  and  their  opinions  and 
reasons  demanded,  but  the  General,  like  all  other  commanders  of  armies, 
was  to  pursue  his  own  judgment  after  all." 

Another  report,  which  has  been  industriously  circulated,  is,  that  the 
General  has  been  made  by  Congress,  dictator.  But  this  is  as  false  as  the 
other  stories.  Congress,  it  is  true,  upon  removing  to  Baltimore,  gave  the 
General  power  to  raise  fifteen  battalions,  in  addition  to  those  which  were 
ordered  to  be  raised  before,  and  to  appoint  the  officers,  and  also,  to  raise 
three  thousand  horse,  and  to  appoint  their  officers,  and  also,  to  take  neces- 
saries for  his  army,  at  an  appraised  value.  But  no  more.  Congress  never 
thought  of  making  him  dictator,  or  of  giving  him  a  sovereignty.^  I  wish 
I  could  find  a  correspondent,  who  was  idle  enough  to  attend  to  every 
report,  and  write  it  to  me.  Such  false  news,  uncontradicted,  does  more 
or  less  harm.     Such  a  collection  of  lies  w'ould  be  a  curiosity  for  posterity. 

The  report  you  mention  in  your  last,  that  the  British  administration 
had  proposed  to  Congress  a  treaty  and  terms,  is  false,  and  without  a  color. 
On  the  contrary,  it  is  now  more  than  ever  past  a  doubt,  that  their  fixed 
determination  is,  conquest  and  unconditional  subjugation.  But  there  w^ll 
be  many  words  and  blows  too,  before  they  will  accomplish  their  wishes. 
Poor,  abandoned,  infatuated  nation !  Infatuation  is  one  of  the  causes  to 
which  great  historians  ascribe  many  events,  and  if  it  ever  produced  any 
effect,  it  has  produced  this  war  against  America 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  4,  5. 
[426]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  255. 

2  See  the  Journals,   Mar.  24.     The  question  was  propounded  to  Congress  by 
Washington  through  General  Greene.    See  ibid.,  Mar.  21. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  12,  27,  1776.    Cf.  nos.  268,  275-277,  284,  ante.    The  number 
of  additional  battahons  authorized,  Dec.  27,  was  sixteen,  not  fifteen. 


318  Continental  Congress 

427.  John  Adams  to  Jamks  Warren.* 

I'liiLADELriiiA,  April  6,  1777 
My  Friend, 

The  Business  of  the  naval  and  marine  Department  will  I  hope  be  soon 
put  in  a  better  Train  than  it  has  been.  A  Board  of  Assistants  has  been 
appointed  here  consisting^  of  three  Gentlemen,  not  Members  of  Cong^ress, 
whose  whole  Time  is  devoted  to  the  Service,  Mr.  Ilopkinson,  Coll.  Nixon 
and  Mr.  John  Wharton  are  the  Men.  The  first  is  a  Gentleman  of  Letters, 
the  second  an  able  Merchant,  the  third  an  eminent  shipwright.^ 

There  is  a  Talk  off  appointing  a  similar  Board  at  Boston  and  a  Com- 
missioner at  every  considerable  Port  in  N.  England.  Who  would  be 
proper  Persons  for  those  Places?  They  should  be  well  acquainted  with 
Navigation.  They  should  be  well  informed  in  Trade.  They  should  be 
Men  of  Character  and  Credit.' 

The  Marine  Committee  have  lately  reed.  Letters  from  Captn  Thomp- 
son, McNeal  *  and  several  others,  pointing  out  Defects,  Abuses  and  Mis- 
managements, and  proposing  Plans  of  Improvement,  Redress  and  Refor- 
mation. These  will  do  good.  This  is  the  Way  to  have  things  go  right ; 
for  Officers  to  correspond  constantly  with  Congress  and  communicate 
their  Sentiments  freely.^ .... 

[427]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  312. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  6,  13,  18,  1776.  See  also  C.  O.  Paullin,  The  Navy  of 
the  American  Revolution,  pp.  96-101. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  19.  May  3,  6.  and  nos.  449,  457.  459,  480,  485,  post. 
*  Thomas  Thompson  and  Hector  McNeil. 

5  Another  letter  from  Adams  to  Warren,  written  in  the  evening  of  the  same 
day  (Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  310),  discusses  marine  affairs,  and  should  be  read 
in  connection  with  this  letter.    Following  is  the  significant  part  of  it : 

"  Complaints  are  frequently  brought  here  from  Boston  and  from  Providence  con- 
cerning the  Continental  Agents  and  other  Officers.  T  am  sorry  for  this,  but  cannot  help 
it.  At  Providence  I  fear,  by  what  I  have  lately  heard,  there  has  been  a  System  of 
Selfishness,  and  at  Boston  of  Incapacity.  I  had  the  Honour  of  belonging  to  the  first 
Naval  Committee,  which  set  all  our  maritime  agoing ;  and  they  did  it  with  a  Vigour, 
Assiduity  and  Dispatch,  which  precluded  all  Censure  and  Complaint :  But  I  went  home 
last  December  was  twelve  Month,  and  Advantage  was  taken  of  that  Opportunity,  one  or 
two  other  Members  being  absent  at  the  same  Time — Coll.  Lee  went  home,  and  Gadsden 
and  Langdon  and  Deane  was  left  out — to  choose  a  new  Committee.  Since  which 
there  has  been  nothing  but  Languor,  Censure  and  Complaint.  Upon  my  Return  they  did 
me  the  Honour  to  put  me  upon  the  Board  of  War,  which  takes  up  my  whole  Time, 
every  Morning  and  Evening,  and  renders  it  totally  impossible  for  me  to  look  into  the 
marine  Department,  which  if  I  had  Leisure  to  do,  ignorant  as  I  am  of  every  Rope  in  the 
Ship,  I  would  perish  if  I  did  not  put  that  Department  in  a  respectable  order.  There 
is  nothing  wanting  but  some  one  Person  whose  Vigour,  Punctuality,  and  Constancy,  should 
draw  the  Committee  together  every  morning  and  Evening,  direct  their  Attention  to  the 

Object,  and  keep  it  fixed  there The  Fracas  between  Manley  and  McNeal  had 

reached  this  Place  before  your  Letter,  hope  it  will  do  good."  (C/.  Warren-Adams 
Letters,  L  304,  311.  3I2,  317,  319.  329,  350,  372;  also  no.  624,  post.) 

Adams  appears  thus  early  to  have  fallen  into  some  errors  of  recollection  as  regards 
the  marine  committee.  Similar  errors  found  in  his  autobiographical  statements,  written 
many  years  later,  have  been  pointed  out  in  the  preceding  volume  of  these  Letters  (see 
vol.  I.,  no.  316,  note  3.  and  no.  390,  note  2),  where  the  principal  stages  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  marine  committee  are  mentioned.  Adams  was  probablj'  a  member  of  the 
committee  appointed  Oct.  5,  1775,  "to  prepare  a  plan  for  intercepting  two  vessels", 
but  he  was  not  a  member  of  the  committee  appointed  Oct.  13  to  execute  the  plan.  When, 
however,  the  plan  was  enlarged,  Oct.  30,  and  the  membership  of  the  committee  was 
increased  from  three  to  seven,  Adams  became  a  member  of  this  enlarged  naval  committee. 
This  was  not,  however,  the  permanent  or  standing  marine  committee.     The  latter  was 


April,  ijyj  319 

428.  William  Whipple  to  Josiah  Bartlett,^ 

Philadelphia  7th  Apl  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

.  .  .  .  N.  York  I  expect  will  give  an  Infinity  of  trouble,  a  long  letter 
was  laid  this  morning  before  Congress  from  that  Convention  respecting 
the  N.  Hampshire  Grants,  a  deputation  is  also  arrived  from  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  but  their  matters  are  not  yet  laid  before  Congress  ^  I 
sho'd  not  much  care  if  the  Devil  had  them  all 

What  advantage  could  have  arisen  from  a  compliance  with  Genl.  Lee's 
Request?  Genl  Howe  certainly  would  not  agree  to  the  conference  unless 
he  Expected  to  reap  some  advantage  by  it  he  surely  wo'*  not  permit  an 
interview  that  co*^  possibly  opperate  to  his  disadvantage,  if  he  has  powers 
to  treat  with  America  as  Independent  States,  the  door  is  always  open  for 
him,  we  know  very  well  he  has  no  new  powers,  nor  nothing  to  offer  but 
Pardon  on  submission  at  the  same  tjme  that  we  co*^  receive  no  possible 
Benefit  by  complying  with  the  Request,  the  Enemy  wo'*  profit  much  by  it. 
A  Packet  wo**  be  immediately  dispatched,  and  all  the  Courts  in  Europe 
amus'd  with  our  negociations  and  the  strongest  assurences  given  that 
peace  wo^  soon  take  place  in  America,  this  was  the  use  made  of  the  Con- 
ference last  faul  by  which  means  the  stores  that  are  now  arriving,  have 
been  delayed  at  least  4  months.  The  insidious  designs  were  so  very  evi- 
dent that  there  was  not  a  single  advocate  for  the  measure.' .... 

I  am  very  glad  I  am  like  to  be  relieved  and  hope  it  will  be  by  the 
Gentn.  you  mention  since  you  are  determined  not  to  spend  another  summer 
in  Phila^ — I  hope  they  will  be  here  by  the  middle  of  may. 

Please  to  present  my  Respects  to  all  Friends  and  be  ass[ured]  you  have 
the  best  wishes  of 

Your  very  affec*^  Friend  and  Hum'^  Sert 

Wm.  Whipple 


429.  Benjamin  Rush,  Diary.^ 

The  declaration  of  independance  was  said  to  have  divided  and  weak- 
ened the  colonies.     The  contrary  of  this  was  the  case.     Nothing  but  the 

created  Dec.  14.  (In  the  appendix  to  the  Journals,  vol.  VI..  the  committee  of  Dec.  11 
is  erroneously  given  as  the  standing  marine  committee.)  Of  this  committee  Adams 
was  not  a  member,  for  he  had  taken  his  leave  Dec.  9.  Adams  seems  to  have  confused 
the  creation  of  the  new  committee,  Dec.  14,  with  the  filling  of  vacancies.  Mar.  6,  1776. 
Moreover,  he  is  in  error  in  suggesting  that  he  was  absent  when  these  vacancies  were 
filled;  he  had  returned  to  Congress  Feb.  9.  John  Langdon  was  a  member  with  Adams 
of  the  earlier  naval  committee  (he  was  appointed  Oct.  13,  1775).  but  was  not  a  member 
of  the  standing  marine  committee. 

[428]  1  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 

2  A  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  was  presented 
to  Congress  Apr.  8.  See  also  the  Journals,  June  23,  25,  28,  30,  and  nos.  431,  445,  453, 
464,  465,  524,  526,  532,  533,  post.  Concerning  the  New  York  letters,  see  the  Journals, 
Apr.  7,  and  cf.  no.  406,  ante,  and  nos.  431,  445,  453,  464,  465,  524,  526,  532,  534,  post. 

3  See  nos.  366,  367,  371,  376,  386,  390.  395,  403,  404,  407,  ante. 
[429]!  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway  Branch,  Rush  MSS. 


320  Continental  Congress 

sif^iiinp,  and  rcco<^ni/iii<^  of  the  declaration  of  iiidepciulance  preserved  the 
congress  from  a  dissolution  in  Dccenir  1776  when  Howe  marched  to  the 
Delaware.  Maryland  had  instructed  her  delegates  to  concur  in  an  accom- 
modation notwithstanding  any  measure  (meaning  independance)  to  the 
contrary.  But  further  tlie  declaration  of  independance  produced  a  seces- 
sion of  tories — timid — moderate  and  double  minded  men  from  the  coun- 
sels of  america  in  conseciuencc  of  wliich  the  congress  as  well  as  each  of  the 
States  have  possessed  ten  times  the  Vigor  and  Strength  they  had  formerly. 

April  8,  1777. 


430.  Thomas  Burke,  Abstract  of  Debates.' 

[April  8,  1777.] 

Motion  from  Pennsylvania  for  recommendation  to  Governor  of  Jersey 
to  excuse  40  persons  employed  by  Pennsylva.  in  saltworks  in  the  Jersey, 
proposed  by  North  Carolina  to  ammend  by  adding  if  not  Inconsistent  with 
their  Laws,    after  much  debate  the  amendment  was  agreed  to.^ 


431.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia  April  9th.  1777 
Sir, 

Capt.  Niles  ^  of  the  Spy  was  here  last  Saturday  he  said  That  there  wero 
a  number  of  the  Enemy's  Ships  of  War  in  Chesepeak  Bay  so  that  he  could 
not  go  to  Virginia  That  he  wanted  750  Dollars  toward  paying  for  a 
Cargo  of  Flour  which  he  had  purchased  upon  w^hich  I  moved  Congress 
to  advance  to  the  State  of  Connecticut  one  thousand  Dollars  which  was 
Granted,  and  I  delivered  750  of  them  to  Captain  Niles  and  he  drew  a  Bill 
on  your  Honr.  for  payment  the  whole  is  Charged  to  the  State  and  I  must 
ansr.  for  it  when  I  return  home.^  Nothing  very  material  has  occurred 
here  since  my  last.  Congress  has  passed  some  Resolutions  for  regulating 
a  Hospital  in  the  xA-rmy  which  will  be  published  in  the  News  Papers.*    All 

[430]!  N.Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1162. 

2  This  paragraph  in  the  manuscript  follows  immediately  after  the  abstract 
printed  under  Mar.  14,  ante,  and  is  without  distinctive  date.    See  the  Journals,  Apr.  8. 

[431]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib..  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1564,  Declaration  of  Lidependence ;  Library 
of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Trumbull,  VL  73. 

2  Robert  Niles.  In  regard  to  the  Spy,  see  Paullin,  The  Navy  of  the  American 
Revolution,  pp.  356,  357,  368,  370. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  5. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  27,  Mar.  22,  24,  27,  Apr.  2,  4,  5,  7-9,  11,  12.  Matthew 
Thornton  of  the  medical  committee  wrote  to  Dr.  Jonathan  Potts,  Apr.  12 :  "  Congress 
have  just  finished  a  new  plan  and  arrangement  of  the  medical  department  in  the  Army. 
It  is  ordered  to  be  published  immediately.  As  you  will  soon  be  possessed  of  the 
whole  plan,  we  shall  only  inform  you  at  present,  that  your  appointment  of  Director  of 


April,  777/  821 

the  States  are  now  Represented,''  and  next  Monday  is  assigned  for  con- 
sidering the  Articles  of  Confederation."  I  wish  there  was  a  more  full 
representation  from  our  state.'' ....  I  received  a  Letter  from  a  Friend 
Yesterday  informing  me  that  the  Assembly  has  repealed  the  Law  prescrib- 
ing an  Oath  of  Fidelity  which  I  was  very  sorry  to  hear.  I  expect  a  recom- 
mendation will  soon  be  made  by  Congress  to  all  the  States  to  administer 
an  Oath  not  only  to  the  Officers  and  Electors,  but  to  all  Suspected  persons 
as  a  Test,  to  discriminate  between  Friends  and  foes.®  I  esteem  our  internal 
enemies  much  the  most  dangerous.  The  people  on  the  New  Hampshire 
Grants  have  Petitioned  Congress  to  be  acknowedged  an  Independent 
State,  and  admited  to  send  Delegates  to  Congress.  The  Convention  of 
New  York  has  also  remonstrated  against  their  proceedings  requesting 
Congress  to  interpose  for  preventing  the  defection  of  the  people  on  the 
Grants  from  that  State.    Nothing  has  been  yet  acted  on  the  afifair.® .... 

the  northern  department  is  renewed As  handsome   sallaries  are  now  allowed, 

we  expect  none  but  persons  of  the  best  abilities  will  be  employed  or  suffered  to  remain  in 
your  service  as  Hospital  or  regimental  Surgeons,  and  that  you  will  strictly  superintend 
every  branch  of  the  medical  department  under  your  charge."  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Potts 
Papers.  I.  mg.  See  also  no.  376,  ante,  no.  442,  post,  and  Burke  to  Caswell,  May  23, 
N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  476. 

The  movement  toward  a  reform  of  the  medical  department  began  with  the  criticisms 
of  Doctors  Morgan  and  Stringer  and  their  dismission  by  Congress.  See  the  Journals, 
Jan.  9,  and  no.  298.  ante.  The  Journals  evidently  fail  to  record  some  of  the  essential 
stages  in  the  progress  of  the  measure.  On  Feb.  27  the  medical  committee,  "  to  whom 
the  report  on  the  hospital  was  re-committed  ",  reported  a  measure,  apparently  drawn  by 
Benjamin  Rush,  which  is  printed  in  the  Journals  under  that  date.  The  immediate  origin 
of  this  report  was  a  plan  prepared  by  Doctors  Shippen  and  Cochran  and  transmitted 
to  Congress  by  General  Washington  in  a  letter  of  Feb.  14,  received  by  Congress  Feb.  20, 
and  referred  to  the  medical  committee.  When  a  report  of  the  committee  was  recom- 
mitted the  Journals  do  not  show.  Probably  the  report  of  the  medical  committee  Feb. 
14,  which  was  laid  on  the  table,  "  to  be  taken  into  consideration  tomorrow ",  was  a 
report  on  the  hospital.  The  report  of  Feb.  27,  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table,  was  taken  into 
consideration  Mar.  22,  and  recommitted.  Mar.  24  a  new  plan  was  brought  in.  John 
Adams  wrote  to  John  Avery,  jr.,  Mar.  21:  "We  are  making  every  regulation  in  our 
power  in  the  medical  department"   (Works,  IX.  458). 

5  "  Congress  is  now  full.  Every  one  of  the  thirteen  States  has  a  representation 
in  it,  which  has  not  happened  before  in  a  long  time."  John  Adams  to  his  wife,  Apr.  11 
(postscript  to  letter  of  Apr.  8),  Familiar  Letters,  p.  256. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  8.  So  far  as  the  Journals  record,  however,  the  con- 
sideration of  the  Articles  of  Confederation  was  not  taken  up  until  Apr.  21.  See  nos. 
434,  442,  462,  465,  post. 

7  See  Sherman  to  Trumbull,  Mar.  21,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser., 
II.  35.  Sherman's  colleague,  Oliver  Wolcott,  who  had  much  of  the  time  of  late  been 
the  sole  delegate  from  Connecticut,  was  endeavoring  to  prevail  on  other  delegates  to 
come  that  he  might  return  home.  Mar.  22  he  wrote  to  his  wife  that  Governor  Trumbull 
had  twice  signified  lately  that  Dyer  and  Williams  were  coming,  and  he  presumed  those 
gentlemen  were  in  earnest  (Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  II.  36).  Apr.  9 
(the  same  day  on  which  Sherman's  letter  was  written)  he  wrote :  "  It  is  said  that  Col. 
Dyer  and  Williams  will  soon  be  here  if  so  my  continuance  will  not  be  supposed  neces- 
sary and  I  shall  therefore  consider  it  as  merely  Optionable  and  shall  do  what  I  judge 
may  be  proper."    (Ibid.,  II.  41.)    Cf.  no.  442,  post. 

®  See  a  report  of  the  board  of  war  in  the  Journals,  June  9.  The  agitation  of  this 
question  probably  has  a  connection  with  Washington's  proclamation  of  Jan.  25.  See 
the  Journals,  Feb.  6,  27,  and  no.  347,  ante.  Cf.  the  Journals,  Mar.  9,  1776,  and  the 
letter  of  the  New  York  delegates,  Mar.  15,  1776,  in  vol.  I.  of  these  Letters,  no.  522. 

'  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  7,  8,  June  23,  25,  28,  30,  and  no.  428,  note  3,  ante. 


322  Continental  Congress 

432.  Committee  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.' 

Philadelphia  April  10,  1777 

In  obedience  to  an  order  of  Congress  *  we  inform  your  Excellency  of 
the  reasons  and  principles  that  have  governed  Congress  in  their  resolu- 
tion for  forming  a  Camp  on  the  West  side  of  Delaware.  The  repeated 
information  that  hath  been  received  of  the  Enemies  movements  and  it 
being  the  opinion  of  your  Excellency  as  well  as  of  many  other  General 
Officers  that  this  City  was  the  Object  of  such  Movements,  rendered  it 
proper  that  means  should  be  fallen  upon  to  prevent  the  success  of  such  a 
design,  as  well  to  guard  against  the  bad  impression  that  it  would  certainly 
have  on  the  affairs  of  America  in  general,  as  to  give  security  to  the  valu- 
able Stores  here  collected,  and  which  cannot  speedily  be  removed.  It  has 
been  considered,  that  if  the  real  Object  of  the  enemy  should  be  this  City, 
the  Troops  are  here  well  fixed,  and  will  be  an  encouraging  place  of  resort 
to  the  Militia  of  this  State,  in  their  present  unfixt  condition,  being  between 
their  old  plan  of  Association,  and  their  new  but  yet  unexecuted  Law.  On 
the  other  hand,  should  the  design  of  the  enemy  be  upon  Hudsons  river  or 
more  Eastward,  the  Troops  here  may  with  ease  reach  that  river  before 
those,  now  at  Head  Quarters,  can  have  all  crossed  it.  But  another  con- 
sideration remains,  and  that  is.  should  the  enemy  propose  to  remain  in 
Jersey  to  attack  your  Army,  or  should  your  Excellency  mean  to  make  a 
dicisive  impression  on  them  when  your  numbers  are  sufficient,  in  either 
of  these  suppositions,  the  Troops  ought  not  to  be  here. 

In  the  whole  of  this  business.  Congress  mean  not  in  any  manner  to  inter- 
fere with  the  designs,  or  to  counter  act  the  judgment  of  your  Excellency, 
but  wish  you  freely  to  call  up  to  Head  Quarters,  all.  or  any  part  of  the 
Troops  encampt  here  as  you  shall  please.  It  is  not  supposed  that  this  will 
occasion  any  delay,  and  will  certainly  prevent  the  injuries  that  would  be 
derived  to  the  Troops,  as  well  in  health  as  dicipline  from  their  entering 
and  remaining  any  time  in  this  City. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be  etc' 

433.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  10  April  1777 
My  dear  General 

The  resolves  of  Congress  that  you  will  receive  by  this  Messenger,^  you 
may  be  assured  are  not  intended,  by  any  means,  to  obstruct  your  views  a 

[^■^2^  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  270;  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee 
Papers,  vol.  I.,  p.  293. 

2  A  committee  was  appointed  Apr.  9,  to  consider  what  steps  should  be  taken 
for  opposing  the  enemy  in  case  they  should  attempt  to  penetrate  New  Jersey  or 
attack  Philadelphia.  The  committee  brought  in  its  report  Apr.  10.  certain  resolves  were 
passed,  and  the  same  committee  was  then  instructed  to  bring  in  a  draft  of  a  letter  to 
General  Washington  explaining  the  particular  reasons  which  induced  Congress  to  pass 
those  resolutions.     Cf.  nos.  433,  440,  445,  453,  455,  464,  post. 

3  The  committee  consisted  of  James  Wilson,  George  Qymer,  Richard  Henry 
Lee.  Abraham  Clark,  and  John  Adams. 

[433]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIV.  237;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.   Sparks),  I.  366;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee   (ed.   Ballagh),  L  272. 
2  See  nos.  432,  ante,  440,  445,  453,  455.  464,  post. 


April,  7777  323 

single  moment.  If  your  judgment  should  incline  you  to  think,  that  the 
Troops  had  better  march  to  Head  Quarters  quick  as  possible,  you  have 
only  so  to  order  it,  and  it  will  give  pleasure  to  every  good  man  here.  The 
business  of  speedily  reenforcing  you  will  not  be  obstructed,  but  accelirated, 
because  they  now  enter  the  City,  where  every  days  stay  is  30  days  injury 
to  the  great  purpose  of  strengthening  your  hands.  And  should  the 
enemy  destine  here,  something  like  a  Military  collection  may  produce  a 
greater  resort.  If  you  will  indulge  my  conjecture,  I  think  they  cannot 
purpose  coming  here,  because  the  water  securities  against  such  a  plan  are 
realy  formidable,  and  the  situation  of  the  land,  where  the  water  obstruc- 
tions are  fixed,  is  such,  that  great  delay,  and  probable  ruin  forbids  the 
enterprise,  as  they  cannot  so  fix  land  Batteries  as  to  remove  the  strong 
Vessels  that  protect  the  cheveaux  dc  frise,  added  to  the  numerous  fire 
rafts  and  Fire  Ships  that  in  a  narrow  water  with  strong  current  may 
destroy  their  Fleet 

434.  James  Sykes  to  George  Read.^ 

Philadelphia,  April  loth,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

Yesterday  it  was  agreed  in  Congress  that  the  subject  of  the  Articles  of 
Confederacy  should  be  taken  up  on  Monday  next,  and  that  two  days  in 
each  week  should  be  employed  therein,  until  that  work  should  be  com- 
pleted.^ As  this  is  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance,  it  is  certainly  neces- 
sary that  our  State  should  be  fully  represented,  especially  as  I  am  by  no 
means  competent  to  the  task.  I  therefore  most  ardently  wish  you  would 
give  your  attendance  in  Congress,  and  beg  you  would  write  to  Mr.  Van 
Dyke,  pressing  his  immediate  repair  hither.  I  am  in  a  most  disagreeable 
situation,  a  stranger  to  every  person,  unable  to  speak  my  sentiments  in 
Congress,  and  no  colleague  to  confer  with  on  any  subject  that  may  con- 
cern our  State.  There  has  already  a  matter  been  determined  which,  I  am 
afraid,  will  throw  the  whole  county  of  Sussex  into  confusion  and  disorder: 
I  think  it  is  the  report  from  the  Board  of  War  that  an  independent  com- 
pany shall  be  raised  in  that  county,  to  be  stationed  at  Lewistown,  that 
Harry  Fisher  shall  have  the  command;  [and]  if  he  refuse,  he  shall  have 
at  least  the  appointment  of  the  subaltern  officers.  This  was  brought  in 
immediately  on  my  taking  my  seat  in  Congress,  and  though  I  utterly  dis- 
approved the  measure,  as  far  as  respected  Fisher,  I  could  not  open  my 
mouth  in  objection.^  This,  sir,  shows  the  necessity  of  some  person  being 
here  who  has  the  inclination  and  power  to  object  to  and  show  the  im- 

[434]  1  Read,  Life  of  Read,  p.  261. 

2  This  action  was  taken  Apr.  8,  not  Apr.  9.  Cf.  no.  431,  ante;  also  nos.  442,  462, 
465,  488,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,^  Apr.  4.  Sykes  was  appointed  on  a  committee  Apr.  18,  after 
which  the  Journals  contain  no  further  record  of  him.  Read  appears  to  have  made  an 
effort  in  December  to  prevail  upon  him  to  give  his  attendance  again  in  Congress  (see 
Life  of  Read,  pp.  263,  287),  but  there  is  no  record  that  he  ever  showed  his  face  there 
again.  In  regard  to  Henry  Fisher,  see  the  letter  of  George  Read  to  Robert  Morris, 
Nov.  5,  1776,  mentioned  under  no.  192,  note  2,  ante. 


324  Continental  Congress 

propriety  of  such  appointments.     1  am  totally  unfit  for  it,  and  am  miser- 
able on  tiie  occasion. 

From  what  we  hear  from  hea(l-(|uarters  it  seems  to  be  the  prevailing 
opinion  that  the  enemy  intend  to  [move]  to  Philadelphia  in  a  very  short 
time,  tiiat  the  licet  are  comiiip^  into  the  river,  and  that  boats  are  preparing 
for  the  army  to  cross  the  same. 

I  should  be  exceedingly  sorry  to  press  you  upon  a  subject  that  I  know 
at  this  time  is  disagreeable,  I  mean  your  attendance  here ;  but  it  appears 
to  me  to  be  indispensably  necessary  to  our  State  that  you  should  be  in 
Congress:  with  respect  to  myself  it  is  so  much  so  that  without  your 
attendance  I  cannot  think  of  staying, — alone  I  will  not.  I  hope  you  will 
excuse  this  incoherent  scrawl.  Please  to  present  my  best  compliments  to 
Mrs.  Read.  It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  receive  a  line  from  you. 
I  am,  in  the  mean  time,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

James  Sykes. 
For  George  Read,  Esquire,  Wilmington, 

Favored  by  John  Evans,  Esquire. 

435.  John  Ad.\ms  to .^ 


Philadelphia  April  13,  1777 
My  dear  sir 

In  considering  a  Letter  from  the  General,  Sometime  ago,  in  the  Board 
of  War.  it  was  agreed  to  report  to  Congress  a  Resolution,  approving  of 
the  Laboratory  at  Sprin[g] field,  and  Such  a  Report  was  made,  but  upon 
some  opposition  to  it,  it  was  orderd  to  lye  on  the  Table,  where  it  has  lain 
ever  since.^  I  wmII  move  to  have  it  taken  up  and  determined.  Some 
Gentlemen  will  oppose  it,  particularly  the  President,  I  believe,  thinking 
Brookfield  the  best  Place.  I  am  not  very  clear  myself,  that  it  is  the  best, 
but  from  a  greater  Confidence  in  the  Opinion  of  General  Washington  and 
General  Knox,  than  in  my  own,  I  voted  for  it,  and  shall  continue  to  do  so.' 


436.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

April  15th  1777. 

Dr.  Sir:— 

I  am  honored  with  your  letters  of  the  i6th  and  25th  of  February,  and 
I  have  taken  the  necessary  steps  relative  to  the  warrant  on  the  Treasury, 
and  the  letters  which  were  inclosed.  Col.  Blount  has  not  yet  arrived  here, 
but  he  will  meet  with  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  money.    I  must  observe 

[435]!  Adams  MSS.,  Boston. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  20.  The  letter  of  Washington  referred  to  is  that  of 
Feb.  14,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  236,  (ed.  Sparks),  IV.  322.  Cf.  nos.  290,  300,  321, 
374,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  14,  July  17. 
[436]!  iV.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  448. 


April,  7777  325 

by  the  by  that  several  bills  from  Mr.  Treasurer  Ashe  came  to  hand  before 
your  warrant,  and  they  were  paid  on  my  giving  my  ai)probation.^ 

I  laid  the  intelligence  you  gave  me  relative  to  Indian  affairs  before  the 
Congress,  who  were  just  then  in  deliberation  on  that  subject.  Gen.  Hand, 
an  experienced  officer,  is  ordered  to  the  frontier  to  direct  the  necessary 
operations  for  their  defence.  He  has  directions  to  embody  the  militia  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  in  such  numbers  and  divisions  as  he  shall  find 
necessary,  and  to  repel,  or  invade  the  Indians  if  the  circumstances  of  the 
war  require  it.  you  will  be  startled  at  this  power :  but  it  was  given  at 
the  request  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  whose  peculiar  circumstances 
had  made  it  necessary.^  Your  vigilance,  Sir,  has  anticipated  any  measures 
necessary  for  the  security  of  our  frontiers,  and  as  I  am  better  satisfied  to 
rely  on  your  powers  for  all  the  exertions  of  our  State,  than  to  admit 
extraordinary  interpositions  ^^  of  Congress.  I  contented  myself  with  marely 
assenting  to  the  measures  recommended  by  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia, 
without  requiring  them  to  extend  to  us.  While  our  own  militia  is  to 
perform  the  services,  I  believe  it  will  be  also  agreeable  to  my  country,  as 
well  as  to  me,  that  they  should  be  under  the  command  of  their  own  officers^ 
and  under  the  direction  of  our  own  magistrates,  especially  while  your  Ex- 
cellency presides.  When  I  am  to  consent  to  the  contrary,  it  must  be  under 
express  instructions,  or  when  inevitable  and  very  sudden  necessity  allows 
no  time  to  consult,  and  no  choice  of  alternatives ;  and  even  then  I  should 
rely  on  such  circumstances  to  excuse  me  to  candid  constituents,  but  not  to 
justify  me  to  this  tribunal 

In  your  favour  of  the  i6th  you  have  prophesied  what  has  since  in  a 
great  measure  come  to  pass.  All  particular  jealousies  are  for  the  present 
laid  to  sleep,  and  long  and  uninterrupted  may  their  slumber  be.  We  are 
more  wisely  employed  in  giving  vigor  to  our  military  operations,  and  in 
correcting  abuses  in  our  department  [s] 

I  am  very  much  concerned  for  the  apprehensions  you  express  relative 
to  the  indolence  of  our  officers.  Many  abuses  are  complained  of  from 
every  quarter  in  the  recruiting  service,  and  it  is  at  length  found  to  proceed 
from  the  idea  that  the  civil  power  of  the  States  had  no  control  over  them. 
This  is  what  I  had  suggested  very  soon  after  my  arrival  at  Congress,*  but 
it  was  always  reluctantly  listened  to,  until  the  abuse  was  complained  of 
from  many  quarters,  and  attributed  to  the  same  cause.     I  brought  in  a 

2  See  the  Journals.  Feb.  5;  also  Burke  to  Caswell.  Feb.  5.  Mar.  11  (paragraphs 
omitted  from  nos.  337,  400,  ante).  Caswell's  letter  of  Feb.  16  is  in  N.  C.  State  Recs., 
XL  392.  A  letter  of  Feb.  26  (evidently  that  to  which  Burke  refers)  is  ibid.,  XI.  396. 
See  also  Caswell  to  Jacob  Blount,  Feb.  26,  ibid.,  XI.  397 ;  Caswell  to  Samuel  Johnston, 
Mar.  5,  ibid.,  XL  408;  and  Caswell  to  Burke,  Apr.  20,  ibid.,  XL  456. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  27,  Mar.  25,  Apr.  9-11.  Leading  up  to  this  action  were 
letters  of  George  Morgan,  agent  for  Indian  affairs  at  Pittsburgh,  Feb.  12,  17,  Mar. 
2,  9,  15,  24,  and  a  letter  from  Governor  Henry  of  Virginia,  Mar.  28.  See  the  Journals, 
Feb.  24,  27,  Mar.  19,  25,  Apr.  7,  8.  22,  26;  cf.  ibid.,  Jan.  6,  8.  See  also  Pa.  Arch.,  first 
ser.,  V.  258-261,  286-288,  443,  488,  528,  540,  and  no.  746,  post.  Col.  Edward  Hand 
was  made  brigadier-general  Apr.  i.  A  protest  by  a  group  of  North  Carolina  officers 
against  his  promotion  is  in  A'^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  750,  751.    See  also  ibid.,  p.  562. 

3a  The  text  in  A''.  C.  State  Recs.  reads  "  exterpositions  ".     Similarly,  a  few  lines 
below,  the  text  reads  "  alternations  "  instead  of  alternatives. 

*  Cf.   Burke's  abstract  of   debates,  Feb.  25    (no.   382,  ante). 


326  Continental  Congress 

Resolution  for  corrcctiii}^  the  abuse  through  the  interventions  of  the 
States,  and  was  very  happy  in  fintHng  no  oi)i)osition  made  on  the  old 
ground.  It  produced  a  reference  to  a  Committee,  and  the  result  was  the 
Resolutions  which  the  President  transmits  to  you,  and  of  which  the 
inclosed  is  a  copy.  I  doubt  not  your  vigorous  exertions  to  root  out  all 
the  evils  in  that  department,  which  may  be  found  in  the  State  over  which 
you  preside.  The  Resolution,  with  resi:)ect  to  servants  was  originally 
followed  by  a  clause,  requiring  compensation  to  be  made  to  owners  and 
masters ;  but  it  fell  through,  on  an  equal  division ;  those  voting  against  it, 
who  were  most  interested  in  the  affirmative.  The  day  (Viz  15th  May) 
is  not  well  calculated  for  your  State :  but  that  Resolution  is  expected  and 
intended  to  have  its  effect  in  the  States,  nearer  to  the  field  of  action,  and 
that  day  was  deemed  remote  enough  for  that  purpose.  Upon  the  whole, 
Sir,  I  hope  it  will  every  where  have  as  great  effect  as  it  can.*^  We  have 
for  a  few  days  been  alarmed  here,  tho',  I  believe  without  foundation.  No 
consternation  followed  upon  this  occasion,  but  measures  were  calmly 
taken  to  oppose  the  enemy.  The  Congress  are  sensible  of  the  impropriety 
of  their  last  flight,  and  I  believe  they  will  not  again  fall  into  the  like  error. 
I  have  added  all  in  my  power  to  confirm  them  in  this  disposition,  and  the 
timid  members  have  encountered  such  poignant  ridicule  from  many 
quarters,  that  I  believe  they  deem  the  approach  of  the  enemy  less  formid- 
able than  another  series  of  like  encounters.  I,  for  my  own  part,  intend 
to  stay  in  the  city,  and  give  my  best  assistance  for  its  defence,  unless  it 
shall  be  determined  to  abandon  it  altogether.® .... 

I  inclose  you  the  paper  of  the  last  date,  which  contains  every  intelli- 
gence I  can  give  you.  The  dispatches  from  France  mentioned  in  it  con- 
tain little  more  than  that  it  is  the  current  opinion  in  Brittain,  that  ten 
thousand  men  will  be  sent  the  ensuing  summer  against  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land, under  the  command  of  General  Burgoin.^  You  will  be  pleased  to 
excuse  any  inaccuracies  in  this  scrawl,  which  I  write  in  a  crowd  of  disput- 
ing Delegates,  in  the  Library  adjoining  the  Congress  room. 


437.  The  Massachusetts  Delegates  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  (?).^ 

[April  16  (?),  1777.] 

The  Intelligence  which  Congress  has  very  lately  receivd  of  the  Enemies 
repeated  Depredations  in  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and  Providence 
Plantations,  gave  occasion  to  the  passing  of  the  following  Resolution : ' 

s  See  the  Journals.  Apr.  12,  14.    Cf.  Burke  to  Caswell,  Apr.  i,  N.  C.  State  Recs., 

XI.  437. 

^  See  Burkes  abstract,  Feb.  26   (no.  384,  ante). 

"^  "  Last  night  two  French  Gentlemen  arrived  in  town,  who  came  passengers  in 
the  Morris.    We  hear  they  have  brought  dispatches  to  the  Congress  from  our  Ambassa- 
dors at  the  Court  of  France."    Pennsylvania  Packet,  Apr.  15.     See  nos.  439,  440,  post. 
[437]  1  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers  (draft). 

-  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  16.    Cf.  nos.  438,  442,  444,  post. 


April,  1777  327 

But  such  has  been  the  Attention  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  to  the  Safety 
of  all  these  united  States,  as  renders  it  needless  for  us  to  enlarge  upon  the 
Necessity  of  their  turning  an  immediate  Attention  to  the  Reliefe  of  one 
in  their  own  Neighborhood,  which  bears  a  large  Share  in  the  Calamities 
of  War. 

We  request  that  you  would  lay  the  Resolution  before  the  General  As- 
sembly, as  an  Apology  for  this  Letter;  for,  supposing  them  to  have  before 
this  Time  been  made  fully  acquainted  with  the  Circumstances  of  Rhode 
Island,'  we  will  not  doubt  but  they  are  taking  such  vigorous  measures  in 
consequence  as  to  superceed  all  Necessity  for  the  Resolve  which  furnishes 
this  particular  Occasion  of  our  professing  ourselves  with  much  Respect  Sir 

Your  very  humble  Servts. 

438.  John  xA.dams  to  James  Bowdoin.^ 

Philadelphia  April  16,  1777 
Sir 

....  Congress  have  this  day  passed  a  Resolution  in  the  offensive 
Stile.  The  Character  of  New  England  is  concerned  in  the  execution  of 
it.     I  hope  in  God,  that  little  Banditti  of  the  Halt  and  blind  in  Rhode 

Island  will  be  destroyed  in  all  events if  it  costs  us  Thousands  of 

Lives  it  ought  to  be  done.  But  I  believe  by  an  expedition  prudently  con- 
ducted they  may  be  driven  off  or  made  Prisoners  without  any  considerable 
Loss.^ 

439.  John  Adams  to  James  W^\rren.^ 

April  16,  1777 

An  unfortunate  Vessell  has  arrived  from  France,  the  brave  Fellow  who 
commanded  her  is  blown  to  Pieces  in  her.^  A  French  Nobleman  who 
came  in  her  got  on  Shore  and  brought  the  Letters. 

We  have  Letters  from  our  Commissioners  of  the  Sixth  of  Feby.,  much 
in  the  same  Strain  with  the  former  of  Jany.  17,  tho  not  quite  so  encourag- 
ing. They  say  there  is  an  universal  Apprehension  that  We  shall  submit. 
They  had  not  heard  of  the  Turn  of  Affairs  at  Trenton.' .... 

3  To  this  point  the  writing  is  that  of  Samuel  Adams ;  the  remainder  is  in  the 
writing  of  James  Lovell. 

[438]!  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVI.  421. 

2  See  no.  437,  ante. 
[439]^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  313. 

2  Cf.  the  letter  to  Mrs.  Adams,  Apr.  13  (Familiar  Letters,  p.  259)  ;  also  Richard 
Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry,  Apr.  15,  Letters  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  273. 

3  See  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  261-265.  Cf.  nos.  421,  422,  436,  ante,  and 
nos.  440,  470,  473,  post;  also  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren,  Apr.  17,  Warren-Adams 
Letters,  I.  314.  Although  the  letters  in  this  period  from  the  commissioners  abroad  were 
from  time  to  time  read  in  Congress,  it  was  not  yet  the  practice  to  record  the  reading  in 
the  journals. 

On  Apr.  17,  the  day  following  the  date  of  this  letter,  a  step  was  taken  toward  placing 

the  business  of  this  correspondence  on  a  better  basis,  the  name  of  the  committee  of 

secret  correspondence  being   changed   to  committee  of   foreign   affairs.     At  the   same 

time  a  secretary  to  the  committee  was  chosen  in  the  person  of  Thomas  Paine,  who 

26 


328  Continental  Coni^ress 

440.  Richard  Hknky  Lee  to  George  Washington.* 

[April  16  (?),  1777.] 

Your  letter  to  the  Committee  was  immediately  laid  before  Congress,' 
and  in  consequence  thereof  Gen.  Schuyler  was  ordered  to  carry  your  ideas 
into  execution  with  all  possible  dispatch.  The  Troops  are  therefore 
ordered  to  Bristol  without  delay,  and  thither  will  go  all  such  as  come 
from  the  Southward.  You  have  only  to  order  them  from  Bristol  to  Head 
Quarters  at  your  pleasure.  The  inclosures  now  sent  are  from  France  by 
the  last  Ship.^ .... 


441.  Francis  Lewis  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 

Convention.^ 

Sir 

....  Yesterday  Mr.  Phil.  Livingston  sliew'd  me  Resolves  of  the 
Honble  Convention,  dated  29th  Ulto.  requesting  my  attendance  at  their 
Board  to  which  I  shall  pay  due  regard,  but  it  will  be  out  of  my  power  to 
proceed  for  Kingston  immediately,  for  the  reasons  communicated  to  your 
Committee  of  Correspondence  and  to  which  beg  your  refference,^  besides 

had  drawn  attention  to  himself  by  his  pamphlet  Common  Sense.  Following  an  account 
of  the  appearance  of  Paine's  pamphlet  and  a  discussion  of  its  effect,  John  Adams 
relates  in  his  Autobiography  (Works,  II.  509)  something  of  the  circumstances  of  his 
appointment : 

"  Notwithstanding  these  doubts,  I  felt  myself  obliged  to  Paine  for  the  pains  he  had 
taken,  and  for  his  good  intentions  to  serve  us,  which  I  then  had  no  doubt  of.  I  saw 
he  had  a  capacity  and  a  ready  pen ;  and,  understanding  he  was  poor  and  destitute,  I 
thought  we  might  put  him  into  some  employment  where  he  might  be  useful  and  earn 
a  living.  Congress  appointed  a  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs,  not  long  after,  and  they 
wanted  a  clerk.  I  nominated  Thomas  Paine,  supposing  him  a  ready  writer  and  an 
industrious  man.  Dr.  Witherspoon,  the  President  of  New  Jersey  College,  and  then 
a  delegate  from  that  State,  rose  and  objected  to  it  with  an  earnestness  that  surprised 
me.  The  Doctor  said  he  would  give  his  reasons ;  he  knew  the  man  and  his  communica- 
tion ;  when  he  first  came  over,  he  was  on  the  other  side,  and  had  written  pieces  against 
the  American  cause;  that  he  had  afterwards  been  employed  by  his  friend,  Robert 
Aitkin,  and  finding  the  tide  of  popularity  run  rapidly,  he  had  turned  about ;  that  he  was 
very  intemperate,  and  could  not  write  until  he  had  quickened  his  thoughts  with  large 
draughts  of  rum  and  water;  that  he  was,  in  short,  a  bad  character,  and  not  fit  to  be 
placed  in  such  a  situation.  General  Roberdeau  spoke  in  his  favor ;  no  one  confirmed 
Witherspoon's  account,  though  the  truth  of  it  has  since  been  sufficiently  established. 
Congress  appointed  him ;  but  he  w-as  soon  obnoxious  by  his  manners,  and  dismissed." 
(See  the  Journals,  Jan.  6-8,  9,  11,  12,  16,  1779.) 

[440]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XX.  328;  Letters  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  276. 

-  The  committee  referred  to,  consisting  of  Wilson.  Qymer,  Lee,  Clark,  and 
John  .A.dams,  was  appointed  Apr.  9  (see  also  the  Journals,  Apr.  10).  Washington's 
letter,  dated  Apr.  12  (Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington),  was  read  in 
Congress  Apr.  16.  Cf.  his  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  Apr.  12,  Writings  (ed. 
Ford),  V.  321.    See  nos.  432.  433,  ante,  and  nos.  445,  453,  455,  464,  post. 

3  The  enclosures  included  extracts  from  letters  of  Arthur  Lee  to  the  committee 
of  secret  correspondence,  Feb.  11,  14  (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  266,  270).  See 
nos.  436,  439.  ante. 

l44i]i  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  X.  loi ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  425. 

2  The  letter  referred  to  is  dated  Apr.  16,  and  is  addressed  to  Robert  R.  Livingston 
and  William  Allison  {Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  424)  :    ''  As  I  left  my  baggage  at 


April,  7/77  329 

some  matters  of  moment  in  Committees  of  which  I  am  a  member  that 
requires  my  attendence  for  a  few  days.*  these  necessary  requisitions 
compleated,  I  shall  be  as  expeditious  as  possible  in  my  attendance  upon 
the  Honble.  Board. 

Phila.  17th.  April  1777. 
The  Honble  Abm.  Ten  Broeck  Esqr 


442.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia  April  17th.  1777 
Sir 

Congress  is  desirous  if  possible  to  Subdue  the  Enemy  that  are  in  this 
Country  before  a  reinforcement  can  Arrive,  the  Small  pox  has  greatly 
retarded  the  recruits  Joyning  the  Army.  We  had  information  some  time 
ago  that  preparations  were  making  to  attack  the  Enemy  on  Rhode  Island 
and  dislodge  them,  why  it  has  not  been  executed  we  have  not  been 
informed.^ .... 

The  Enclosed  News  Paper  contains  a  list  of  Surgeons  and  Physicians 
appointed  for  the  Hospitals,  among  whom  is  Doctr.  Phillip  Turner; 
Doctr.  Foster  gives  him  a  very  good  Character  in  a  letter  to  a  member 
of  Congress — Your  Honr.  will  have  a  Copy  of  the  regulations  of  the 
Hospitals  and  the  Pay  of  the  persons  to  be  Employed  in  the  public  Papers. 
The  pay  I  think  is  very  high,  but  Physicians  in  the  Southern  States  are 
used  to  high  Pay  ^ 

....  I  wish  some  of  the  other  Delegates  of  Connecticut  would  attend 
Congress,  the  Confederation  will  be  entered  on  Next  Monday  and 
finished  as  soon  as  possible.*  I  write  in  haste  as  the  Honble.  Mr.  Collens 
of  Rhode  Island  by  whom  I  send  this  waits. 

Baltimore,  and  having  also  other  business  to  transact  there,  relative  to  the  Montgomery's 
prizes,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  go  to  Baltimore  previous  to  my  attending  the  Convention." 
(See  ibid.,  I.  902.)  The  Montgomery  was  a  New  York  vessel  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  William  Rogers.  Lewis  adds:  "The  brigantine  with  salt,  (one  of  Capt.  Rogers' 
prizes,)  was  at  Baltimore  acquitted  by  a  jury.  I  have  appealed  from  their  verdict  to 
Congress,  but  have  not  yet  been  furnished  with  proper  papers  from  Baltimore  to 
proceed."  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  24,  June  24;  also  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  411,  414, 
680,  803,  805,  845,  858,  915,  955,  991,  992,  1901.    Cf.  no.  402,  ante. 

The  resolution  of  the  New  York  convention.  Mar.  29,  to  which  Lewis  refers,  requested 
the  attendance  upon  the  convention  not  only  of  Francis  Lewis  but  also  of  Lewis  Morris 
and  William  Floyd.  At  the  same  time  Philip  Livingston  and  James  Duane  were  directed 
to  repair  to  Congress,  and  William  Duer  was  chosen  a  delegate  to  that  body  (Jour.  N.  Y. 
Prov.  Cong.,  I.  855;  cf.  Morris  to  Ten  Broeck,  Apr.  19,  ibid.,  II.  435).  The  Journals 
do  not  however  show  that  Floyd  was  at  this  time  in  attendance  at  Congress. 

2  Lewis  was  a  member  of  the  following  standing  committees :    medical,  secret 
(afterward  the  commercial),  and  marine. 

[442]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Conarroe  Coll.,  I.  13;  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans., 
Trumbull,  VL  77;  Brotherhead,  Book  of  the  Signers  (1861),  p.  75;  Pa.  Mag.  of  Hist, 
and  Biog.,  XL.  488. 

2  Sherman  here  summarizes  the  resolution  of  Apr.  16.     Cf.  nos.  437,  438,  ante, 
and  no.  444,  post. 

3  Cf.  no.  431,  note  4,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  8,  21.    Cf.  nos.  431,  434,  ante,  and  nos.  462,  465,  post. 


330  Continental  Congress 

443.   Benjamin  Rumsey  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 

(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.)-^ 

Dear  Sir 

Mr.  Morris  to  Day  put  into  my  Hands  your  Lre.  to  him  of  the  1st.  of 
April  in  which  You  express  the  general  Sense  that  prevailed  in  the  State 
of  Maryland  respectinj;^  the  leaving  a  Battallion  in  Somersett  County,  that 
it  would  conduce  much  to  the  general  Interest  would  keep  the  three  Coun- 
ties inclined  to  Toryism  in  Order  and  eventually  save  the  Effusion  of 
much  Blood  as  well  as  a  heavy  Expcncc. 

I  moved  in  Consequence  thereof  that  Genl.  Smallwood  should  be 
ordered  to  station  a  Battallion  there  to  be  under  the  Direction  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Power  of  the  State  of  Maryland  untill  removed  or  otherwise 
ordered  by  Congress. 

On  Debate  the  Sense  of  the  House  seemed  to  be  that  None  of  the 
Troops  already  raised  could  be  spared  but  that  a  new  Battallion  might  be 
raised  on  continental  Pay  and  Expence  for  that  Purpose  and  have  directed 
a  Comittee  to  bring  in  a  Report  on  the  Subject  composed  of  Colo  Duer 
Colo  Wilson  Mr.  S.  Adams  and  myself,  when  a  Report  is  made  and  any 
Step  taken  in  Consequence  thereof  I  shall  do  myself  the  Honour  to  write 
to  you  on  the  Subject.^ 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be,  Dr.  Sir 

your  most  hu.  Servt. 

Benjamin  Rumsey 

17th  April,  1777  PlIILADA. 


444.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Phila.,  April  17,  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  I  have  been  always  of  Opinion,  that  we  must  depend  upon  our 
own  Efforts  under  God  for  the  Establishment  of  our  Liberties.  When  it 
suits  the  interest  of  foreign  Powers  they  will  aid  us  substantially.  That 
some  of  them  will  find  it  their  Interest  to  aid  us  I  can  hardly  doubt  but 
there  seems  not  to  be  Virtue  enough  left  in  the  world  from  generous  and 
disinterested  Motives  to  interpose  in  Support  of  the  Common  Rights  of 
Mankind 

I  wish  the  Nest  of  Hornets  on  Rhode  Island  had  been  before  now 
destroyd.  I  expected  it  would  have  been  done.  I  have  been  informd 
of  the  Reason  why  it  was  not  done.  The  Congress  have  now  recom- 
mended it  to  the  States  of  M[assachusetts]  B[ay],  C[onnecticut]  and 
R[hode]  I[sland],  to  call  forth  their  Militia  for  that  Purpose  and  have 
directed  Genl.  Washington  to  send  a  suitable  Officer  to  take  the  Com- 

[443]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book.  IV.  71;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  217. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  17,  19;  cf.  ibid.,  Jan.  31,  Feb.  i,  4,  6,  10,  12,  17,  Mar. 
24,  and  nos.  335,  341,  347,  ante.  See  also  nos.  463,  469,  post,  and  Arch,  of  Md.,  XL  221, 
222,  225,  227,  228,  242,  and  passim  (index,  Somerset  County,  Worcester  County). 

[444]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  314. 


April,  1777  ^31 

mand.^  I  hope  it  will  now  be  done.  It  is  certainly  wise  to  conquer  our 
Enemies  in  Detail  before  their  Reinforcements  can  arrive.  I  fear  N.E. 
will  be  chargd  with  the  Loss  of  her  former  military  Pride  if  it  is  not  done. 
I  have  been  sanguine  in  urging  it  here  and  have  almost  pawnd  my  Reputa- 
tion on  the  Success  of  the  Undertaking  as  well  as  the  Valor  of  my 
Countrymen.  I  wish  for  more  of  an  enterprizing  Spirit  and  shall  feel 
myself  happy  in  the  Revival  of  such  a  Spirit  in  New  England 

445.  William  Duer  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention   (Abraham  Ten  Broeck).^ 

Philadelphia  April  17th  1777 

Sir 

The  Letter  from  the  Convention  relative  to  the  Insurgents  in 

the  North  Eastern  Parts  of  the  State,  transmitted  to  Mr.  Lewis  Morris 

before  my  arrival  has  been  read  in  Congress ;  but  as  I  expected  daily  the 

arrival  of  Mr.  Duane  and  Mr.  Livingston  I  thought  it  most  prudent  to 

get  the  Consideration  postponed,  to  which  Congress  acceded. 

The  Deputies  from  New  Connecticut  are  now  in  Town,  and  have 
presented  to  Congress  a  Memorial,  a  Copy  of  which  I  shall  do  myself  the 
Honor  to  transmit  you  in  a  Day  or  two.  I  can  by  no  Means  think  that 
this  Attempt  to  dismember  our  State  will  be  countenanced  by  Congress, 
tho',  I  am  sorry  to  say  that,  I  can  very  easily  perceive  that  Individuals 
from  the  Eastern  States  mean  to  support  Messrs.  Aliens  in  their  extrava- 
gant Pretensions.  I  flatter  myself  however  that  with  the  Assistance  of 
my  Colleagues,  I  shall  procure  such  Resolutions  passed  as  will  reprobate 
their  Proceedings  and  oblige  the  revolted  Subjects  to  render  a  due  obedi- 
ence to  the  Laws  of  the  State.^ 

I  am  extremely  sorry  to  inform  you  that  notwithstanding  the  Invasion 
which  threatens  this  City,  a  Langour  prevails  amongst  the  Inhabitants  of 
almost  all  Ranks.  The  Disputes  about  their  Constitution,  and  a  Want  of 
vigilance  and  Vigour  in  detecting  and  defeating  the  Designs  of  the  dis- 
affected have  given  the  Malignants  a  dangerous  ascendancy.  The  Depre- 
ciation of  the  Continental  Money  is  astonishingly  rapid,  and  I  see  with 
Concern  that  no  attempts  are  made  to  check  so  fatal  a  Measure.  You 
will  observe  by  the  inclosed  Resolution  of  Congress  of  the  14th  and  15th 
April,  that  they  have  been  under  the  necessity  of  supplying  an  executive 
authority  in  this  State.  By  the  Recess  of  the  Supreme  Executive  Council, 
there  was  an  absolute  Interregnum,  and  if  Congress  had  not  interposed, 
this  State  would  have  fallen  an  easy  prey  to  a  very  small  Body  of  the 
Enemy's  army.  It  is  to  be  hoped  however  that  the  authority  now  estab- 
lished will  exert  itself  with  Vigour,  and  that  a  little  Quackery  will  save  a 

2  a.  nos.  437,  438,  442,  ante. 
[445]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  X.  51 ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  418. 
2  See  nos.  428,  431,  ante,  and  no.  453,  post. 


332  Continental  Congress 

powerful  State  wliich  inust  have  fallen  a  Sacritice  to  a  speculative  System 
of  politicks." .... 

The  slow  progress  made  in  the  Recruiting  Business,  notwithstanding 
the  favorable  Accounts  which  were  at  first  circulated,  has  at  length  roused 
Congress,  and  they  have  entered  into  sundry  Resolutions,  for  compleating 
the  Battalions,  which  I  have  the  Honor  to  transmit.*  It  is  with  pleasure 
that  I  consider  that  the  State,  to  which  I  have  the  Honor  to  belong,  has 
pointed  out  to  Congress  the  most  eligible  and  effectual  Mode  of  completing 
the  army."  Would  to  Heaven  that  the  Spirit  and  activity,  which  has  of 
late  animated  the  Councils  of  the  State  of  New  York  would  diffuse  itself 
throughout  the  other  States !  A  portion  of  their  Electrical  Fire  is  certainly 
wanting.  Without  it,  should  the  Enemy  receive  a  timely  Reinforcement 
and  shew  the  least  Spirit  of  Enterprize,  our  affairs  must  inevitably  suffer. 
....  Mr.  Duane  and  Mr.  Livingston,  who  arrived  here  yesterday,  desire 
me  to  tender  their  respects  to  the  Convention. 

"  .-K  committee  was  appointed  Apr.  9  to  consider  the  steps  necessary  to  be  taken 
to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  it  was  instructed  to  confer  with  the  executive  powers  of 
Pennsylvania.  This  committee  made  its  report  Apr.  10.  Apr.  11  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  take  measures,  in  conjunction  with  the  board  of  war  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
prevent  the  provisions  in  Philadelphia  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  This 
committee,  consisting  of  William  Duer,  Samuel  Adams,  and  Abraham  Clark,  made  a 
report,  Apr.  14,  which  relates,  not  to  provisions  in  Philadelphia,  but  to  executive  authority 
in  the  state.  In  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  this  committee  another  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  confer  on  the  subject  with  the  supreme  executive  council  of  the 
state.  The  latter  committee  consisted  of  Samuel  Adams,  William  Duer,  and  Richard 
Henry  Lee ;  that  is,  the  membership  was  the  same  as  that  of  the  preceding  committee, 
except  that  Richard  Henry  Lee  took  the  place  of  Clark  and  that  Samuel  Adams  was 
chairman  instead  of  Duer.  This  committee  held  the  conference  Apr.  15  and  made  its 
report  to  Congress  the  same  day. 

An  extract  from  the  minutes  of  Apr.  15,  printed  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  311,  con- 
tains, besides  a  few  minor  variations  from  the  journal  record,  the  following  minutes 
not  found  in  the  Journals: 

"  That  a  Conference  agreeable  to  the  order  of  Congress,  hcis  been  held,  when  the 
following  Gentlemen  were  present : 

"  His  Excellency  Thomas  Wharton,  jun.  Esquire,  President  of  the  Supreme  Executive 
Council. 

"  Board  of  War.  Owen  Biddle,  Esq.,  Chairman,  Joseph  Dean,  Richard  Bache,  John 
Shee. 

"  Delegates  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  in  Congress.  Robert  Morris,  James  Wilson, 
Daniel  Roberdeau.  George  Clymer,  Esquires. 

"  Committee  of  Congress.    Mr.  Samuel  Adams,  Mr.  Richard  H.  Lee,  Mr.  Duer." 

In  the  first  paragraph  of  the  committee's  report  as  printed  in  the  Journals  (Apr.  15, 
p.  268)  an  "and"  is  erroneously  bracketed  in  the  clause:  "at  the  particular  instance 
and  request  of  the  president  [and]  of  the  supreme  executive  council ".  The  meaning 
is  that  the  request  came  from  the  president  of  the  supreme  executive  coimcil  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  committee  appointed  (Apr.  9)  to  confer  with  the  board  of  war  of 
Pennsylvania  speaks,  in  the  preamble  of  its  report  (Apr.  14,  p.  263),  of  "  the  adjournment 
of  the  legislative  and  executive  authority  of  the  commonwealth  ",  and  the  committee 
which  was  appointed  Apr.  14  and  reported  Apr.  15  was  "  to  confer  with  the  president 
of  the  supreme  executive  coimcil,  with  such  other  members  of  the  said  council  as  can 
be  convened  ",  etc.  The  record  of  the  conference  quoted  above  shows  that  of  the  council 
only  the  president  attended  the  conference.  What  appears  to  be  a  draft  of  a  letter 
from  President  Wharton  to  some  members  of  the  council  requesting  their  attendance 
at  the  conference  is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  312.  Cf.  nos.  432.  433.  440,  ante,  453,  455, 
464,  post.    See  also  Duer's  statement,  Mar.  9,  1779,  in  vol.  III.  of  these  Letters. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  12,  14,  and  cf.  no.  436,  ante.    The  reply  to  this  letter, 
dated  Apr.  25,  is  in  Col.  X.  Y.  Hist.  MSS.:  Rev.  Papers,  II.  96. 
5  Cf.   no.  451,   post. 


April,  7777  333 

446.  George  Walton  to  Lachlan  McIntosii/ 

[April  18,  1777.] 

....  In  Congress  your  name  has  never  been  mentioned  but  as  their 
Officer  in  general  terms  with  others.  Your  enemys  have  not  dared  to 
impeach  you  before  that  August  Assembly  yet ;  and  I  believe  never  will. 
They  meant  to  ruin  you  indirectly.  In  my  judgment  it  was  intended  to 
teaze  you  into  a  resignation  as  they  have  done  your  brother.^  If  I  had  not 
come  to  Congress  last  summer  your  present  Alexander  would  have  been 
in  your  place ;  *  but  I  sounded  the  alarm  when  I  discovered  the  deep  laid 
design 


447,  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Horatio  Gates. ^ 

Philada.  April  i8th,  1777. 

Sir, 

The  enclosed  Proceedings  of  Congress  will  convey  to  you  such  Infor- 
mation as  may  be  necessary  for  your  future  conduct  in  the  Department 
immediately  under  your  Care.  I  am  however  particularly  to  request  your 
Attention  to  the  Resolve  founded  upon  Intelligence  the  Congress  have 
reed  of  a  Design  to  destroy  the  Ferry  Boats  about  Saratoga,  with  a  View 
of  obstructing  the  Movements  of  our  Army  at  the  Time  the  Enemy  may 
arrive  from  Canada.^ 

The  internal  Foes  of  American  Freedom  have  been  lately  making 
Attempts  to  accomplish  our  Destruction  in  this  Place.  Since  the  Execu- 
tion of  Molesworth  a  Gang  of  Conspirators  has  been  detected,  and  seven 
or  eight  were  yesterday  and  today  committed  to  Goal  for  carrying  on  a 
traitorous  Correspondence  with  our  Enemies  or  conniving  at  it.  How 
far  their  Guilt  will  be  made  to  appear,  I  am  not  able  to  detemiine.  But 
Vigilance  and  Vigour  in  the  Administration  of  our  Affairs,  will  I  trust 
defeat  their  deep  laid  Schemes,  and  enable  us  finally  to  triumph  over  the 
dark  and  wicked  Machinations  of  our  secret  Foes,  and  the  Designs  of  our 
open,  tho  not  less  cruel  and  implacable.  Enemies.^ 

[446]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Georgia  Records,  Misc.,  1732-1796. 

2  George  Mcintosh.     See  no.  296,  ante. 

3  "  Your  present  Alexander "  was  probably  Button  Gwinnett,  who  is  roundly 
denounced  by  Walton  in  this  letter  and  also  in  a  subsequent  one  of  May  i  (Library  of 
Congress,  Force  Trans.).  In  his  reply  to  these  two  letters,  July  14,  1777,  Mcintosh 
says :  "  My  conduct  in  the  attack  upon  Savannah  in  March  1776  for  which  I  was  cried 
up  far  above  my  merit  and  suit  an  Alexander  or  a  Caesar  ....  is  now  brought  against 
me."  Ibid.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  i.  6.  For  an  account  of  the  trouble  between  Mcintosh 
and  Gwinnett,  see  Stevens,  History  of  Georgia,  and  Jones.  History  of  Georgia. 

[447]  1  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  186;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
ConL  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  182. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  16. 

3  Concerning  James  Molesworth  and  his  accomplices,  see  the  Journals,  Mar.  31, 
Apr.  3  (cf.  ibid.,  May  15,  p.  361  n.),  and  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  270-282,  290,  315,  336-340. 
Cf.  the  Journals,  May  21,  23  (the  case  of  John  Brown,  alias  John  Lee). 


334  Continental  Congress 

448.  The  Secret  Committee  to  Samuel  and  Robert  Pukviance.^ 

Philada.  April  19th,  1777 
Messrs  Saml  and  Robt  Purviance 

Gcntn 

Your  favours  of  the  12th  and  15th.  Inst,  came  duely  to  hand  the  first 
advising  your  purchase  of  flour  and  enclosing  Inventories  of  the  Two 
Prize  Vessells.  We  think  the  flour  was  bought  very  reasonably  and  men- 
tioned it  in  Congress  as  proper  to  be  delivered  to  the  Commissary  at 
Baltimore  for  the  use  of  the  army  which  was  agreed  to  and  he  must  settle 
with  you  for  it.  We  entered  into  the  consideration  of  purchasing  the 
Prize  Vessells  immediately  and  for  several  reasons  that  need  not  be  re- 
peated, thought  it  best  at  present  to  decline  a  purchase  however  we  shall 
be  glad  to  know  who  buys  them  and  the  prices  they  sell  for,  as  it  may 
probably  suit  to  charter  shou'd  the  purchasers  want  Freight.  We  have 
seen  the  owner  of  the  Brimstone  here  and  he  has  our  offer  under  con- 
sideration. Respecting  the  Cloathing  you  have  purchased  or  have  in  view 
to  purchase  we  refer  you  entirely  to  the  Cloathier  General  James  Mease 
Esqr.  whose  department  it  is  to  manage  these  affairs.  It  wou'd  give  us 
pleasure  to  hear  that  the  Virginia  Capt  Nicholson  was  Sailed  and  your 
Bay  clear  of  the  Enemies  Ships,  there  are  several  of  them  at  Cape 
Henlopen  where  they  have  done  much  mischief.     We  are  Gentn. 

Your  obedt  hble  Servts. 

Robt  Morris,  Chair  Man 
By  order  of  the  Secret  Comm^^. 

449.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia  19th.  April  1777. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  The  establishment  of  a  Navy  Board  in  the  Eastern  Department 
is  now  in  contemplation  and  I  imagine  will  soon  be  done,  this  is  a  neces- 
sary measure  and  ought  to  have  been  adopted  some  time  ago.  I  am  much 
at  a  loss  for  proper  men  to  compose  this  Board.  Boston,  I  suppose  will 
be  the  place  of  their  sitting.^ .... 

450.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Philadelphia  April  19,  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

If  the  affairs  of  your  Department  will  any  ways  admit  of  your  coming 
to  this  place  it  appears  to  me  necessary  at  this  Time,  as  well  on  account  of 
yourself  as  the  publick.  Congress  are  about  adopting  new  Regulations 
for  supplying  the  Troops  with  Vegetables  and  vinegar  in  sufficient  Quanti- 

[448]^  George  C.  Thomas  Collection,  Philadelphia.  Signers;  Thomas,  Autograph 
Letters;  Purviance,  Baltimore  in  the  Revolution,  p.  213   (part). 

[449]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  333. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  19,  May  3,  6;  also  no.  427,  ante,  and  nos.  457,  459,  480, 
485,  post. 

[450]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 


April,  J/;/  335 

ties  to  preserve  the  Health  of  the  army,  and  also  intend  regulating  the 
purchases  and  Issues,  together  with  other  Matters  of  Moment  wherein 
You  can  greatly  serve  the  Continent  by  being  present.^ 

Great  abuses  have  taken  place  in  the  Commissary's  Department  in  the 
middle  States,  which  have  engaged  the  Attention  not  only  of  Congress 
but  of  the  public  at  large.  I  have  not  heard  any  person  lisp  Complaints 
against  the  Commissary  General,  but  am  informed  plans  are  on  Foot 
relative  to  Contracts  wch.  do  not  yet  openly  appear. 

I  am  Sir  in  Haste 

Yours  sincerly 

E  Gerry 

451.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  19  April,  1777. 

We  have  now  an  ample  representation  from  New  York.  It  consists  of 
six  delegates,  and  they  are  to  all  appearance  as  high,  as  decisive,  and  as 
determined  as  anv  men  ever  were  or  can  be.  There  is  a  new  hand,  a 
Mr.  Duer,  who  is  a  very  fine  fellow,  a  man  of  sense,  spirit  and  activity, 
and  is  exceeded  by  no  man  in  zeal.  Mr.  Duane  and  Mr.  Philip  Livingston 
are  apparently  as  determined  as  any  men  in  Congress.  You  will  see,  by 
the  enclosed  newspapers,  that  Duane  and  Jay  have  arrived  at  the  honor 
of  being  ranked  with  the  two  Adamses.  I  hope  they  will  be  duly  sensible 
of  the  illustrious  distinction  and  be  sure  to  behave  in  a  manner  becom- 
ing it 

452.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Arthur  Lee.^ 

Philadelphia  April  20th  1777. 
My  dear  Brother, 

....  Before  this  reaches  you,  the  former  dispatches  will  be  arrived, 
by  which  you  will  see  that  Congress  had  proposed  Doctor  Franklin  to 
attend  the  Court  of  Spain  whilst  you  remained  at  Paris,  but  I  suppose 
you  have  jointly  considered  that  it  may  do  as  well  for  you  to  be  at  Madrid, 
and  perhaps  the  Doctors  age  might  render  it  inconvenient  for  him  to  travel 
so  far.  However,  proper  powers  have  long  since  been  sent  to  Doctor 
Franklin  appointing  him  to  the  Court  of  Spain  altho  he  is  not  deprived  of 
right  still  to  represent  these  States  at  the  Court  of  France.^ .... 

May  si^f By  this  opportunity  Congress  sends  you  a  particular 

Commission  as  their  Representative  at  the  Court  of  Spain.*    In  my  judge- 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  14,  18,  19,  23.  In  regard  to  the  deficiency  of  vegetables, 
etc.,  c/.  the  remarks  of  Gerry  and  Williams,  nos.  145,  162,  166,  266,  419,  ante.  Concerning 
the  investigation  of  the  commissary's  department  and  the  new  regulations,  consult  the 
index  to  the  Journals,  Commissaries.   Cf.  nos.  450,  457,  458,  ante,  490,  495,  note  2,  post. 

[451]^ Familiar  Letters,  p.  260. 

[452]  1  Univ.  Va.  Lib.,  Lee  Papers;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  277. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  i,  and  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  242.  In  the 
Journals  (ed.  Ford)  FrankHn's  commission  is  found  under  July  i  (p.  521,  note). 

3  See  the  Journals,  May  i.  Cf.  ibid.,  May  31,  June  5.  In  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford) 
Lee's  commission  of  June  5  is  found  under  July  i  (p.  522,  note).    Cf.  no.  473,  post. 


aiJG  Continental  Congress 

ment,  and  it  is  an  opinion  founded  on  the  most  accurate  information,  the 
Independence,  and  security  of  N.  America,  cannot  be  said  to  be  certain 
until  an  AUiance  with  Spain  and  France  is  procured,  and  in  consequence, 
the  British  Arms,  and  Arts  not  solely  employed  for  our  ruin.  You  may 
be  assured  that  this  is  of  infinite  consequence  to  your  Country  and  there- 
fore you  will  conduct  yourself  accordinp^ly.  And  for  the  assistance  of  our 
finance,  an  extensive  loan  is  indispensable 


453.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention  (Abraham  Ten  Broeck).^ 

Philadelphia  April  2 1st.  1777. 
Sir 

We  Yesterday  moved  for  a  Copy  of  the  Representation  from  our 
revolted  Subjects,  to  Congress.  A  Member  from  the  Massachusetts  would 
have  made  it  a  Condition  that  a  Copy  of  your  Remonstrance  should  be 
delivered  to  him,  for  the  Use  of  the  Revolters,  insisting  that  we  and  they 
were  perfectly  on  an  equal  Footing,  stiling  us  the  parties  etc.  This 
brought  on  some  altercation,  not  to  the  Advantage  of  this  open  and 
avowed  Advocate  for  the  Disturbers  of  the  public  peace  and  general 
Union.  In  the  Conclusion,  the  paper  we  moved  for  w^as  ordered  to  be 
delivered.  On  our  parts  we  assured  the  House,  that  tho'  we  should  not 
suffer  the  State  of  New  York  to  be  put  on  a  Level  with  a  small  part  of 
its  disaftected  Subjects,  yet  we  had  no  Secret  on  this  Occasion;  that  any 
Member  had  our  free  Consent  to  take  a  Copy,  and  make  such  Use  of  it 
as  he  might  think  proper.    Here  it  ended. ^ 

We  have  obtained  and  transmit  a  Copy  of  a  printed  address  from 
Doctor  Young  to  the  Insurgents  in  our  State,  in  which  he  positively  asserts 
that  he  has  taken  the  Minds  of  several  of  the  leading  Members  of  Congress 
and  then  proceeds  to  give  them  their  advice.  This  paper,  corresponding 
with  the  Hints  we  had  from  the  Committee  sent  into  Cumberland,  renders 
it  unnecessary  to  trouble  you  about  further  proof.  Doctor  Young  is  on 
the  Spot,  if  he  has  injured  his  Friends  they  have  the  Means  of  ample 
Satisfaction,  for  they  can  call  him  before  the  House.  However,  we  do  not 
observe  that  the  Imputation  gives  any  Uneasiness  to  the  suspected  Mem- 
bers, tho'  w^e  are  well  assured,  it  has  made  strong  Impressions  to  their 
Disadvantage  on  the  Minds  of  other  Gentlemen,  What  Notice  Conven- 
tion ought  to  take  of  this  insolent  Address  does  not  lie  w'ith  us  to  deter- 
mine ;  nor  have  we  yet  concluded  on  the  part  we  shall  pursue  in  Congress.^ 

[453]^  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  XI.  119;  Jour.  N.   Y.  Prov.   Cong., 

II.  475- 

2  The  "  representation "  referred  to  was  the  petition  from  the  inhabitants  of 
the  New  Hampshire  Grants  presented  to  Congress  Apr.  8.  See  nos.  428,  431,  445,  ante, 
464,  465.  post.  The  Journals  make  no  record  of  this  discussion.  By  "  yesterday "  is 
probably  meant  Saturday  Apr.  19.  The  letter  of  the  delegates  was  read  in  the  New 
York  convention  Apr.  30.     See  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  906. 

^  See  the  Journals,  June  23,  25,  28,  30 ;  also  nos.  524,  526,  532,  533,  post. 


April,  ijj-j  337 

It  is  our  Business  to  move  deliberately,  as,  from  the  Change  of  Members 
we  find  ourselves  surrounded  with  Strangers.  To  cultivate  their  Esteem 
and  good  opinion  is  of  Moment,  considering  the  unfriendly  views  of  some 
States  and  the  Magnitude  of  the  Business  committed  to  our  Charge. 

A  Committee,  consisting  of  a  Member  from  each  State,  is  appointed  to 
examine  into  the  Conduct  of  General  Schuyler.  It  was  not  done  without 
warm  opposition.  There  was  no  Accuser  no  Complaint,  no  Charge 
against  the  General.  Nothing  had  ever  been  said  to  his  Disadvantage  or 
Dishonor  in  that  House :  directing  the  Enquiry  was  an  implied  Censure, 
or  at  least  an  Indication  of  Suspicion,  which  should  be  avoided.  These 
were  the  Arguments  against  the  appointment  of  a  Committee,  a  single 
Remark  was  sufficient  to  refute  them.  If  the  General  had  done  his  Duty 
faithfully,  why  was  his  authority  pared  away  to  Nothing  and  the  Com- 
mand of  the  Army,  in  Effect,  transferred  from  him  to  General  Gates,  a 
Junior  officer?  We  can  entertain  no  Apprehension,  but  that  the  General 
will  be  honorably  acquited,  tho'  it  is  obvious  enough  that  pains  have  been 
taken  to  injure  his  Character.* 

The  feeble  inactive  Condition  of  Pennsylvania  is  a  sad  proof  how  little 
their  new  Constitution  is  calculated  for  Security  or  Defence  in  Time  of 
Danger.  Their  executive  Authority  appear  to  be  sensible  of  their  Weak- 
ness and  lean  with  their  whole  weight  upon  Congress,  who  have  found  it 
necessary  to  recommend  a  temporary  System,  to  prevent  the  Ruin  of  the 
Cause,  as  far  as  it  is  connected  with  this  State.^  to  this  will  be  added  a 
Recommendation  to  revive  the  General  Committees,  for  Nothing  can  be 
substituted  in  the  place  of  this  Institution  equally  salutary,  or  which  can 
produce  so  much  Union  Energ}^  and  Vigour.  The  Spirit  of  the  Legisla- 
ture under  the  new  Constitution  here  is  strongly  marked  in  their  Militia 
Act  which  provides  that  if  a  Colonel  or  other  officer  shall  strike  a  Soldier 
while  upon  Duty  he  shall  forfeit  a  sum  not  less  than  five  nor  more  than 
ten  pounds,  but  if  the  Soldier  shall  strike  or  draw  upon  his  Colonel  or 
other  officer  while  on  Duty  he  shall  be  fined  a  Sum  not  exceeding  £  5 ! 

We  beg  leave  to  assure  you  Sir,  that  we  shall  exert  our  most  zealous 
Endeavors  for  the  Interest  and  Honor  of  our  State  on  every  Occasion : 
and  it  gives  us  singular  pleasure  that  your  honorable  Body  maintain  a 
high  Rank  in  the  Estimation  of  Congress,  as  well  as  of  the  General  and 
army,  which  cannot  but  greatly  contribute  to  our  Success  in  every  just 
and  reasonable  Measure.  We  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  the  utmost 
Regard  Sir 

Your  most  obedient  humble  Servant. 

Phil.  Livingston 
Jas.  Duane 
Wm.  Duer 

Honble  President  of  the  Convention  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  18,  and  no.  461,  post. 
5  See  no.  44s,  note  3,  ante. 


338  Continental  Congress 

454.  Charles  Thomson  to  Geokgk  Washington.' 

Before  I  joined  Congress  after  their  adjournnient  from  Baltimore,^ 
tlie  following  resolutions  passed  in  Congress  14  March  1777 

*'  That  the  list  of  oflicers  and  privates  transmitted  by  the  general  as 
necessary  to  compose  every  regiment  of  cavalry  to  be  raised  for  the 
defence  of  these  united  states  be  approved  of." 

No  copy  was  taken  of  these  papers  and  the  president  informs  me  that 
he  sent  back  the  originals  to  you.  As  the  journals  will  be  incompleat 
without  those  papers  I  must  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  send  me  the  originals 
and  I  will  transmit  you  a  certified  copy  ' 

I  am 

Your  obedient  humble  Servt 

Chas  Thomson 
April  22  1777 

455.  Mann  Page,  jr.,  to  George  Weedon.' 

My  dear  Sir 

....  The  Enemv  have  for  some  time  threatened  this  Citv,  and  have 
made  Preparations  which  induce  our  best  Generals  to  think  their  principal 
Attack  will  be  against  this  Place.  On  Sunday  the  13th.  nine  of  their  Men 
of  War  came  into  this  Bay,  which  confirmed  in  great  Measure  the  Infor- 
mation we  had  before  received.  Some  Days  before  that  Congress  had 
ordered  a  Camp  to  be  formed  under  Genl.  Schuyler  upon  the  West  Side 
of  Delaware  for  three  Reasons,  That  the  Soldiers,  of  whom  there  were  a 
considerable  Number  in  the  City,  might  be  drawn  togather  so  as  to  be 
ready  to  oppose  any  sudden  Attempt  upon  the  City  'til  the  main  Army 
could  come  up ;  that  they  would  be  more  healthy  in  Camp  than  in  Town ; 
that  they  would  support  the  Militia  which  might  come  in ;  that  they  would 
be  able  to  reach  the  North  River,  if  the  Attack  of  the  Enemy  should  be 
made  there,  before  the  rest  of  the  Army  could  cross ;  and  that  they  could 
speedily  join  the  General  to  execute  any  Plan  which  he  [might]  form  in 
the  Jersey.  After  all  they  were  left  to  the  General's  Direction  to  order 
where  he  pleased.^  He  in  Part  approves  of  the  Measure,  and  has  ordered 
the  Camp  to  be  formed  at  Bristol  where  all  the  troops  that  come  from  the 
Southward  Stop 

Philadelphia  April  22d.  1777 

[454]  1  Library  of  Congress.  Letters  to  Washington. 

2  It  would  appear  that  Thomson  rejoined  Congress  Mar.  24,  as  he  resumed  the 
secretar>''s  pen  on  that  day.  See  the  foot-notes  in  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford),  VIL  169,  176. 
At  the  close  of  the  Journal  for  Feb.  27  (the  last  day  at  Baltimore)  are  found  some 
entries  made  by  President  Hancock,  recording  action  taken  by  him  during  the  adjourn- 
ment, and  approved  by  Congress  Mar.  24.  Several  other  entries,  Mar.  14-24,  vi^ere  made 
by  Hancock. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  14  fp.  178). 
[455]^  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Weedon  Papers,  no.  4. 

2  See  nos.  432,  433,  440,  ante.  In  a  letter  to  his  brother,  John  Page,  Apr.  21, 
Mann  Page  says:    "We  are  now  threatened  with  a  visit  from  the  Enemy  which  has 


April,  1777  339 

456.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia 

(Patrick  Henry). ^ 

Philadelphia,  22nd  April,  1777. 
My  dear  Sir, 

The  enclosed  resolve  is  now  sent,  principally  with  a  view  of  rectifying 
some  Typhographic  errors  that  the  copy  formerly  sent  you  contained.^ 
I  am  again  in  the  name  of  Congress  to  desire  your  Excellency  will  detain 
the  flour  in  Virginia,  until  further  directions,  that  Mr.  Commissary 
Trumbul  had  sent  Vessels  from  the  eastward  to  rem.ove.  The  reason  you 
assign  of  danger  from  the  enemy's  cruisers,  is  conclusive  with  Congress 
for  staying  this  provision  awhile.^ .... 


457.  Samuel  Adams  to  Samuel  Cooper.^ 

Philada.  April  23d  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

....  I  heartily  concur  with  you  in  regreting  the  abominable  Practice 
of  prophane  Swearing  in  our  Army.  It  is  indeed  alarming.  Congress 
has  repeatedly  injoynd  the  General  officers  to  discountenance  this  Practice 
by  their  Authority  and  Influence,  you  know  my  Abhorrence  of  it,  and 
may  depend  upon  my  exerting  the  utmost  of  my  Endeavors,  if  possible, 
to  root  it  out  of  the  Army.^ ....  The  medical  Department  is  now  put 
upon  a  new  footing  and  Rules  are  establishing  in  the  Quarter  Masters  for 
keeping  our  Soldiers  cleanly  in  their  Encampments  whereby  their  Health 
as  well  as  Lives  will  be  preservd.' .... 

Congress  a  few  Days  ago  determind  to  establish  a  ]Marine  Board  in 
the  Eastern  Department  to  consist  of  three  Members  who  are  to  reside 
in  or  near  Boston  with  the  Power  of  adjourning  to  any  other  place.  They 
are  to  be  subject  to  the  Directions  of  the  Marine  Conimittee  of  Congress. 

been  the  Case  for  some  time ;  they  have  now  nine  Men  of  War  in  the  Bay,  and  are 
making  Preparations  at  N.  York  and  Amboy,  which  most  of  us  Generals  think  are 
intended  against  Philadelphia.  I  believe  they  are  too  weak  to  succeed,  but  if  they  do, 
I  am  of  Opinion  they  will  ruin  this  Army,  which  is  at  this  time  very  small  and  is 
mouldering  away  by  Sickness.  We  are  too  weak  to  take  advantage  of  their  Situation. 
Ten  thousand  Men  at  this  time  would  go  near  to  finish  the  War.  If  the  different 
Legislative  and  Executive  Powers  upon  the  Continent  will  enforce  the  late  Resolutions 
of  Congress,  we  may  yet  be  free ;  we  may  collect  a  respectable  Army,  and  upon  that 
depends  our  Salvation  as  a  People.  Britain  begins  to  totter,  her  Trade  is  cut  off  and 
her  Merchants  become  Bankrupt  ....  We  attend  Congress  from  ten  to  four,  and 
meet  in  Com.  at  six."    Library  of  Congress,  Personal. 

[456]  1  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  III.  ^;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh), 
I.  282. 

2  It  is  not  certain  what  resolve  is  here  referred  to. 

3  There  is  no  record  in  the  Jour>vals  which  appears  to  correspond  to  this  order 
of  Congress.  See  however  the  instructions  to  Commissary  Aylett,  Mar.  29  and  May  20. 
Cf.  the  report  {Journals,  Apr.  22,^  of  the  committee  which  conferred  with  Joseph 
Trumbull.  See  also  Henry  to  Lee,  Mar.  28.  in  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  I.  515,  Lee  to 
Henry,  Apr.  15,  ibid.,  III.  62,  and  in  Letters  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  273. 

[457]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers  (draft). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  25. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  21,  Apr.  16,  23,  May  14.  Cf.  no.  450,  ante,  and  nos.  458, 
490,  495,  note  2,  post. 


:M()  Continental  Congress 

I  liope  this  Board  will  facilitate  our  Naval  Affairs  and  put  them  upon  a 
more  respectable  Footing.*  [May  6]  This  Day"  General  Warren,  Mr 
Vernon  late  of  Newport  and  Mr  Deshon  of  New  London  were  elected  to 
this  Board  with  a  Salary  of  1500  Dollars  per  Annum  each.  A  Number  of 
Gentlemen  of  the  Massachusetts  had  been  nominated  by  the  Members  of 
that  State;  Mr  C'  was  nominated  by  Mr  Duane  of  New  York.  As  the 
Gentlemen  of  Connecticutt  and  Rhode  Island  were  urgent,  it  would  not 
have  been  prudent  for  us  to  have  been  strenuous  for  the  Choice  of  all  out 
of  our  own  State,  though  I  am  inclind  to  think  there  might  have  been  a 
better  Choice.  Mr  Warren's  Character  has  long  been  revered  in  Con- 
gress, Mr  C  had  been  personally  known  to  many  of  the  Members,  Mr 
Deshon  to  no  one.  the  two  last  had  an  equal  Number  of  Votes  but  neither 
of  them  a  competent  Number,  on  a  second  Tryal  Mr  Deshon  obtaind 
the  Election 

458.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(JoNATH.\N  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia,  April  23d,  1777. 
Honored  Sir, 

We  have  received  your  Honrs.  letter  of  the  i6th  instant  by  Mr  Brown. 
Your  letter  to  Congress  was  also  received  and  read  yesterday,  and  referred 
to  the  Committee  for  Foreign  Affairs.^ ....  Congress  was  not  disposed 
to  censure  the  Eastern  States  for  giving  additional  bounties,  supposing 
them  to  be  the  best  judges  of  the  expediency  of  the  measure.*  The  Com- 
mittees of  the  Middle  States  did  nothing  as  to  regulating  prices,  they 
being  equally  divided  in  opinion  respecting  the  matter.*  The  prices  of 
almost  all  kinds  of  articles  are  very  high  here.  The  Commissary  General 
arrived  here  yesterday,  and  a  committee  is  appointed  to  confer  with  him 
and  consider  what  further  regulations  ought  to  be  made  in  his  depart- 
ment.° 

....  I  am  sorry  there  is  occasion  to  call  the  militia  to  joyn  the  army. 
I  think  it  would  be  unnecessary  if  the  men  inlisted  were  collected  together. 
What  is  recommended  respecting  Rhode-Island,  it  was  hoped,  would  not 
detain  the  militia  for  a  very  long  time  after  their  assembling.® .... 

•*  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  19 ;  cf.  no.  449,  ante. 

^  The  election  was  on  May  6 ;  therefore  this  part  cf  the  draft  must  have  been 
written  on  that  day.  The  entire  passage,  however,  stands  erased  in  the  draft,  and 
it  may  therefore  be  concluded  that  the  matter  was  appended  to  the  draft  of  Apr.  23  by 
mistake.  It  is  scarcely  probable  that  the  letter  of  Apr.  23  was  held  back  until  May  6. 
The  question  of  salary  was  settled  Apr.  19.     See  no.  459,  post. 

^  John  Adams  mentions  (no.  480,  post)  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Gushing,  presum- 
ably Thomas  Gushing,  a  delegate  to  Gongress  from  Massachusetts  in  1774,  1775,  and 
in  the  beginning  of  1776. 

[458]^  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  II.  44. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  22. 

3  The  reference  is  to  the  proceedings  of  the  committee  of  the  New  England 
states,  Dec.  25,  1776,  to  Jan.  2,  1777,  laid  before  Gongress  Jan.  28.  See  nos.  323,  326, 
336,  347,  353.  355-357,  359,  368,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  15,  Apr.  15. 

5  The  commissary-general  was  Joseph  Trumbull.     See  the  Journals,  Apr.  2^, 
and  nos.  450,  457,  ante,  490,  495,  note  2,  post. 
«  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  16. 


April,  lyyj  341 

459.  Oliver  Wolcott  to  Joshua  Huntington.^ 

Philadelphia  24  April  1777 
Sir: 

Your  Favour  of  the  14  instt.  is  reed,  but  have  not  had  time  to  lay  it 
before  the  Committee — shall  take  the  earliest  Oppertiinity  for  that  Pur- 
pose after  which  you  may  expect  to  hear  from  me  again 

You  will  probably  be  soon  put  to  less  difficulty  on  many  accounts  as 
Congress  have  determined  to  establish  a  Marine  Board  for  the  N.  England 
Governments — a  most  necessary  Institution — this  Day  probably  the  Com- 
missioners will  be  appointed.^ .... 

Oliver  Wolcott.' 

460.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  April  25th,  1777. 
Sir, 

....  Altho  Congress  have  recommended  to  the  executive  Authority 
of  this  State  to  call  out  three  Thousand  of  the  Militia,  and  to  order  the 
City  Militia  to  hold  themselves  in  Readiness  at  a  Moments  Warning,  yet 
such  is  the  Weakness  of  the  Government,  that  every  Means  should  be  used 
to  give  Efficacy  to  this  Requisition.  They  have  therefore  determined  to 
detain  Genl.  Miffiin  in  this  City  for  some  Time  knowing  his  Popularity 
and  Influence  to  be  very  great,  provided  you  should  be  of  Opinion  the 
Service  will  admit  of  his  Absence  from  the  Armv." .... 

461.  Philip  Schuyler  to  Richard  Varick.^ 

Philad.  April  26th.  1777. 
Dear  Colonel: 

....  Yesterday  the  Committee  to  enquire  into  my  conduct  began  that 
business.^     I  believe  they  will  finish  in  the  course  of  the  week  and  that 

[459]  1  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Wolcott  Papers,  Bundle  3. 

2  See  nos.  427,  449,  457,  ante,  480,  485,  post.  Joshua  Huntington  was  at  this  time 
engaged  in  building  a  frigate  for  Congress  (see  Appleton,  Cyclo.  Am.  Biog.;  Conn.  St. 
Recs.,  I.  176-177,  297,  349). 

3  Wolcott  wrote  to  his  wife  Apr.  23 :  "  It  has  been  for  a  long  time  Said  that 
Two  Gentlemen  would  soon  Attend  as  Delegates — but  none  j^et  come,  tho'  We  are  Still 
told  the  same  thing.  As  soon  as  any  one  Arrives  I  shall  return  Home.  I  shall  unless 
something  uncommon  prevents  undoubtedly  Return  next  Month,  but  not  perhaps  till 
the  later  part  of  it."  Cf.  no.  431,  ante.  Apr.  30  he  wrote  :  "  I  cannot  say  precisely  when 
I  shall  Return  Home,  but  my  Determination  is  to  do  so  within  the  Next  Month.  I  have 
expected  before  now  to  have  heard  that  some  of  the  Gentlemen  appointed  to  attend 
Congress  were  on  their  Way  from  our  State,  but  I  hear  Nothing  from  them.  I  have 
Wrote  to  Mr.  Huntington  to  advice  Me  upon  the  Subject  from  whom  I  may  expect  soon 
to  hear."  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  II.  42,  38.  Wolcott  obtained  leave 
of  absence  May  2.    Dyer  and  Williams,  together  with  Richard  Law,  attended  June  25. 

[460]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  159. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  23,  24.  "  Congress  have  appointed  a  Committee  of 
Ways  and  Means  for  reinforcing  you,  who  will  also  point  out  some  Mode,  by  which  the 
Militia  of  this  State  may  be  drawn  out."  Schuyler  to  Washington,  Apr.  24,  Library 
of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  35.  See  no.  445,  note  3,  ante.  Cf.  the  Journals, 
Apr.  25  (Delaware).    See  also  nos.  486,  487,  post. 

[461  j^N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Schuyler  Papers,  p.  181    (copy). 
2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  18,  and  no.  453,  ante. 


342  Continental  Conf^rcss 

their  report  will  be  agreeable  to  my  wishes;  and  such  a  change  has  taken 
place  in  the  sentiments  of  the  members  who  were  unacquainted  with  me, 
that  it  is  thought  they  will  expunge  the  resolutions  of  the  15th  of  March,* 
copy  whereof  you  have  enclosed,  but  they  have  a  much  more  difficult  point 
to  get  over,  they  wish  me  to  remain  in  the  command,  but  having  already 
appointed,  (or  at  least  implicativly  so)  den.  Gates  to  the  command  of  the 
Northern  department,  they  do  not  know  how  to  manage  the  matter.  They 
wish  to  make  Ticonderoga  a  separate  command ;  that  they  have  a  right  to 
do,  but  they  know  that  I  will  not  serve  at  Albany  on  those  conditions. 
Indeed,  not  on  any  unless  an  absolute  command  is  giving  [sic  in  copy] 
me  over  every  part  of  the  army  in  the  Northern  department,  this  they 
will  not  do,  and  therefore  I  shall  return  Mr.  Schuyler  only  to  Albany.* 
Adieu  and  believe  me  most  sincerely  Dr.  Sir  yours  etc. 

Pn.  Schuyler 

Lt.  Col.  Varick 

462.  William  Whipple  to  Josl\h  Bartlett.^ 

Philadelphia  27th  Ap'  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  The  States  are  all  represented,  and  Congress  goes  on  tolerably 
well.  The  Confederation  is  at  last  taken  up,  and  two  day[s]  in  a  week 
assign'd  for  that  Business."  Col :  Thornton  intend  [s]  seting  out  in  a  few 
days.  I  leave  you  [to]  judge  what  my  scituation  will  then  be,  as  I  shall 
then  be  oblig'd  to  attend  some  Committees  that  he  is  now  on,  besides,  the 
business  of  two  Committees  that  I  am  now  on,  is  daily  increasing.  I 
therefore  hope  You  will  take  my  case  into  Your  serious  consideration, 
that  such  relief  may  be  afforded  me,  as  is  consistant  with  tne  Public  good, 
to  which  I  must  allow,  that  every  Private  consideration  ought  to  give 
place. 

You  tell  me  in  Your  last  that  two  Gentn.  were  Elected,  and  I  am 
informed  by  some  of  my  Friends  that  one  of  them  has  declin'd.  I  hope 
his  place  wnll  be  immediately  filled,  and  if  they  are  not  set  off  before  this 
reaches  you  I  beg  they  may,  immediately  after,  at  this  critical  juncture 
it  is  absolutely  necessary  that  the  state  sho*^  be  represented.  I  therefore 
shall  Tarry  till  relieved,  but  I  shall  grow  very  impatient  in  3  or  4  weeks.* 

3  See  no.  410,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  25,  May  15.  22;  also  nos.  472,  483,  495,  502,  504,  511, 
S15,  517-520,  522.  553,  post. 

[462]!  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  8;  cf.  nos.  431,  note  6,  434,  ante.    See  also  no.  465,  post. 

3  Whipple  wrote  to  Bartlett,  Apr.  23:  "I  find  You  have  hard  work  to  Persuade 
gentn.  to  serve  their  Country,  what  can  be  the  meaning  of  this?  do  Gentn.  still  think 
it  Hazardous  to  appear  in  a  Charecter  that  will  render  them  obnoxious  to  the  British 
Tyrant  and  his  infernal  Tools?  or  are  they  afraid  their  Private  interest  will  suffer? 
The  day  Perhaps  is  not  far  off  when  some  of  those  Gentn :  who  now  are  so  loath  to  step 
forth,  will  be  making  interest  for  a  seat  in  Congress,  they  may  be  gratified  for  what  I 
care,  and  let  those  who  are  now  Laboring  in  the  vineyard,  enjoy  the  Blessings  of  Domestic 
Happiness,  with  the  Pleasing  Reflections  that  will  result  from  a  Consciousness  of  having 
lent  their  aid  when  their  Country  most  wanted  it    however  it  seems  you  have  at  least 


April,  7777  343 

I  suppose  by  this  time  tliere  is  not  a  remaining  doubt  but  America  will 
support  her  independency,  is  it  not  time  therefore  to  pay  some  attention 
to  the  means  of  protection,  from  future  invations  ?  this  from  our  scitua- 
tion  must  be  done  by  a  Powerful  Navy  which  must  be  furnish'd  by  the 
Eastern  States  where  all  the  materials  may  be  procur'd  if  proper  means 
are  us'd 

463.  The  Maryland  Delegates  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 

(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

[April  28  (?),  1777.] 

We  have  the  Pleasure  to  inclose  to  Your  Excellency  an  Order  on  the 
Treasury  for  75,000  Dollars  and  another  on  the  Loan  Office  of  Maryland 
for  25,000  in  favour  of  our  State  if  it  should  not  be  equal  to  your  Expec- 
tations or  Wants  it  must  be  remedied  another  Time  as  We  were  left 
totally  in  the  Dark  with  Respect  to  the  Sum  You  wished  for  and  of  Course 
were  oblidged  to  name  a  Sum  at  a  Venture.^ 

Much  more  Service  should  We  be  able  to  render  the  State  if  Your 
Excellency  would  let  Us  more  particularly  into  the  Requests  intended  to 
be  made  and  the  Reasons  on  which  they  are  grounded  but  while  We 
remain  ignorant  untill  a  Letter  is  read  in  the  House  addressed  to  the 
President  it  cannot  be  expected  that  We  should  on  a  sudden  be  equally 
furnished  as  on  Reflection  with  Arguments  to  support  a  Measure  nor  can 
We  without  being  acquainted  with  them  immediately  to  so  much  Purpose 
if  at  all  enter  into  the  Views  of  our  State. 

At  the  same  Time  the  100,000  Dollars  were  obtained  a  Motion  was 
made  for  the  2000.  Arms  You  requested  for  our  State  but  this  was  re- 
ferred to  the  Board  of  War  notwithstanding  as  affecting  a  Picture  of 
our  defenceless  State  was  drawn  as  lay  in  our  Power  they  have  brought 
in  no  Report  and  I  suppose  will  not  till  they  have  a  Return  of  all  the  Arms 
both  here  and  at  Camp,  when  they  do  You  shall  be  made  acquainted  with 
the  Resolution  of  the  House.' 

When  a  Motion  was  made  to  Congress  for  a  Battallion  to  be  stationed 
in  Somersett  agreeable  to  your  Request  to  Mr.  Morris,  they  were  informed 
directly  after  that  the  Tories  to  the  Number  of  150  were  actually  in  Arms 
under  Officers  and  had  taken  Post  in  a  Cedar  Swamp  in  Somersett  County. 
Major  Howard  of  Coll  Halls  Battallion  was  given  as  the  Author  of  this 
Peice  of  Intelligence  and  with  the  Paragraph  in  your  Letter  was  the 
Ground  on  which  Congress  proceeded    if  the  Delegates  had  been  furnished 

found  two  Gentn.  who  will  come,  and  I  wish  they  may  set  out  as  soon  as  possible 
Col:  Thornton  intends  to  leave  this  place  in  about  ten  days  and  I  wish  to  follow  him 
before  the  weather  is  too  warm."  (Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.) 
Nathaniel  Folsom  and  George  Frost  were  chosen  delegates  Apr.  i.  Their  credentials 
are  in  the  Journals,  May  16. 

[463]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  70. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  26;  also  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  221,  222,  225. 

8  The  request  for  the  2000  arms  is  in  a  letter  from  the  Maryland  council  of 
safety  to  President  Hancock,  Apr.  21,  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  221.     See  no.  470,  post. 

27 


344  Continental  Congress 

with  better  Intelligfence  the  BattalHon  alone  possibly  wouUl  have  been 
granted.* 

We  are  Your  Excellency's  Most  humble  Servants 

Benjamin  Rumsey. 
W.  Smith 

P.  S.  Ticonderoga  is  in  great  Danger  but  15CX)  Men  there,  and  None 
that  Genl.  Gates  can  hear  of  marching  up.  Carletons  Advanced  Guard 
or  a  Party  to  reconnoiter  within  45  Miles,  the  Eastern  Delegates  say 
their  Men  are  on  the  March  'tis  feared  they  will  not  come  Time  enough 
to  save  it.'' 

464.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  President  of  the  New  York 
Convention  (Abraham  Ten  Broeck).^ 

Philadelphia  April  29th.  1777 
Sir 

In  our  last  we  hinted  at  the  want  of  Vigour  and  Exertion  in  this  State.* 
We  wish  it  was  in  our  power  to  assure  you  that  an  effectual  Remedy  had 
been  applied,  but  tho'  the  Enemy  is  daily  expected  an  astonishing  Languor 
prevails,  and  the  embodying  a  competent  Force  to  oppose  the  meditated 
Invasion,  seems  to  be  a  distant  Object.  The  Seat  of  this  Disease  is  not 
an  Indifiference  to  the  Cause,  for  the  Whigs  are  sufficiently  numerous  to 
defend  their  Country  against  any  Army  that  can  at  present  be  brought 
against  it.  The  unhappy  Dispute  about  their  Constitution  is  the  fatal 
Rock  on  which  they  have  split,  and  which  threatens  them  with  Destruc- 
tion. We  ardently  wish  that  in  our  own  State  the  utmost  Caution  may  be 
used  to  avoid  a  like  Calamitv.  Everv  wise  Man  here  wishes  that  the 
Establishment  of  new  Forms  of  Government  had  been  deferred :  they  see 
that  the  Union,  Vigour,  and  Security  derived  from  Conventions  and  Com- 
mittees are  not  to  be  found  in  any  State  under  its  new  Constitution. 

We  have  hitherto  left  the  Subject  of  our  Instructions  untouched,  but 
in  the  Course  of  a  few  Days  they  shall  be  introduced.  To  become 
acquainted  with  the  persons  and  Characters  of  the  Members  requires 
some  Time  and  is  of  great  Importance.  We  find  several  of  our  House 
desirous  to  know  the  Merits  of  our  Claim.  Congress,  from  your  past 
Letters  have  a  Right  to  expect  a  Representation,  and  w^e  wait  with  Im- 
patience for  the  Reports  and  Maps,  to  elucidate  our  Boundary.^ .... 

Your  most  obedient  humble  Servants 

Phil.  Livingston 
Jas.  Duane 
Wm.  Duer 

The  Honble  the  President  of  Convention  of  New  York. 

*  See  no.  443,  ante,  and  no.  469,  post. 

5  This  postscript  was  evidently  written  after  the  receipt,  Apr.  28,   of  Gates's 
letter  of  Apr.  22.     (See  no.  466,  post.) 

l464]iN.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  X.  129;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong., 
II.  428. 

2  See  nos.  445,  453,  ante. 

3  See  nos.  445,  453,  ante,  and  no.  465,  post. 


April,  lyyj  345 

465.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell)  ^ 

Philadelphia,  April  29th  1777. 

Sir'. 

An  express  going  hence  to  Charlestown  gives  me  an  opportunity  of 
writing  you  a  few  lines,  but  without  being  able  to  communicate  any  thing 
interesting. 

We  have  at  present  in  Congress  a  representation  of  all  the  Colonies, 
altho'  the  number  of  Delegates  is  not  very  considerable.  New  York  enter- 
tains the  most  virulent  jealousy  against  her  Eastern  Neighbours,  and  it  is 
now  heightened  by  an  affair  which  is  something  embarrassing.  The 
inhabitants  of  what  is  usually  called  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  have 
attempted  to  set  up  a  distinct  State,  and  sent  Delegates  to  Congress  to 
claim  a  seat.  New  York  remonstrated:  the  new  State  (called  New  Con- 
necticut) seemed  to  be  patronised  by  the  Eastern  Delegates;  but  the  Con- 
gress laid  the  papers  on  the  table,  and  I  hope  will  be  wise  enough  to  decline 
any  interposition.  I  am  for  my  own  part  clearly  against  assuming  a 
judiciary  power,  such  certainly  never  was  the  purpose  of  our  Delegation. 
As  I  consider  all  jealousies  as  injurious  to  our  common  cause,  and  as 
laying  the  foundation  of  future  evils,  I  use  my  best  endeavours  to  discour- 
age them ;  and  I  endeavour  as  much  as  possible  to  keep  our  attention  to 
the  main  business,  that  of  subduing  our  common  enemy.^ 

The  Confederation  comes  under  consideration  two  days  in  every  week. 
On  this  arduous  subject  you  will  easily  imagine  I  want  the  assistance  of 
my  Colleagues,  and  indeed  wish  it  reserved  for  men  more  able  and  exper- 
ienced than  I  am.  I  shall  give  it  however  the  most  attentive  consideration, 
and  certainly  shall  agree  to  nothing,  but  on  the  clearest  conviction  and 
most  uncontroverted  principles.  I  shall  very  carefully  abstract  all  the 
debates  of  any  moment  upon  it,  and  every  other  subject,  but  particularly 
upon  that,  and  when  I  transmit  it  to  you,  I  will  transmit  the  debates  also.^ 
At  present,  nothing  but  executive  business  is  done,  except  the  Confedera- 
tion, and  on  mere  executive  business  there  are  seldom  any  debates;  (and 
still  more  seldom  any  worth  remembering).  We  have  agreed  to  three 
articles :  one  containing  the  name :  the  second  a  declaration  of  the  sov- 
reigntry  of  the  States,  and  an  express  provision  that  they  be  considered  as 
retaining  every  power  not  expressly  delegated ;  and  the  third  an  agreement 
mutually  to  assist  each  other  against  every  enemy.  The  first  and  latter 
passed  without  opposition  or  dissent,  the  second  occasioned  two  days 
debate.  It  stood  originally  the  third  article ;  and  expressed  only  a  reserva- 
tion of  the  power  of  regulating  the  internal  police,  and  consequently 

[465]!  A^  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  460. 

2  See  nos.  428,  431,  445,  453,  464,  ante;  cf.  nos.  524,  526,  532,  533,  Post.  See  also 
Burke's  proposed  resolution,  in  the  Journals,  June  30  (p.  513)- 

3  Cf.  nos.  431,  note  6,  434,  442,  ante.  If  Burke  made  extensive  notes  of  the 
debates  on  the  Confederation,  they  have  not  come  to  light.  See,  however,  some  com- 
ments transmitted  to  the  assembly,  Nov.  15,  and  some  notes  on  the  Confederation,  prob- 
ably written  after  the  adoption  of  the  articles,  nos.  739,  740,  post. 


r.tO  Continental  Congress 

resigned  every  otlier  power.  It  appeared  to  me  that  this  was  not  what  the 
States  expected,  and,  I  thought,  it  left  it  in  the  power  of  the  future  Con- 
gfress  or  General  Council  to  explain  away  every  right  belonging  to  the 
States  and  to  make  their  own  power  as  unlimited  as  they  please.  I  pro- 
posed, therefore  an  amendment,  which  held  up  the  principle,  that  all 
sovereign  power  was  in  the  States  separately,  and  that  particular  acts  of 
it,  which  should  be  expressly  enumerated,  would  be  exercised  in  conjunc- 
tion, and  not  otherwise;  but  that  in  all  things  else  each  State  would 
exercise  all  the  rights  and  power  of  sovereignty,  uncontrolled.  This  was 
at  first  so  little  understood  that  it  was  some  time  before  it  was  seconded. 
and  South  Carolina  first  took  it  up.  The  opposition  was  made  by  Mr. 
Wilson  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mr.  R.  H.  Lee  of  Virginia :  in  the  end  how- 
ever the  question  was  carried  for  my  proposition,  eleven  ayes,  one  no,  and 
one  divided.  The  no  was  Virginia;  the  divided,  New  Hampshire.  I  was 
much  pleased  to  find  the  opinion  of  accumulating  powers  to  Congress  so 
little  supported,  and  I  promise  myself,  in  the  whole  business  I  shall  find 
my  ideas  relative  thereto  nearly  similar  to  those  of  most  of  the  States. 
In  a  word.  Sir,  I  am  of  opinion,  the  Congress  should  have  power  enough 
to  call  out  and  apply  the  common  strength  for  the  common  defence :  but 
not  for  the  partial  purposes  of  ambition.  We  shall  next  proceed  to  the 
structure  of  the  common  Councils ;  and  here,  I  think,  we  shall  meet  with 
diflEiculties  of  the  most  arduous  nature.*  The  inequality  of  the  States,  and 
yet  the  necessity  of  maintaining  their  separate  independence,  will  occasion 
dilemmas  almost  inextricable.  You  shall,  Sir,  know  the  whole  progress 
of  the  matter  if  I  can  conceive  and  convey  it  with  sufficient  clearness. 


466.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Philada.  April  29th.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  had  the  Honour  of  receiving  your  Favour  of  the  22d  Inst,  together 
with  the  Inclosures  and  immediately  laid  the  same  before  Congress;  in 
Consequence  of  which  they  came  into  the  enclosed  Resolves,  to  which  I 
beg  Leave  to  refer  your  Attention.^ 

As  the  Congress  concieved  your  Dispatches  to  be  of  the  utmost  Im- 
portance, they  resolved  themselves  into  a  Committee  of  the  whole,  and 
having  fully  considered  the  Matter,  they  do  not  wish  that  you  should 
retain  Possession  of  that  Part  of  Ticonderoga  which  lies  on  the  West  Side 
of  Lake  Champlain,  if  in  your  Opinion,  the  Enemy  may  be  more  effectually 
prevented  from  penetrating  the  Country  by  applying  your  Force  to  def end- 

4  See  Burke's  proposed   amendments  to  the   Confederation,   the  Journals    (ed. 
Ford),  May  5;  cf.  no.  488,  post. 

[466]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VIII. ;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book, 
VI.  194;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  190. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  28,  29.    Cf.  nos.  472,  473,  502,  post. 


April,  j;;/  347 

ing  and  securing  Fort  Independance,  and  Lake  George.     I  have  the 
Honour  to  be,  with  the  utmost  Esteem,  in  great  hurry,  Sir 

your  most  obedt.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 
Honble  Major  Genl.  Gates. 

[P.  S.]  Please  to  deliver  to  the  Pay  Master  the  Papers  Inclos'd  which 
Respect  him. 

You  will  observe  the  late  Adjutant  Genl.  Mr  Trumbull,  has  resign'd 
and  Congress  have  impower'd  you  to  fill  that  Vacancy,  it  is  not  the 
intention  of  Congress  that  Mr  Trumbull  should  be  reappointed " 


467,  Philip  Schuyler  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  april  30th :  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

Inclose  your  Excellency  sundry  Resolutions  of  Congress,  which  are  to 
be  executed,  if  approved  of,  by  you  and  also  the  Quarter  Master  General 
and  Commissary  General's  Orders  to  their  Deputies  for  that  purpose;  to 
be  expedited  or  detained  as  your  Excellency  shall  judge  best.^ 

The  Reasons  which  induced  the  House  to  adopt  the  first  Resolutions 
were  founded  on  an  apprehension  that  if  the  Enemy  should  penetrate  the 
Country  by  Hudson's  River,  and  your  Excellency  should  be  under  the 
Necessity  to  march  into  Ulster,  that  you  would  be  greatly  distressed  for 
provisions,  that  part  of  the  Country  affording  little  or  none  of  the  Meat 
Kind,  altho'  there  is  great  plenty  of  Flour;  not  less  than  20,000  Barrels 
as  the  president  of  the  Convention  informs  me  in  a  Letter  of  the  i8th 
Instant:  that  it  did  not  appear  to  the  House  that  the  Removal  of  the 
salted  Meat  from  Derby  and  the  three  other  places  mentioned  in  the 
Resolve  would  put  you  to  any  Inconveniency.  If  you  should  be  under  the 
Necessity  of  marching  into  that  part  of  New  York  on  the  East  side  of 
Hudson's  River,  Connecticut  or  the  Massachusetts  Bay  a  supply  of  the 
Meat  Kind  can  be  furnished  from  or  in  the  two  last  mentioned  States  and 
Flour  in  or  from  the  former.  That  the  Wheat  mentioned  in  the  fourth 
Resolve  should  remain  where  it  is  to  be  thence  sent  into  the  more  interior 

3  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  19.    The  following  is  from  a  letter  of  Joseph  Trumbull 
to  John  Trumbull,  dated  Philadelphia,  May  6 : 

"  Dear  Jack 

"  I  have  a  Letter  from  Genl  Gates,  of  29th  ulto.  Pr  Mr.  Yancey  in  which  he  mentions 
to  me  a  Desire  of  having  you  back  again  to  him.  But  He  did  not  know  what  had  been 
done  here,  in  that  affair.  After  Mr  Lx)vell  reed,  your  last  Letter,  it  was  moved  in 
Congress  to  have  Genl  Gates  directed  to  fill  your  place.  Doctr.  Witherspoon  rose  and 
said  he  had  no  Objection,  in  Case  he  was  restrained  from  appointing  Mr  Trumbull,  on 
which  one  of  your  Friends  rose,  and  said  there  was  no  need  of  a  restriction  of  that  kind, 
as  that  young  Gentleman  would  not  stoop  to  Accept  the  Offer  if  made,  this  I  have  wrote 
to  Genl  Gates,  and  I  have  inclosed  to  him  the  Copy's  which  you  gave  me,  with  the 
above  annecdote,  and  I  understand  Congress  are  about  appointing  Majr.  Frazer  to  that 
place."  ....  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  C51,  VL  102;  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Trum- 
bull, VL  102.    See  nos.  415,  419,  ante,  and  nos.  495,  note  2,  502,  post. 

[467]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  90. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  30. 


348  Continental  Congress 

part  of  the  Massacluisetts  Ray,  sliould  the  I'Jiciny  attempt  a  Dehaikation 
ill  any  of  the  Kastcrn  States,  and  thereby  leiuler  it  necessary  to  keep  up 
an  army  in  tliat  Quarter.  The  fifth  Resohition  was  founded  on  a  Convic- 
tion that  there  is  a  sufiiciency  of  Flour  in  the  District  mentioned  for  the 
support  of  the  Northern  army.  These  bein^  the  g:eneral  principles  on 
which  the  Resolutions  I  have  quoted  were  founded,  the  other,  in  a  Manner 
follow  of  Course  : .  .  .  . 


468.  The  Maryland  Delegates  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 

(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

Philadelphia  May  ist.  1777 

Sir 

We  embrace  this  opportunity  by  Your  returnd  express,  to  acknowledge 
receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  26th  Ult.  the  multiplicity  of  business  before 
congress  made  it  impossible  to  dispatch  the  express  sooner  than  has  been 
done. 

We  have  the  honour  to  inclose  your  Excy.  coppy  of  the  Resolutions  o£ 
Congress,  respecting  Capt.  Nicholsons  very  indecent  and  Imprudent 
behavior,  to  yourself  and  Council  as  well  as  his  infringmt.  on  the  liberties 
of  the  people,  we  have  the  pleasure  to  assure  yr.  Excellency  that  Congress 
were  Unanimous  in  expressing  their  warmest  disapprobation  of  Capt. 
Nicholsons  Conduct,  and  that  he  had  not  the  least  incouragement  to  pro- 
ceed in  this  business  in  the  manner  he  has  done,  and  we  are  of  oppinion  he 
would  have  been  dissmissd  the  service  immediatly,  but  many  Gentlemen 
thought  him  a  good  officer  and  were  willing  to  believe  your  Excelly.  and 
Councill  would  accept  of  Such  Submissions  and  acknowledgments  as  he 
ought  immediatly  to  make." .... 

we  have  the  Honour  to  be  yr.  Excellcys 

Most  Obt.  hble  Sevts, 

W.  Smith 

B.    RUMSEY 

P.  S,  the  Enemy  have  burnt  in  this  excursion  the  Towns  of  Danbury 
and  Ridgfield.^  the  Frigates  at  this  place  have  Impressed  Some  Seamen, 
but  we  have  not  learnd  that  any  complaints  have  been  made,  on  that  head, 
therefore  this  State  have  winked  at  this  measure  and  incouraged  it  from 
the  pressing  necessity.  Congress,  nor  even  the  Marine  Committee  have 
ever  given  any  encouragement  to  this  practice,  nor  we  hope  will  congress 
ever  give  any  encouragement  to  their  officers  to  Interfere  with  the  Internal 
police  of  any  State 

[468]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  72. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  29,  May  i.  Most  of  the  correspondence  (Apr.  24-May 
30)  is  found  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  226,  229,  230,  236,  244,  255,  263,  266.  A  letter  of 
May  I  from  the  marine  committee  to  Governor  Johnson,  relative  to  the  Nicholson 
affair,  is  in  Md.  Hist.  Soc.  Letters,  1777.     See  also  nos.  469,  470,  474,  505,  post. 

2  The  reference  is  to  the  Danbury  raid.    See  the  Journals,  Apr.  30,  May  i. 


May,  1/77  ^^^ 

469.  Robert  Morris  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.)-^ 

Philada.  May  ist.  1777 

Dear  Sir 

I  have  seen  with  a  good  deal  of  Concern  what  appears  to  me  an  unfor- 
tunate dispute  between  your  Excellency  and  Capt  Nicholson  in  Conse- 
quence of  his  having  followed  the  example  of  his  Brother  officers  who 
have  for  sometime  been  Impressing  men  into  the  Naval  Service  of  the 
Continent  in  this  Port. 

The  practice  of  Impressing  Seamen  cannot  be  supported  on  any  other 
principle  then  Necessity  and  I  am  confident  it  is  as  pernicious  to  the 
Commercial  Interests  of  a  Country  as  destructive  of  the  Civil  Liberty  of 
those  Individuals  who  become  its  Victims,  under  these  opinions  you  will 
readily  see  I  cannot  advocate  the  measure.  Nothing  but  the  prospect  of 
great  Public  advantages  to  result  from  a  well  Manned  Navy  wou'd  have 
induced  me  to  be  silent  whilst  these  things  were  doing  here,  but  it  was 
properly  the  business  of  the  Executive  power  of  the  State  to  notice  and 
stop  the  Practice,  they  have  not  interfered  and  that  probably  because 
they  saw  and  considered  the  force  of  Necessity,  perhaps  no  great  disad- 
vantages might  have  resulted  to  the  State  of  Maryld.  had  you  only 
Checked  this  business  so  far  as  it  had  come  before  you  by  Complaint  from 
Individuals  whose  particular  Situations  or  Circumstances  might  have 
called  for  exemption  and  protection,  remember  I  don't  offer  these  as 
fixed  Sentiments  or  as  proper  considerations  in  a  settled  peaceable  Govern- 
ment, because  I  know  they  are  inconsistant  with  it  but  in  times  of  Invasion 
and  War  especially  such  a  War  as  ours,  it  seems  to  me  that  forcing  out 
Militia  against  their  will  which  I  believe  to  have  been  much  practiced  is 
an  equal  infringement  of  Liberty  with  the  Impressing  of  men  for  a  limited 
time  for  the  Naval  service  and  it  is  to  be  observed  that,  it  has  hitherto 
been  the  practice  at  the  end  of  every  Cruize  or  Voyage  made  by  our  Con- 
tinental Ships  the  men  have  had  their  liberty  again,  in  the  Britsh  Navy 
they  are  generally  impressed  for  Life.  Thus  much  in  Paliation  only 
With  respect  to  Capt  Nicholson  he  certainly  deserves  severe  reprehension, 
the  terms  of  his  letter  are  quite  unwarrantable  and  not  a  single  Member 
of  Congress  offered  to  support  him.  you  will  see  that  the  Resolves  of 
Congress  place  him  in  your  power  so  far  as  he  values  his  Commission  and 
at  present  he  is  at  the  head  of  the  American  Navy  but  I  think  the  dispute 
unfortunate  because  I  have  been  taught  to  believe  him  an  excellent  and 
Capable  officer,  the  loss  of  such  a  one  will  be  a  real  misfortune  to  the 
Continent  and  yet  I  think  he  ought  to  be  dismissed  unless  by  satisfactory 
submission  he  attones  for  the  offensive  Stile  of  his  letter  which  I  suppose 
to  have  been  written  in  warmth  inflamed  by  the  Violence  of  that  Species 
of  Whiggism  that  savours  more  of  passion  than  true  Patriotism.  I  am 
told  he  is  of  a  high  Spirit  and  that  it  is  doubtful  if  he  will  make  the  Con- 
cessions he  ought.     I  wish  not  to  be  guilty  of  an  improper  interferance 

[469]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  III.  27;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  236. 


350  Continental  Congress 

and  shall  only  rei)eat  that  if  he  is  dismissed  the  service  it  will  be  a 
heavy  loss,  especially  as  the  next  in  Command  (Capt  Manly)  is  vastly 
his  inferiour  in  abilities,  and  knowing;  as  I  do  how  much  your  Kxcellency 
wishes  to  promote  the  Service  of  America.  I  cou'd  not  refrain  from  men- 
tioning: my  notions  on  this  Subject.^  There  is  also  another  matter  that 
gives  me  concern  and  that  is  the  detention  of  Continental  Troops  on  the 
Eastern  Shoar  to  keep  Tories  in  order  at  a  time  when  Genl  Washington 
cou'd  strike  a  Capital  stroke  was  he  reinforced  by  those  and  others  that 
ought  to  join  him.  I  wish  you  wou'd  think  of  this  and  order  them  to 
march  on.  other  means  may  be  found  to  keep  the  Tories  in  order  there, 
you  will  merit  and  require  the  thanks  of  the  continent  if  you  think  proper 
to  improve  this  hint,  the  resolve  of  Congress  for  detaining  them  was 
obtained  in  consequence  of  your  letter  to  me  on  that  Subject.' .... 


470.   Benjamin  Rumsev  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 

(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

Sir 

....  Congress  being  informed  to  Day  by  Genl.  Schuyler  that  100 
Men  of  Colo.  Richardson's  Men  were  now  in  this  City  have  ordered  them 
up  to  Camp  and  given  You  a  Power  to  detain  100  or  as  many  out  of  any 
other  Men  of  any  of  the  weaker  Battallions  in  Maryland  as  are  here  of  that 
Battallion.^ .  .  .\ 

I  am  afraid  the  2000  arms  will  not  be  granted  '  by  a  Lre.  from  A,  Lee 
of  the  20th  of  Febry  from  Bordeaux  in  his  way  to  Paris  Burgoine  with 
10.000  Germans  and  3000  British  Troops  are  to  attack  Boston  How 
Philadelphia  Carlton  the  back  settlements  etc.*  yet  we  will  take  every 
favourable  oppertunity  w-e  can  to  procure  them,  this  w'ill  be  from  Carlisle 
I  imagine. 

I  need  not  Apologise  for  the  Delay  of  the  Express.  My  Colleague  and 
myself  have  done  all  We  could  to  send  him  off  sooner  but  the  House  have 
been  3  Days  squabling  abt.  what  might  have  been  done  in  three  minutes.*^ 

May  I  Philada.  [1777.] 

2  See  no.  468,  ante,  and  nos.  470,  474,  505,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals.  Apr.  19.     Cf.  no.  443.  ante. 

L47o]iMd.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  68;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  236. 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  I,  and  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  228,  236,  242.  The  resolu- 
tion is  summarized  in  a  letter  from  Hancock  to  Gov.  Johnson,  May  2  (Mass.  Hist.  Soc, 
Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  198;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II., 

f.  194. 

3  See  no.  463,  ante.    See  also  the  last  paragraph  of  note  4,  below. 

*  Arthur  Lee's  letter  written  from  Bordeaux  is  dated  Feb.  18  (Wharton,  Rev. 
Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  272).  Rumsey  must  also  have  had  in  mind  Lee's  letter  of  Feb.  11  (ibid., 
II.  266).     See  also  the  letter  from  the  commissioners,  Feb.  6  (ibid.,  II.  261),  and  cf. 

no.  473,  post.  .      „.  •  •.         u 

The  last  two  sentences  of  this  paragraph  ("yet  ....  imagme    )  appertam  to  the  sub- 
ject of  the  2000  arms,  mentioned  above.    In  the  letter,  however,  they  occur  as  here  given. 
5  The  allusion  is  doubtless  to  the  affair  of  Capt.  James  Nicholson.     See  nos. 
468,  469,  ante,  474,  505.  post. 


May,  7777  351 

471.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Benjamin  Franklin.^ 

Philade.  May  ist.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Being  one  of  the  Committee  for  Foreign  applications  I  had  it  in  my 
power  to  pay  the  more  immediate  attention  to  your  recommendation  of 
le  Chevalier  de  Mauduit  du  Plessis  and  through  Favor  of  Congress  imme- 
diately procured  him  a  Commission  for  Capt.  of  Artillery  and  he  was 
without  delay  in  two  or  three  days  after  his  arrival  here  forwarded  to 
General  Washington.'^ .... 

472.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

May  1st.  [1777.] 
Sir 

You  will  see  by  the  resolutions  sent  to  you  at  this  time  that  new  Ideas 
are  taking  place  here  in  regard  to  the  western  side  of  Tyconderoga.^ 

I  apprehend  you  will  be  better  informed  than  we  are  what  expectations 
you  can  form  with  confidence  about  the  number  of  eastern  troops  and  the 
exact  time  when  they  will  arrive  to  a  certain  necessary  amount  for  your 
plans.  An  absolute  order  to  relinquish  the  western  Lines  and  fort  was 
pushed  for,  but  you  find  did  not  prevail.  You  certainly  have  not  such  a 
predilection  for  them  as  to  run  great  risques  of  losing  yr.  Reputation  in 
their  defence  with  a  few  Troops,  if  only  a  few  can  be  had.  Nor  are  you  of 
such  a  disposition  as  to  leave  them  without  much  consideration,  if  they 
appear  to  be  highly  essential  to  our  defence,  and  you  receive  according 
to  yr.  wishes  troops  and  military  stores 

But,  another  matter  besides  the  foregoing  will  be  upon  yr.  mind,  on 
which  you  will  expect  to  hear  from  me  by  this  bearer. 

The  affairs  to  the  northeast  are  in  a  critical  situation  for  the  state  of 
N :  York  in  particular.  Disaffection,  as  you  see,  is  greatly  prevalent;  and 
those  who  profess  well  to  our  cause  judge  and  say  that  there  is  but  one 
single  man  who  can  keep  their  subjects  united  against  the  common  enemy, 
and  that  he  ^  stands  on  our  books  as  commandr.  in  chief  in  the  middle,  or, 
as  it  is  sometimes  called,  the  northern  departmt;  that  his  presence  is 
absolutely  necessary  in  his  home  quarter  for  their  immediate  succour  and 
service  as  well  as  that  of  the  united  states  necessarily  connected ;  that  if 
he  returns,  he  is  a  Genl.  without  an  army  or  Military  Chest.  And,  "  why 
is  he  thus  disgraced  "  ? 

It  is  said  that  it  is  nonsence  to  give  you  the  command  of  the  northern 
army  at  Tyconderoga  and  confine  you  to  that  fort  and  mount  Indepen- 
dence where  you  cannot  have  an  extensive  idea  of  the  defence  of  the 
frontier  of  the  eastern  states,  but  only  of  one  spot  where  the  enemy  are 
not  obliged  to  confine  their  operations,  and,  as  it  were  knock  their  heads 

[471]!  Amer.  Phil.  Soc,  Franklin  Papers,  vol.  VI.  (i.),  no.  i. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  15,  16. 
[472]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VIII. 

2  See  no.  466,  ante,  and  nos.  473,  502,  post. 

3  The  allusion  is  to  Philip  Schuyler. 


352  Co)iiincntal  Congress 

aj^ainst  a  single  Rock.  And,  if  you  arc  not  so  confined  you  intirely  destroy 
the  idea  of  their  Chief  to  whom  tliey  profess  devotion  unbounded,  [How] 
this  matter  will  be  untani^led  I  cannot  now  exactly  determine  but  I  suspect 
not  intirely  agreable  to  yr.  sctitimcnts:  I  wish  to  have  these  explicitly 
and  minutely  by  the  first  opportunity  after  the  receipt  of  this.*.  .  .  . 

In  every  condition  I  wish  you  health  prosperity  and  honor,  being"  sin- 
cerely yr.  friend  and  humb  Servt. 

J.  LOVELL 

473.  The  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs  to  the 
Commissioners  at  Paris.^ 

Philadelphia,  May  2,  1777. 
Gctitlemen: 

Your  dispatches,  dated  February  6  and  8,  were  safely  received  by  us 
about  the  middle  of  April. ^ .... 

The  Congress  highly  approve  your  dividing  yourselves  to  foreign 
courts,  and  have  sent  commissions  for  that  purpose,'  and  likewise  com- 
missions for  fitting  out  privateers  in  France.* 

The  Mercury,  from  Nantes,  is  safely  arrived  in  New  Hampshire.  The 
Amphitrite  and  Seine  we  are  yet  in  hopes  of.°    We  shall  notice  the  conduct 

*  Cf.  nos.  453,  461,  anie,  and  see  the  Journals,  May  15,  22.  See  also  nos.  483,  49S, 
502,  511,  SIS,  post. 

[473]!  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  313. 

2  A  letter  of  Feb.  6.  signed  by  all  three  commissioners,  Franklin,  Deane,  and 
Lee,  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  is  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II. 
261  ;  one  of  the  same  date  from  Deane  is  on  the  same  page ;  and  one  of  the  same  date 
by  Franklin  and  Deane  is  ibid.,  II.  265.  No  letter  dated  Feb.  8  has  been  found.  It  is 
evident  from  Rumsey's  letter  of  May  i,  ante,  that  Arthur  Lee's  letters  of  Feb.  li  and 
18,  and  presumably  his  letter  of  Feb.  14  (ibid.,  II.  266,  270,  272),  had  also  been  received. 
Cf.  nos.  423,  436,  439,  470,  ante.  "  We  can  assure  our  readers,  that  some  late  arrivals 
from  France,  bring  the  most  agreeable  and  interesting  intelligence."  Continental 
Journal  and  Weekly  Advertiser  (Boston).  Mar.  20. 

3  See  the  commissioners'  letter  of  Feb.  6,  cited  above.    Cf.  no.  452,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  May  i,  8.  Since  Oct.  I,  1776,  Silas  Deane  had  been  suggesting 
that  such  commissions  be  sent. 

s  The  vessels  mentioned  were  laden  with  arms,  etc.  See  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl. 
Corr.,  II.  276.    The  Mercury  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  Mar.  17 : 

"  Portsmouth,   March   21. 

"  On  Monday  the  17th  instant  arrived  here  a  French  ship  of  about  350  tons,  called 
the  Mercury,  commanded  by  Capt.  John  Heraud  [Herand],  in  forty  days  from  Nantz, 
having  the  following  very  valuable  cargo  on  board,  viz 

"  The  captain  and  passengers  (among  whom  is  a  brigadier  general,  and  a  captain  of 
artillery)  gives  us  the  following  most  agreeable  account  of  the  situation  of  affairs  there. 
.  .  .  ."  Continental  Journal  and  Weekly  Advertiser  (Boston),  Mar.  27. 

A  somewhat  less  circumstantial  account  is  found  in  the  Independent  Chronicle 
(Boston)  of  the  same  date:  "  A  vessel,  of  14  Guns,  lately  arrived  in  a  safe  Port,  of  one 
of  the  United  States  of  America  has  the  following  Cargo,  viz.  .  .  ."  The  brigadier- 
general  and  captain  were  the  Chevalier  Prudhomme  de  Borre  and  the  Chevalier  Mauduit 
Du  Plessis.  Their  arrival  in  Boston  Sunday,  Mar.  23,  is  mentioned  in  the  same  issues. 
See  James  W^arren  to  Mercy  Warren,  Mar.  21,  and  to  John  Adams,  Mar.  23  {Warren- 
Adams  Letters,  I.  301,  303)  ;  also  the  Journals,  Mar.  31,  and  no.  421,  ante. 

The  Amphitrite  arrived  at  Portsmouth  Apr.  20  or  21: 

"  Sunday  last  arrived  a  French  ship  of  20  guns  from  Burdeaux,  laden'd  with  dry 
goods,  hardware,  wine,  etc.  etc.  etc 

"  Same  day  arrived  in  a  safe  port  at  the  Eastward,  after  a  passage  of  three  months, 
a  vessel  from  Nantz,  in  France,  with  a  valuable  cargo ;  among  which  are  the  following, 


May,  1777  353 

of  Nicholas  Davis.  We  have  presented  Marshal  Maillebois's  sentiments 
on  the  mode  of  war  to  Congress,  who  are  greatly  pleased  therewith,  and 
entertain  a  high  respect  for  the  author." .... 

The  Congress  have  it  in  contemplation  to  remove  the  garrison  from  the 
present  fort,  in  the  district  of  Ticonderoga,  to  Fort  Independence,  in  the 
same  district,  which  they  judge  will  command  that  pass  with  greater 
advantage,  and  is  a  much  healthier  situation.  We  mention  this,  as  the 
enemy  will  probably  give  an  air  of  triumph  to  the  evacuation,  should  it 
be  done.  The  distance  between  the  two  is  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.'' .... 
We  are,  gentlemen,  your  obedient,  humble  servants, 

Benjamin  Harrison. 

Robert  Morris. 

Thomas  Heyw^ard. 

James  Lovell. 

474.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Philadelphia,  May  2d,  1777. 
Sir: 

I  wrote  you  day  before  yesterday  by  an  express  going  to  Charlestown, 
and  after  I  had  sealed  up  the  letter,  some  intelligence  was  opened  in  Con- 
gress, which  I  wrote  on  a  slip  of  paper  and  put  into  the  cover.  I  doubt  not 
you  will  receive  it.'^ .... 

An  insulting  letter  written  by  the  Captain  of  one  of  the  Continental 
Frigates  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland  has  excited  great  indignation  in 
Congress.  The  officer  is  suspended,  and  ordered  in  five  days  to  make 
such  satisfaction  as  the  Governor  and  Council  shall  accept  or,  failing,  to 
be  dismissed  the  service.^  Every  gentleman,  (a  few  only  excepted) 
seem  to  feel  his  own  State  injured  in  this  insult,  and  they  are  determined 

viz Came  passenger  in  the  above  vessel  a  colonel  and  24  officers  of  the  train." 

Continental  Journal  and  Weekly  Advertiser,  Thursday,  Apr.  24. 

"  Last  Monday  arrived  at  a  safe  Port,  a  large  ship,  from  France,  with  the  following 

valuable  Cargo,  viz A  Colonel,  and  24  Officers  of  Artillery  came  Passengers  in 

the  above  ship."     Independent  Chronicle,  Apr.  24. 

In  a  postscript  to  a  letter  to  John  Adams,  Apr.  23  {Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  316), 
James  Warren  mentions  the  ship,  cargo,  and  passengers  in  similar  terms,  and  closes 
with  this  line :  "  3  Mo.  passage  arrived  last  Sunday."  See  the  Journals,  May  8.  The 
colonel  was  Du  Coudray.  Lists  of  the  French  officers  who  came  with  him  are  found 
in  the  Journals,  Aug.  5,  Sept.  2,  Nov.  7.  In  the  Amphitrite  came  also  the  notorious 
Thomas  Conway.  See  Warren  to  Adams,  Apr.  27,  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  318;  also 
Washington  to  Congress,  May  9,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  353,  (ed.  Sparks),  IV.  411. 
The  Seitie  reached  Martinique,  but  was  afterward  captured.  See  the  letter  of  the 
committee  of  foreign  affairs.  May  30,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  327. 

^  The  Journals  make  no  mention  of  Marshal  Maillebois's  work. 

■^  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  28,  29,  and  nos.  466,  472,  ante,  502,  post. 
[474] lA^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  463. 

2  The  "  slip  ",  dated  Apr.  30,  is  in  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  463.  The  intelligence 
was  an  account  of  the  affair  at  Danbury,  Apr.  25,  received  by  Congress,  Apr.  30  (see 
the  Journals),  in  a  letter  from  Washington,  dated  Apr.  28.  See  also  W^ashington  to 
McDougall,  Apr.  28,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  343.  A  further  account,  sent  by  Wash- 
ington Apr.  30,  was  received  by  Congress  May  i.    See  no.  476,  post. 

8  See  nos.  468,  469,  470,  ante,  505,  post. 


354  Continental  Congress 

that  nothing  less  should  do,  than  what  would  satisfy  Maryland,  and  con- 
vince officers  that  they  were  very  inferior  to  the  Magistrates  of  States, 
and  must  treat  them  with  the  most  profound  respect.  I  never  had  more 
hopes  of  Congress  than  I  have  now.  All  seem  sensible  that  the  honour 
and  dignity  of  the  Magistrates  of  the  States  ought  to  be  preserved  sacred 
and  inviolable ;  whether  for  applying  the  force  of  the  State,  or  restraining 
abuses,  and  suppressing  ambition.  Your  Excellency  knows  enough  of  my 
political  creed  to  believe  that  this  disposition  is  exceedingly  pleasing  to 
me.    I  have  not  time  to  add  more,  but  that  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

475.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  April  [May,]  3,  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  April  3d  I  recd.^  I  must  confess,  that  I  am  at  a  Loss  to  deter- 
mine whether  it  is  good  Policy  in  Us  to  wish  for  a  War  between  France 
and  Britain,  unless  We  could  be  sure  that  no  other  Powers  would  engage 
in  it :  But  if  France  engages  Spain  will,  and  then  all  Europe  will  arrange 
themselves  on  one  side  and  the  other  and  what  Consequences  to  Us  might 
be  involved  in  it  I  don't  know.  If  We  could  have  a  free  Trade  with 
Europe  I  should  rather  run  the  Risque  of  fighting  it  out  with  George  and 
his  present  Allies,  provided  he  should  get  no  other.  I  don't  love  to  be 
intangled  in  the  Quarrels  of  Europe.  I  don't  wish  to  be  under  Obligations 
to  any  of  them,  and  I  am  very  unwilling  they  should  rob  Us  of  the  Glory 
of  vindicating  our  own  Liberties. 

It  is  a  Cowardly  Spirit  in  our  Countrymen,  which  makes  them  pant 
with  so  much  longing  Expectation,  after  a  French  War.  I  have  very 
often  been  ashamed  to  hear  so  many  Whiggs  groaning  and  Sighing  with 
Despondency  and  whining  out  their  Fears  that  We  must  be  subdued 
unless  France  should  step  in.  Are  We  to  be  beholden  to  France  for  our 
Liberties  ?  France  has  done  so  much  already  that  the  Honour  and  Dig- 
nity and  Reputation  of  Great  Britain  is  concerned  to  resent  it,  and  if  she 
does  not,  France  will  trifle  with  her  forever  hereafter.  She  has  reed,  our 
Ambassadors,  protected  our  Merchant  Men,  Privateers,  Men  of  War  and 
Prizes,  admitted  Us  freely  to  trade,  lent  Us  Money,  and  supplied  Us  with 
Arms,  Ammunition  and  Warlike  Stores  of  every  Kind.  This  is  notorious 
all  over  Europe,  and  she  will  do  more,  presently,  if  our  dastardly  Despon- 
dency, in  the  midst  of  the  finest  Prospects  imaginable,  does  not  discourage 
her.  The  surest  and  the  only  Way  to  secure  her  Arms  in  this  Cause  is 
for  Us  to  exert  our  own.  For  God's  sake  then  don't  fail  of  a  single  Man 
of  your  Quota.  Get  them  at  any  Rate,  and  by  any  Means  rather  than  not 
have  them. 

I  am  more  concerned  about  our  Revenue  than  the  Aid  of  France.  Pray 
let  the  Loan  Offices  do  their  Part,  that  We  may  not  be  compelled  to  make 
Paper  Money  as  plenty  and  of  Course  as  cheap  as  Oak  Leaves.  There  is 
so  much  Injustice  in  carrying  on  a  War  with  a  depreciating  Currency 
that  We  can  hardly  pray  w'ith  Confidence  for  success. 

[47 SV  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  321;  Works.  IX.  462   (dated  Apr.  27). 
2  Warren's  letter  of  Apr.  3  is  in  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  309. 


May,  1777  355 

The  Confederation  has  been  delayed  because  the  States  were  not  fully 
represented.  Congress  is  now  full,  and  We  are  in  the  Midst  of  it.  It  will 
soon  be  passed.* .... 

476.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  May  3d.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  The  Conduct  of  Genl.  Arnold  on  the  late  Expedition  of  the 
Enemy  against  the  Town  of  Danbury  being  highly  approved  of  by  Con- 
gress, they  have  promoted  him  to  the  Rank  of  Major  General.^ .... 

477.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon.^ 

Philadelphia  3d  May  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  I  most  heartily  lament  with  you  the  situation  of  our  paper  cur- 
rency and  am  sometimes  almost  ready  to  think  with  you  that  "  all  nature 
will  not  support  it  ".  However  another  project  is  now  on  the  tapis  and  if 
that  should  fail,  after  a  thorough  trial  we  must  endeavor  to  support  the 
war  without  for  the  war  must  be  supported  at  all  events  till  an  honorable 
peace  can  be  obtained,    in  this  I  know  you  will  agree  with  me  fully. ^ .... 

478.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Thirteen  States.^ 

Philada.  May  5th  1777. 
(Circular) 
Gentlemen, 

I  have  it  in  Charge  from  Congress  to  transmit  the  enclosed  Resolves, 
relative  to  sundry  important  Subjects  and  to  urge  your  Compliance 
therewith. 

The  Mode  therein  recommended  in  order  that  Congress  may  be  in- 
formed what  Sums  of  Money  have  been  advanced  by  the  respective  States, 
for  recruiting  their  Continental  Battalions,  and  of  the  Expenditure  of  the 
same  by  the  Officers,  as  it  is  the  only  effectual  one  that  can  be  pursued, 
and  the  Measure  is  of  the  utmost  Consequence  to  the  United  States,  I 
make  no  Doubt  you  will  immediately  adopt  hoth.^  I  beg  Leave  to  refer 
your  Attention  to  the  Resolves  and  have  the  Honour  to  be,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedt.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

J.  H.  Presidt 
To  the  Thirteen  States. 

3  Cf.  no.  465,  ante. 
[476]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  179. 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  2,  and  nos.  419,  474.  ante.  See  also  Washington  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  May  5,  12,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  350,  352,  (ed.  Sparks), 
IV.  408,  416.     Cf.  no.  497,  post;  see  also  nos.  582,  583,  585,  607,  post. 

[477]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  341;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft 
Coll.,  Langdon-Elwyn  Papers  (copy  of  part). 

2  The  project  on  the  tapis  was  a  foreign  loan.  Cf.  no.  479,  post,  and  see  the 
Journals,  June  11,  Dec.  2,  3. 

[478]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VL  200;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cent.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  IL,  p.  196. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  29. 


356  Continental  Congress 

479.  John  Adams  to  Joseph  Palmer.^ 

Philadelphia  May  6  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

I  had  a  few  days  ago  the  Pleasure  of  receiving  your  Favour  of  the 
16  ult. 

The  Subject  of  Finances  is  the  most  important  of  any  that  can  come 
under  our  Consideration,  if  we  can  Support  these  we  can  carry  on  the 
war  with  Vigour  and  probably  with  success.  But  if  we  go  on  as  we  have 
we  must  suffer  extream  Distress.  The  Science  of  a  Financier  is  to  be 
learned  only  from  Books  or  from  Travel.  I  have  scarce  a  Moment  to 
look  into  a  Book  and  I  never  travelled.  Some  of  our  Bostonian  Genius's 
who  understand  the  Nature  of  Commerce  and  of  Money  must  turn  their 
Thoughts  to  these  Subjects. 

I  think  with  you  that  we  ought  to  negotiate  with  some  foreign  Power 
Loans  of  Cash.  But  this  is  attended  with  great  Difficulty.  We  might 
possibly  borrow,  but  there  is  a  vast  Risque  in  transporting  the  Money 
across  the  sea.^ 

I  know  not  what  to  say  of  the  Lottery,  you  say  is  in  Contemplation.  I 
dread  the  Effects  of  the  Gambling  Spirit  that  is  abroad.  Salt,  Lead, 
Sulphur,  Allum  and  Copperas,  are  Articles  of  great  Importance,  but 
whether  you  cannot  import  them  cheaper  than  you  can  make  them, 
(under  all  the  Risques)  I  know  not 

480.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  May  6,  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

About  Ten  Days  ago  I  had  the  Boldness  to  make  a  Motion  that  a  Navy 
Board  should  be  established  at  Boston.  Certain  Gentlemen  looked  struck 
and  surprised ;  however,  it  passed.  I  have  moved  I  believe  fifteen  Times, 
that  a  Nomination  should  take  Place ;  certain  Gentlemen  looked  cold. 

Two  or  three  Days  ago,  the  Nomination  came  on.  Langdon,  Vernon, 
Deshon,  Dalton,  Orne,  Henley,  Smith,  Gushing  and  Warren,  were 
nominated.  ^ 

This  Day  the  Choice  came  on.  At  last  Vernon,  Warren,  and  Deshon 
were  chosen.  The  Board  are  to  appoint  their  own  Clerk  who  is  to  have 
500  Dollars  a  year.  I  hope  you  will  engage  in  this  Business  and  conduct 
it  with  Spirit.    You  cannot  be  speaker  and  do  this  Duty  too  I  believe. 

I  think  the  Tow^n  of  Boston  will  be  offended.  But  I  could  not  help  it. 
This  you  will  not  mention.  The  Salary  for  the  Commissioners  is  1500 
Dollars  a  Year.  You  will  have  the  Building  and  fitting  of  all  Ships,  the 
appointment  of  Officers,  the  Establishment  of  Arsenals  and  Magazines, 
etc.,  which  will  take  up  your  whole  Time.  But  it  will  be  honourable  to  be 
so  capitally  concerned  in  laying  a  Foundation  of  a  great  Navy,    The  profit 

[479]!  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  715. 

2  Cf.  no.  477.  ante. 
[480]^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  324;  Works,  IX.  464. 


May,  1777  357 

to  you  will  be  nothing-,  But  tlie  Honour  and  the  Virtue  the  greater.  I 
almost  envy  you  this  Employment.  I  am  weary  of  my  own  and  almost 
with  my  Life.     But  I  ought  not  to  be  weary  in  endeavoring  to  do  well.'' 

481.  William  Whipple  to  [Josiah  Bartlett?].^ 

Philadelphia  7th  May  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  Col.  Thornton  set  out  the  3d  inst  I  endeavored  to  perswade  him 
to  tarry  'till  Mr.  Frost  arrived,  but  without  success.  I  hope  I  shall  be 
excused  if  I  leave  this  very  soon  after  Mr.  Frost  arrives,  for  I  assure  you 

I  am  almost  wore  out I  think  it  absolutely  necessary  that  the  state 

sho*^  be  as  fully  represented  as  possible,  therefore  hope  a  second  Person 
will  soon  be  sent  after  Mr.  Frost 

482,  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia,  Aiay  8th,  1777. 
Sir: 

....  I  hope  the  General  Assembly  will  attend,  if  they  should  not 
already  have  done  it,  to  the  letter  which  I  wrote  them  desiring  the  earliest 
information,  after  the  appointment  of  delegates.  Our  State  is  not  repre- 
sented in  Congress  now,  and  will  not  be  until  I  shall  have  received  authen- 
tic advice  of  my  being  chosen,  or  another  delegate  shall  have  arrived. 
Therefore,  let  me  intreat  that  it  may  be  done,  that  the  new  delegates  may 
come  forward  immediately.  The  circumstances  of  my  family  require 
that  I  should  return  as  soon  as  possible,  to  make  some  suitable  provisions 
for  it,  and  my  long,  constant  attention  in  Congress  demands  relaxation.^ 


483.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Convention.^ 

Philada.  May  9th.  1777 
Gentlemen, 

When  we  arrived  here,  it  plainly  appeared  that  great  pains  had  been 
taken  to  injure  the  Character  of  Major  General  Schuyler. 

No  direct  Charge  had  been  urged  against  him ;  a  series  of  sly  Insinua- 
tions, That  he  was  making  an  enormous  Fortune  at  the  Expence  of  the 
Public, — That  he  had  converted  the  Specie  provided  by  Congress  for  the 
Canada  Service  to  his  own  private  Purposes :   And  when  he  shewed  his 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  19,  May  3,  6 ;  also  nos.  427,  449,  457,  459.  ante,  and 

nos.  485,  521,  540,  post.  ^    ,        .         .  ,    , 

[481  ]i  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Declaration  of  Independence,  1. 
[482]!  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  138. 

2  See  Ellery  to  Cooke,  Mar.  30,  in  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  123.     Cf. 

Ellery  to  Cooke,  Jan.  30,  and  Cooke  to  Ellery,  Feb.  18,  ibid.,  pp.  116,  118. 

[483]!  N.  Y.   State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  IX.  47    (copy);  Jour. 

N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  941 ;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXIX.  189  (copy). 


ooS  Continental  Congress 

Feelings  of  some  unwortliy  Treatment,  severe  Reliukes,  and  Animadver- 
sions on  his  Expressions,  and  his  supposed  want  of  Ivespect  to  his  Super- 
iors. Those  were  Weapons  employed  so  successfully,  as  in  the  End  pro- 
duced some  resolutions  of  Congress,  paring  away  his  Authority  to  Noth- 
ing. It  took  us  some  time  to  become  acquainted  with  the  new  ^Tembers, 
and  to  undeceive  those  who  wished  for  Conviction.  We  had  in  the  mean- 
time got  a  Committee  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  General's  Conduct  at 
large.^  That  Business  went  on  heavily  and  seemed  to  promise  no  Con- 
clusion. We  therefore  were  under  the  Necessity  to  take  a  more  direct 
Course.  The  General's  Account  of  the  Specie  was  at  his  request  reex- 
amined (after  it  had  been  passed  by  the  Commissioners)  at  the  Treasury 
Board  who  made  a  full  report  in  his  Favor,  which  was  received  by  Con- 
gress and  ordered  to  be  published.'  This  Report,  a  printed  Copy  of  which 
is  herewith  transmitted,  had  a  powerful  Effect  on  many  of  the  Members, 
who  heard  it  with  the  utmost  Pleasure,  and  frankly  acknowledged  that 
they  had  been  deceived. 

The  way  being  thus  prepared,  the  General  presented  a  Memorial  to 
Congress,  stating  such  of  their  Resolutions,  as  conveyed  a  Censure  upon 
him,  justifying  himself  in  every  particular.  This  after  some  Debate  pro- 
duced a  unanimous  Resolution  of  Congress,  That  the  Memorial  was  Satis- 
factory, and  that  the  Congress  entertained  the  same  favorable  Opinion 
of  the  General  as  they  entertained  before  the  passing  those  Resolutions.* 

A  compleat  and  honorable  Vindication  of  the  General's  Character  and 
Conduct  being  implied  in  that  resolution,  and  the  infamous  Charge  of 
embezzling  the  Specie  effectually  done  away  by  the  Report  from  the 
Treasury,  we  shall  give  ourselves  no  trouble  about  the  proposed  Enquiry ; 
especially  as  Congress  came  into  the  Appointment  of  the  Committee  with 
the  utmost  reluctance,  almost  every  Member  declaring  that  there  was  no 
Accuser  or  Charge  against  the  General,  and  that  the  Enquiry  was  there- 
fore unnecessary.  All  Impediments  being  now  removed,  we  shall  proceed 
to  take  the  most  speedy  Measures  for  reinstating  the  General  in  his  Com- 
mand.* In  the  critical  Situation  of  our  Affairs,  his  Services  are  loudly 
called  for:  We  therefore  conceived  that  this  Business  ought  first  to  be 
dispatched.  It  unavoidably  occasions  some  delay  in  the  other  Matters 
committed  to  our  Charge,  but  You  may  be  assured  that  they  shall  be 
attended  to,  with  all  the  zeal  and  diligence  of  which  we  are  capable. 
In  the  meantime  we  remain  wath  the  utmost  Regard 

Honble  Gentlemen 
Your  most  Obedt.  Humble  Servants 

Phil.  Livingston 
Jas.  Duane 

Hono'.  Convention  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  i8;  also  nos.  453,  461,  472,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  May  3 ;  cf.  ibid.,  Apr.  29,  May  13. 

4  See  the  Journals,  May  7,  8. 

5  See  the  Journals,  May  12,  15,  22;  also  nos.  495,  502,  511,  515,  post.    The  con- 
vention's reply  to  this  letter,  dated  May  28,  is  in  Jour.  N'.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  947. 


May,  17/7  359 

484.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.* 

Philadelphia,  10  May,  1777. 

....  Upon  a  hint  from  one  of  our  commissioners  abroad,^  we  are 
looking  about  for  American  curiosities  to  send  across  the  Atlantic,  as 
presents  to  the  ladies.  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  planetarium,  Mr,  Arnold's  col- 
lection of  varieties  in  the  virtuoso  way,  which  I  once  saw  at  Norwalk  in 
Connecticut,  Narrag-anset  pacing  mares,  mooses,  wood-ducks,  flying  squir- 
rels, red-winged  blackbirds,  cranberries  and  rattlesnakes,  have  all  been 
thought  of.  Is  not  this  a  pretty  employment  for  great  statesmen  as  we 
think  ourselves  to  be?  Frivolous  as  it  seems,  it  may  be  of  some  conse- 
quence. Little  attentions  have  great  influence.  I  think,  however,  we 
ought  to  consult  the  ladies  upon  this  point.     Pray  what  is  your  opinion  ? 

485.  William  Whipple  to  John  Langdon/ 

Philadelphia  loth.  May  1777. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  A  Navy  Board  is  to  be  established  at  Boston,  the  gentlemen 
who  compose  it  are  elected.  You  were  in  nom.ination,  but  as  I  thought 
you  had  rather  continue  in  the  business  you  are  then  [than]  to  remove  to 
Boston  for  a  salary  of  1500  dollars  I  did  not  urge  your  appointment.^ 


486.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  May  loth.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  P.  S.  I  am  directed  by  Congress  to  request  you  will  furnish 
them,  by  the  Return  of  this  Express,  with  an  Account  of  the  Number  of 
the  Troops  you  have  at  present.  It  is  not  expected  in  the  Situation  of  the 
Army,  without  an  Adjut  General,  that  you  will  be  able  to  do  it  [with] 
any  great  Degree  of  Precision.  What  they  desire  is,  that  you  will  give 
them  the  best  Information  in  your  Power  as  to  your  Number  and 
Strength." 

The  Congress  having  recommended  it  to  the  States  of  Delaware  and 
Pennsylvania  to  call  out  a  Body  of  their  Militia  amounting  in  the  whole 
to  four  Thousand  five  Hundred,  and  Preparations  being  made  for  their 
going  into  Camp,  would  wish  to'  know,  whether  in  your  Opinion,  it  is 
necessary  to  compleat  this  Business.  They  would  by  no  Means  interfere 
with  any  Plan  you  may  have  formed ;  and  therefore  leave  it  entirely  to 

[484]  1  Fa wi/jar  Letters,  p.  271. 

2  See  Deane  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  Nov.  28,  1776,  and  Deane 
to  Jay,  Dec.  3,  1776,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  196,  212. 
[485]^  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  347. 

2  Cf.  no.  480,  ante.     Langdon  was  elected  agent  of  prizes  for  New  Hampshire 
June  25,  1776. 

[486]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington.  XC.   185. 

2  No  resolution  to  tliis  effect  is  found  in  the  Journals.    Cf.  no.  487,  post. 

28 


360  Continental  Congress 

you  to  determine  on  the  I'xpedicncy  of  the  Measure,  beinji;  desirous  of 
co-operntiii}^  with  you  in  any  Scheme  you  may  have  projected  aji^ainst  the 
Enemy  ^ 

487.  The  Board  of  War  to  George  Washington.* 

War  Office  May  nth.  1777 
Sir 

....  Congress  are  desirous  to  be  informed  what  Number  of  Men  are 
now  under  your  Excellcy's  Command  in  New  Jersey  as  nearly  as  Cer- 
tainty can  be  arrived  at  in  the  present  Situation  of  the  Army,  in  Order 
that  a  Judgment  may  be  formed  of  the  Propriety  of  hastning  on  or  dis- 
banding the  Pennsilvania  and  Delaware  Militia  now  embodying  agreeable 
to  the  Request  of  Congress  who  would  be  glad  of  your  Excellcy's  Opinion 
on  the  Subject  and  that  you  would  inform  them  whether  the  disbanding 
the  Militia  would  be  safe  and  proper  or  would  in  any  wMse  interfere  with 
any  Plan  your  Exellcy.  has  formed.  From  the  distracted  State  of  Penn- 
silvania there  is  no  certain  Prospect  of  their  Quota  speedily  taking  the 
Field  and  no  Accounts  have  been  received  of  those  of  the  Delaware  State 
being  ready.  Steps  however  are  persuing  in  both  States  to  comply  with  the 
Recommendation  of  Congress  and  Part  of  the  Men  are  assembled.^ .... 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be 

Your  very  obed  and  most  hble  Servt 

Richard  Peters  Secy 
His  Excellcy  Genl  Washington 

488.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina.* 

Philadelphia,  May  nth  1777 
Sir: 

....  We  have  had  no  debates  of  any  consequences  in  Congress  except 
on  the  Confederation;  all  those  I  shall  transmit  you  at  once.^  It  goes  on 
very  slowly,  and  I  fear,  the  difficulty  of  preserving  the  independence  of 
the  States,  and  at  the  same  time  giving  to  each  its  proper  weight  in  the 
public  Council,  will  frustrate  a  Confederation.^  Altogether  I  have  had  so 
short  a  notice  of  this  opportunity  that  I  can  not  be  full  on  this  subject;  but 
as  I  give  the  most  diligent  attention  to  it  nothing  material  will  escape  me, 
and  you  shall  be  fully  informed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  etc.  your  Excellency's  ob't.  serv't., 

Thos.  Burke. 
Gov'r.  Caswell. 

^  For  the  action  regarding  the  Pennsylvania  and  Delaware  militia,  see  the 
Journals.  Apr.  23,  24,  25,  29;  also  the  motion  of  Richard  Henr}-  Lee,  printed  in  a  foot- 
note in  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford),  under  May  9  (p.  343),  and  no.  487,  post.  Cf.  no.  460, 
ante,  no.  523,  post.  Washington's  reply  to  this  letter,  dated  May  12  (Writings,  ed. 
Ford.  V.  359),  was  read  in  Congress  May  16. 

[487]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  154. 

2  See  no.  486,  ante. 
[488] ijV.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  469. 

2  See  no.  465,  note  3,  ante. 

3  See  Burke's  proposed  amendments  to  the  Confederation,  in  the  Journals, 
May  5;  cf.  nos.  503,  567,  528,  725,  739,  740,  post. 


May,  ijyy  361 

489.  James  Lovell  to  George  Washington.' 

Philada.  May  12th.  1777 
Honored  dear  Sir 

By  the  singular  manner  in  which  General  Lee  gives  out  his  character- 
izing opinions  Monsr.  Mahnedy  was  exalted  to  a  colonial  rank  in  Rhode 
Island  which  will  be  a  source  of  pain  to  him;  contrary  to  the  intention  of 
his  mentioned  zealous  friend :  Congress  has  aimed  by  passing  over  one 
continental  gradation,  from  Major  to  Colonel,  to  lessen  that  pain  to  this 
Gentlemen,  who  is  high  in  his  professions  of  ambition  to  give  signal  testi- 
mony, in  the  field,  of  his  attachment  to  our  cause.^ .... 

490.  Roger  Sherman  to  Oliver  Wolcott.^ 

Sir.  Philadelphia  May  13.  1777 

....  Nothing  very  material  has  been  done  in  Congress  since  you  left 
It.  The  quarter  master  general's  department  has  been  regulated  ^  and 
Col.  Jedediah  Huntington  and  Col.  Joseph  Read  were  yesterday  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  brigadiers.  The  confederation  has  been  twice  entered  upon  • 
but  not  much  progress  made  in  it.  The  Commissary  general  is  here' 
he  has  displaced  his  deputy  Wharton.  Regulations  are  prepared  to  put 
that  department  on  a  good  footing,  but  not  passed  Congress."  I  hope  you 
will  soon  return  with  some  other  of  the  delegates  I  want  very  much  to 
return  home.  I  am  not  very  well  cannot  endure  so  close  attention  to  bus- 
iness as  IS  necessary  when  but  one  delegate  from  the  state  is  attending 
Mr  Ellery's  time  expired  last  week  and  he  has  no  account  of  being  reap- 
pointed.^   Neither  that  state  nor  Deleware  are  now  represented 

491.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).' 

Honored  Sir,  Philadelphia,  May  14th,  1777. 

Your  letter  to  Congress  was  received  and  read,  and  then  committed  to 
the  Board  of  War.^ ....  Congress  has  lately  been  employed  in  regulat- 

[489]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  i68 

:;o8  PostCen^/hZTl'  ^P'-  ^^'  ^^y}""'.  'f-  ^bid.,  Sept.  19,  17/6.  See  also  nos.  501, 
f^%hZ  T  1  ;  }.flJ^^^  ^  recommendation  of  Malmedy  for  a  brigadier-generalship 
St-f  PC  i6t"i6;  rt^^n'-  Wl%''  '"  ?•  ^k^''.'-'  ^'"I-  "^-  Letter!  of  Mitaedy  aJ? 
Soc  '  Follertinlf^'  fl'  i\  ^^•'^'^-  PP"  ^4,  67,  186.  The  letters  are  also  in  N.  Y.  Hist. 
mS  16  to  Con^rei  M.t'x^'  l^'  Wh^^,'  ^''\?^^-  ^^^  ^^^«  Washington  to  Malmedy, 
^6?  in  ?pH  Q^  i\  t7.^^'  *°  ^-  ^-  L^^'  ^^y  ^7,  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  363 
tid.lN.  S:  ^'^'  ^''  ^^'  '^-  ^^'^^h'"gton  to  Major  Colerus,  May  19! 

l490]i  Conn   Hist.  Soc.,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  L,  no.  9  (copy). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  21,  Apr.  16,  23,  May  14 
from  Phil^firrf^"^?/  ^^^'  458,  <inte.  Joseph  Trumbull  wrote  to  Governor  Trumbull 
in  the  rn^iSr  '  n^^  '/•  ?  T  yet.  detained  here,  on  some  Regulations  proposed 
be  thro^  i^  a  ?hf.  W^Jw'"\  A"  •!"^''''  "^^  P^""  ''  "°^  preparing,  and  I  hope  will 
CommLaJv  rln^r.l  if  i/V^^'V*  ''.  proposed  to  have  a  Purchasing  and  Issuing 
onX  otW"  rSi'J  M-^.^^P^'^r  ^"d  {"dependant  on  each  other,  and  each  a  Check 
TrumbutvL  x^' )"^Se^?o.  495;  n^ot^^'^/..^  =  ^'^^^^^  ^'  ^-^--'  ^-^  ^rans.. 

*  See  no.  482,  ante. 
[491]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  sen,  U   46 

See  no.  A^rpl^sf'  '^"''''  '^''^^^  ^^^^  ^'  '''^'  '^^'"''^^  *°  ^^  ^^^'"'^  °^  ^^^  ^^y  12. 


362  Continental  Congress 

ing  the  several  (leparliiients  of  the  army,  thai  the  husiiiess  may  he  properly 
coiKluctetl  aiul  frauds  aiul  ahuse  prevented.  The  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion have  several  times  come  under  consideration,  hut  not  much  progress 
made  therein.  Rhode  Island  is  not  represented,  Mr.  Mllery's  time  expired 
last  week  and  he  has  no  information  of  being  reappointed.  Letters  as  late 
as  the  15th  of  April  received  from  our  agent  in  Martineco  inform  tiiat  our 
trade  receives  all  the  protection  that  could  he  desired  from  the  (i(n''  of  the 
French  Islands,  but  no  certain  accounts  whether  a  war  will  soon  take  place 
between  France  and  Britain.^ .... 

The  Gentleman  who  gave  information  of  Governor  Franklin's  misbe- 
haviour, and  the  inattention  of  our  Government  to  prevent  it,  seemed  dis- 
pleased that  any  part  of  the  information  was  contradicted  by  your  Hon" 
letter.  I  have  no  doubt  but  his  information  was  good  as  to  Governor 
Franklin's  misconduct.  As  to  our  Government  being  informed  of  it,  he 
says  that  he  told  Genii  Parsons  of  it,  and  that  Mr  Burr  of  Fairfield  was 
also  informed  of  it.  Mr.  Duer  is  zealously  engaged  to  suppress  Tories.* 
The  Congress  promoted  Colonels  Huntington  and  Read  to  the  rank  of 
Brigadiers  General  on  the  12th  instant,  the  first  on  General  Washington's 
request 

492.  Roger  Sherman  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia,  May  i6th,  1777. 
Sir, 

The  President  detained  the  express  'till  to  day,  waiting  for  the  Board 
of  War  to  report  on  your  Hours  letters."    The  Board  took  it  into  con- 

^  Tlie  agent  at  Martinique  was  William  Bingham.  Letters  from  him  at  this 
time  are  not  mentioned  in  the  Journals.    Cf.  no.  501,  post. 

*  The  proceedings  in  Congress  relative  to  Governor  Franklin  were  Apr.  22. 
See  also  Washington  to  Trumbull,  Mar.  23,  Trumbull  to  Washington,  Apr.  14,  Wash- 
ington to  Trumbull,  Apr.  21,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  fifth  ser..  X.  50,  56,  58. 
Washington's  letter  of  Mar.  23  is  also  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  294.  Cf.  the  Journals, 
Dec.  3,  1776,  July  28,  Oct.  22,  1777.  A  letter  of  Titus  Hosmer  to  William  Williams, 
June  27,  1777,  throws  light  upon  some  phases  of  the  matter : 

"  Tho'  I  believe  you  remember  the  Affair,  yet  least  it  may  have  slipped  from  you  the 
Case  stands  thus — last  Winter  Colo.  Duer  informed  Genl  Parsons  that  Govr.  Franklin 
was  dispersing  the  Howes  proclamations  and  protections  in  this  state,  that  a  Number 
of  the  Members  of  the  General  Assembly  received  Protections  of  him  at  Middletown, 
and  that  he  would  furnish  him  with  Evidence  tc  prove  the  Charge  against  the  particular 
Members  that  were  guilty. 

"  This  Story  Genl.  Parsons  published,  chance  fixed  the  Censure  upon  Three  Gentle- 
men vyc.  you  know.  Genl  Parsons  was  called  upon  for  Evidence  to  support  the  facts 
and  direct  a  prosecution  against  those  so  namd.  He  promised  to  procure  it,  and  alledges 
that  he  wrote  several  Letters  to  Colo.  Duer  requesting  him  to  furnish  requisite  proofs 
to  which  he  had  no  answer,  in  the  Meantime  Colo.  Duer  reports  at  Congress 
that  Govr.  Franklin  was  circulating  Protections  in  Connecticut,  that  this  was  publicly 
known  here,  and  no  Notice  was  taken  of  it 

"  I  for  my  self  yet  earnestly  wish  to  know  the  Truth,  and  bring  to  Condign  punish- 
ment any  Persons  especially  any  Members  of  Assembly  concerned  in  so  villainous  a 
Transaction,  and  shall  esteem  it  a  very  particular  favour  in  you  to  wait  upon  Colo. 
Duer  and  request  him  to  give  Directions  how  we  may  come  at  proof  or  any  Clue  to 
unravel  this  Transaction  and  bring  it  to  light  and  expose  and  punish  those  Concerned." 
(Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  William  Williams  Papers.)  It  is  evident  from  Hosmer's  statements 
that  "  the  gentleman  who  gave  information  ",  etc.,  was  Mr.  Duer. 

[492]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  TI.  48. 

2  See  liO.  491,  ante.    The  prior  resolution  referred  to  was  Dec  10,  1776. 


May,  1777  363 

sideration  this  morning,  but  did  not  think  it  necessary  to  make  any  report 
to  Congress  on  the  contents,  as  the  resohition  of  Congress,  passed  last 
December,  authorizing  your  Hour  to  retain  two  regiments  for  the  defence 

of  the  State  until  further  order,  has  not  been  superceded Letters 

were  this  day  received  from  France  as  late  as  the  25th  of  March,  but  no 
material  news;  they  related  chiefly  to  commerce.' .  ... 

P.  S.  I  should  think  it  advisable  to  represent  to  General  Washington 
the  necessity  of  having  the  battalions  stationed  in  Connecticut.  When 
the  Board  of  War  had  the  matter  under  consideration  the  resolution  of 
Congress  was  not  before  them,  but  they  supposed  it  was  at  General  Wash- 
ington's option  to  call  for  the  troops  when  he  might  think  proper. 

493.  Thomas  Nelson,  jr.,  to  the  Speaker  of  the  Virginia  House 

OF  Delegates  (George  Wythe). ^ 

Offley  Ho^  ^  May  i6th  1777 
Sir 

A  total  inability  to  attend  to  business,  having  oblig'd  me  to  quit  the 
Congress,  I  beg  leave,  thro'  you,  to  acquaint  the  Assembly  with  it,  that 
they  may  appoint  another  Delegate ;  and  I  will  take  the  liberty  to  advise, 
that  this  be  immediately  done,  because  the  Congress  are  now  engag'd  in 
forming  the  Confederation,  in  which  Virginia  is  deeply  interested. 

Nothing  but  necessity  could  have  induced  me  to  leave  Congress  at  this 
critical  time,  and  I  hope  I  shall  stand  excus'd.^ 

I  have  the  honour  to  be 
Sir 

Your  obedt  Servt 

Thos  Nelson  jr.* 

494.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  17  May,  1777. 

....  Mr.  Gorham  and  Mr.  Russel  are  here  with  a  petition  from 
Charlestown.  It  grieves  me  that  they  are  to  return  without  success.  I 
feel,  most  exquisitely,  for  the  unhappy  people  of  that  town.  Their  agents 
have  done  every  thing  in  their  power  or  in  the  power  of  men  to  do,  and 
the  Massachusetts  delegates  have  seconded  their  efforts  to  the  utmost  of 
their  power,  but  all  in  vain.  The  distress  of  the  States,  arising  from  the 
quantity  of  money  abroad,  and  the  monstrous  demands  that  would  be 
made  from  Virginia,  New  Jersey,  New  York  and  elsewhere,  if  a  precedent 
should  be  once  set,  has  determined  the  Congress,  almost  with  tears  in  their 
eyes,  to  withstand  this  application  at  present.  Every  man  expressed  the 
utmost  tenderness  and  humanity  upon  the  occasion :  but  at  the  same  time, 

3  The  Journals  do  not  record  the  receipt  of  letters  from  France. 
[493]^  Va.  State  Library. 

2  Offley  House,  Hanover  County,  Virginia,  the  home  of  Thomas  Nelson,  jr. 

3  Nelson  obtained  leave  of  absence  May  8. 

*  The  original  signature  has  been  clipped  and  supplied  at  the  side. 
[494]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  273. 


n64  Continental  Congress 

every  man,  except  the  Massachusetts  delegates,  expressed  his  full  convic- 
tion of  the  ill  policy  of  granting  any  thing  at  present.- 

495.  Philip  Schuyler  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  i8th  May  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

....  The  Board  of  War  have  reported  to  Congress,  that  I  ought 
again  to  be  invested  with  the  Command  in  the  Northern  Department,  and 
that  General  Gates  should  continue  to  serve  under  me,  or  join  your  Ex- 
cellency. This  occasioned  a  warm  Debate  which  will  be  renewed  to 
Morrow.^ 

-  The  Charlestown  petition  was  presented  to  Congress  May  14,  and  the  resolu- 
tion relative  to  it  is  in  the  Journals,  May  16.  See  nos.  500,  512,  post.  Cf.  the  case  of 
Falmouth,  the  Journals,  Mar.  t,  1776. 

[495]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  244. 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  15,  22;  also  nos.  472,  483,  ante,  502,  511,  515,  post.  The 
following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Joseph  Trumbull,  then  in  Philadelphia,  to  Jeremiah 
Wadsworth  throws  light  on  some  of  the  proceedings  of  Congress  upon  the  Schuyler 
affair  as  well  as  upon  the  proceedings  concerning  the  commissary  department.  The 
letter,  dated  May  17  (the  latter  part  of  the  postscript  was  written  May  19),  is  in  the 
Maine  Historical  Society,  Revolution,  no.  7 : 

"(P.  S.)    Are  not  some  of  our  Delegates  coming  on  here?    Mr.  Sherman  is  left  alone, 
and  he  wishes  a  little  rest. 

"  As  to  Bror.  Jack — on  Mr  Lovell's  rect.  of  his  last  letter  to  him  which  you  saw,  it 
was  moved  in  Congress ;  that  Genl  Gates  should  have  power  to  fill  his  place.  On  which 
Dr  Witherspoon  rose  and  said  he  had  no  Objection,  so  that  he  was  restrained  from 
appointing  Mr  Trumbull.  On  this  he  was  Replied  to  and  told  that,  the  Young  Gentleman 
dispized  the  Idea  of  asking  a  Commission  of  the  first  date,  as  a  Favr.  and  it  could  not  be 
supposed  that  he  would  be  mean  eno'  to  take  one  of  a  whole  Year's  later  date.  But 
to  remove  that  Gentleman's  fears,  he  would  move  in  behalf  of  the  Young  Gentleman,  that 
his  Resignation  might  be  Accepted  and  if  he  pleased  that  he  might  never  be  able  to 
hold  another  Commission  as  he  was  sure  he  never  would  accept  one,  after  the  Treatment 
he  had  reed,  however  his  Resignation  was  Accepted.  So  that  he  is  quite  out  of  the 
Army,  and  I  hope  will  never  be  in  it  again.  I  have  since  applied  to  Colo  Hancock 
several  Times  in  person  and  by  Writing  to  know  when  the  Commission  was  sent— 
he  has  not,  and  will  not  do  it.  I  intend  to  apply  once  more,  if  he  don't  give  it,  I  will 
ask  Congress  for  it.  I  am  Convinced  [he  neve]r  Sent  it,  and  I  fancy  he  never  intended 
to.  [Hancock?]  is  going  on  to  Boston.  I  have  noticed  this  matter  to  Govr.  Trumbull, 
that  he  may  treat  him  accordingly  as  he  passes.  Every  Act  is  Using  here  to  get  Genl 
Gates  recalled,  the  Event,  I  can't  yet  give  yon.  perhaps  I  may  before  I  close  this.  Genl 
Schuyler  is  here,  with  his  mirmedon's.  6  oClock  P  M.  My  Department  is  dividing  into 
two — Purchasing  and  Issuing,  the  Regulations  are  nearly  finished  I  like  them  very  well, 
this  will  make  both  Places  new,  as  mine  is  superceded,  whether  they'll  offer  me  either 
I  know  not  yet.  if  they  give  me  the  purchases,  I  shall  accept  it,  if  the  allowance  is  what 
I  think  it  ought  to  be.  they  have  not  got  to  that  part  yet.  I  gave  them  the  Terms, — 
h  pr.  Ct.  to  myself,  and  24  to  the  purchasers,  this  they  Choak  at,  but  I  am  deter- 
mined to  have  my  own  Terms  or  have  nothing.  I  am  to  appoint  one  Deputy  Com- 
missary Genl  of  Purchases  in  Each  Department,  and  he  to  have  such  others  under 
him,  of  my  appointment,  as  may  be  best,  but  to  reduce  the  Numbers.  I  never  will 
ask  any  appointment  of  them.  A  large  Party  will  be  glad  to  be  rid  of  me.  I  shall  not 
be  disappointed  if  they  don't  give  the  offer.  Or  if  they  do,  if  they  should  set  the  allow- 
ances so  low  that  I  shall  despise  them,  therefore  you  may  esteem  it  an  Even  Chance, 
whetJier  I  do  anything  in  it  or  not.  if  I  do,  you  shall  be  Deputy  in  the  Eastern  Depart- 
ment, but  be  assured,  I  will  have  it  on  a  proper  footing  or  not  at  all.  I  should  be 
perfectly  accursed  was  I  dependent,  as  well  as  Attendant  here.  I  have  given  In  my 
Proposals  3  Weeks  to  morrow.  I  have  seen  nothing  of  them  untill  this  Morning,  and 
now  they  are  very  little  [ad]vanced,  and  yet  three  weeks  elapsed,  not  one  Word  have 
I  heard  from  Lebanon  or  Windham  since  I  left  them  are  they  all  Dead?  [May  19] 
Monday  Morning,  6  oClock.    As  to  Genl  Gates,  I  fear  he  will  be  recalled.    Rhode  Island 


^^y^  ^777  3G5 

496.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  May  20th.  1777. 
Sir, 

This  will  be  delivered  to  you  by  Mrs.  Graydon  of  this  City,  a  very 
worthy  Lady,  whose  anxiety  to  see  her  Son  Captain  Graydon^  now  a 
Prisoner  with  the  Enemy,  is  so  great,  that  Congress  have  been  induced 
to  consent  to  her  having  an  Interview  with  him.  I  am  therefore  to  re- 
quest your  Attention  to  the  enclosed  Resolve  on  the  Subject,  and  that 
you  will  give  Directions  for  having  it  carried  into  Execution  in  such 
Manner  as  you  may  think  proper.^ 

497.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Jefferson.^ 

Phila.  May  20,  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

....  One  plan  now  in  frequent  use,  is,  to  assassinate  the  Characters 
of  the  friends  of  America  in  every  place,  and  by  every  means.^ 

At  this  moment  they  are  now  reading  in  Congress,  an  audacious  attempt 
of  this  kind  against  the  brave  General  Arnold.^ .... 

498.  The  Virginia  Delegates  to  the  Speaker  of  the  Virginia 
House  of  Delegates  (George  Wythe). ^ 

Philadelphia  May  20th  1777 
Sir, 

We  are  favored  with  yours  covering  a  resolve  of  Assembly  to  which 
we  shall  pay  due  attention.     The  first  Volume  of  the  last  edition  of  the 

is  not  represented  etc.  I  wish  our  Delegates  some  of  them  would  come  on  there  is  so 
miuch  Bnsmess  and  so  many  Committee's  that  a  full  representation  is  necessary.  I  expect 
the  Regulations  of  the  Commissary  Department  will  get  thro'  bv  Wensday.  at  least  I 
hope  so  Genl  Mifflm  s  thro  he  is  left  at  large,  about  paying  his  purchasers  If  I  am 
ap  [pointed  I  sha]ll  have  a  New  Agreement.    Time  will  show  us  w[hat  is  t]o  be  done. 

I  am  your's  as  before 

Concerning  the  commissary  department  see  nos.  4S0,  457,  4S8,  490,  ante.  The'^new 
regulations  for  the  organization  and  conduct  of  the  department  were  adopted  Tune  10  • 
the  compensation  was  established  June  16.  See  nos.  517-520,  522.  529,  bosi  The  regu- 
lations for  the  quartermaster-general's  department  were  adopted  May  14      ' 

[496]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Washington  Papers. 

2  See  ih^  Journals,  May  15L  Capt.  Alexander  Graydon,  of  the  third  Pennsylvania 
-^^nT'Jr  ''t'"  P'^'a""'  ^'  Fort  Washington  Nov.  16,  1776.  He  was  paroled  July 
\Th  T  c:'fSf-^  ^P""-  i\i778.  His  Memoirs  (Harrisburg,  1811;  Philadelphia 
1846,  ed.  J  S.  Littel  )  IS  one  of  the  best-known  sources  of  the  Revolutionary  period  An 
account  of  his  mother  s  visit  to  him  at  Flatbush  and  her  efforts  to  obtain  his  release 
W^nn^l^^P^i.^^^^^  ^^^-  ff^ '  ?"  ^^'"^'■^^  concerning  President  Hancock  "  He  had 
man  of  ?h*i  wnrM°^r''?  °^  ^''  ''^'"''  °^  f  °/"^  ^"^°  New  York,  but  was  sufficiently  a 

t^«.ii  T  -i!^  ^'  ^?^'^^  °"  an  appearance  of  being  pleased  with  its  success  "  (p.  283) 
H\l?y\\ti7.^lx^y:]^;''^''  ^^P^"'  --"^  --•'  ^I.  zs.    Leners  of  RiUari 
2  See  no.  qo6,  post. 

Arnold,  L^;n'AiSf;)S,'^p.'^,tr"  '"'  ""''  ''  '^'  °""-     '"  ='="  ''  ^• 


366  Continental  Congress 

Journal  of  Congress,  is  now  published,  and  shall  be  forwarded  to  Wil- 
liamsburg by  the  first  opportunity.  This  Volume  reaches  no  further  than 
the  30th  of  deccmber  1775.  As  our  duty  directs,  so  our  inclinations  lead 
to  an  immediate  compliance  with  the  desires  of  the  House  of  Delegates, 
hut  we  apprehend  insurmountable  ditTiculty  in  getting  the  manuscript 
journal,  because  the  many  secret  articles  cannot  be  exposed  to  a  Copier, 
and  neither  the  Secretary  or  ourselves  have  time  to  do  it.  The  Printer  has 
hitherto  been  delayed  for  want  of  paper,  but  now  that  is  obtained,  we  shall 
urge  the  publication  of  the  remaining  Journal,  and  send  it  to  you  Sir, 
with  all  the  dispatch  in  our  power.^ 

We  have  the  honor  to  be  with  esteem  and  respect 

Sir  Your  most  obedient  servants 

Richard  Henry  Lee 
Francis  Lightfoot  Lee 
]\L\NN  Page  jr  ' 

P.  S.  We  shall  endeavor  to  prevail  with  the  Post  Rider  to  take  the  Vol 
of  Journal  with  him  this  Trip. 

499.  Roger  Sherman  to  Oliver  Wolcott.^ 

Philadelphia  May  21 :  1777 
Sir 

....  A  committee  is  appointed  to  consider  wliat  Honors  are  due  to 
the  Memory  of  Genii.  Wooster.  there  are  different  accounts  of  the  day  of 
his  death.  Some  say  Thursday  others  Friday  and  others  Saturday  I 
wish  that  could  be  ascertained,  and  that  I  could  be  informed  of  his  age.^ 


500.  The  ^Massachusetts  Delegates  to  the  Speaker  of  the 

Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives 

(James  Warren).^ 

Philadelphia,  May  21st  1777 
Sir 

Mr.  Gorham  and  Mr.  Russel,  Agents  of  the  Town  of  Charlestown,  have 
presented  to  Congress  a  Petition  from  the  Unfortunate  Inhabitants  of  that 
Place,  praying  for  a  Compensation  for  their  Losses.  The  Petition  w^as 
drawn  in  very  decent  and  handsome  Terms,  containing  a  lively  Descrip- 

2  May  9  the  Virginia  house  of  delegates  had  "  Resolved,  that  the  Speaker  be 
desired  to  write  to  our  delegates  in  Congress,  requesting  they  will  send  to  this  House 
a  printed  copy  of  their  journals,  as  far  as  the  same  are  printed,  and  also  a  manuscript 
copy  of  the  journals  to  this  time,  so  far  as  the  same  are  allowed  to  be  published."  See 
also  Jefferson  to  John  Adams,  May  16,  in  Jefferson's  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  II.  129. 
Cf.  no.  507.  post. 

3  The  original  signatures  have  been  cut  out  and  supplied  in  the  margm. 
[499]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  I.,  no.  10. 

2  The  resolution  in  the  Journals,  May  19,  gives  the  date  of  Wooster's  death  as 
May  2,  which  was  Friday.    See  also  the  Journals,  June  17. 

[500]!  Mass.  Arch..  CXCVII.  71;  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Massachusetts 
Records,  Letters,  1777. 


May,  1777  367 

tion  of  the  distresses  to  which  the  unhappy  Petitioners  were  reduced,  from 
a  State  of  Ease  and  affluence ;  and  the  Gentlemen  who  presented  the  Peti- 
tion have  urged  every  motive  which  could  either  show  the  Justice  and 
Policy  of  granting  the  Request,  or  which  could  move  the  humanity  and 
Charity  of  those  who  heard  it. 

These  Endeavors  of  theirs  have  been  seconded  by  your  Delegates  in 
Congress,  but  to  no  other  Effect  than  to  obtain  a  Committee  to  consider 
the  Petition,  whose  Report  altho'  it  expresses  much  Sympathy  with  that 
virtuous  People  in  Affliction,  contains  a  Denyal  of  their  Request  on  ac- 
count of  the  present  condition  of  the  Finances  of  the  United  States :  as,  the 
granting  of  Compensation  even  in  Part,  at  this  Time,  would  set  a  Pre- 
cedent for  so  many  and  so  great  Demands,  of  a  similar  Nature  that  the 
public  treasury  would  not  be  able  to  Spare  so  much  from  the  necessary 
Calls  of  the  War. 

There  was  a  Great  deal  of  Delicacy  shown  thro  the  whole  debate  upon 
this  Subject,  every  one  wished  it  was  in  the  power  of  Congress  to  grant 
the  desired  Relief;  most  acknowledged  the  Justice  of  the  Demand;  but, 
all  agreed  that,  at  present  it  would  be  impolitic  to  grant  it — except  the 
delegates  from  the  Massachusetts  Bay. 

Upon  a  Motion  that  a  Small  Part  of  the  Losses  should  be  made  up, 
such  was  the  reluctance  to  giving  a  negative  that  the  previous  Question 
was  moved  and  put;  so  that  a  present  determination  might  not  prejudice 
the  Petitioners  in  any  Future  application. 

It  may  be  doubtfull  whether  such  petetions  to  Congress,  from  particular 
Corporations,  or  Independants  in  any  State  are  proper.  Perhaps  it  would 
be  better  that  each  State  shd.  ascertain  the  amount  of  its  own  Lx)sses,  in 
this  Kind,  and  represent  it  to  Congress ;  that  so,  in  the  End,  some  Adjust- 
ment may  be  made  between  the  several  States. 

That  such  an  adjustment  will,  sooner  or  later,  be  made  is  not  doubted 
by  Us :  because,  neither  Equity  nor  sound  policy  will  admit  that  different 
states,  contending  in  the  same  common  Cause,  having  in  View  the  same 
common  Benefit,  should  be  unequally  loaded  with  expense,  or  suffer  dis- 
proportionate Losses,  but,  as  it  is  impossible  to  foresee  what  Course  the 
War  will  take,  or  what  State  will  be  the  greatest  Sufferer,  it  is  probable 
this  question  will  be  postponed  untill  the  End  of  the  War. 

In  the  mean  Time,  our  Brethren  and  Neighbors,  virtuously  struggling 
together  with  us  for  every  Thing  that  is  valuable,  and  reduced  from  Pros- 
perity to  Adversity  by  the  cruel  Stroke  of  War,  must  not  be  left  to  suffer 
unnoticed.  This  would  be  plainly  repugnant  to  the  dictates  of  Humanity, 
to  the  Precepts  of  Christian  Charity  to  the  Rules  of  common  Justice  and 
the  soundest  policy; — a  Chain  of  Motives  which  doubtless  produced  the 
Grants  already  made  by  the  General  Assembly  of  our  State  for  the  imme- 
diate Subsistence  of  these  sufferers.  But,  as  the  unfortunate  Petitioners 
were  deprived  of  their  necessary  Tools  and  Materials  for  Business,  it  was 
remarked  by  the  Gentleman  who  pleaded  for  them  in  Congress,  that  an 
advance  sufficient  to  replace  those  Things  would  be  a  most  essential  Relief 
and  by  far  the  most  economical  in  the  end.    And  it  was  suggested  that 


368  Continental  Congress 

such  Estates  of  disaffected  Persons  as  may  be  sequestered  or  confiscated, 
tliroughout  the  Limits  of  our  Union,  mipht  be  a  Fund,  to  insure  the  Loan 
of  Monies,  for  compensating;-  patriotic  Sufferers.  This,  however,  was  not 
formally  recommended.  Lach  State  is  competent  to  the  Business,  if 
judged  proper. 

Having:  reported  this  Affair  as  it  has  been  conducted  in  Congress,"  we 
wish  it  to  be  communicated  by  you  to  the  Honorable  House,  for  any 
Emolument  which  their  Wisdom  may  direct. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be  with  much  Respect,  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  Servants 

John  Hancock 
Samuel  Adams 
John  Adams 
Elbridge  Gerry 
James  Lovell 

To  the  Speaker  of  the  Honble.  House 
of  Representatives  of  Massachusetts  Bay 


501.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  22d.  May  1777 

Dear  General 

The  subject  of  your  letter  of  the  27th.  [i7th]^  is  a  very  important  one. 
and  whilst  it  deserves  the  greatest  attention,  is  certainly  involved  in  great 
difflculty.  Of  one  truth  however,  I  beg  you  Sir  to  be  convinced — That  no 
desire  to  get  rid  of  importunity  has  occasioned  these  appointments,  but 
motives  military  and  political  meerly. 

These  Adventurers  may  be  divided  into  three  Classes,  some  who  came 
early  and  without  any  recommendation  but  apparent  zeal,  with  Commis- 
sions shewing  that  they  had  been  in  service.  Others  that  brought  with 
them  recommendations  from  our  good  friend  the  Count  D'Argoud  Gen- 
eral of  Martinique,  and  from  Mr.  Bingham  the  Continental  agent  in  that 
Island.     A  third  Class  includes  those  who  come  from  France,  generally 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  14,  16;  see  also  no.  494,  ante,  and  no.  512,  post. 
[SOi]'^  Letters  of  Richard  Henry   Lee    (ed.    Ballagh),   I.   293;   Memoirs   of  R.   H. 
Lee,  II.  17;  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  I.  313. 

2  The  letter  referred  to  is  evidently  that  to  Lee  dated  May  17,  in  Writings  (ed. 
Ford),  V.  369.  See  also  Washington's  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  May  16, 
ibid.,  V.  367.  Washington's  reply  to  Lee,  June  i,  is  ibid.,  V.  403.  Numerous  other 
letters  of  Washington  dealt  with  this  question.  The  difficulties  of  Congress  from  the 
application  of  foreigners  for  military  appointments  had  become  acute  some  time  before, 
and  they  were  to  become  still  more  so.  See,  for  instance,  the  Journals,  Mar.  13,  14, 
19,  21.  May  8,  30,  June  10,  July  16,  17,  Aug.  13,  Sept.  8,  Oct.  10,  Nov.  7,  11,  14;  also 
nos.  360A,  407,  410,  418,  489,  ante,  508.  514,  521,  525,  post.  For  some  account  of  the  matter, 
together  with  sketches  of  the  principal  foreign  officers  who  served  in  the  Revolution, 
see  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  I.  397  et  seq.  See  also  Balch,  The  French  in  America, 
ch.  viii ;  and  Doniol,  Histoire  de  la  Participation  de  la  France  a  I'Stablissement  des  Stats- 
Unis  d'Amerique. 


May,  1771  369 

under  agreement  with  our  Commissioners,  or  one  of  them  at  least. ^  The 
strongest  obligations  rest  upon  us,  (tho'  the  inconvenience  is  great)  to 
make  good  engagements  with  the  latter,  and  if  the  second  had  been  disre- 
garded we  might  have  oflfended  a  good  and  powerful  Friend  in  Martinique 
who  has  done  many  good  offices  there;  or  have  brought  our  Agent  into 
disrepute.  Among  the  first  Class,  I  realy  believe  there  are  many  worthless 
Men,  and  I  heartily  wish  we  were  rid  of  them.  All  this  is  true,  and  yet  I 
feel  the  great  force  of  your  reasoning,  and  the  many  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  providing  for  them  properly  and  that  may  be  tolerably  [agjreeable 
to  them.  It  is  of  some  consequence  that  we  all,  [in]  our  several  depart- 
ments, endeavor  to  smooth  this  rug[ge]d  business  as  much  as  possible. 
When  Gen.  Con  [way]  was  appointed,  I  did  hope  that  as  he  knew  most 
[of]  them,  and  spoke  both  french  and  English  well,  tha[t]  [h]e  might 
relieve  you  from  the  greater  part  of  this  difficulty,*  for  realy  the  discon- 
tented importunit[y]  of  the  greater  part  of  those  Gentlem.  is  too  much  to 
be  borne  un[der]  [o]ur  various  and  important  attention  [**]  I  will  pre- 
vail with  the  Committee  for  foreign  applications  to  furnish  you  with  the 
most  explicit  views  of  Congress  in  ev[ery]  appointment,  as  well  as  with 
the  recommendations  under  which  each  appointment  was  and  is  made. 
We  have  written  both  to  France  and  to  Martinique  to  stop  the  furthe[r] 
flow  of  these  Gentlemen  here,  and  after  the  letters  arrive  I  suppose  we 
shall  have  no  more.  Many  of  the  last  Comers,  are,  I  believe,  Men  of 
real  merit,  and  if  they  will  learn  to  express  themselves  tolerably  in  English, 
may  be  of  service  to  the  xA-rmy.  The  desire  to  obtain  Engineers,  and 
Artillerists  was  the  principal  cause  of  our  being  so  overburthened.  The 
first  that  came  had  sagacity  enough  quickly  to  discern  our  wants,  and 
professing  competency  in  these  branches, — they  were  too  quickly  believed. 
And  when  our  Commissioners  abroad  (in  consequence  of  directions  for 
this  purpose)  enquired  for  those  x\rtists.  Military  Speculation  was  imme- 
diately up,  and  recommendations  were  obtained  from  persons  of  so  much 
consideration  in  France,  that  the  success  of  our  applications  then  made 
it  quite  necessary  not  to  neglect  them.  And  at  this  moment  I  am  appre- 
hensive that  the  discontent  of  many  may  injure  our  cause  abroad  when  we 
would  wish  it  to  stand  well.  As  you  express  it  Sir,  the  affair  requires 
great  delicacy  in  its  management,  as  well  on  the  account  of  our  own 
Officers  as  on  that  of  these  Foreigners. 

• 

8  See  especially  the  letters  of  Silas  Deane,  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II. 
One  of  the  agreements  between  the  commissioners  and  certain  French  officers  is  ibid., 
II.  269.  See  also  Deane  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  Dec.  6,  1776  {ibid., 
II.  218-221),  Franklin  to  the  President,  Jan.  20,  1777  {ibid.,  II.  251),  the  letters  of 
Franklin  and  Deane,  Mar.  12,  May  25  {ibid.,  II.  283,  322),  Franklin  to  Washington, 
June  13  {ibid.,  II.  340),  Lovell  to  Washington,  July  24  {(bid.,  II.  366),  and  Franklin 
to  Lovell,  Oct.  17  {ibid.,  II.  411).    Lovell's  letter  of  July  24  is  also  found  post  (no.  559). 

*  See  the  Journals,  May  13,  Deane  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence 
Nov.  29,  1776,  and  editorial  note  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  202.  See  also  no. 
700,  post. 


.*JTO  Continental  Congress 

502.  James  Lovkll  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

PiiiLADA.  May  22(1.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

The  strange  delays  of  Mr.  Yancey  ^  here,  greatly  mortifying  to  him, 
have  drawn  me  on  day  by  day  from  an  earlier  acknowledgment  of  your 
favor  of  Apr.  29th. 

Indeed,  I  could  not  have  related  to  you,  before  this  time,  any  interesting 
decisions  concerning  such  matters  as  have  been  moved  in  Congress  con- 
nected with  Tyconderoga.^ 

Misconstructions  of  past  resolves,  and  consequent  jealousies,  have  pro- 
duced a  definition  of  the  northern  department;  and  General  Schyler  is 
ordered  to  take  the  command  of  it.  The  resolve  also  which  was  thought 
to  fix  Head  Quarters  at  Albany  is  repealed.* 

It  was  said  you  tioiv  look  upon  yourself  in  the  same  command  which 
he  had  held.  This  was  universally  denyed  to  be  the  Intention  of  sending 
you  to  Tyconderoga  to  take  the  command  of  the  army  there.  The  Debate 
in  March  was  about  the  Adjutancy  or  Tyconderoga ;  and  it  was  decided 
for  the  latter.^  In  the  present  Debate  I  acknowledged  it  was  my  hope  and 
7vish,  at  the  time  you  went,  and  still  continues  to  be,  that  the  officer  who 
is  at  so  very  important  a  post  shd.  not  be  under  the  absolute  orders  of 
another  at  100  miles  distance,  in  treaty  with  Indians  or  busied  in  the  duties 
of  a  Providore.  This  Idea  was  supported  by  several :  and  it  is,  of  itself, 
an  irrefragible  argument  of  the  impropriety  of  distributing  America  into 
departments.  A  commander  in-chief  and  Commanders  of  the  separate 
armies  is  the  only  distinction  which  should  be  known.  However,  this  was 
contrary  to  our  Journals.  Besides,  the  army  at  Ty —  and  the  force  at 
Stanwix  etc.  etc.,  at  a  distance  were  looked  upon  as  different  subjects;  tho 
it  appears  you  have  other  ideas  than  those  had  who  directed  your  desti- 
nation. No  single  debate  has  been  more  tedious  with  us ; — having  lasted 
whole  days  and  being  finally  settled  5  to  4  and  2  divided. * 

Your  dating  from  Albany  ^  is  counted  by  some  irreconcileable  with  the 
order  to  repair  to  Ty —  I  am  sorry  your  letter  to  the  President  and  that 
to  myself  did  not  arrive  i  hour  ear  [Her,]  or,  had  not  arrived  at  all.^ .... 

503.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Philadelphia  May  23d,  1777. 
Sir: 

....  Since  my  last  we  have  made  no  progress  in  the  business  of  Con- 
federation.   A  difficulty  occurs,  which,  I  fear,  \\i\\  be  insuperable,:  that  is 

[502]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  VIII. 

2  Tames  Yancey,  deputy  commissary-general. 

3  See  nos.  461,  466,  472,  483,  ante,  504,  511,  515,  517-520,  553,  post. 
*  See  the  Journals,  May  22. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  25.    Cf.  ibid.,  Feb.  20,  May  15. 

6  Concerning  the  vote  of  "  5  to  4  and  2  divided  "  see  nos.  515,  568,  post. 
'  Presumably  Gates's  letter  of  May  2.    See  the  Journals,  May  10. 

8  For  the  sequel,  see  nos.  517,  519,  520,  post. 
[503]^  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  476. 


Ma\y',  7/77  371 

how  to  secure  to  each  State  its  separate  independence,  and  give  each  its 
proper  weight  in  the  piibHc  Councils.  So  unequaled  as  the  States  are,  it 
will  be  nearly  impossible  to  effect  this;  and  after  all  it  is  far  from  improb- 
able that  the  only  Confederation  will  be  a  defensive  Alliance."  Nothing 
of  importance  has  been  determined  in  Congress,  except  what  is  merely 
executory 

P.  S.  In  one  of  my  letters  I  believe  I  mentioned  that  Georgia  was  of 
no  use  in  Congress  but  to  vote  with  Connecticut.^  This  was  owing  I 
believe  to  this  circumstance,  only  one  Delegate  was  then  present,  who  is 
by  birth  a  Connecticut  man.  Since  then  a  Mr.  Walton  has  given  his 
attendance,  which  was  before  interrupted  by  illness;  and  I  perceive  that 
Georgia  is  now  frequently  divided  when  any  question  relates  to  Colonial 
politics,  so  that  these  two  Delagates  are  of  different  principles  or  different 
judgments. 

504.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of 

Safety.^ 

Philadelphia,  May  23d,  1777. 
Honble.  Gentlemen 

....  General  Schuyler  is  fully  reinstated  in  his  command,  every  point 
being  adjusted  entirely  to  his  and  our  satisfaction.  This  business,  with 
which  more  than  the  reputation  of  our  State  was  so  closely  connected, 
required  address  and  great  attention,  for  reasons  which  the  General,  who 
delivers  this,  can  explain.^ .... 

We  are  with  the  utmost  regard, 
Honourable  Gentlemen 

Your  most  obedt.  humble  servants, 

Phil.  Livingston, 
Jas.  Duane. 
P.  S.    Mr  Duer  is  stept  out,  and  the  General  mounting,  which  prevents 
his  signing  this  letter.^ 

Honble.  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  New  York. 

505.  William  Paca  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Maryland.^ 

Gent. 

....  Yesterday  the  Alarm  Gun  was  fired  and  to  Day  an  Express 
informs  us  of  ten  Sail  coming  up  the  River :  a  fifty  Gun  Ship — the  Roe- 

2  See  no.  488,  note  6,  ante ;  cf.  nos.  507,  528,  post. 

3  See  nos.  380,  384.  ante. 

[504]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  V.  131  (copy)  ;  Jour.  N.  Y. 
Prov.  Cong.,  I.  953. 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  15,  22;  also  nos.  453.  461,  472,  483,  495,  502,  ante,  511, 

515,  517-520,  553,  post.  ,,.,,         ,  ,0,,  t,uu 

3  This  statement,  coupled  with  that  above,  that  Schuyler  was  to  be  the  bearer 
of  this  letter,  indicates  that  he  was  then  about  to  take  his  departure  from  Philadelphia. 
He  did  not,  however,  leave  until  May  28 ;  for,  in  a  letter  to  Jay  bearing  date  of  May  28 
{Correspondence  of  Jay,  p.  137),  Duer  says  that  "  General  Schuyler  expects  to  deliver  this 
letter  in  person  ".    See  also  the  newspaper  extract  given  under  no.  568,  note  5,  post. 

[505]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  108. 


372  Cotttincntal  Congress 

buck  of  forty  four  Guns — a  I'Vitjale — four  Tenders — a  Hrij^  and  two  Pilot 
Boats — The  Gondolas  are  gone  down — The  Congress  has  adj(jurned  to  go 
down  in  Barges  to  see  the  Sport." 

Congress  took  up  Capt  Nicholsons  affair^  and  were  unanimously  of 
Opinion  he  had  not  made  the  Satisfaction  he  ouj:,dit  to  have  made  and  on 
Examination  of  the  order  from  the  Marine  Committee  with  Respect  to 
the  impressed  men  they  found  that  Committee  had  acted  very  unwarrant- 
ably in  explaining  the  Resolve  of  Congress  on  that  Subject  in  such  a 
narrow  limited  sense  Congress  meant  every  man  to  be  discharged  without 
any  Discrimination  of  such  as  subscribed  the  article [s]  and  took  the 
Bounty  and  the  Resolve  was  full  and  explicit  to  that  Purpose  The  Marine 
Committee  were  severely  handled  for  presuming  to  explain  at  all  the 
Resolve  but  the  more  reprehensible  for  giving  a  Sense  to  it  which  might 
have  defeated  the  whole  Design  of  it.  Mr.  Carroll  and  I  were  directed 
to  prepare  a  fresh  Set  of  Resolutions  We  did  so  one  of  which  declared 
Capt.  Nicholson  dismissed  from  the  Command  of  the  Virginia  frigate  for 
not  making  that  full  Satisfaction  to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  May'' 
which  by  a  former  Resolve  of  Congress  he  was  ordered  to  do :  a  second 
Resolve  restored  him  to  his  Command  on  his  explicit  Disapprobation  of 
his  Letter:  and  a  third  Resolve  ordered  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
Frigate  to  deliver  up  every  impressed  man  who  should  now  be  considered 
such  by  any  Persons  the  Governor  and  Council  should  send  on  Board  for 
the  Purpose  of  making  the  Enquiry ;  these  Resolutions  would  have  passed 
unanimously  but  Mr.  Lewis  coming  up  and  assuring  us  of  his  having  Con- 
versation w'ith  our  Council  who  declared  they  would  be  satisfied  with  the 
Concessions  which  were  contained  in  Nicholsons  first  Letter  and  which 
were  satisfactory  to  the  Governor  and  Mr.  Lewis  further  assuring  us  that 
Capt.  Nicholson  had  wrote  a  second  Letter  in  Consequence  thereof  and  dis- 
charged every  man  who  did  not  chuse  to  remain  We  have  been  induced 
from  these  assurances  to  postpone  doing  any  thing  in  the  matter  till  we 
hear  further  from  you  on  that  Subject.  Mr.  Lewis  further  says  that  Capt. 
Nicholson  is  about  joining  the  Virginia  armed  Vessels  wath  an  Intent  to 
attack  the  Man  of  War  in  the  Bay.  I  can  with  pleasure  inform  you  the 
Congress  shewed  a  determined  Spirit  to  give  full  Satisfaction  on  both 
points  and  I  am  confident  they  would  have  dismissed  Capt.  Nicholson 
without  Hesitation  if  we  had  not  proposed  to  restore  him  on  his  explicit 
Disapprobation  of  his  Letters  which  was  the  Satisfaction  you  in  your's 
to  him  demanded :  3'ou  may  be  further  assured  Capt.  Nicholson  had  not 
even  an  Intimation  from  Congress  or  Committee  to  impress :  I  am  sur- 
prised that  Mr.  Rumsey  who  was  on  the  Marine  Committee  approved  of 
the  Explanation  they  gave  the  Resolve  to  discharge  the  impressed  men : 
Mr.  Middleton  who  was  also  a  ^Member  of  that  Committee  told  Congress 

2  On  Saturday,  May  24,  Congress  merely  met  and  adjourned. 

3  See  nos.  468,  469,  470,  474,  ante.  Richard  Henry  Lee  wrote  to  Samuel  Purvi- 
ance,  May  13 :  "  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  hear  of  Capt.  Nicholson's  reconciliation 
with  the  Government,  altho'  it  is  not  yet  announced  to  us  in  form."  (A  copy  of  this 
letter,  from  the  original,  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington.) 
The  Journals  contain  no  record  of  a  discussion  of  the  affair  at  this  time. 


May,  1777  373 

he  opposed  it  in  the  ^larine  Committee  as  an  illegal  assumption  of  Power: 
as  the  Question  was  agitated  there  how  could  our  friend  Rumsey  suffer 
such  a  Thing  to  be  done?  You'll  be  pleased  to  let  us  have  a  Line  from 
you  as  soon  as  possible 

Philad.  Saturday 
12  oClock 
24 — May  1777. 

[P.  S.]   .  .  .  . 

506.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia.^ 

Philadelphia,  May  26,  1777. 
My  dear  Sir,^ 

....  But  the  truth  is  sir,  that  certain  evil  disposed  men  hate  me,  partly 
for  the  same  reason  that  I  am  devoted  to  destruction  in  the  enemies'  camp, 
because  I  have  served  my  country  with  unremitting  zeal  and  industry,  and 
in  concert  with  other  generous  friends  to  human  liberty  and  the  rights  of 
America,  have  gone  far  towards  defeating  our  enemies,  and  raising  Amer- 
ica triumphant  over  its  cruel  vindictive,  and  determined  foes.  But  it  seems 
there  are  two  other  charges  equally  futile  and  false ;  the  one  that  I  have 
favored  New^  England  to  the  injury  of  Virginia.  The  other  that  as  a 
Member  of  the  Secret  Committee  I  objected  to  their  proceedings  being 
laid  before  Congress,  meaning  to  insinuate  that  I  wished  to  conceal  em- 
bezzlement of  the  public  money !  The  wretch  who  carried,  or  sent  this 
last  account  to  Virginia,  knows  perfectly  w^ell,  that  my  total  abstraction 
from  every  commercial  concern,  renders  it  impossible  that  I  can  propose 
any  kind  of  good  to  myself  from  trading  business  of  any  sort.  But  I  have 
a  strong  belief  that  a  change  is  w^ished,  in  order  to  remove  obstruction 
feared  from  me,  and  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  execution  of  private  plans, 
in  which  the  public  will  not  be  gainer.  The  affair  alluded  to,  is,  I  suppose, 
a  very  inconsiderate  motion  made  at  Baltimore  for  the  secret  committee  to 
lay  all  its  proceedings  before  Congress.  I  observed,  that  so  extensive  a 
motion  defeated  the  very  end  for  which  such  a  committee  was  appointed, 
and  might  expose  to  danger  valuable  cargoes  that  should  be  coming  in,  or 
might  be  going  out,  particularly  the  former.  The  motion  was  narrowed, 
and  even  as  it  was  agreed  to  ^  Mr.  Morris,  the  chairman  of  the  committee, 
who  was  here  at  the  time,  did  by  letter  so  convince  the  Congress  of  the 
impropriety  of  the  order  as  it  passed,  that  nothing  more  was  said  about  it.* 
We  did  indeed  expect  at  that  very  time  the  arrival  of  the  valuable  stores 
that  have  since  come  in.  The  charge  of  favoring  New  England  is  so  con- 
temptibly wicked,  that  I  can  scarcely  bring  myself  to  the  trouble  of 
refuting  it,  or  to  trespass  on  your  time  to  read  my  observations  on  it. 

[506]!  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  III.  y^',  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagli), 
I.  297;  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  I.  211 ;  Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Transcripts,  V.  57. 

2  For  the  circumstances  which  gave  rise  to  this  letter,  see  Henry,  Patrick  Henry, 
L  523.    Cf.  Jefferson's  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  H.  128.    See  also  nos.  539,  547.  post. 

3  The  order  to  the  secret  committee  is  found  in  the  Journals,  Jan.  17. 

*  Robert   Morris  remained  in   Philadelphia  while   Congress   was   at   Baltimore. 
See  no.  245,  ante. 


V>~  [  Continent  111  Congress 

Our  enemies,  and  our  friends  too,  know  that  America  can  only  be  con- 
quered by  disunion.  The  former,  by  unremitting  art  liad  endeavored  to 
create  jealousy  and  discord  between  the  Southern  and  Eastern  Colonies, 
and  in  truth  Sir,  they  had  so  far  prevailed,  that  it  required  constant  atten- 
tion, and  a  finnness  not  to  be  shaken,  to  prevent  the  malicious  act  [art?] 
of  our  enemies  from  succeeding.  I  am  persuaded  as  I  am  of  my  existence, 
that  had  it  not  been  for  Virginia  and  Jersey,  with  Georgia  sometimes, 
that  our  union  would  e'er  now  have  been  by  this  means  broken,  like  a 
potter's  vessel  dashed  against  a  rock;  and  I  heartily  wish  that  this  greatest 
of  all  political  evils  may  not  yet  take  place,  before  a  safe  and  honourable 
peace  is  established.  I  am  sure  it  will  not  be  the  fault  of  many  men  that 
I  know,  if  this  event  does  not  happen.  I  defy  the  poisonous  tongue  of 
slander  to  produce  a  single  instance,  in  which  I  have  preferred  the  interest 
of  New  England  to  that  of  Virginia.  Indeed  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
wherein  their  interests  clash.  The  guilt  of  New  England  is  that  of  a  fixed 
determination  against  British  Tyranny,  and  such  I  believe  is  the  crime  of 
Virginia  in  the  eye  of  their  common  enemies.  Most  of  the  rest  have 
entitled  themselves  to  some  hopes  of  pardon  from  the  tyrant,  by  weak, 
dividing,  irresolute,  and  pernicious  conduct.  One  thing  is  certain,  that 
among  the  Middle  and  Southern  states  Virginia  has  many  enemies ;  aris- 
ing from  jealousy  and  envy  of  her  wisdom,  vigor,  and  extent  of  Territory. 
But  I  have  ever  discovered  upon  every  question,  respect  and  love  for 

Virginia  among  the  Eastern  delegates 

The  enclosed  resolve  of  Congress  is  intended  to  prevent  injury  to  the 
recruiting  business  and  other  public  service,  in  the  absence  of  a  General 
officer  from  Virginia.*  I  beg  your  pardon  Sir,  for  the  trouble  I  have  given 
you,  and  wish  to  be  considered  as  affectionately  yours, 

Richard  Henry  Lee. 

His  Excellency.  Patrick  Henry,  Esq. 

507.  John  Adams  to  Thomas  Jefferson.^ 

Philadelphia,  May  26,  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

....  The  great  Work  of  Confederation,  draggs  heavily  on.  but  I 
dont  despair  of  it.  The  great  and  Small  States  must  be  brought  as  near 
together  as  possible ;  and  I  am  not  without  Hopes,  that  this  may  be  done 
to  the  tolerable  satisfaction  of  both.  Your  Suggestion.  Sir.  that  any 
Proposition  may  be  negatived,  by  the  Representatives  of  a  Majority  of 
the  People,  or  of  a  ^Majority  of  States,  shall  be  attended  to.  and  I  w^ill 
endeavor  to  get  it  introduced,  if  We  cannot  Succeed  in  our  Wishes  for  a 
Representation  and  a  Rule  of  voting,  perfectly  equitable,  v.hich  has  no 
equal,  in  my  Mind." 

5  The  resolution  referred  to  is  that  of  May  22  (the  Journals,  VIII.  2>77)- 
[507]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers,  second  ser.,  II.  36;  Works  (ed.  Adams), 
IX.  466.    There  are  some  verbal  variations  between  the  two  texts. 

2  Adams  is  replying  to  a  letter  of  Jefferson,  May  16,  in  Writings   (ed.  Ford), 
II.  129;  also  in  Adams's  Works,  IX.  465.    See  also  nos.  465,  488,  503.  ante,  no.  528,  post. 


May,  lyyy  375 

Nothing  gives  me  more  constant  Anxiety  than  the  Delays  in  publishing 
the  Journals.  Yet  I  hope  Gentlemen  will  have  a  little  Patience  with  us. 
We  have  had  a  Committee  constantly  attending  to  this  very  Thing,  for 
a  long  Time.'  But  We  have  too  many  Irons  in  the  Fire,  you  know  for 
Twenty  Hands,  which  is  nearly  the  whole  Number  We  have  had  upon  an 
average  since  last  fall.  The  Committee  are  now  busy  every  day  in  cor- 
recting Proof  sheets,  So  that  I  hope  We  shall  soon  do  better. 

A  Committee  on  the  Post  office  too  have  found  a  thousand  difficulties.* 
The  Post  is  now  very  regular,  from  the  North  and  South,  altho  it  comes 
but  once  a  Week.  It  is  not  easy  to  get  f aithfull  Riders  to  go  of tener.  The 
expense  is  very  high,  and  the  Profits,  (so  dear  is  every  thing,  and  so  little 
Correspondence  is  carried  on,  except  in  frankd  Letters),  will  not  Support 
the  office.  Mr.  Hazard  is  now  gone  Southward,  in  the  Character  of  sur- 
veyor of  the  Postoffice,  and  I  hope  will  have  as  good  success,  as  he  lately 
had  eastward,  where  he  has  put  the  office  into  good  order 

No  poor  Mortals  were  ever  more  perplexed  than  We  have  been,  with 
three  Misfortunes  at  once,  any  one  of  which  would  have  been  alone  suffi- 
cient to  have  distressed  Us.  a  Redundancy  of  the  Medium  of  Exchange, 
a  dimunition  of  the  Quantity  at  markett  of  the  Luxuries,  the  Conveniences 
and  even  the  Necessaries  of  Life,  and  an  Increase  of  the  demand  for  all 

these,  occasioned  by  two  large  Armies  in  the  Country 

I  am.  Sir  your  Friend 

John  Adams. 

Thomas  Jefferson  Esqr. 


508.  James  Lovell  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  May  26th.  1777 

Sir 

....  The  trouble  which  your  Excellency  receives  from  Foreigners 
commissioned  by  Congress  has  made  the  Committee,  appointed  to  examine 
their  pretensions,  averse  to  offering  any  resolutions  for  places  above  the 
rank  of  subalterns.^.  .  .  , 

The  promotion  of  Monsr.  Armand  by  Congress  to  the  rank  of  Colonel 
was  a  surprize  to  the  Committee  who  had  considered  his  pretensions,  and 
rashly  enough  in  all  conscience  had  proposed  a  majority  for  him.' 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  i,  Aug.  27,  Sept.  26,  1776,  Feb.  7,  Mar.  31,  June  2,  17 
(p.  474,  note),  1777. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Jan.  11,  Feb.  17,  25,  Apr.  12,  May  12;  cf.  ibid.,  Oct  17, 
Nov.  13.  The  resolution  of  May  12  was  sent  to  the  several  states  by  Ebenezer  Hazard, 
surveyor-general  of  the  post  office,  to  be  laid  before  the  legislatures.  See  N.  C.  State 
Recs.,  XI.  471. 

[508]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  307. 

2  See  no.  501,  ante.  Cf.  the  reports  of  the  committee  on  foreign  applications, 
May  22,  23,  26  (Journals). 

3  See  the  Journals,  May  10.  As  printed  the  resolution  shows  the  alteration  in 
Congress  of  the  committee's  recommendation.  For  a  sketch  of  Armand,  see  Wharton, 
Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  I.  399. 

29 


376  Continental  Congress 

509.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  George  Washington.* 

PiiiLADA.  May  26th.  1777 
My  dear  General 

....  Congress  has  this  day  made  a  new  arrangcnit.  of  the  Chaplain's 
<lepartment.  by  reducing  that  part  of  the  StafT  to  one  for  each  Brigade  to 
he  recommended  by  the  Bragadiers  and  appointed  by  Congress,  with  the 
pay  rations  and  Forrage  allowed  to  Colonels.^  This  new  and  honorable 
Establishment  is  designed  to  suppress  the  horrid  sins  of  Cursing  swearing 
and  other  Vices  with  which.  I  am  sorry  to  say,  our  Army  Vies  with  the 
most  abandoned  of  the  English  Troops;  to  strengthen  the  Officers  hands 
by  publick  and  private  exortations  to  obedience  of  General  and  Regimental 
Orders;  to  discourage  Disertions  by  recommending  the  Service  ;  to  encour- 
age Enlistments ;  to  recommend  cleenlyness  as  a  virtue  conducive  to 
health,  and  to  reprehend  the  neglect  of  it.  These  and  other  valuable  Ends 
with  the  Countenance  and  concurrence  of  General  Officers  by  the  blessing 
of  heaven  I  doubt  not  may  be  answered  by  a  careful  choice  and  recom- 
mendation of  pious  Clergymen  zealously  attached  to  our  glorious  Cause, 
who  will  not  begrudge  the  exertion  of  every  nerve  in  the  Service ;  but 
if  Drones  induced  by  the  loaves  and  Fishes  should  creep  into  the  Army  the 
designs  of  Congress  will  be  entirely  defeated ;  to  prevent  which  I  frankly 
confess  has  induced  me  to  step  out  of  my  line  on  this  occasion,  and  I  beg 
you  will  not  look  upon  it  as  an  impertinent  intrusion  on  you,  when  I 
assure  you  the  honor  of  God  my  Countries  welfare  your  Comfort  and  that 
of  every  sober  Officer  and  man  in  the  Army  are  my  only  motives 

510.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 
George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  May  27th.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  The  Regulations  respecting  Chaplains  in  the  Army  are  highly 
necessary.  By  increasing  their  Pay,  and  enlarging  the  Bounds  of  their 
Duty,  the  Congress  are  in  Hopes  of  engaging  Gentlemen  of  superior 
Learning  and  \'irtue  to  fill  those  Stations.^ .... 

511.  William  Duer  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

28  May  1777 
My  dear  Friend 

Like  an  old  sinner  who  has  deferred  repentance,  I  should  almost  be 
afraid  to  write  to  you  after  so  long  a  silence,  if  I  did  not  trust  that  your 

[509]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XV.  303. 

-  See  the  Journals,  May  27.  This  letter  should  probably  have  been  dated  May  27. 
Cf.  no.  510,  post.  For  a  resolution  directed  primarily  against  profanity  in  the  army,  see 
the  Journals,  Feb.  25. 

[510]!  Library  of  Congress.  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  196. 

-  See  the  Journals,  May  27,  and  no.  509,  ante. 

[5ii]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  L  403   (copy). 


May,  1777  377 

lenity  would  be  a  powerful  advocate  in  my  favour — more  particularly 
when  I  can  with  truth  assure  you  that  my  attention  has  been  so  engross'd 
in  defeating  the  designs  of  a  mischevious  combination,  and  in  cultivating 
the  friendship  of  the  members  from  the  Southern  States  that  I  have  had 
little  or  no  time  to  write  to  you  as  fully  as  I  have  wished.  I  have  now  the 
pleasure  to  inform  you  that  in  spite  of  all  the  arts  and  influence  made  use 
of  by  the  Eastern  Delegates  in  conjunction  with  Members  from  New 
Jersey,  we  have  got  General  Schuyler's  conduct  fully  justified,  and  himself 
reinstated  in  the  Command  in  the  Northern  Department  in  as  extensive  a 
manner  as  before.  There  was  never  I  believe  a  more  difficult  card  to  play ; 
— Genl.  Gates  had  the  address  whilst  at  the  place  to  insinuate  himself  into 
the  good  graces  of  even  the  honest  part  of  the  House,  and  the  wretched- 
ness to  poison  the  minds  of  most  with  prejudices  against  Genl.  Schuyler, 
which  operated  so  strongly  that  nothing  but  time,  and  great  temper  and 
address  could  have  dispelled  the  mist  of  error  which  had  clouded  the  eyes 
even  of  those  who  were  friends  to  the  great  cause,  and  to  the  State  of 
New  York.  His  own  merit  however  which  they  have  had  an  opportunity 
of  seeing,  and  the  all  powerful  influence  of  truth  assisted  with  manage- 
ment at  length  effected  all  our  wishes,  and  we  carried  the  question  upon 
his  being  reinstated  in  his  command  in  the  Northern  Department  in  the 
following  manner. 


Aifirmative  Negative 


&" 


New  York  New  Hampshire 

Pennsylvania  Massachusetts 

Maryland  Connecticut 

Virginia  Jersey  and 

North  Carolina  Georgia  divided 
South  Carolina 


Delaware 

Rhode  Island 

not  represented 


Dissentient  from  Virginia  Richard  Henry  Lee  '  This  division  will 
give  you  a  pretty  good  general  idea  of  the  political  complexion  of  the 
different  States,  but  I  must  inform  you  that  the  vote  of  Virginia  is  rather 
a  phenomenon,  and  that  the  Division  of  Jersey  was  owing  to  the  absence 
of  Mr  Clark  and  Mr.  Sargent  whose  political  line  of  conduct  lies  to  the 
Eastward  of  Biram's  River  ^  Genl.  Schuyler  will  inform  you  more  fully 
on  this  subject.* .... 

2  In  a  letter  to  Jay,  ]May  28  (Correspondence  of  Jay,  I.  137),  Duer  says: 
"  Col.  Lee  will  I  am  credibly  inform'd  be  left  out  of  the  next  delegation  for  Virginia 
which  is  now  in  agitation.  The  mere  contemplation  of  this  event  gives  me  pleasure; 
my  mind  is  full,  and  I  wish  to  unburthen  it,  but  prudence  forbids  me."  Cf.  nos.  539, 
547,  post. 

3  Byram  River  is  near  the  boundary  between  Connecticut  and  New  York.  Duer 
means  therefore  to  say  that  Sergeant  inclines  to  line  up  with  the  New  Englanders. 
Cf.  no.  539.  post. 

*  See  504,  note  2,  ante.  For  a  subsequent  episode  in  which  Gates  figured,  see 
nos.  517,  519,  520,  post. 


378  Continental  Congress 


Dear  Sir 


512.  John  Adams  to  John  Sullivan/ 

Philadelphia  June  3.  1777 


....  I  am  extremely  sorry  to  learn  that  you  have  been  so  great  a 
sufferer  in  the  Loss  of  your  Baggage  etc.  upon  Several  Occasions.  But  in 
answer  to  your  first  Question  I  can  only  say,  that  Congress  have  hitherto 
refused  to  grant  any  Compensation  to  Sufferers  of  any  kind.  Falmouth 
and  Charlestown  have  both  petitioned  and  been  civilly  refused.^  Several 
Officers  Widows,  in  deplorable  Circumstances,  have  petitioned  and  been 
refused.  Several  other  Officers  have  applied  and  been  refused,  particu- 
larlv  Lord  Sterling."  So  that  I  can  give  you  but  cold  comfort  respecting 
your  Losses.  As  to  your  Second  Question,  I  can  give  no  possitive  Answer, 
how  Congress  consider  your  Post.  The  Resolve  of  Congress  in  Words, 
extends  only  to  a  Major  General  commanding  in  a  Separate  Department : 
But  I  believe  General  Gates  *  was  allowed  for  his  Table  under  it,  and  I  see 
no  Reason,  why  you  should  not 

513.  The  Bo.\rd  of  War  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

War  Office  June  4th.  1777 
Dear  General 

Congress  have  received  your  Letters  of  the  29th.  April  May  2d  and 
24th.  The  several  Matters  have  been  attended  to  and  \vhat  was  thought 
immediately  necessary  was  done.^  The  Paragraph  relating  to  Light 
Horse  mentioned  in  yours  of  the  29th.  April  and  your  Reasons  enclosed 
for  your  Opinion  that  the  Enemy's  Plan  will  be  to  go  up  the  North  River 
and  endeavour  to  effect  the  old  Scheme  of  a  Junction  wath  Carlton,  were 
sent  to  General  Washington  for  his  Consideration  and  Directions  w^ere 

given  that  he  should  send  the  Horse  if  he  could  spare  them 

The  Part  of  your  Letter  relative  to  Money  is  referred  to  the  Treasury 
Board  who  will  no  Doubt  report  a  Supply.^ 

Your  Request  as  to  Capt.  Whitcombe's  Corps  being  indulged  with  a 
Bounty  equal  to  that  given  by  the  Eastern  States  cannot  be  complied  with 
on  Account  of  the  Precedent.* 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  the  greatest  Regard 

your  very  obedt  Servt 

Richard  Peters  Secy 

Hon :  Genl.  Gates 

[512]!  Library  of  Congress,  U.  S.  Revolution,  III.  ,/-.,.     i 

2  For  the  case  of  Falmouth,  see  the  Journals,  Mar.  i,  1776;  for  that  of  Charles- 
town,  see  ibid.,  May  14  16,  and  nos.  494,  500,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  19. 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  16,  1775.     Cf.  no.  623,  post. 
[513]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  IX. 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  6,  10,  June  2. 

3  This  refers  to  a  letter  of  May  30.    See  the  Journals,  June  S._  -     . 

*  Such  a  decision  does  not  appear  in  the  Journals  at  this  time ;  but  cf.  the 
Journals,  July  17. 


J  tine,  1777  379 

514.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

6th  A.  M.  [June,  1777.] 
Dear  Sir 

I  will  not  allow  the  Express  by  which  I  received  your  last  to  return 
without  a  Line,  tho  I  can  add  nothing  since  I  wrote  to  you  last  Evening 
by  Genl.  Miflflin. 

I  wish,  if  you  are  not  hurried  out  of  your  senses,  that  you  would  en- 
deavour to  convey  to  me  some  hint  whereby  an  Accommodation  should 
take  place  as  to  Mons  Du  Coudray  and  Genl.  Knox. 

The  Officers  of  our  Army  must  have  a  hard  struggle  in  reconciling 
themselves  to  that  monarchical  devotion  which  is  necessary  in  the  adop- 
tion of  Du  Coudray's  Command,  as  it  appears  to  have  been  regulated  in 
Mr  Deane's  Compact.  I  have  but  a  poor  Idea  of  that  Gentleman's  ability 
to  guard  against  f  rench  finess  and  flattery.  I  believe  the  Arrival  of  Doctr. 
Franklin  will  be  an  Advantage  to  Mr  D.^ 

Yr  Frd  and  Servt 

JL 

515.  James  Lovell  to  Oliver  Wolcott.^ 

Sir 

Your  favor  of  May  24th  should  not  have  been  thus  long  unacknowl- 
edged but  for  a  disagreeable  alteration  at  the  post  office.  Letters  being 
delivered  in  Congress  after  our  assembling  on  Mondays  cannot  be  an- 
swered by  2  oClock  P.  M.  of  the  same  day,  when  the  rider  again  leaves 
the  city.  '  I  may  say  at  least  that  this  is  an  uncomplaisant  order  of  some- 
body or  other 

By  5  to  4  and  2  divided,  the  northern  department  has  been  lined  out,  and 
Genl.  Schyler  sent  to  take  the  command.  By  a  repeal  of  an  old  resolve, 
he  will  not  appear  to  be  obliged  to  make  his  Head  Quarters  at  Albany, 
100  miles  from  the  army;  nor  is  he  obliged  to  go  from  that  city  except  by 
true  military  feelings.  Can  you  readily  determine  in  your  own  mind 
where  he  will  reside,  from  the  data  now  before  you?  Genl.  Gates  will 
most  assuredly  not  take  the  post  of  hazard  both  to  his  life  and  reputation, 
to  be  under  the  absolute  direction  of  a  man  35  leagues  oflf,  in  treaties  with 
Indians,  or  acting  as  a  Providore  to  his  army  at  the  same  distance.  I 
daily  expect  to  hear  of  confusion  from  that  Department.^ .... 

Saty  June  7th  '77 

[514]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  For  Du  Coudray's  affair,  see  the  Journals,  passim  (index,  Du  Coudray), 
and  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  I.  421  and  passim  (index,  Coudray).  See  also  no.  501, 
ante,  and  nos.  521,  525,  note  5,  post.  The  contract  with  Du  Coudray,  dated  Sept  11, 
1776,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  283.  In  regard  to  the  complaints  of  General 
Knox,  see  his  letter  of  June  5  to  Washington  {Letters  to  Washington,  ed.  Sparks,  I. 
378).  and  the  Journals,  June  9,  11;  also  nos.  539,  541-543.  post.  An  account  of  Du 
Coudray's  "intrigues"  is  found  in  Doniol,  Histoire  de  la  Participation  de  la  France  a 
1'B.tablissement  des  Etats-Unis  d'Amerique.  II.  353-364- 

[515]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  I.,  no.  12. 
2  See  nos.  502,  504,  note  2,  511,  ante;  cf.  nos.  553-557.  post. 


380  Cunfincnfdl  Congress 

516.  The  Sfxrkt  Committi:k  td  OLivKit  Pollock.* 

June  I2tli  1777 
Sir, 

Your  Letters  of  4lh  aiul  sih  May"  adilressed  to  Andrew  Allen  and 
Robert  Morris  Esquires  were  laid  before  the  Cong^rcss  by  the  latter 
whereby  we  are  informed  that  your  new  Governor  Don  Ik'rnard  de  Galvez 
is  much  disposed  to  favour  the  Commercial  Interest  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  as  we  are  appointed  by  the  Honorable  Cong-ress  to  super- 
intend the  Manag^ement  of  such  Trade  as  is  necessary  to  be  carried  on  for 
public  Account  we  do  ourselves  the  Honor  of  addressing^  a  Letter  to  his 
Excellency  on  this  Subject,  it  is  here  inclosed  and  you  will  please  to 
deliver  and  if  needful  translate  the  same  for  him.^ .... 

517.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of 

Safety.* 

Philadelphia  19th.  June  1777 
Honour^  Gcntlcvien 

In  our  last  ^  we  informd  you  of  the  Success  of  our  Efforts  in  vindication 
of  General  Schuyler,  and  it  gives  us  great  Satisfaction  to  observe  from 
your  Vote  of  Thanks  to  Congress,  and  other  Circumstances,  that  the  hon- 
ourable Lssue  of  this  perplexed  and  delicate  Business  has  met  with  general 
Approbation.  Major  General  Gates  a  few  days  since  arrivd  in  this  City 
greatly  chagreend,  and  enragd  against  your  Delegates  to  whom  he  as- 
cribes what  without  any  solid  Reason,  he  is  pleased  to  call  his  disgrace. 
As  in  this  Enquiry  Justice  has  been  our  View,  and  Truth  our  guide,  we 
feel  ourselves  very  indifferent  about  his  Resentment.' 

We  have  since  assiduously  labourd  two  Points  of  great  Moment  to  the 
State  which  we  havT  the  honour  to  represent.  The  first — a  Recommenda- 
tion of  Congress  to  the  united  States  respectively  to  encourage  and  facili- 

[516]!  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  50,  ff.  29,  183. 

2  A  copy  of  Pollock's  letter  of  May  5  is  in  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  50,  f .  57. 
The  letter  of  May  4  has  not  been  found ;  neither  has  the  committee's  letter  to  Governor 
Galvez,  mentioned  in  the  close  of  the  extract.  Oliver  Pollock  was  commercial  agent 
of  the  United  States  at  New  Orleans.  A  sketch  of  him  is  in  Appleton,  Cyclo.  of 
Am.  Biog. 

3  The  names  of  Robert  Morris,  \\'illiam  Smith,  and  Henry  Laurens  are  appended 
to  the  copy  at  f.  183,  but  not  to  that  at  f.  29.  Inasmuch  as  Laurens  did  not  enter 
Congress  until  July  22  of  this  year,  and  was  not  placed  upon  the  secret  committee  until 
Aug.  12,  it  is  evident  that  his  name  is  improperly  signed  to  the  letter.  It  appears  however 
that  this  copy  of  the  letter  was  made  from  a  copy  enclosed  in  a  letter  from  the  committee 
to  Pollock,  Oct.  24  (ibid.,  f.  ^7),  to  which  all  three  names  are  attached.  Laurens  no 
doubt  signed  the  copy  of  the  letter  of  June  12  when  signing  the  original  of  Oct.  24. 
Concerning  Pollock's  accounts,  see  the  Journals,  1780,  1781,  1782  (index),  and  especially 
A.  B.  Woodward.  Representation  of  the  Case  of  Oliver  Pollock  (Washington,  1803). 
See  also  Margaret  B.  Downing,  "  Oliver  Pollock,  Patriot  and  Financier  ",  in  Illinois 
Catholic  Historical  Rez'iezv,  II.  196 ;  H.  E.  Hayden.  Biographical  Sketch  of  Oliver 
Pollock ;  and  J.  A.  James,  George  Rogers  Clark  Papers. 

[517]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  IX.  316;  Jour.  N.  Y. 
Prov.  Cong.,  I.  980. 

2  May  23,  no.  504.  ante.    See  also  no.  511,  ante. 

3  See  nos.  518-520,  post. 


June,  7/77  381 

tate  our  being  supplied  with  Salt  and  other  European  and  West  India 
Commodities.  We  have  not  only  succeeded  in  this  Object  but,  with  a 
Testimonial  highly  to  the  Honour  of  New  York,  obtaind  the  additional 
Favour  of  a  grant  of  near  2000  bushels  of  the  publick  Salt  in  Store  at 
Plymouth  in  the  Massachusett's  bay,  which  for  our  more  immediate 
Relief  the  Commissary  General  is  directed  to  exchange  for  an  equal  Quan- 
tity nearer  to  our  State  if  it  can  be  done  wMthout  Injury  to  the  Service. 
When  you  reflect  on  some  late  Regulations  of  our  Eastern  Neighbours, 
you  will  readily  perceive  the  Policy  of  the  first  of  these  Resolutions  which 
evidently  implies  a  Reprobation  of  the  ungenerous  Restraints  which  they 
have  imposed  upon  a  Sister  and  confederated  State,  whose  misfortunes 
and  Distresses  demanded  a  very  different  Treatment;  since  they  were 
drawn  upon  her  only  on  Account  of  her  attachment  to  the  common  Cause.* 

The  other  Point  wdiich  we  had  at  Heart,  and  which  has  employd  much 
of  our  Attention,  was  a  Regulation  of  the  Commissary  General's  Depart- 
ment ;  The  Abuses  w^hich  had  crept  into  it  from  the  Want  of  Method  and 
proper  Checks,  the  Folly  of  Purchasing  and  the  Negligence  of  the  issuing 
Commissaries :  to  say  nothing  of  Fraud  and  Embezilment ;  called  aloud 
for  Reformation;  and  the  Depreciation  of  our  Bills  of  Credit  to  which 
more  than  any  other  Cause  it  contributed  made  it  a  Subject  still  more 
serious  and  important.  A  System  is  formed  which  if  properly  carried  into 
effect,  will  be  productive  of  that  Oeconomy  which  in  all  our  Affairs  seems 
hitherto  to  have  been  but  little  practic'd.  It  is  now  in  the  Press  and  shou'd 
it  be  publish'd  before  these  dispatches  are  closd,  we  shall  not  fail  to 
transmit  it.^ .... 

We  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  the  utmost  Regard 

Honourable  Gentlemen 
Your  most  obedient  humble  Servants 

Phil.  Livingston 
Jas.  Duane 
Wm.  Duer 

Honour^.    Council  of  Safety  of  the  State  of  New  York. 

518.  James  Duane  to  Robert. R.  Livingston.^ 

Philad.  19th.  June  1777. 
My  dear  and  honourd  Sir. 

....  Since  our  Arrival  here  things  with  respect  to  our  State  have 
taken  a  most  favourable  turn — General  Schuyler  is  thro*  our  Exertions 
reinstated  fully  and  honourably  in  his  Command.^  The  Commissary 
General's  Department  is  reformed  and  establishd  on  a  wise  and  salutary 

*  Cf.  no.  518,  note  4.  post. 

5  The  regulations  were  adopted  June  10.     See  no.  495,  note  2.  ante ;  also  nos. 
519,  520,  522,  529,  543,  post. 

[518]^  Furnished  by  courtesy  of  the  late  Mrs.  Wilmot  Townsend  Cox,  New  York 
City. 

2  See  nos.  504,  511.  517,  ante,  nos.  519,  520,  522,  post. 


382  Continental  Congress 

plan.  Mr.  Jacob  Ciiyler  is  appointed  Deputy  Commissary  General  oi 
purchases  in  the  Northern  Department,  notwillistandinji^  all  the  opposition 
of  our  Eastern  neighbours  who  being  in  possession  strenuously  endea- 
vourd  to  maintain  tlieir  ground."  A  Recommendation  had  passed  from 
Congress  to  the  united  States  to  facilitate  and  encourage  the  supplying 
New  York  with  salt  and  other  iuiropean  and  West  India  Commodities 
and  which  not  only  holds  her  up  in  a  very  honourable  Point  of  Light;  but 
reprobates  in  effect  the  commercial  Regulations  kindly  passed  by  our 
Eastern  Brethren  to  compleat  our  Calamities  by  effectually  excluding  us 
from  all  the  advantage  of  Importation  and  the  use  of  european  and  West 
India  Goods.  A  Grant  has  also  passd  in  our  favour  for  2000  Bushels  of 
salt  out  of  the  publick  store  at  Plymouth  in  the  Massachusetts  with  direc- 
tions to  the  commis^  general  to  exchange  for  it  an  equal  Quantity  nearer 
to  our  State  if  it  can  be  done  without  prejudicing  the  publick  Service.* 
Nor  do  we  doubt  but  Congress  will  do  [every]  thing  which  can  be  asked 
consistent  with  Justice  and  the  publick  good  respecting  the  Revolters  from 
our  State  in  the  North  Eastern  Counties — a  Business  which  will  soon  be 
determind 


519.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler.* 

Philadelphia  19th  June  1777. 
My  dear  General 

....  General  Gates  arrivd  here  I  think  last  [  Y  and  imme- 
diately demanded  an  Audience  of  Congress.  He  was  unfortunately  for 
himself  admitted.  Discomposd,  chagreend  and  angry,  he  recited  all  the 
great  things  he  had  effected  at  Albany ;  even  the  Suppression  of  Toryism 
he  took  to  himself.  He  then  pointedly  called  upon  me  and  proceeded  to 
a  personal  familiarity  w^hich  was  altogether  unparliamentary.  He  was 
not  very  unguarded  in  his  Expressions  (for  what  he  deliverd  was  from 
a  written  paper)  but  he  showd  very  plainly  that  he  singled  me  out  as  the 
Author  of  his  Disgrace — for  so  he  termed  it.  For  this  personal  Address 
I  called  him  to  order :  many  members  interposd,  even  to  a  Clamour,  and 
insisted  that  he  shoud  withdraw^  and  he  with  marks  of  Reluctance  was 
obligd  to  submit.     After  he  retird  he  was  censurd  by  several  members 

3  See  the  Journals,  June  10,  18 ;  cf.  no.  517,  note  5,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  14.  This  is  evidently  the  resolution  to  which  Duane 
alludes  in  his  letter  to  Schuyler,  June  19  (no.  519,  post),  wherein  "the  stroke  was  too 
delicate  and  refined  to  be  readily  perceivd  on  a  Cursory  reading."  Cf.  no.  517,  ante, 
and  nos.  520,  522,  post.  Francis  Lewis  wrote  to  the  New  York  council  of  safety,  May  31 : 
"  The  500  bushells  of  Salt  lately  arrived  here  has  been  refused  your  Delegates  by  the 
Committee  of  Congress,  it  being  much  wanted  and  at  Ten  dollars  per  bushell ;  your 
Delegates  purpose  to  move  in  Congress  for  an  application  to  the  State  of  Virginia  for 
what  Salt  they  can  spare  you."  (A  copy  from  the  original  is  in  possession  of  the  Car- 
negie Institution  of  Washington.)     See  also  nos.  533,  544.  546,  post. 

[519]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  542;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  Coll., 
LX.  127  (copy). 

2  The  joint  letter  of  Livingston,  Duane,  and  Duer,  June  19  (no.  517,  ante), 
says  "a  few  days  since".  Duer,  in  his  letter  to  Schuyler,  June  19,  post,  says  "Yester- 
day". It  is  evident  from  Duer's  statement  that  Gates's  admission  to  Congress  was  on 
the  i8th,  but  his  arrival  in  Philadelphia  must  have  been  some  days  earlier. 


June,  7777  383 

very  freely  for  his  Personality  and  it  was  directed  that  he  shond  be  in- 
formd  that  it  was  the  pleasure  of  Congress  that  if  he  had  anything  to 
offer  they  expected  to  hear  it  by  way  of  memorial  only.  I  have  no  doubt 
but  the  general  has  heard  very  minutely  what  part  I  took  with  respect  to 
him.  I  do  not  repent  it.  The  Interest  of  the  Continent,  the  Honour  of 
Congress,  and  the  dictates  of  Justice  requird  it ;  and  I  must  put  up  with 
the  General's  displeasure;  which  I  find  myself  disposd  to  do  with  great 
Resignation  and  Philosophy.  I  have  since  been  in  his  Company — we 
were  civil;  but  rather  reservd.  He  has  heard  from  several  candid  Mem- 
bers that  only  one  or  two  Justified  his  Claim  to  the  Command  and  that 
the  rest  declard  that  there  was  no  room  for  his  supposing  it  ever  had  been 
invested  in  him.  He  ought  to  feel  more  pain  and  Resentment  from  this 
Circumstance  than  from  anything  which  fell  from  me.  I  am  apt  to  think 
he  does,  for  he  has  made  no  Representation  to  Congress,  and  instead  of 
resigning  talks  of  going  to  Genl.  Washington's  Camp.  If  I  might  guess 
he  expects  that  you  will  be  elected  Governour  of  New  York,  and  resign 
your  military  Honours,  and  that  then  he  will  be  reinstated  in  the  posses- 
sion of  what  he  has  much  at  Heart,  the  Command  of  the  Northern  Depart- 
ment. I  do  not  feel  at  all  pleasd  with  the  latter  part  of  this  Reflection ;  but 
I  hate  to  anticipate  disagreeable  Events.  There  are  several  Ifs  in  the 
Way — as  //  it  shoud  be  attempted.  If  it  can't  be  prevented  etc.  //  I  cant 
be  reconcild  to  it  etc.  etc.  which  renders  it  unnecessary  to  be  at  present 
much  Concernd 

The  Plan  for  regulating  the  Commissary's  Department  is  compleated.' 
If  out  of  the  press  I  shall  order  it  with  these  dispatches.  You  know  in 
what  situation  you  left  this  affair.  Trumbull  is  appointed  Commissary 
General  of  Purchases  four  Deputy  Commissary  Generals  of  purchases  are 
elected.  We  had  a  delicate  Card  to  play  and  which  requird  much  Ad- 
dress, to  get  this  office  into  the  hands  of  a  fellow  Citizen  for  the  Northern 
Department,  our  Eastern  Neighbours  were  in  possession  and  worked 
hard  to  maintain  their  Ground.  But  it  was  of  moment  to  our  State  who 
was  to  govern  their  markets  and  by  the  disposal  of  immense  Sums  to  in- 
fluence their  Policy;  and  it  greatly  concernd  the  Continent  that  prices 
shoud  be  Judiciously  regulated  and  the  Army  well  supplied.  I  therefore 
labourd  assiduously  and  we  were  crownd  with  Success :  our  Friend  Jacob 
Cuyler  Esqr.  obtaind  the  office,  and  I  am  persuaded  will  execute  it  with 
Integrity  and  Ability  and  do  Honour  to  my  Recommendation  and  that  of 
my  Colleagues.* 

I  enclose  you  another  Set  of  Resolutions  with  respect  to  our  State  which 
will  give  you  pleasure  as  it  proves  the  favourable  Light  we  stand  in  here, 
you  on  recollecting  the  Commercial  Regulations  lately  passed  by  our 
Eastern  Neighbours,  so  ungenerous  and  distressing  to  New  York  cannot 
but  be  pleasd  with  the  Reprobation  of  their  conduct  evidently  implied  in 
the  first  of  these  Resolutions ;  and  you  may  wonder  at  our  good  fortune  in 

'  See  the  Journals,  June  10.    Cf.  nos.  517,  518,  ante,  520,  522,  post. 
*  The  election   of  the  several   officers  in  the  commissary   department  was   on 
June  18. 


;i84  Cout'uicntal  Congress 

getting  it  passed  without  Ca[vi]l  or  Opposition.  1  lie  stroke  was  too 
delicate  and  refined  to  be  readily  perceivd  on  a  Cursory  reading ;  but  I 
think  it  will  he  felt  where  I  wish  it  to  be  fully  understood."^ .... 

I  forgot  to  mention  that  I  find  some  difficulty  in  getting  leave  for  you 
to  appoint  a  thirtl  Aid  de  Camp.  The  Example  seems  to  be  dreaded, 
you  know  my  Rule  is  never  to  push  a  point  till  I  am  sure  of  Success ;  nor 
to  loose  sight  of  one  which  is  worthy  of  pursuite;  so  that  you  must  not 
conclude  that  it  is  unattainable,  because  it  is  not  already  accomplished. 

believe  me  to  be 

Dear  Sir  with  great  Consideration  and  Regard 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  Servant 

Jas.  Duane 

Major  General  Schuyler 


520.  William  Duer  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Phia.  June  19th  1777. 
My  dear  General, 

I  embrace  the  earliest  Opportunity  of  returning  my  Part  of  acknowl- 
edgement for  your  Letter  of  the  9th  June  to  myself  and  Colleagues.  I  had 
no  doubt  when  you  left  this  Place  -  but  you  would  find  AfTairs  in  your 
Quarter  in  a  distracted  Situation ;  but  I  doubt  not  from  your  Perseverance 
and  attention  you  will  be  able  to  arrange  them,  and  to  extricate  yourself 
from  the  Difficulties  which  now  surround  vou.^ 

Yesterday*  Major  Genl.  Gates  arrived  in  Town,  and  about  12  oClock 
at  Noon  Mr.  Sherman  inform'd  Congress  that  he  was  waiting  at  the  Door, 
and  w^ished  Admittance.  Mr.  Paca  desir'd  to  know  for  what  Purpose — 
to  which  friend  Roger  replied  to  communicate  Intelligence  of  importance. 
He  was  accordingly  usher'd  in,  and  after  some  awkward  ceremony,  sat 
himself  in  a  very  Easy  Cavalier  Posture  in  an  Elbow  Chair,  and  began  to 
open  his  Budget. 

The  intelligence  he  communicated  was  that  the  Indians  were  Extremely 
friendly,  much  delighted  with  seeing  French  officers  in  our  Service,  and 
other  common  place  stufif  which  at  present  I  cannot  recollect.  Having 
thus  gone  through  the  Ostensible  Part  of  the  Plan,  he  took  out  of  his 
Pocket  some  scraps  of  Papers,  containing  a  Narrative  of  his  Birth  Par- 
entage mid  Education  Life  Character,  and  Behavior.  He  inform'd  the 
House  that  he  had  quitted  an  easy  and  happy  Life  to  enter  into  their 
Service  from  a  pure  Zeal  for  the  Liberties  of  America,  that  he  had  stren- 
uouslv  exerted  himself  in  its  Defence ;  that  in  some  Time  in  Mav  last  he 

5  See  no.  518,  note  4.  ante. 
[520]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  575;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS., 
LX.  128  (copy). 

-  Schuyler  left  Philadelphia  May  28.    See  no.  504,  note  3,  ante. 

2  See  no.  511,  ante. 

*  See  nos.  517,  519,  ante. 


June,  1///  385 

was  appointed  to  a  Command  in  the  Northern  Department,  and  that  a  few 
days  since  without  having  given  any  Cause  of  Offence,  without  Accusa- 
tion, without  Trial,  without  hearing,  without  Notice,  he  had  received  a 
Resolution  by  which  he  was  in  a  most  disgraceful  Manner  superseded  in 
his  Command.  Here  his  Oration  became  warm  and  contain'd  many 
Reflections  upon  Congress,  and  malicious  Insinuations  against  Mr.  Duane, 
whose  Name  he  mentioned,  and  related  some  Conversation  which  he  said 
had  pass'd  betwixt  him,  and  that  Gentleman  on  his  Way  to  Albany.  Here 
Mr.  Duane  rose,  and  addressing  himself  to  the  President,  hoped  that  the 
General  would  observe  order  and  cease  any  Personal  applications,  as  he 
could  not  in  congress  enter  into  any  Controversy  with  him  on  the  subject 
of  any  former  Conversation.  Mr.  Paca  caught  the  Fire,  and  immediately 
moved  that  the  General  might  be  ordered  to  withdraw ;  I  seconded  the 
motion,  observing  that  the  Conduct  of  the  General  was  unbecoming  the 
Plouse  to  endure,  and  himself  to  be  guilty  of.  Mr.  Jerry  Dysen,^  Mr. 
Sherman,  and  some  others  of  his  Eastern  Friends  rose,  and  endeavour'd 
to  palliate  his  Conduct,  and  to  oppose  his  Withdrawing;  on  this  Mr. 
Middleton  Mr.  Burke,  Colo.  Harrison  and  two  or  three  others  arose,  and 
there  was  a  General  Clamour  in  the  House  that  he  should  immediately 
Withdraw — all  this  While  General  stood  upon  the  Floor,  and  interposed 
several  Times  in  the  Debates  which  arose  on  this  Subject,  however  the 
Clamour  encreasing  he  withdrew.  A  Debate  then  ensued  concerning  the 
Propriety  of  the  General's  Conduct,  and  that  of  the  Members  who  con- 
trary to  the  Rules  of  Parliament,  contended  for  the  Propriety  of  his  stay- 
ing, after  a  Motion  had  been  made  and  seconded  that  he  should  withdraw. 

The  Want  of  Candor  in  Mr.  Sherman  who  asked  for  his  Admittance  on 
the  Pretence  of  his  giving  the  House  Intelligence  was  much  inveigh'd 
against,  but  he  bore  it  all  with  a  true  Connecticut  stoicism.  Congress  at 
length  came  to  the  Determination  that  Genl.  Gates  should  not  again  be 
admitted  on  the  Floor,  but  that  he  should  be  inform'd  that  Congress  were 
ready,  and  willing  to  hear  by  Way  of  Memorial  any  Grievances  which  he 
had  to  complain  of.  here  this  Matter  ended — not,  as  you  will  observe  to 
his  Credit,  or  Advantage. 

It  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  you  an  Idea  of  the  unhappy  Figure  wli. 
G.  G.  made  on  this  Occasion.  His  manner  was  ungracious,  and  Totally 
void  of  all  Dignity,  his  Delivery  incoherent  and  interrupted  with  frequent 
Chasms,  in  which  he  was  pering  over  his  scattered  Notes,  and  the  Tenor 
of  his  Discourse  a  Compound  of  Vanity,  Folly,  and  Rudeness.  I  can 
assure  you  that  notwithstanding  his  Conduct  has  been  such  as  to  have 
eradicated  from  my  Mind  every  sentiment  of  Respect,  and  Esteem  for  him, 
I  felt  for  him  as  a  man,  and  for  the  Honor  of  hum.an  Nature  wishd  him  to 
withdraw  before  he  had  plunged  himself  into  utter  Contempt.  You  will 
perhaps  think  it  was  improper  in  me  to  second  the  IMotion  that  he  should 

5  It  is  not  altogether  certain  which  one  of  the  delegates  is  here  alluded  to  under 
the  nickname  of  "  Jerry  Dysen ",  but  James  Lovell's  known  attachment  to  Gates  sug- 
gests him  as  the  one  probably  meant.  The  origin  of  the  name  likewise  remains  obscure, 
but  it  may  have  arisen  from  some  parallel  in  Lovell's  career  to  that  of  the  British  poli- 
tician Jeremiah  Dyson  (1722-1776;  see  Diet.  Nat.  Biog.,  VI.  299). 


386  Continental  Congress 

be  orderd  to  withdraw,  but  I  plainly  saw  that  he  was  brought  in  with  an 
Intention  to  brow  beat  the  New  York  Members,  whom  he  considers  as  his 
Mortal  Enemies,  and  I  was  determin'd  to  let  him  see  that  it  was  indifferent 
to  me  whether  I  offended  him,  or  not. 

Perhaps  he  may  take  it  into  his  head  to  call  me  out,  as  he  quitted  the 
House  with  the  utmost  Indignation,  should  this  be  the  Case  I  am 
determin'd  not  to  she[l]ter  myself  under  Priviledge,  being  convinced  of 
the  Necessity  there  is  to  act  with  Spirit,  to  enable  me  to  discharge  with 
Fidelity  the  Trust  reposed  in  me 

I  have  the  Pleasure  to  inform  you  that  with  some  Difificulty  We  have 
counteracted  the  Acts  of  our  Eastern  Neighbors,  and  have  got  Mr.  Jacob 
Cuyler  appointed  Deputy  Commissary  Genl.  of  Purchases  in  the  Northern 
Department.  As  it  is  of  infinite  Consequence  to  the  Wellfare  of  the  Army 
under  your  Command,  and  to  the  Maintenance  of  the  Credit  of  the  Con- 
tinental Money  in  our  State,  that  a  Person  of  Probity  and  Skill  should 
exercise  that  Department,  I  hope  he  will  not  hesitate  to  accept  this 
Appointment. 

The  Appointment  is  150  D".  per  month  and  6  or  4  Rations  per  Day 
(I  forget  which).  As  soon  as  the  Commissary's  Estab^  is  printed  I  shall 
immediately  forward  it.® .... 

521.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philadelphia,  June  19,  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  the  5th  inst.  is  before  me.^ .... 

You  must  not  decline  your  Appointment  to  the  Navy  Board.  If 
you  should,  I  know  not  who  will  succeed.  Congress  have  passed  no 
order  for  a  constant  Residence  at  Boston.  No  doubt  the  most  of  your 
Time  will  be  taken  up  at  Boston,  but  you  need  not  renounce  your  Native 
Town  and  County.  It  is  a  Board  of  very  great  Importance.  I  hope  your 
Commissions  and  Instructions  will  be  soon  forwarded.  The  Cause  of 
their  Delay  so  long  is  the  same,  I  suppose,  that  has  retarded  all  other 
marine  affairs — Causes,  which  it  would  be  thought  inexpedient  to  explain.' 

We  are  much  embarrassed  here,  with  foreign  officers.*  We  have  three 
capital  Characters  here,  Monsr.  de  Coudray,  General  Conway,  and  Monsr 
De  la  Balme.  These  are  great  and  learned  Men.  Coudray  is  the  most 
promising  officer  in  France.  Coudray  is  an  officer  of  Artillery,  Balme  of 
Cavalry,  and  Conway  of  Infantr}^  Coudray  has  cost  us  dear,  his  Terms 
are  very  high,  but  he  has  done  us  such  essential  service  in  France,  and 
his  Interest  is  so  great  and  so  near  the  Throne,  that  it  would  be  impolitick, 
not  to  avail  ourselves  of  him 

«  Cf.  nos.  5i7-5i9»  ante.    See  the  Bibliographical  Notes,  Journals,  IX.  1085. 
[521]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  332. 

2  The  letter  is  in  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  326. 

3  See  nos.  480,  485,  ante,  and  no.  540,  post. 
*  See  nos.  501,  514,  ante,  and  no.  525,  post. 


June,  1777  387 

522.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston/ 

Philadelphia  24th  June  1777 

Tuesday  " 

My  dear  Friend, 

....  From  many  circumstances  you  may  judge  that  our  State  and  its 
interests  were  at  a  very  low  ebb  in  a  certain  assembly.  To  add  to  our 
misfortune  several  of  our  old  friends — Hooper,  Hughes,  E  Rutledge, 
Harrison,  Reade,  Stone,  Chase,  etc.  etc.  were  absent  and  most  of  their 
seats  filled  with  strangers.  The  affairs  we  had  to  conduct  required  great 
address,  as  some  of  them  were  embarassed  with  uncommon  difificulties : 
my  brethren  indulged  me  in  the  cautious  and  deliberate  plan  which  I 
thought  necessary ;  and  in  concealing  even  our  feelings,  by  degrees  we  be- 
came acquainted  with  the  new  members  to  which  the  hospitable  and  cheer- 
ful manner  we  lived  in  contributed — for  it  was  no  time  to  consult  par- 
simony. We  made  it  a  rule  not  to  crowd  our  complaints  upon  Congress 
which  would  have  fatigued  and  disgusted ;  but  to  confine  our  attention  to 
a  single  point  till  it  was  accomplished :  keeping  every  other  subject  in  the 
deepest  reserve. 

We  were  told  from  several  quarters  that  it  was  too  late  to  expect  any 
attention  with  respect  to  Schuyler.  Indeed  Congress  had  gone  very  far 
to  make  this  embarassment  inextricable;  but  that  integrity,  love  of  justice 
and  candor,  which  ever  distinguished  this  great  Council  when  it  consisted 
of  a  full  representation,  in  the  end,  surmounted  every  obstacle,  and  the 
utmost  of  our  wishes  were  answered.^ 

The  Commissary's  department  was  our  next  object :  the  flagrant  abuses 
which  had  crept  into  it  called  aloud  for  reformation ;  and  we  esteemed  it 
of  the  utmost  moment  that  the  purchasing  commissary  who  had  our 
markets  in  his  power  should  be  a  fellow  citizen  of  approved  abilities  and 
integrity.  A  plan  has  accordingly  been  adopted ;  not  altogether  so  perfect 
as  could  be  wished,  but  we  shall  not  lose  sight  of  its  further  improvement. 
Our  friend  Jacob  Cuyler  is  appointed  the  purchasing  commissary  for  the 
northern  department  which  we  esteem  a  public  benefit.* 

The  illiberal  restraint  put  upon  our  Trade  by  our  Eastern  Brethren  and 
a  proper  reprobation  of  so  unfriendly  a  proceeding  from  the  only  authority 
which  could  have  weight,  claimed  a  share  of  our  attention.  I  think  we 
have  some  merit  in  obtaining  the  resolution  of  Congress  upon  this  subject 
which  is  already  transmitted  to  the  Council  of  Safety.  It's  operation,  tho' 
obvious,  w^as  not  perceived  by  those  whom  it  most  concerned ;  ^  and  the 
House  warmed  by  a  pathetic  description  of  our  distresses,  our  persever- 
ance, and  our  merit,  were  disposed  to  give  us  every  possible  indulgence : 
of  which  the  partial  grant  of  2000  bushels  of  salt  when  that  commodity  is 
so  very  scarce  and  dear,  is  no  contemptible  proof 

[522J1N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  I.  431   (copy). 

2  Additions  to  this  letter  were  made  June  26,  28,  29,  JFuly  i,  2.    These  additions 
will  be  found  under  their  respective  dates. 

3  See  nos.  453,  461,  472,  483,  495,  S02,  504,  511,  515,  517-520,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  10,  18,  and  nos.  517-520,  a7^te,  529,  543,  post. 
6  Cf.  nos.  518,  note  4,  5i9.  ante. 


388  Conliiu'iital  Congress 


5-'3- 


TllK    rUKSIDENT   OF    CoNGUKSS    (JoHN    HaNCOCK)    TO   THE 

President  of  Delaware  (John  McKinley).* 


I'liiLADA.  June  25th.  1777. 

Sir, 

I  have  the  Pleasure  to  inform  you  that  Conp^ress  highly  approve  of  the 
Zeal  and  Alacrity  of  the  Militia  of  your  State. 

hVoni  the  recent  Alteration  in  the  State  of  our  AfTairs.  and  the  Reasons 
urtjed  in  your  Letter,  the  Congress  have  heen  induced  to  come  into  the 
enclosed  Resolve  for  the  Discharge  of  your  Militia.  1  do  myself  the 
Honour  to  forward  a  Warrant  on  your  Loan  Offices  for  10.000  Dollars 
for  their  Pay.* 

524.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.' 

June  26th  Thursday 

My  dear  Sir 

What  preceeds  has  lain  by  me  for  want  of  a  good  conveyance.  This 
day  -  came  on  before  a  committee  of  the  whole  Congress  the  case  of  our 
Revolters  on  which  we  were  heard  with  great  attention.  Some  of  our 
Eastern  friends  unluckily  for  them  drew  on  the  merits  of  our  Title,  tho' 
the  Congress  had  only  to  do  with  the  exercise  of  jurisdiction.  Thus 
challenged  I  seized  the  opportunity  of  explaining  the  subject  at  large 
which  i  happened  to  understand  much  better  than  any  of  my  opponents, 
tho'  one  of  them  boasted  that  he  had  expended  two  quires  of  paper  upon  it. 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  observing  that  I  made  a  suitable  impression,  and  out 
of  the  House  rec'd  the  compliments  of  several  of  the  members  for  the 
light,  they  were  pleased  to  say  I  had  with  perspicuity  and  candor,  thrown 
upon  a  dispute  which  to  that  time  had  remained  in  utter  obscurity.  This 
explanation  closed  the  debate :  and  the  members  of  our  State  are  desired 
to  propose  for  consideration  such  resolutions  as  we  think  will  be  satis- 
factory to  New  York,  and  become  the  justice  dignity  and  impartiality  of 
Congress,  unless  an  opportunity  offers  of  sending  forward  these  des- 
patches, you  will  probably  know  the  event  before  they  are  closed.* 

525.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.^ 

Philada  June  26  1777. 
My  dear  Sir 

....  We  are  going  on  within  Doors  with  Tardiness  enough.  A 
Thousand  and  [one]  little  ^Matters  too  often  throw  out  greater  ones.    A 

[523]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  218;  Library'  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  H.,  p.  214.  The  letter  is  addressed  to  "  Mr.  President  McKinley, 
at  Wilmington,  in  the  State  of  Delaware  ". 

2  See  the  Journals,  June  24;  also  ibid.,  Apr.  25,  29,  ^May  9  (p.  343  "•),  I9.  27, 
June  ID.  16.    Cf.  nos.  486,  487,  ante. 

[524]!  This  is  an  addition  to  the  letter  of  June  24,  no.  522,  ante. 

-  According  to  the  Journals,  this  discussion  took  place  June  25.    Cf.  no.  525,  post. 
In  regard  to  an  earlier  stage  in  the  affair,  see  nos.  428,  431,  445,  453.  464,  465.  ante. 

3  See  nos.  526,  53^,  533.  post. 

[525]!  Writings  of  Samuel  Adams  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  y/(^;  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee  Papers. 


June,  i/'/7  389 

kind  of  Fatality  still  prevents  onr  proceedinj^  a  Step  in  the  important 
affair  of  Confederation.^  Yesterday  and  the  day  hcfore  was  wholly  sjjcnt 
in  passing  Resolutions  to  gratify  N.  Y.  or  as  they  say  to  prevent  a  civil 
War  between  that  State  and  the  Green  Mountain  Men — A  Matter  which 
it  is  not  worth  your  wdiile  to  have  explaind  to  you/  Monsr.  D  Coudrays 
affair  is  still  unsettled.*  'Jlie  four  french  Engineers  are  arrivd."^  They 
are  said  to  be  very  clever  but  disdain  to  be  commanded  by  Coudray.    Mr. 

Comr  D '^  continuing  to  send  us  french  German  and  Prussian  officers 

with  authenticated  Conventions  and  strong  recommendations 

526.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston/ 

June  28th  Saturday 

Yesterday,  though  assigned  for  concluding  the  business  of  our  Re- 
voltors  was  taken  up  in  other  cares,  for  we  thought  it  [not?]"  impossible 
to  be  too  urgent  for  a  preference,  tho'  it  was  a  right  we  might  have  main- 
tained. Experience  has  convinced  me  of  the  propriety  of  such  condescen- 
sions at  seasonable  junctures.    This  morning  the  House  in  a  Committee  of 

2  See  no.  528.  post. 

3  See  no.  524,  ante. 

*  See  no.  514,  note  2,  ante. 

5  Dec.  2,  1.775,  Congress  authorized  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  to 
secure  "  skillful  engineers  not  exceeding  four  ".  It  was  not  how.ever  until  the  beginning 
of  1777  that  this  commission  was  effected.  On  Feb.  13,  1777,  Franklin  and  Deane 
entered  into  a  contract  with  four  officers  of  the  royal  corps  of  engineers  of  France, 
Lewis  Le  Begue  Duportail  (Chevalier  Derford),  Laumoy,  Obry  Gouvion,  and  Bailleul 
La  Radiere,  to  enter  the  service  of  the  United  States,  with  stipulations  as  to  rank. 
The  contract  with  the  three  first  mentioned  is  found  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  IL 
269.  The  Journals,  July  2  and  8,  mention  La  Radiere  as  included  in  the  same  contract, 
but  his  name  does  not  appear  in  the  document  as  printed  in  Wharton.  These  officers, 
with  exception  of  Laumoy,  accompanied  by  a  lieutenant  and  two  sergeants,  landed  in 
New  River,  North  Carolina,  June  3  and  proceeded  to  Newbern.  where  they  obtained 
assistance  from  Governor  Caswell  to  pursue  their  journey  to  Philadelphia.  (See  a 
letter  from  Joseph  Leech,  Richard  Ellis,  and  Alexander  Gaston  to  Governor  Caswell, 
June  4,  an  undated  letter  from  the  Chevalier  Derford,  i.  e.,  Duportail,  to  Governor 
Caswell,  one  from  Governor  Caswell  to  Governor  Henry  of  Virginia,  June  10,  and  two 
from  Governor  Caswell  to  Thomas  Burke,  June  10,  11,  in  A'^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  486, 
492-495.  Both  the  Newbern  committee  and  Governor  Caswell  are  in  some  error  as 
regards  the  rank  of  these  officers.)  That  Laumoy  was  not  with  the  party  appears  from 
three  facts:  First,  Duportail  says  in  his  letter  to  Governor  Caswell:  "We  are  just 
arrived  in  this  place  three  officers  of  the  Corps  Royal  of  Engineers  in  France,  that  is 
to  say  one  Lieutenant  Colonel  [Duportail],  one  Major  [evidently  La  Radiere],  one  Captain 
of  the  Corps  Royal  of  the  Artillery  of  France  [Gouvion],  one  Lieutenant,  two  Sergeants." 
Second,  on  July  8  Congress  made  Duportail  a  colonel.  La  Radiere  a  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
Gouvion  a  major,  ratifying  the  contract  made  with  them  by  Franklin  and  Deane.  The 
contract  as  regards  Laumoy  was  not  ratified  until  Oct.  2,  when  he  was  made  a  lieutenant- 
colonel.  Third,  in  a  letter  to  Washington,  July  24  (no.  559,  post),  Lovell  mentions  that 
"  the  Chevalier  Duportail,  with  M.  La  Radiere,  M.  Gouvion,  and  one  other  officer,  who 
is  left  sick  in  the  West  Indies,  were  engaged  by  Dr.  Franklin  and  Mr.  Deane  to  come 
over  to  America."  All  these  officers  received  further  promotions  Nov.  17,  1777.  For 
further  information  concerning  their  careers,  consult  the  Journals  (passim),  Heitman, 
Hist.  Register,  and  Batch,  The  French  in  America.  For  the  complications  in  which 
Congress  was  involved  through  the  Du  Coudray  contract,  see  especially  nos.  501,  514, 
ante,  and  nos.  530,  531,  535,  537-  539,  S4i,  542,  559.  Post. 

^  Silas  Deane. 
[526]  1  See  under  June  24  (no.  522,  notes  i  and  2),  ante. 

2  The  negative  seems  to  be  necessary  here  to  give  the  meaning  intended. 


390  Continental  Congress 

tlie  whole  clieerfully  resumed  the  debate;  and  the  resolutions  passed 
almost  unanimously;  for  you'll  observe  they  go  upon  general  principles 
highly  interesting  and  important  to  every  State  which  yet  directly  apply  to 
our  case.  The  only  contest  was  on  Young's  Address,'  and  that  was 
ostensibly  grounded  on  his  death  in  the  midst  of  the  debate.*  Compassion 
to  his  distressed  family,  no  doubt,  induced  some  of  the  members  to  wish  it 
to  be  passed  over  in  silence.  You  will  observe  however,  that  it  was  of 
great  consequence  to  us  to  have  this  wicked  production  censured  and  ex- 
posed and  this  point  was  finally  carried  in  our  favor  after  a  sharp  conflict. 
The  debate  was  spun  out  till  after  4  o'clock  and  the  Committee  rose  and 
agreed  to  finish  it  on  Monday 

527.  Robert  Morris  to  Silas  Deane.^ 

[Philadelphia  June  29,  1777.] 

With  respect  to  my  Brother  I  shall  deal  very  candidly  with  you,  by 
declaring  to  you  that  I  never  was  more  shocked  and  hurt  by  any  incident 
in  my  Life  than  at  the  manner  in  which  you  Gentlemen  Commissioners  at 
the  Court  of  France  have  been  pleased  to  mention  him  in  Publick  Letters, 
that  you  knew^  must  be  laid  before  Congress.  These  Letters  arrived  long 
before  I  had  a  scrip  of  a  Pen  from  you  on  the  Subject.  It  occurred  to  me 
instantly  that  I  had  unbosomed  myself  to  you  respecting  him.  That  I  had 
sollicited  your  Friendship  in  his  favour  and  asked  you  to  inform  me  fully 
and  freely  of  his  Conduct,  That  to  all  this  I  never  had  a  word  in  Answer, 
and  found  your  Name  at  the  bottom  of  Letters  blasting  his  Character  in 
the  most  Publick  manner  and  exposing  me  to  Feelings  the  most  pungent 
I  ever  knew,  it  also  occurred  to  me  that  I  had  sollicited  Doctor  Franklin 
to  Admonish  and  Advise  him  if  he  found  it  necessary,  and  shew  him 
countenance  if  he  proved  deserving.  From  these  Circumstances  I  really 
did  expect  that  any  complaints  he  merited  would  have  been  made  to  my- 
self in  Private  Letters  giving  me  an  Account  of  his  Conduct  and  if  it  zvas 
necessary  to  remove  him,  from  his  employment,  I  could  have  done  that  so 
as  to  prevent  any  the  least  disservice  to  the  Publick  or  his  being  unneces- 
sarily exposed.  You  will  see  that  these  sentiments  were  strong  in  my 
mind,  when  I  wrote  the  Commissioners  the  ist  April  and  they  made  so 
strong  an  impression  on  me  at  the  Time  your  Letters  were  read  in  Con- 
gress that  I  got  up  instantly,  gave  my  Brother  his  True  Character,  com- 
plained of  his  being  so  publickly  exposed,  told  what  my  desires  and  Ex- 
pectations from  you  were,  and  added  that  by  my  Letters  to  you  by  Capt. 
Bell  I  had  put  him  in  your  Power  either  to  he  confirmed  in  his  employment 
or  to  be  dismissed  from  it,  as  his  conduct  might  require.  I  think  the  Letter 

3  Concerning  Dr.  Thomas  Young's  address  see  the  Journals,  June  23,  25,  30 
(pp.  510.  513),  and  nos.  532,  533,  post. 

*  "  Dr.  Young  died  lately  of  a  Fever  caught  in  attending  the  Congress  Hospitals 
in  the  City,  and  was  buried  the  day  we  came  into  Town."  William  Williams  to 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  July  5,  I777  (Hist.  Mag.,  XIV.  223). 

[527]!  Univ.  Pa.  Lib.,  Franklin  Papers,  X.  20  ("extract,  in  the  writing  of  Silas  Deane)  ; 
N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections:   Deane  Papers,  II.  79. 


June,  1777  391 

I  wrote  you  by  Capt.  Bell  respecting  him  must  have  convinced  you  that  I 
did  not  wish  him  employed  in  the  Publick  Service  if  he  did  not  deserve  it. 

It  must  also  convince  you  that  a  Publick  Letter  to  Congress  was  not 
necessary  to  procure  his  removal  if  his  conduct  was  not  right,  for  you 
found  me  as  ready  to  displace  him,  as  you  could  wish,  and  I  begin  to  fear 
that  I  was  rather  too  forward  in  it;  from  what  I  now  write  you  may 
naturally  conclude  I  do  not  think  myself  in  the  least  Degree  beholden  to 
Doctor  Franklin  or  you  for  your  Conduct  towards  this  Young  Man,  and 
in  Plain  Truth  I  do  not.  However  I  do  not  Cherish  resentment,  and  hope 
my  Passion  may  be  always  subdued  by  Reason,  and  my  Reason  influenced 
by  good  Principles,  therefore  I  mean  nothing  more  than  to  let  you  know 
that  I  think  those  Publick  Letters  were  cruel  to  my  Brother  and  extremely 
unfriendly  to  myself.  /  shall  inform  him  of  them  and  if  he  has  Spirit  to 
resent  them,  I  hope  he  ivill  also  have  Judgment  to  do  it  properly. 

Perhaps  I  have  flattered  myself  with  the  Expectation  of  more  Friend- 
ship from  the  Doctor  and  you  than  I  had  a  right  to  and  shall  therefore 
correct  the  Error  in  future.  Thus  much  for  what  you  say  of  him  in 
Publick.  as  to  what  you  write  me  of  him  in  those  Letters  of  the  4th  Deer, 
and  5th  January  now  before  me,  I  thank  you  most  sincerely  for  it  and 
should  do  so  had  the  Account  of  him  been  ten  Times  more  Disagreeable. 
it  is  had  enough,  God  knows,  and  what  is  worse  I  believe  he  deserves  every 
Tittle  of  it.  had  these  Letters  reach'd  me  before  the  Publick  Letters  I 
should  in  some  Degree  have  been  prepared  and  probably  should  not  have 
said  any  thing  about  him  in  Congress,  hut  even  in  that  Case  I  should  have 
thought  in  the  same  way  of  your  Publick  Letters,  because  I  think  it  was 
totally  unnecessary  to  mention  him  there;  You  refer  me  to  Mr.  Bromfield 
for  further  Particulars  and  Anecdotes  respecting  this  Youth,  and  Mr. 
Bromfield  has  kindly  referr'd  me  to  all  the  Gentlemen  from  Virginia  where 
he  landed  to  South  Carolina  where  he  is  gone  by  Land  and  has  indus- 
triously communicated  these  Particulars  and  Anecdotes  to  every  body  he 
met  with.^ .... 

528.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Philade  June  30  1777 
My  dear  Friend 

....  You  wish  to  hear  "  how  our  Confederation  goes  on  ".  I  do  not 
wonder  at  your  Anxiety  to  have  it  completed,  for  it  appears  to  me  to  be 
a  Matter  of  very  great  Importance.  We  every  now  and  then  take  it  into 
Consideration,  but  such  a  Variety  of  Affairs  have  continually  demanded 
the  Attention  of  Congress  that  it  has  been  impracticable  hitherto  to  get  it 
through.    There  are  but  two  or  three  things  which  in  my  Opinion  will  be 

2  Thomas  Morris  was  agent  of  the  secret  committee  in  France.  He  was  a  half 
brother  of  Robert  Morris.  See  especially  the  letter  from  the  commissioners  in  France 
to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  Jan.  17,  1777,  Robert  Morris  to  Henry 
Laurens,  Dec.  26,  1777,  Morris  to  Lovell,  May  2,  1778,  and  William  Lee  to  the  President 
of  Congress,  Mar.  16,  1779,  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  H.  248,  460,  III.  79.  See 
also  ibid.,  II.  463  n. 

[528]^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  237;   Writings  of  Samuel  Adams   (ed.  Gushing), 
HL  379;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers  (draft). 
30 


392  Continental  Congress 

the  Subjects  of  further  Debate,  and  upon  these  I  bch'eve  most  if  not  all 
the  Members  have  already  made  up  their  Minds.  One  is,  what  share  of 
\^otcs  each  of  the  States  which  differ  so  much  in  Wealth  and  Numbers 
shall  have  in  determininjjf  all  Questions.  Much  has  been  said  upon  this 
weighty  Subject,  upon  the  Decision  of  which  the  Union  of  the  States  and 
the  Security  of  the  Liberty  of  the  whole  [depend].  Perhaps  it  would  be 
more  easy  for  a  disinterested  Foreigner  to  see,  than  for  the  united  States 
to  fix  upon  the  Principles  on  which  this  Question  ought  in  Equity  to  be 
decided.  The  Sentiments  in  Congress  are  not  various,  but  as  you  will 
easily  conceive,  opposite.  The  Question  was  very  largely  debated  a  few 
days  ago,  and  I  am  apt  to  think  it  will  be  tomorrow  determind,  that  each 
State  shall  have  one  Vote,  but  that  certain  great  and  very  interesting 
Questions  shall  have  the  concurrent  Votes  of  Nine  States  for  a  Decision.* 
Whether  this  Composition  will  go  near  towards  the  Preservation  of  a  due 
Ballance,  I  wish  you  to  consider,  for  if  your  Life  and  Health  is  spared  to 
your  Country,  you  will  have  a  great  Share  in  the  Determination  of  it 
hereafter 

529.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  June  —  1777  ^ 

Received  your  kind  favour  of  the  22nd  Instant  had  then  but  just  ar- 
rived in  Town Of  your  New  Appointment  I  have  been  Informed 

by  Mr  Sherman,  and  of  the  salary  or  wages  allowd  you.  I  think  you  will 
have  much  less  Trouble  more  leisure  or  rather  time  to  Visit  your  Friends 
than  when  at  the  head  of  the  Issuing  part,  how  far  your  Wages  will  as 
now  fixd  answer  or  exceed  your  Expences  I  cannot  determine,  but  am 
rather  of  Opinion  and  so  is  Coll.  Williams  Mr  Law  and  Mr  Sherman,  that 
unless  you  must  by  serving  fall  in  the  rear  you  had  better  Accept  your  Ap- 
pointment, w^e  think  the  Country  requires  your  service  and  the  cause  may 
suffer  by  your  refusal  we  therefore  rather  advise  you  on  the  whole  to 
accept.' .... 

2  See  the  Journals,  June  22,  23,  25.  26,  July  2 ;  also  nos.  465,  488,  503,  507,  ante, 
and  no.  537,  post.  Although  on  July  2  Congress  assigned  "  tomorrow  "  for  consideration 
of  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  the  Journals  do  not  record  any  discussion  of  the 
subject  until  Oct.  7  (see  nos.  556,  558,  post).  Aug.  16  the  following  Monday  (the  i8th) 
was  set  for  resuming  the  consideration,  but  the  Journals  contain  no  evidence  that  this 
was  done  (see  however  nos.  588,  616,  post).  On  Tuesday,  Sept.  2,  a  motion  was  made  to 
devote  a  part  of  every  day  during  that  week  to  the  Confederation,  but  the  motion  was 
negatived.  Eliphalet  Dyer's  letter  of  Sept.  7  (no.  631,  post)  suggests  that  the  subject 
was  at  that  time  under  consideration,  but  no  mention  of  the  matter  is  found  in  the 
Journals  until  Oct.  2,  when  Congress  again  resolved  to  take  the  Articles  into  considera- 
tion "tomorrow  morning"  (cf.  nos.  659,  671,  post).  Oct.  6  it  was  resolved  to  take  into 
consideration  "  tomorrow  morning  "  that  part  which  related  to  the  mode  of  voting,  and 
on  that  day  (Oct.  7)  the  question  was  determined.    See  no.  679,  note  4,  post. 

[529]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers.  Addressed:  "To  Joseph  Trum- 
bull. Esqr.,  Commissy.  Genii.  Continental  Army,  at  Brunswick  or  Camp  Middle  Brook 
etc"    It  bears  an  endorsement :  "  needs  no  Ansr  ". 

2  Dyer  took  his  seat  in  Congress  June  25.  This  letter  was  evidently  written  a 
day  or  two  thereafter. 

3  The  regulations  for  the  commissary  department  were  adopted  June  10,  the 
compensation  established  June  15,  and  the  commissaries  and  deputies  elected  June  18 


June,  IJ77  393 

Many  new  faces  in  Congress  tho  but  about  half  or  little  more  of  their 
full  Numbers,  let  me  hear  from  you  as  often  as  Convenient  and  am  sin- 
cerely yours 

Elipht  Dyer 

[P.  S.] 

(see  nos.  517-520,  522,  ante;  also  nos.  530,  543,  post').  Apparently  it  was  not  until  after 
July  5  that  Trumbull  was  officially  informed  of  the  new  regulations  and  of  his  election 
as  commissary-general  of  purchases,  for  Hancock's  letter  transmitting  the  resolutions 
bears  that  date  (Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  220;  Library  of  Congress, 
Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  H.,  p.  216).  July  9  Trumbull  wrote  to  Hancock  acknowl- 
edging receipt  of  his  commission  and  postponing  his  decision  as  to  its  acceptance  until 
he  had  conferred  with  the  committee  of  Congress  then  at  headquarters  (Papers  Cont. 
Cong.,  no.  78,  vol.  XXH.,  f.  259),  July  19  he  wrote  to  Hancock:  "Inclosed  I  send 
you  the  Commission  which  Congress  have  honored  me  with  lately  as  Commissary  General 
of  Purchases,  and  must  beg  leave  to  decline  accepting  the  same,  or  acting  under  the 
Authority  or  rather,  the  want  of  Authority,  of  it.  My  reasons  for  declining,  I  have 
given  to  the  Honble.  Committee  of  Congress  here,  at  large."  (Ibid.,  i.  265.)  The  com- 
mission, dated  Jiuie  18,  is  found  ibid.,  f.  269.  In  the  Connecticut  State  Library,  Joseph 
Trumbull  Papers,  is  the  draft  of  a  letter  to  President  Hancock  dated  June  15  (that  is, 
about  three  weeks  before  he  had  received  his  new  commission),  in  which  he  offers  his 
resignation  to  Congress.  Inasmuch  as  the  letter  casts  light  upon  the  proceedings  of 
Congress  it  is  given  here : 

"  Camp  Middlebrook,  15th  June,  1777 
"  Sir 

"  It  is  now  more  than  twelve  months  since  I  first  applied  to  Congress  for  regulations 
in  the  Commissary  Department  which  were  not  then  compleated — immediately  after  I 
noticed  you  as  President  of  Congress  and  His  Excellency  Genl.  Washington  as  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  the  Army  of  my  design  to  resign  the  Office  of  Commissary  General 
as  soon  as  it  could  be  done  with  safety  to  the  Army— in  the  Month  of  Novr.  last,  I 
preferred  a  Memo,  to  Congress,  merely  respecting  my  own  allowances  in  sd.  Office, 
which  has  hitherto  remained  unnoticed — in  April  last,  I  was  by  Congress  directed  to 
attend  them  in  Phila.  which  I  Instantly  did — and  was  called  on  by  a  Committee  of 
Congress,  for  proposals  in  Writing  for  proper  Regulations  in  the  Commissary  Depart- 
ment. I  gave  it  to  them  in  two  days  after,  and  pressed  upon  them  the  necessity  of 
immediate  attention  thereto,  on  Accot.  of  my  Assistants,  who  were  all  from  different 
Causes  discontented  and  uneasy,  also  on  accot.  of  Vegitables  and  Vinegar  and  many 
other  Matters  fully  pointed  out  in  the  sd.  Proposals  given  in  Writing — Afterwards 
I  staid  in  Phila.  four  Weeks,  and  was  never  once  called  on  by  the  sd.  Committee, 
respecting  sd.  Regulations,  nor  was  any  thing  that  I  could  learn  done  therein,  not- 
withstanding my  most  pressing  representations  to  different  Members  of  Congress,  of 
the  Necessity  of  the  Affairs  in  sd.  Department. 

"  Since  my  return  to  Camp  I  find  the  discontent  arising  from  111  treatment  here,  among 
my  assistants  to  be  greater  than  I  had  before  conceived  it  to  be.  This  also  I  have 
represented  to  different  Members  of  Congress  by  Letter — yet  I  find  nor  hear  of  any 
relief. 

"  My  Patience  is  wholly  exhausted.  Everything  draggs  heavily  on,  when  all  are  dis- 
contended,  and  uneasy,  and  the  Causes  thereof  wholly  unattended  to.  Under  all  these 
disagreeable  circumstances,  it  will  I  fear,  be  totally  impossible  for  me  to  do  my  Duty, 
and  Subsist  the  Army — therefore  I  must  request  the  Honble.  Congress,  to  dismiss  me 
from  their  Service,  and  appoint  Some  Person,  who  will  and  can  Serve  them,  with 
better  abilities,  tho'  he  cannot  with  more  Integrity  than  I  have  done. 

"  I  am  Sir  with  regard  and  esteem 

Your  most  humble   Servt. 
Jos :   Trumbull, 

"  I  have  noticed  Genl.  Washington  of  this  my  Resignation. 
"  Hon.  John  Hancock  Esqr,  President  of  Congress." 

Accompanying  this  letter  in  the  Trumbull  Papers  is  a  draft  of  his  letter  to  Wash- 
ington, and  also  a  draft  of  a  letter  to  a  personal  friend,  probably  Elbridge  Gerry.  The 
latter  is  as  follows  : 

"  Camp  Middle  Brook  15th  June  1777. 
"  Dear  Sir 

"  By  this  Express,  I  have  sent  my  Resignation  to  Congress,  and  request  that  they  would 
dismiss  me  their  Service.    I  have  assigned  my  Reasons.    I  have  also  sent  a  Copy  thereof 


391:  Continental  Congress 

530.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull/ 

30th.  June  [1777-] 
My  dear  Sir 

Yours  of  27tli.  I  have  just  reed.  Being  quite  ill  I  can  only  say  I  will 
communicate  what  is  proper  to  others  who  are  as  anxious  as  I  to  have 
your  present  perplexing  Situation  altered  by  sending  others  to  Head 
Quarters  to  take  a  Share  off  yr.  hands.^  I  am  told  you  have  stood  at  the 
scales  yourself  lately.    These  Frenchmen  have  used  me  up  quite.' 

yr  Friend  and  h  S' 

JL 
[P.  S.]     Gates  is  in  Virginia 

531.  J.^mes  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

June  30th,  1777. 

Dear  Sir 

I  had  intended  to  write  a  letter  to  you  on  this  day  somewhat  minutely 
about  our  indoor  political  turns  and  twists,  but  I  am  too  ill.  4  Engineers  ^ 
having  arrived  on  a  Treaty  with  Messrs.  Franklin  and  Deane,  find  the 
former  one  made  between  Deane  and  Du  Coudray  intirely  inconsistent 

w^ith  their  Honor;  and  they  have  made  it  appear  that  D was  only  a 

child  in  the  hands  of  Du  Coudray,  who  has  united,  as  under  one  direction, 
the  Engineers  and  Artillerists,  and  made  a  Jews  bargain  for  himself,  and 
all  the  officers  with  him. 

These  contending  endless  talkers  and  writers  have  entirely  destroyed 
me.  I  suspect  a  settled  fit  of  sickness  will  be  end  of  my  present  confine- 
ment.   If  I  am  mistaken,  you  shall  soon  hear  again  from 

Yr.  real  Friend  and  humble  Servt. 

JL 

to  Genl.  Washington.  I  am  really  in  Elarnest.  I  have  told  you  and  some  others  so, 
often.  I  have  now  told  Congress,  as  such,  the  same.  For  Heavens  sake  let  other 
Persons  be  immediately  appointed,  and  the  difficulties  I  have  laboured  under  removed. 
Or  believe  me  you'll  have  the  Army  Starved.  An  Angel  from  Heaven  could  not  go 
on  long  in  my  Situation,  it  is  worse  than  the  Jewish  Brick  Makers.  You  see  by  Mr. 
Ayletts  last  letter,  what  his  Idea  is  of  Continuing  in  the  Service.  I  have  seen  two 
others  who  I  named  to  you  as  Dx  Com.  Genls.  who  both  say  the  same,  my  people  will 
leave  me  to  a  man.  they  are  not  worth  a  farthing  each,  in  the  present  Circumstances. 
Angels  and  men  will  justify  me,  I  trust,  in  this  measure. 

"  I  am  Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Humble  Servt. 

Jos :    Trumbull." 

The  letter  to  Congress  is  not  found  among  the  Papers  of  Congress,  or  mentioned  in 
the  Journals;  neither  does  the  letter  to  Washington  appear  among  the  Washington 
Papers.    It  seems  probable  therefore  that  they  were  never  despatched. 

[530]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull   Papers. 

2  July  II  Congress  resolved  to  send  a  committee  to  headquarters  to  inquire 
particularly  into  the  causes  of  the  complaints  in  the  commissary's  department.  The 
committee  brought  in  a  report  Aug.  5. 

3  Cf.  no.  531,  post. 

[531]^  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52,  vol.  II.,  p.  179  (copy). 

2  Only  three  of  the  four  had  actually  arrived.  See  no.  525,  note  5,  ante.  The 
agreement  made  by  Franklin  and  Deane  with  three  of  the  engineers,  Feb.  13,  1777,  is 


July,  7777  396 

532.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.' 

July  I.  Tuesday 

Yesterday  '  the  Committee  of  tlic  whole  House  finished  their  proceed- 
ings concerning  our  Revolters  and  reported  them  to  the  House.  An  un- 
expected field  of  debate  was  opened  and  some  of  our  neighbors  (R.  S  ' 
in  particular)  discovered  an  earnestness  and  solicitude  that  did  not  belong 
to  Judges  between  a  State  and  its  discontented  members.  But  it  was  of 
little  avail  to  object  to  what  had  been  agreed  to  by  the  Committee  of  the 
whole  House  on  the  most  solemn  argument  and  debate  of  which  I  have 
been  witness.  The  enclosed  Resolutions  were  finally  agreed  to  by  Con- 
gress. The  two  first  unanimously,  all  the  rest  by  a  considerable  majority. 
What  was  most  keenly  opposed  is  the  last  Resolution  respecting  Young's 
Address ;  *  because  it  brought  all  the  proceedings  more  pointedly  to  the 
case  of  New  York. 

This  appears  to  us  to  be  a  happy  decision  for  our  State  which  if  not 
neglected  must  produce  very  salutary  consequences.  I  should  think  it 
ought  to  be  instantly  circulated  by  hand  bills  throughout  every  part  of  the 
State :  and  that  Commissioners  should  be  sent  into  the  three  counties  to 
announce  the  Resolutions  and  induce  the  people  to  conform  to  the  new 
government  and  avail  themselves  of  it's  blessings.  We  did  not  think  it 
necessary  to  press  for  a  recommendation  of  Congress  to  these  people  to 
submit  to  our  Jurisdiction:  nor  for  the  dismission  of  Warner's  regi- 
ment.^ We  thought  we  had  obtained  what  was  sufificient  for  the  present 
it  will  depend  on  the  impression  these  important  decisions  may  make  on 
that  regiment  and  the  disaffected  at  large;  whether  the  former  shall  be 
discharged,  and  the  latter  enjoined  more  directly  to  a  peaceable  conduct. 
If  either  should  be  turbulent  and  be  guilty  of  acts  of  violence  or  hostility, 
I  presume  on  proper  application  Congress  will  interpose.  A  motion  came 
from  the  Southward  that  the  power  of  the  Continent  should  be  employed 
to  suppress  these  insurgents ;  ®  another  from  the  same  Quarter,  that 
Warner's  regiment  should  be  dismissed :  but  it  would  not  have  been  wise 
to  hazard  either  of  them :  and  a  spirit  of  candor  and  moderation,  which 
on  this  occasion  distinguished  your  delegates,  was  of  no  little  service  in 
securing  the  other  points  which  after  the  first  debate  we  saw  the  fairest 
prospect  of  obtaining.  As  I  said  before  these  requisitions  are  kept  in 
reserve  for  a  proper  season  if  they  should  become  essential 


in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  269.  that  of  Deane  with  Du  Coudray,  Sept.  11,  1776, 
is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  II.  283.  See  also,  nos.  535,  537.  539,  S4i,  542,  559, 
post. 

[532]  1  See  under  June  24  (no.  522,  notes  i  and  2),  ante. 

2  See  the  Journals,  June  30 ;  also  nos.  524.  526,  ante,  and  nos.  533,  534,  Post. 

3  Roger  Sherman.     Sec  no.  533,  post. 
*  See  no.  526,  note  3,  ante, 

5  Concerning  Col.  Seth  Warner's  regiment,  see  the  Journals,  June  30,  July  7 ; 
also  no.  330,  note  2,  ante,  and  no.  533,  post. 

^  Cf.  the  motion  of  Thomas  Burke,  the  Journals,  June  30  (p.  5U)- 


39G  Continental  Congress 

533,  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of 

Safety.^ 

Philadelphia  2d  July  1777 

Honourable  Gentlemen 

Since  our  last  we  have  applied  to  Commissary  Trumbull  to  exchanj^e  in 
the  manner  directed  by  Cong;ress  the  2000  Bushells  of  Salt  which  they 
were  pleased  to  grant  for  the  Relief  of  our  State. ^  As  soon  as  we  receive 
his  Answer  you  shall  know  the  Result 

We  were  Yesterday  honourd  with  your  favour  of  the  [19  June]  and 
immediately  took  the  necessary  steps  to  procure  an  Account  of  the  State 
Prisoners  sent  to  Philadelphia  by  our  late  Convention;  and  the  manner 
of  their  discharge.  It  shall  be  transmitted  to  you  by  this  Conveyance  with 
the  Reasons  which  indued  the  Council  of  Safety  of  this  Commonwealth 
to  use  so  little  Ceremony  in  a  Business  which  had  been  represented  to  them 
as  of  a  very  serious  nature.' 

Congress  between  this  and  the  26th.  of  June  have  spent  the  greatest 
part  of  four  days  in  considering  the  Claim  of  some  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
our  State  to  a  new  Government  independent  of  the  Community ;  and  the 
Letters  and  Remonstrances  of  our  late  Convention  and  your  honourable 
Council  On  that  interesting  Subject.  The  Principles  upon  which  this 
ambitious  Project  was  grounded  were  admitted  to  be  of  universal  Concern 
to  the  general  Confederacy,  and  they  were  considerd  as  peculiarly  odious 
from  the  Attempt  to  confirm  them  by  the  grossest  misrepresentation  of 
the  Resolutions  of  Congress.  No  Debate  was  ever  conducted  with  more 
deliberation  and  solemnity;  D[e]cision  was  such  as  in  our  Judgement 
ought  for  the  present  to  be  satisfactory.  It  does  not  it  is  true  come  up  to 
the  Requisition  of  our  State,  "  that  the  Insurgents  shou'd  be  recommended 
to  a  peaceable  Submission  to  its  Jurisdiction  by  the  Authority  of  Con- 
gress ;  and  that  Warner's  Regiment  shou'd  be  discharged  ".  But  by  totally 
reprobating  the  Idea  that  a  Minority  can  establish  an  Independance  of  the 
Community  of  which  they  are  members.  By  proclaiming  the  Duty  of 
Congress  to  secure  and  defend  the  several  Communities  of  which  it  is 
composed.  By  censuring  the  Supposition  that  Congress  cou'd  do,  recom- 
mend or  countenance  any  thing  injurious  to  the  Rights  and  Jurisdictions 
of  those  Communities.  By  declaring  expresly  that  the  independant  Gov- 
ernment attempted  to  be  established  by  those  misguided  People  can  derive 
no  Countenance  or  Justification  from  the  particular  Resolution  on  which 

[533]^  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  IX.  440  (in  Duane's 
writing)  ;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXIX.  196  (copy)  ;  Recs.  of  the  Governor 
and  Council  of  Vt.,  III.  293  (extract)  ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  998. 

2  A  copy  of  the  letter  to  Joseph  Trumbull,  dated  July  2,  is  in  the  N.  Y.  State 
Library,  Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  IX.  448,  and  is  printed  in  Jour.  N.  V. 
Prov.  Cong.,  I.  1000.  The  letter  mentions  that  the  salt  stored  at  Plymouth  is  "  under 
the  care  of  Thomas  Mumford  Esqr.  of  Groton  in  Connecticut".  See  the  Journals, 
June  14;  also  nos.  517,  518,  ante,  544,  546,  post. 

3  The  letter  of  the  committee  of  safety,  June  19,  is  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong., 
I.  970;  the  resolution,  June  18,  is  ibid.,  I.  968.  See,  further,  ibid.,  I.  999,  1000;  also 
William  Duer  to  the  Pennsylvania  council  of  safety,  Oct.  11,  1776,  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first 
ser.,  V.  40. 


July,  1777  397 

it  is  pretended  to  be  founded,  or  from  any  other  Act  or  Proceeding  of  Con- 
gress. By  the  contemptuous  Rejection  of  their  Petition  to  be  receivd  and 
ranked  as  a  free  State;  and  to  be  represented  by  their  own  Delegates  in 
Congress.  By  the  Apology  to  the  State  of  New  York  for  raising  Warner's 
Regiment,  implied  in  the  Explanation  of  the  Motives  which  gave  Rise  to 
it.  And  by  the  severe  Censure  of  Doct.  Young's  Address,  encouraging 
these  People  to  persevere  in  their  Defection.  By  all  these  different  Reso- 
lutions we  think  a  substantial  Foundation,  on  general  and  undenia[b]l[e] 
Principles,  is  laid  either  for  reclaiming  our  Fellow  Citizens  to  their  Duty 
and  a  Submission  to  the  Laws,  by  the  Force  of  Reason  and  Perswasion ; 
and  the  Fear  of  offending  a  whole  Continent;  or  shoud  they  distinctley 
persevere  in  their  Revolt,  for  a  future  Requisition  of  the  Aid  of  Congress 
to  be  administerd  in  such  manner  as  the  Opposition  of  the  disaffected,  and 
our  own  Circumstances  may  render  expedient.  We  flatter  ourselves  there- 
fore that  we  shall  meet  with  your  Approbation  and  that  our  Country  will 
be  pleasd  and  benefited  by  the  measures  adopted  on  this  Occasion.  May 
we  be  permitted  to  suggest  the  Propriety  of  dispatching  Commissioners 
without  delay  to  circulate  explain  and  enforce  among  our  too  aspiring 
Countrymen  these  Resolutions  of  Congress,  and  to  seize  the  Advantage 
which  the  first  Impression  of  unexpected  disappointment,  and  Condem- 
nation from  the  only  Tribunal  they  fear,  may  make  on  their  Minds,  in 
order  to  induce  them  to  a  Submission  to  your  Jurisdiction.  This  appears 
to  us  to  be  the  more  necessary  as  Mr  Roger  Sherman  of  Connecticut,  who 
brought  in  the  Petition  for  these  People  to  Congress,  and  has  all  along 
acted  openly  as  their  Advocate  and  Patron,  and  in  the  last  Debate  plead 
their  Cause  with  a  Zeal  and  Passion  which  he  never  discoverd  in  any  other 
Instance,  and  which  in  a  Judge  between  a  State  and  some  of  its  own  mem- 
bers was  far  from  being  commendable.  This  Gentleman,  we  say,  im- 
mediately on  passing  the  Resolutions,  procurd  Copies,  and  having  obtaind 
Leave  of  Absence,  is  already  set  out  on  his  Journey  to  the  Eastward. 
What  may  be  his  Views  with  respect  to  our  Dispute,  we  know  not ;  But  to 
his  Enmity  and  officiousness  you  ought  not  to  be  Strangers.* 

We  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  the  greatest  Respect  Hon^  Gentlemen 

Your  most  Obedient  humble  Servants 

Phil.  Livingston 


Council  of  Safetv  for  the  State  of  New  York. 


Jas.  Duane 
Wm.  Duer 


534.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.^ 

July  2.  Wednesday 

....  We  have  now  finished  every  thing  in  Congress  which  immedi- 
ately concerns  our  State,  and  I  own  I  feel  no  small  satisfaction  in  contem- 

*  See  the  Journals,  June  23,  25,  28,  30,  and  nos.  524,  526,  532,  ante ;  also  nos.  539, 
546,  547,  post. 

[534]^  See  under  June  24  (no.  522,  notes  i  and  2),  ante. 


398  Continental  Congress 

platinj^  our  success.     I  wish  our  Countrymen  may  be  well  pleased,  and  I 
shall  have  for  a  great  deal  of  pains,  labor  and  anxiety  a  full  reward.* 

I  ought  to  have  excepted  as  an  unfinished  business  our  public  accounts 
with  the  United  States:  to  this  my  attention  shall  now  be  directed 

Adieu 
JD 

535.  James  Lovell  to  Benjamin  Franklin.^ 

Philada  July  4th.  1777 
Sr 

....  I  much  fear  that  an  Instruction  formerly  passed  in  Congress 
respecting  Foreigners  who  do  not  understand  our  language  will  be  con- 
strued as  a  patent  for  those  who  do.  It  was  not  intended  for  that  end  I 
assure  you.    Nothing  is  more  dreaded  than  such  a  Construction.* 

I  will  not  multiply  w^ords,  but  conclude  by  assuring  you  of  my  most 
sincere  Esteem  as 

Sr  Your  Friend  and  very  humble  Servant 

James  Lovell 
Honble  Mr.  Franklin 

536.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Philadelphia,  July  5th,  1777. 
Dr.  Sir: 

Your  several  favours  of  the  loth  and  nth  ulto.  have  come  to  hand,  and 
you  may  rely  on  my  best  attention  to  all  your  commands.* 

Mr.  Penn  is  arrived,  and  has  brought  the  papers  necessary  for  obtaining 
the  money,  but  the  Treasury  being  very  nearly  exhausted  of  all  former 
emissions  I  fear  we  must  w-ait  sometime  before  we  can  procure  a  sum  from 
one  lately  voted,  adequate  to  the  demand.  We  have  however  obtained  an 
order  of  the  Treasury  for  three  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  be  delivered 
at  Baltimore  where  the  press  and  Signers  are.  and  the  Board  of  War  are 
properly  instructed  to  forw^ard  it  without  delay.  I  observe  the  Resolve 
of  the  Assembly  directs  the  Delegates  to  send  forward  250,000,  dollars 
and  the  residue  of  the  500,000  not  drawn  for  under  this  Resolve,  or  pre- 
vious thereto. 

These  difficulties  occur.  Are  the  250,000  to  be  considered  as  part  of 
the  500,000,  or  are  they  to  be  an  additional  demand  ?  Are  the  Delegates 
to  send  this  money  at  the  risque  of  the  State,  and  not  in  the  usual  way 

2  See  nos.  524,  526,  532,  533,  ante. 
ISSSl'^Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Franklin  Papers,  VI.  95;  Hale,  Franklin  in  France,  I.  79. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  13 ;  cf.  nos.  501,  514,  525,  531,  note  2,  ante. 
[536]iiV.  C.  State  Recs..  XI.  511. 

2  Caswell's  letters  of  June  10  and  11  are  in  N.  C.  State  Recs..  XI.  494,  495.  The 
first  relates  in  part  and  the  second  almost  entirely  to  the  French  engineers  and  to 
reimbursement  for  assistance  rendered  them.  See  no.  525,  note  5,  ante;  also  the  Journals, 
July  5  (p.  532)  ;  cf.  ibid.,  Feb.  5,  Mar.  14. 


July,  1777  399 

under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  War?  The  latter  I  can  not  think  to 
have  been  intended  by  the  Assembly,  and  therefore  1  have  ventured  to 
advise  its  being  sent  at  the  risque  of  the  Continent  in  the  usual  way.  In 
this  Mr.  Penn  concurs  with  me.  The  former  question  I  can  not  decide 
upon,  but  until  it  is  more  clearly  expressed  must  suppose  it  is  intended  as 
part  of  the  500,000  dollars.^ .... 

Nothing  material  has  happened  since  I  wrote  you  last,  except  the  cele- 
bration of  the  fourth  of  July  (the  anniversary  of  the  declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence). You  will  see  it  at  large  in  the  enclosed  paper;  but  the  one 
thing  is  remarkable;  this  day,  and  the  28th  of  June,  memorable  for  the 
defence  of  Sullivan's  Island,  were  both  celebrated  here,  and  at  both  a 
Hessian  band  of  music  which  were  taken  at  Princeton  performed  very 
delightfully,  the  pleasure  being  not  a  little  heightened  by  the  reflection  that 
they  were  hired  by  the  British  Court  for  purposes  very  different  from 
those  to  which  they  were  applied.*  July  7th.  This  moment  I  received 
yours  of  17th  ulto.  by  post  inclosing  the  Resolution  of  Assembly,  and  a 
letter  to  Captain  Caswell.  ....  The  Resolution  of  the  Assembly  shall 
be  laid  before  Congress,  and  you  shall  know  the  result.^  I  thank  you,  Sir, 
for  yr  attention  to  my  private  inconveniences  manifested  in  the  permission 
you  give  me  to  return  to  my  family.  I  shall  avail  myself  thereof  as  soon 
as  I  can  assure  myself  that  it  can  be  done  without  injury  to  the  public 
business.    I  shall  write  you  again  by  the  next  post,  or  opportunity 

537.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Philadelphia  July  5,  1777 
Hon'^  Sir 

....  I  find  Congress  much  as  I  left  it,^  in  every  respect,  some  new 
Members;  their  Time  mostly  taken  up  by  Daily  Incidents  and  occurrences, 
very  little  progress  made  in  the  Confederation,  it  had  pasd  the  Com**  of 
the  whole  House  before  I  left,  has  been  a  good  while  before  Congress  and 
few  important  questions  yet  determined,  the  capital  ones  of  the  weight  of 
each  Colony  in  deciding  Questions,  and  Taxation  and  many  others  unde- 
termined, the  first  respecting  the  Vote  of  Each  has  been  entered  on,  and 
it  is  most  strenuously  contended  in  behalf  of  the  larger  [ones  that]  their 

3  The  order  to  the  treasurer  to  despatch  the  300,000  dollars  is  in  the  Journals, 
July  8.  See  sundry  letters  of  the  delegates  (Penn,  Burke,  and  Harnett),  July  6,  8,  12, 
Aug.  5.  II,  in  N.  C.  State  Recs..  XL  514,  516,  558,  569,  736;  also  letters  of  Caswell, 
June  17,  July  15,  Aug.  6,  7,  ibid.,  XI.  500,  564,  565,  737.  A  copy  (from  the  original) 
of  the  instructions  from  Burke  and  Penn  to  Lieut.  John  Allen  (see  ibid.,  pp.  558,  736) 
is  in  the  possession  of  the  Carnegie  Institution  of  Washington. 

*  The  Journals  make  no  record  of  the  celebration  of  July  4,  merely  showing  that 
Congress  adjourned  over  that  day.     Cf.  no.  537,  post. 

5  Caswell's  letter  of  June  17  is  in  A'^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  500.  The  resolution 
of  the  assembly  related  to  making  the  state's  artillery  company  continental.  See  the 
Journals,  July  10,  19. 

[537]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Myers  Coll.,  Declaration  of  Independence,  p.  83;  Hist.  Mag., 
XIV.  223. 

2  Williams  left  Congress  Nov.  12,  1776,  or  thereabouts  (see  no.  193,  note  2,  ante). 
He  took  his  seat  again  June  25,  1777. 


400  Continental  Congress 

vote  shall  be  proportionate  to  their  [population  which  is]  forcably  op- 
posed. I  trust  aiul  hope  it  will  be  [carried  in  favor  of]  the  equal  Footing 
it  has  been,  and  without  it  [the  smaller  Co] Ionics  will  be  in  effect  swal- 
lowed up  and  ainiihilated.* 

Your  Letter  to  the  Presidt.  and  its  inclosures  are  reed,  the  papers  not 
read  in  the  House,  but  committed.  I  cant  say  what  will  be  done ;  nothing 
but  what  is  originated  in  this  Batch  of  —  Politicians  seems  to  make  any 
great  impression.  Mr.  Erkelins  seems  to  be  vanished,  we  can  find  He 
has  been  here  but  no  Body  knows  who  or  where  he  is,  tho  I  believe  by 
enquiry  he  is  in  Town,  but  have  not  been  able  yet  to  find  him.  I  suspect 
he  is  chagrined  at  the  cool  reception  he  has  met  with,  and  keeps  retired.* 

We  have  applied  for  the  arms  you  wrote  by  us  for,  but  find  exceeding 
Difficulty  in  obtaining  Them.  I  believe  not  a  man  southward  or  in  the 
middle  Department  is  supplied  with  an  arm  but  by  the  Continent.  We 
have  done  it  thro  zeal  and  strong  attachment  to  the  Cause,  and  yet  They 
will  not  seem  to  know,  believe  or  care  anything  about  it,  there  is  indeed 
such  a  thing  as  being  righteous  overmuch,  and  yet  I  can  hardly  repent 
that  we  have  in  such  Influences  fallen  into  this  Error,  but  sho*^  N.  E.  be 
attacked  and  unarmed  we  sho*^  have  reason,  the  matter  is  however  referd 
to  Genl.  Washington,  and  Mr  Sherman  is  to  negotiate  the  Affair  with  him 
on  his  return  (he  set  out  the  2d  Inst)  more  than  all  the  arms  we  have 
are  wanted,  which  must  be  allowed  as  some  excuse  for  their  lothness  to 
comply.^ 

We  have  a  very  extra''.  Contract  now  lying  before  Congress  entered 

into  in  Septr.  last  by  Mr.  D with  Monsr.  DuCoudray  (after  a  long 

list  of  pre  nomens)  who  is  present,  making  him  Gen^*  and  Commandr. 
in  Chief  of  the  whole  Choir  of  Artillery,  with  power  to  fill  every  vacant 
office  now  and  in  future,  and  to  be  subject  to  no  Controul  but  by  the  Con- 
gress and  the  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  whole  Army,  and  with  the  rank 
of  Majr.  General,  and  his  pay  as  in  a  Separate  Department,  to  be  on  pay 
from  the  ist  of  Augt.  last,  and  a  large  Train  of  under  Officers  of  various 
ranks  who  are  with  him,  for  whom  also  he  has  made  appointments,  and  to 
Monsr.  and  all  he  had  has  advanced  a  half  years  pay  for  expences  of 
preparation  and  Passage,  not  to  be  accounted  for,  and  with  Pensions  for 
Life  equal  to  half  their  Pay  annually  etc.  The  Contract  has  had  several 
assignments  but  is  not  yet  taken  up.  I  do  not  expect  it  will  be  ratified  in 
full.    I  forbear  to  say  many  things,     the  City  swarms  with  French  Men.' 

I  dont  know  but  I  transgress  the  Rules  We  all  sign  in  divulging  any 
ma[tters]  sub  Jiidice  and  unfinished  in  Congress,  but  I  cant  [refrain  from 
menti]oning  important  matters  to  one  w-ho  has  so  good  a  right  to  know^; 

3  Cf.  no.  528,  ante.  The  remarks  of  Williams  suggest  that  the  mode  of  voting 
was  under  discussion  at  the  time  he  was  writing. 

*  Gosuinus  Erkelens.  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  18 ;  see  also  Brieven  van  en  aan 
Joan  Derek  van  der  Capellen  van  de  Poll,  p.  5. 

5  See  the  Journals,  June  25,  July  i  (relative  to  Trumbull's  letter  of  June  12)  ; 
also  Washington  to  Trumbull,  July  2,  7,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  V.  456,  469. 

6  See  nos.  501,  SH-  52i,  525,  530,  531,  535,  ante,  nos.  539,  541,  542,  559,  post. 


July,  7777  401 

and  to  whom  I,  and  even  the  Contin[ent  are  subject]  to  great  obligations, 
but  Sr.  you  will  not  make  them  to  be  publick  nor  known,  as  from  me 
especially. 

The  Prices  of  every  thing  here  are  most  alarmingly  extravagant,  much 
owing  to  the  malicious  Cunning  of  our  worst  Enemys,  the  Torys,  and 
coinciding  with  the  boundless  avarice  of  the  Merchants,  whose  Gain  is 
the  Siimmum  Bonum,  and  all  the  God  they  seem  to  know,  in  these  parts, 
nothing  to  be  done  by  Congress,  because,  forsooth,  it  will  be  interfering 
with  the  internal  Police  of  this  grand  State,  in  this  respect  the  mother  of 
Harlots  etc.  the  principle  properly  applied  is  however  very  important. 
Congress  seems  to  be  chaind  to  this  place,  and  the  longer  they  stay,  the 
stronger  a  multitude  of  offices  and  officers  are  established  and  employed 
in  this  City,  and  some  of  the  worst  men  in  some  of  them. 

Yesterday  was  in  my  opinion  poorly  spent  in  celebrating  the  anniversary 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independance,  but  to  avoid  singularity  and  Reflec- 
tion upon  my  dear  Colony,  I  thot  it  my  Duty  to  attend  the  public  Enter- 
tainment ;  a  great  Expenditure  of  Liquor,  Powder  etc.  took  up  the  Day, 
and  of  Candles  thro  the  City  good  part  of  the  night.  I  suppose  and  I 
conclude  much  Tory  unilluminated  Glass  will  want  replacing  etc.'' .... 


538.  Henry  Marchant  to  the  Governor  and  Company  of 

Rhode  Island.^ 

Philadelphia  July  5th.  1777. 
Gentlemen 

I  reed,  a  Letter  from  the  Honorable  William  Greene  Esqr.  Speaker  of 
the  lower  Plouse  signed  at  the  Request,  and  in  Behalf  of,  the  General 
Assembly  (the  Govr.  being  absent)  of  the  22d.  and  24th,  of  June  last, 
directed  to  Mr.  Ellery  and  myself.^  Mr.  Ellery  having  some  Time  before 
sat  out  on  his  Return  Home, — I  instantly,  on  the  same  Day  I  received 
Your  Letter,  being  the  third  of  this  Instant  July,  moved  Congress  for  the 
Sum  requested,  being  sixty  Thousand  Pounds  (meaning  I  presumed  law- 
ful Money)  or  two  hundred  Thousand  Dollars.  Congress  w^ere  much 
surprised  that  so  large  a  Sum  should  be  requested  so  soon  after  the  large 
Sum  granted  the  State  of  Rhode-Island  etc.  The  Gentlemen  of  the 
Treasury  Board  would  hardly  allow  it  possible  you  should  have  expended 
such  very  considerable  Sums  on  Continental  Account,  and  moved  that  the 
Sum  of  sixty  Thousand  Dollars  only  should  be  now  granted. — especially 
as  it  was  very  probable  the  Continent  would  soon  have  Occasion  for  large 
Drafts  upon  the  Eastern  Loan  Offices,  if  the  Enemy's  Movements  should 
be  into  New-England,  or  up  the  North  River,  the  latter  of  which  from 

^  Cf.  no.  536,  ante.    With  regard  to  "  unilluminated  glass  "  see  Pa.  Arch.,  first 
sen,  V.  411. 

l538]iR.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777,  p.  120;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  143. 

2  Letters  of  June  22  and  24  to  Ellery  and  Marchant  are  printed  in   Staples, 
R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  pp.  141,  142,  with  the  signature  of  the  governor.  Nicholas  Cooke. 


402  Continental  Congress 

Genl.  Washington's  Letters  that  Day  received,  seemed,  and  still  appears 
most  probable.  I  did  not  fail  to  state  and  urge,  in  the  strongest  Manner 
I  was  capable  of,  the  Necessity  and  Expediency  of  this  Supply, — The  abso- 
lute Necessity  you  would  otherwise  be  under  of  emitting  a  large  Sum,  the 
destructive  Consequences  of  which  we  are  all  awakened  to.  I  further 
suggested,  what  I  fully  imagine  to  be  the  Case,  that  a  very  great  Part  of 
this  Sum  would  go  into  the  Lx)an  Office  by  Way  of  Discount  with  the 
State,  that  it  could  not  be  expected  so  large  a  Sum  would  in  Fact  be  thrown 
into  that  Office.  After  a  considerable  Debate,  the  Consideration  thereof 
was  submitted  to  the  Treasury  Board.  I  applied  there  this  Morning  and 
inforced  my  Application  with  every  additional  Argument  in  my  Power, 
and  was  very  happy  in  obtaining  a  Report  agreeable  to  my  wishes,  and 
upon  which  the  inclosed  Resolves  passed  Congress.'.  .  .  . 


539.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

7th.  July  1777. 

Dear  Sir, 

As  you  seemed  particularly  to  wish  when  you  left  Philadelphia  to  be 
made  acquainted  with  the  proceedings  in  the  Commercial  and  Foreign 
Committes,  I  would  inform  you  that  last  Saturday  Mr  Geary  Mr.  W. 
Smith  and  Mr  Heywood  were  joined  to  Messrs.  Morris  and  Livingston, 
to  the  no  small  mortification  of  H — n.^  Geary  pleaded  hard  to  be  excused 
but  we  would  not  allow  of  it  till  a  proper  opportunity.'  This  day  we  have 
the  pleasure  of  knowing  we  shall  soon  have  that  opportunity  to  the  double 
mortification  of  said  H — ;  for  we  this  day  find  that  Col  R  H  Lee  has 
not  only  rec'd  the  most  honorable  testimonies  of  approbation  for  his  past 
conduct  but  was  elected  anew  on  the  24th.  ulto.  Old  H —  has  whispered 
it  all  along  on  the  road  that  Col  Lee  has  ordered  his  overseer  to  demand 
produce  or  bullion  for  rent,  but  this  was  proved  to  be  false  by  the  fullest 
declaration  of  the  overseer  and  other  evidence.  I  feel  exceedingly  glad 
on  this  event,*  and  should  be  completely  secure  against  the  prevalence  of  a 
certain  set,  if  a  certain  late  resolute  member  of  the  Marine  Committee  ° 
was  about  to  return  speedily  from  Portsmouth,  one,  who  though  quite  as 
honest  as  his  neighbors,  yet  did  not  confess  ten  times  a  day  "  I  dont  know 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  3,  5.  The  separate  item  of  10,000  dollars  advanced  to 
the  delegates  was  to  meet  a  bill  of  Samuel  Purviance  and  Company.  See  the  letter 
of  June  24,  mentioned  above,  and  a  passage  in  Marchant's  letter  omitted  here.  The 
previous  grant  of  money  to  Rhode  Island  referred  to  in  the  letter  was  Mar.  12.  See 
nos.  394,  405,  420,  ante. 

[539]^  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  361;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft 
Coll.,  Langdon-Elwyn  Papers  (copy). 

-  Benjamin  Harrison. 

^  July  5  the  secret  committee  was  reconstituted  and  called  the  committee  of 
commerce.  "  Geary "  and  "  Heywood "  are  of  course  Elbridge  Gerry  and  Thomas 
Heyward.     See  no.  624,  post. 

*  Cf.  no.  511,  ante,  no.  547,  post.    See  also  no.  506,  ante. 

5  The  allusion  is  to  his  correspondent,  William  Whipple. 


July,  7777  403 

what  the  question  is  Mr  President  "  like  good  honest  I,  for  be  sure  I  mean 
myself. 

We  of  the  other  Committee  have  sent  an  armed  Sloop  to  France.^  The 
commissions  of  Wm.  Lee  and  Izzard  do  not  promise  ratification  of  what- 
ever they  may  transact,  but  their  proceedings  on  commercial  treaties  at 
Vienna  Berlin  and  Tuscany  are  to  receive  our  approbation  and  only  to 
continue  12  years,  though  a  treaty  of  friendship  may  be  made  outright 
for  a  longer  period.^ 

I  will  aim  to  send  you  the  issue  of  a  plaguy  altercation  upon  bringing 
on  afresh  the  afifair  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants.  I  was  unfortunately 
confined  to  my  bed  and  G  divided  against  S.  A.  on  the  two  last  resolves  as 
did  Elmore  against  Serjeant,  the  others  of  the  two  States  being  absent. 
You  must  know  that  Jemmy  D.  has  got  E — re  fast.  I  do  not  however 
think  that  New  York  has  much  to  boast  of ;  it  is  still  a  moot-point  whether 
the  people  of  the  Grants  belong  to  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire  or  New 
York.\  .  .  . 

Du  Coudray's  treaty  is  not  yet  determined  upon ;  but  I  think  there  will 
be  few  advocates  for  confirming  it.  The  4  Engineers  who  were  the  only 
persons  absolutely  sent  for,  are  arrived;  and  though  modest  men,  upon 
a  very  modest  treaty,  yet  possitively  refuse  to  be  under  the  command  of 
Du  C — y  who  has  duped  Deane  to  make  him  Commander  in  Chief  of  all 
the  artillery  and  engineering  through  the  States.®  But  this  is  only  a  part 
of  our  present  distraction.  For  ist.  Sulivan  sends  to  know  whether  the 
report  is  true  that  Congress  has  ratified  De  C — y's  claim,  because  if  it  is, 
he  desires  leave  to  resign.  Two  days  after  Green  and  Knox  proceed  in 
the  same  style.  This  is  judged  to  be  a  military  attempt  to  influence  our 
free  deliberations.  For  it  is  certain,  they  knew  we  had  not  settled  the 
matter  or  General  Washington  would  have  rec'd  the  Resolves.  If  they 
chose  to  take  it  for  a  thing  done  why  did  they  not  ask  leave  to  retire  with- 
out any  ifs.  There  is  as  much  pulling  and  hauling,  about  rank  and  pay, 
as  if  we  had  been  accustomed  to  a  militarv  establishment  here  i  =;o  vears.^** 


8  That  is,  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs  (prior  to  Apr.  17  the  committee  of 
secret  correspondence),  to  which  Lovell  and  Heyward  had  been  added  May  26.  The 
armed  sloop  was  the  Independence.  See  the  letter  of  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs 
to  Arthur  Lee,  Aug.  8,  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  384. 

'^  In  the  transcript  this  sentence  begins :  "  The  Commissioners  Wm.  Lee  and 
Izzard  " ;  evidently  it  should  be  "  the  commissions  of  ".  Ralph  Izard  was  elected  com- 
missioner to  the  court  of  Tuscany  May  7,  and  William  Lee  to  the  courts  of  Vienna  and 
Berlin  May  9.  Their  commissions  and  instructions  are  in  the  Journals,  under  July  i. 
See  also  ibid.,  June  27.    The  instructions  are  also  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dip!.  Corr.,  II.  3S9,  360. 

8  See  nos.  524-526,  532,  533,  ante ;  also  nos.  546,  547,  post.  "  G  "  is  Elbridge  Gerry, 
"S.  A."  is  Samuel  Adams,  "  Elmore"  (also  "  E— -re")  is  Jonathan  Elmer,  "  Serjeant" 
is  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant,  and  "  Jemmy  D."  is  James  Duane.  Cf.  nos.  556,  585,  post.  In 
regard  to  Sergeant,  see  no.  511,  ante. 

8  See  no.  525,  note  5,  ante,  and  nos.  541,  542,  559,  post. 
10  See  the  Journals,  July  3,  5  (PP-  53i,  535),  7,  12  (p-  548  n.),  21  (p.  569)  ;  also 
no.  514,  ante,  nos.  541-543.  post. 


404  Continental  Congress 

540.  John  Adams  to  Jamks  Warkkn.' 

Philadelphia,  July  7,  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  June  22<]  reed,  only  today.  We  have  no  Thoughts  of  leaving 
Philadelphia.  I  believe  Howe  has  no  Thoughts  of  attempting  it,  but  if 
he  has  \Ve  are  determined  to  keep  it.  Our  Army,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  Militia,  will  be  sufficient  to  defend  it 

There  is  a  loud  Complaint  here,  about  Arms.  Eighteen  Thousand 
Arms  have  arrived  at  Portsmouth  ^  and  We  know  not  what  becomes  of 
them.  Other  Arms  have  arrived  in  Mass..  but  We  know  not  where  they 
are.  and  it  is  said  the  Game  Cock  carried  Six  Thousand  into  Dartmouth. 
Where  are  they?  .... 

I  am  weary  enough  of  Complaints,  concerning  Navy  Matters.  I  do  all 
I  can  in  public  and  private  to  stimulate,  but  all  in  vain.  The  Commissions 
were  never  sent  untill  4  or  5  days  ago  by  Mr.  Sherman.  The  Instructions 
are  not  sent  yet.^  Who  is  in  Fault,  I  dont  say.  It  is  enough  for  me  to 
answer  for  my  own  Faults 

541.  John  Adams  to  Nathanael  Greene.* 

Philadelphia  July  7,  1777 
My  dear  Sir. 

I  never  before  took  hold  of  a  Pen  to  write  to  my  Friend  General  Green, 
without  Pleasure,  but  I  think  myself  obliged  to  do  it  now  upon  a  Subject 
that  gives  me  a  great  deal  of  Pain. 

The  Three  Letters  from  the  Generals  Sullivan,  Green  and  Knox,  have 
interrupted  the  Deliberations  of  Congress,  and  given  many  of  the  Mem- 
bers of  it  much  Uneasiness.  They  thought  themselves  bound,  in  Honour 
and  Justice,  to  the  great  Body  of  People  whom  they  represent,  to  pass  the 
Resolution  which,  before  this  Letter  reaches  you,  will  be  communicated  to 
you  by  General  Washington. 

The  Contract  between  Mr  Deane  and  Monsr  Du  Coudray,  is  not  yet 
decided  upon.  It  is  in  itself  one  of  the  most  delicate,  and  perplexing 
Transactions  that  has  ever  fallen  in  our  Way :  but  those  three  Letters 
instead  of  relieving  Us  has  only  encreased  our  Mortification.^ .... 

Nothing  in  this  affair  gives  me  more  Pain,  than  the  Necessity,  you  have 
laid  Us  under  of  passing  a  Resolution,  vi^hich  will  lessen  your  Characters, 
and  diminish  the  Confidence  w^hich  the  good  People  of  America  have  in 
your  Judgment,  and  attachment  to  the  Principles  of  Liberty.     But  there 

[540]^  Warren-Adams  Letters.  I.  339. 

2  The  reference  is  presumably  to  the  arms  which  arrived  in  the  Mercury  and 
the  Amphitrite.  See  no.  473,  note  5,  ante;  also  James  Warren  to  his  wife,  Mar.  21,  and 
to  Adams.  Apr.  23,  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  301,  316. 

3  See  nos.  480,  485,  521,  ante,  and  Warren  to  Adams,  June  22,  in  Warren-Adams 
Letters,  I.  334. 

[541]!  Adams  MSS.,  Boston. 

2  Concerning  the  letters  of  Sullivan,  Greene,  and  Knox,  see  no.  539,  ante,  nos. 
542,  543,  post.  Cf.  no.  404,  ante.  For  other  aspects  of  the  Du  Coudray  affair,  see  nos.  525, 
note  5,  539,  note  9,  ante. 


July,  1777  405 

was  not  one  Member  of  Congress  who  dared  to  justify  the  Letters,  very 
few  who  could  say  a  word  in  Mitigation  or  Excuse.  It  was  universally 
considered,  as  betraying  the  Liberties  of  the  People,  to  pass  them  by  un- 
censured.  Some  were  even  for  dismissing  all  three  of  you  instantly  from 
the  service,  others  for  ordering  you  to  Philadelphia,  under  arrest  to 
answer  for  this  offence. 

The  Resolution  expresses  an  Expectation  that  some  Acknowledgment 
or  Apology  will  be  made.  I  sincerely  hope  it  will,  for  I  think  that  on  a 
cool  Reconsideration  of  those  Letters,  the  Impropriety  and  Danger  of 
them  must  be  manifest.  I  would  be  far  from  dictating  to  you,  or  giving 
advice  unasked,  but  I  really  think,  that  a  Declaration  that  you  had  no 
Intention  to  influence  Congress,  to  contemn  its  Authority  or  infringe  the 
Liberties  of  the  People  or  the  Priviledges  of  Congress,  a  Declaration  that 
you  have  the  fullest  Confidence  in  the  Justice  of  Congress  and  their 
Deliberations  for  the  public  good,  is  the  least  that  you  can  do,  provided 
you  can  do  this  with  Truth  and  Sincerity,  if  not  I  think  you  ought  to  leave 
the  Service. 

542,  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  July  the  7th  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  you  a  few  days  agoe  by  Coll.  Stewart  which  hope  you  have 
Recievd.^  we  have  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  received  some  very  unpolite 
letters  from  two  or  three  Gentn.  of  high  rank  and  Esteem  in  the  Army  viz 
Genlls.  Green  Sullivan  and  Knox,  if  they  had  prudently  wrote  the  same 
Matter  to  any  particular  friend  Member  of  Congress  and  he  had  divulged 
it  to  his  brethren  no  offence  would  have  been  taken  and  it  might  have 
answered  every  valuable  purpose,  but  to  write  to  Congress  as  a  Body  while 
they  had  a  matter  under  consideration  (I  mean  the  afifair  of  the  Command 
of  Monsr  de  Coudre)  to  dictate  to  or  Influence  their  Conduct  is  looked 
upon  by  many  as  the  highest  Insult  and  Indignity  and  which  they  cannot 
pass  by  without  the  severest  Censure,  or  otherwise  must  give  up  their  own 
dignity  and  superiority  to  a  few  Gentn.  of  the  Army,  who  will  assume  for 
the  future  to  dictate  and  Influence  all  their  measures,  or  if  Congress  do 
not  at  once  yield  they  will  resign  their  Commissions  break  up  the  Army 
and  leave  their  Country  to  the  total  desolation  and  subjection  of  the 
Enemy,  this  is  the  Construction  many  put  on  their  Conduct  there  is  a 
number  of  us  endeavour  to  palliate  matters  to  soften  the  Asperity  of 
Others  tho  all  Condemn  the  manner  of  those  Gentns.  letters  and  the  time- 
ing  of  them.  Indeed  they  will  have  a  bad  effect  on  the  matter  under  Con- 
sideration. I  believe  there  would  have  been  great  caution  and  prudence  in 
that  affair    we  readily  felt  for  those  Gentn.  and  the  Indignity  it  might  at 

[542]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Doubtless  no.  529,  ante.  Colonel  Stewart  was  probably  Charles  Stewart, 
colonel  of  New  Jersey  militia,  elected  commissary-general  of  issues  June  18.  Cf.  nos. 
543,  544,  post.  However,  Dyer  mentions  in  his  letter  of  July  8  (no.  543,  post)  that  he 
sent  such  a  letter  by  a  young  Southern  officer. 


406  Continental  Congress 

least  be  Construed  to  be  to  place  Monsr  de  Coudre  in  a  rank  superior  to 
them  it  would  have  been  opposed,  and  believe  never  would  have  taken 
place,  but  these  Gentn.  before  the  matter  was  so  much  as  debated  in  Con- 
gress have  thrown  in  their  threats  to  them  as  a  body  that  if  they  do  this 
etc.  they  will  immediately  leave  the  Army,  it  embarrasses  every  free  step 
both  in  debate  and  Conclusion,  for  if  they  now  refuse  which  I  dare  say 
they  before  would  have  done  to  give  de  Coudre  a  Superior  Command 
instead  of  being  Imputed  to  their  Justice  and  prudence  it  will  be  entirely 
attributed  to  their  fear  occasioned  by  the  threats  of  those  Gentn.  and  the 
Consequence  will  be,  in  every  matter  for  the  future  we  must  be  either 
Dictated  to  or  threatned  by  the  Army  if  we  do  not  do  this,  or  that,  or 
just  what  they  please,  they  will  give  up  the  cause  or  goe  over  to  the 
Enemie,  Sacrifice  their  Country,  etc. 

they  will  easily  see  the  Impropriety,  and  I  believe  they  were  in  no  danger 
before,  am  extremely  sorry  it  has  happened,  how  severe  the  conclusions 
will  be  I  know  not.  some  threaten  hard,  others  Indeavour  to  moderate, 
the  times  are  truly  Critical  and  I  think  those  Gentn.  would  not  wish  to 
lessen  the  authority  Esteem  or  dignity  of  Congress,  as  their  own  and 
Countrys  honor  Safety  and  Liberty  so  much  at  present  depend  upon  its 
being  preserved,  and  whatever  may  be  the  result  I  hope  they  will  take  it 
patiently  consider  themselves  as  Imprudently  (at  least)  giving  an  occa- 
sion, a  few  reflections  will  be  for  their  honour  and  all  may  be  set  right, 
they  must  Consider  their  Country  at  Stake  which  I  hope  they  preferr 
above  every  thing  else  even  their  own  particular  honor,  or  life,  (I  mean  in 
the  manner  in  which  it  may  be  effected  in  Compromising  this  matter  which 
I  hope  would  establish,  instead  of  wounding  it  in  the  least,  as  they 
threaten  to  resign,  it  is  a  wonder  if  Congress  dont  tell  them  they  may  just 
when  they  please  but  I  hope  these  Gentn  love  their  Country  too  well.  This 
is  a  most  unhappy  affair  and  our  old  Friend  D[e]an  has  been  in  more  In- 
stances than  one,  Imprudent  to  the  last  degree,  he  has  brot  us  into  the 
most  unhappy  Dilemma  in  several  of  his  Contracts  and  Stipulations  with 
Gentn  sending  over  Swarms  of  Commanders  Pensioners  etc.  I  dare  say 
no  more  at  present  upon  the  Subject  and  trust  you  will  Improve  what  is 
said  with  caution  and  prudence,    if  these  Gentn  knew  how  Congress  were 

embarrassed  and  plagued  with  D — ns  Imprudence  and  his [.Jtc] 

they  would  rather  pity  than  Insult.  I  did  not  think  it  best  to  write  to  either 
of  the  gentn.  directly,  but  to  you  that  you  might  deal  out  to  them  or  either, 
any  part  you  think  proper,  that  they  may  be  prepared.  Numbers  in 
C[ongre]ss  will  Meliorate  and  Soften  down  as  far  as  possible,  and  hope 
those  Gentn.  will  not  be  averse  to  some  reasonable  Concessions  or  at  least 
if  they  are  told  as  they  threaten  that  they  may  give  up  their  Commissions 
as  soon  as  they  please  the  Congress  is  ready  to  receive  them  yet  they  will 
persist  to  serve  their  Country,  and  preferr  Jerusalem  above  their  Chief 
Joy.  I  write  this  with  the  Utmost  Friendly  disposition  and  design  to- 
wards them,  hope  all  will  be  properly  setled  but  the  General  Cause  must 
not  suffer,  make  the  best  of  this  letter  for  a  few  days  then  burn  it  hope 
you  will  see  the  Gentn.  as  soon  as  possible  if  in  your  Neighbourhood  or 


July,  7777  407 

some  of  them  and  let  them  know  the  friendly  hints  you  have  had  from  a 
Mem.  of  Congss.  etc'    Can  say  no  more    Am  Sincerely  Yours 

r^  ^  ^  Elipht  Dyer 

[P.  S.]  .  .  .  .* 

543.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.' 

10  oClock 
Philadelphl\  July  8th  1777 

I  received  yours  of  the  7th  this  moment  by  express  I  wrote  you  by 
Brown  yesterday  but  he  has  not  yet  left  Town  waiting  for  Mr  Hancocks 
dispatches  am  very  sorry  you  have  not  recievd  my  first  which  I  sent  by 
a  young  Southern  Officer  who  promised  particular  care  in  delivering  it ' 
I  remember  I  therein  on  the  whole  advised  you  to  accept,  with  the  advice 
of  Mr  Law  and  Coll.  Williams  but  I  then  had  no  Idea  of  the  plague  and 
Trouble  you  had  to  goe  through  but  hope  it  will  not  be  of  long  duration 
the  grounds  of  my  advice  was  principally  the  publick  good  am  Sensible 
many  Inconveniences  and  much  Confusion  will  arise  on  this  New  Regula- 
tion '  but  hope  it  may  not  be  of  long  duration  and  it  must  be  Supposed 
if  a  person  of  your  experience  should  leave  the  Army  it  most  probably 
would  be  much  worse,  youll  find  by  Mr  Stewart  that  the  wages  of  the 
Depty.  and  sub  Commissys.  are  somewhat  raised  your  Clerk  from  40  to 
50  dolP  pr  month  *  tho  am  persuaded  it  is  insufficient  Considering  his 
residence  must  be  in  Philadelphia  but  dare  say  it  will  soon  be  raised  as 
believe  the  others  will  if  on  Trj^al  it  is  found  Insufficient  it  is  a  general 
observation  in  Congress  that  there  is  room  to  rise  but  no  way  to  fall.     I 

hope  Mr  Stewards  arrival  may- give  you  some  relief these  New 

regulations  were  all  come  into  before  my  arrival  I  have  since  procured 
some  addition  to  the  Wages  '  but  it  will  take  some  time  before  the  Subject 
can  be  taken  up  again  without  being  Troublesome  and  a  thousand  other 
matters  Crouding.  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  Judge  for  you  in  this  matter 
as  I  cannot  be  fully  acquainted  with  the  Troubles  and  difficulties  you  have 
to  encountre.  your  letter  to  Congress  seems  to  carrv  with  it  an  acceptance 
but  suppose  if  you  should  find  on  Tryal  that  the  embarrassments  are  too 
great  to  Struggle  with,  you  may  on  giving  seasonable  Notice  no  doubt 

3  Cf.  nos.  539,  541.  ante,  and  also  no.  543,  post. 
William*  W'H^^^  ^  postscript  by  Dyer,  there  is  a  brief  postscript  written  and  signed  by 

[543]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers, 
r^fl;       ,:  Evidently  the  letter  dated  "June  1777",  no.  529,  ante.    The  "young  Southern 
Officer    by  whom  it  was  sent  has  not  been  identified.    See,  however,  no.  542,  note  2,  ante 

.  Jfe  Journals,  June  lo.  Cf.  nos.  517-520,  522.  529,  ante. 
*  uv  u  J  T  ■'""^J^l^  do  "ot  seem  to  bear  out  this  statement.  In  the  wage  schedule 
established  June  16  the  clerks  of  a  commissary-general  and  a  deputy  commissary-general 
were  to  receive  35  dollars  a  month  and  two  rations.  Aug.  7  the  salary  of  the  clerk 
of  a  commissary-general  was  raised  to  50  dollars  a  month.  These  salaries  applied  to 
both  the_  issuing  and  the  purchasing  sections  of  the  commissary  department  A 
modihcation  of  the  salary  of  assistant  commissaries  of  issues  will  be  found  under  July  -^ 
and  of  that  of  deputy  commissary-general  of  issues  under  Aug.  7.  ' 

5  See  the  Journals,  July  2 ;  also  note  4,  above. 

31 


408  Continental  Congress 

resign."  it  has  been  several  times  mentioned  in  Congress  that  there  is  a 
large  quantity  of  flower  up  at  Lancaster  and  that  way  purchased  by 
Walton  and  in  danger  of  spoiling.''    I  just  mention  it  that  you  may  take 

that  care  which  belongs  to  you 

Am  with  Sincere  regards 

Your 
E  Dyer 

[P.  S.]  The  Congress  will  Insist  on  some  retractions  from  those 
(ienll.  officers  Who  have  wrote  the  letters  I  mentioned  in  my  last.  I  hope 
they  may  be  Induced  to  make  them  in  some  proper  manner,  and  soon,  as 
they  esteem  their  honour  so  much  concerned  as  I  fear  the  consequences 
will  be  serious  if  not  done.® 

544.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  8th  July  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  reed  your  Favour  of  yesterday,  and  am  glad  to  hear  that  Mr  Stewart  ^ 
and  Mr  Hoop  ^  are  at  the  Camp;  Mr  Buchannan  *  is  altogether  under 
your  Direction,  true  it  is,  the  Commissary  General  of  purchases  can  only 
appoint  a  Clerk,®  but  it  is  also  true,  that  he  is  exempted  from  Blame  on 
account  of  the  Misconduct  of  officers  not  of  his  appointment,  if  the 
Salary  is  not  Sufficient  for  your  Clerk,  who  certainly  ought  to  be  a 
reputable  person,  Congress  will  undoubtedly  make  the  necessary  addition. 
Your  Memorandum  shall  be  revived  as  soon  as  I  can  attend  the  Treasury 
Board,  which  will  probably  be  to  Morrow.^  With  respect  to  the  salt 
which  I  have  in  the  Massachusetts,  if  a  Vessel  can  be  obtained,  it  will  be 
sent  to  the  Southward ;  but  I  wanted  to  know  whether  it  can  be  well  spared 
to  New  York,  if  it  cannot  be  sent  to  N  Carolina.'' .... 

545.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philada.  July  8th.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  enclose  to  you  sundry  Commissions  for  Officers  in  your  Department, 
which  I  must  request  you  will  please  to  deliver  to  them.^ 

^  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  2,  7;  also  Trumbull's  letters  of  June  15  (no.  529,  note  3, 
ante),  and  no.  554,  post. 

^  See  the  Journals,  June  27,  July  23. 
8  See  nos.  539.  541,  542,  ante. 
[544]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Qiarles  Stewart,  elected  commissary-general  of  issues  June  18.  See  no.  542, 
note  2,  ante. 

3  Robert  Hoops  of  New  Jersey,  elected,  July  l,  deputy  commissary-general  of 
issues  in  place  of  Matthew  Irwin  (see  the  Journals,  June  18,  26).    Cf.  no.  550,  post. 

*  William  Buchanan  of  Maryland,  elected  deputy  commissary-general  of  pur- 
chases June  18.  He  was  elected  commissary-general  of  purchases  Aug.  5,  in  place  of 
Joseph  Trumbull,  who  had  resigned.  He  served  until  April,  1778,  being  succeeded  by 
Jeremiah  Wadsworth,     See  no.  550,  post. 

5  See  the  regulations,  in  the  Journals,  June  10.    As  to  salaries,  cf.  no.  543,  ante. 

^  See  no.  548,  post. 

'  See  nos.  517,  518,  533,  ante,  no.  546,  post. 
[545]''^  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  143. 

2  Probably  the  officers  appointed  June  18.    See  nos.  543,  544,  ante. 


July,  1777  409 

The  Congress  being  informed,  tliat  the  Price  of  Cattle  in  this  State  is 

very  exorbitant,  think  it  adviseable  that  as  few  should  be  purchased  therein 

as  may  be;  and  have  come  to  the  enclosed  i'iesolve,  directing  you  to  give 

your  Agents  Instructions  to  govern  themselves  accordingly/ 

Your  Favour  of  the  7th.  I  duely  received  and  laid  before  Congress. 

I  am,  with  Respect  Sir 

Your  most  obed.  Servt. 

T       T-       1.  11  TTo^^  ^4.^  John  Hancock  Presdt. 

Jos :  Trumbull,  Esqr  etc.  •* 

546.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of 

Safety.^ 

Philadelphia  8th.  July  1777 
Honourable  Gentlemen 

Since  our  Letter  of  the  4th.  Instant  the  President  at  our  Request  has 
written  to  Commissary  Trumbull  on  the  Subject  of  the  Exchange  of  the 
Salt  appropriated  to  our  State;  and  we  hope  this  Formality  will  give 
Weight  to  our  own  Solicitations.'^ 

We  transmit  you  the  Secret  Committee's  order  in  our  favour  on  Mr 
Mumford  their  Agent,  for  the  Salt  at  Plymouth  and  our  transfer  to  you. 
A  Copy  of  our  Letter  to  Commissary  Trumbull  we  also  enclose,  from 
which  last  you'l  be  pleased  to  observe  that  for  the  Sake  of  Dispatch  we 
have  requested  him  to  correspond  on  the  Subject  immediately  with 
Yourselves.' .... 

We  have  taken  the  Liberty  to  retain  your  Letter  to  Congress  of  the 
17th.  of  June  and  the  several  Enclosures.*  already  have  we  employed  so 
much  of  their  Time  on  the  Affairs  of  our  State  that  good  Policy  strongly 
urges  us  to  give  them  some  Respite :  and  as  the  Subject  matter  of  these 
Dispatches,  tho'  of  some  moment  to  our  State,  requires  no  immediate 
Decision,  we  flatter  ourselves  you  will  not  be  displeased  with  our  Reserve. 
The  Reasons  you  assign  to  shew  that  the  Defence  of  Hudson's  River 
ought  to  be  a  continental  Charge  appear  to  us  to  be  very  cogent,  and  they 
must  always  have  great  Weight :  and  w^e  therefore  make  no  Scruple  in 
recommending  that  all  these  Expenses  be  charged  to  the  Account  of  the 
Continent ;  comprehending  even  such  as  may  accrue  subsequent  to  the  late 
Resolutions  of  Congress  pointing  out  a  discrimination ;  for  had  the  Trans- 
action been  fully  explaind,  we  cannot  think  those  Resolutions  w^oud  have 
passed. 

We  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  great  Respect  Hon^  Gentlemen 

Your  most  Obedient  humble  Servants 

Phil.  Livingston 
Jas.  Duane 
Wm.  Duer 

3  See  the  Journals,  June  27. 
[546] IN.  Y.   State  Lib.,   Minutes  of  the  Council  of   Safety,  IX.  446    (in  Duane's 
writing)  ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  999. 

2  Hancock's  letter  to  Trumbull,  dated  July  5,  is  in  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock 
Letter-Book,  VI.  220,  and  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58, 
pt.  IL,  p.  216. 

3  See  no.  533,  note  2,  ante. 

*  See  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  966. 


410  Continental  Congress 


i»' 


547.  William  Dllir  to  Robert  K.  Livingston/ 

Philadelphia  9th.  July  1777. 
My  Dear  Friend, 

....  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  Congress  have  adopted 
Sundry  resohitions  respecting  the  Insurgents  in  the  Counties  of  Glouces- 
ter, Cumberland  and  Charlotte,  which  if  our  new  Legislature  acts  with 
spirit  and  wisdom  will  I  think  be  attended  with  happy  Effects.  We  trans- 
mit them  by  this  Oj)p(irtunity  tti  the  Council  of  Safety." 

I  believe  no  matter  has  ever  been  more  solmenly  argued  in  Congress 
than  this.  The  house  were  in  Committee  for  three  days,  and  very  warm 
opposition  was  given  to  [sic]  by  some  of  our  Eastern  friends  against  the 
resolution  for  dismissing  the  Petition  of  Jonas  Fay  etc  and  that  answer- 
ing Dr  Youngs  incendiary  production.  Mr  Sherman  was  quite  thrown 
off  his  bias,  and  betrayed  a  warmth  not  usually  learnt  within  the  Walls 
of  Vale  College 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  Col  R :  H.  Lee  is  returning  to  Congress 
crowned  wath  Laurels.^  His  smooth  discourse  and  art  of  Cabal  have 
blunted  the  Edge  of  his  countrymen's  resentments  and  they  have  loaded 
him  with  encomiums  on  his  patriotism  and  attention  to  business,  which 
he  modestly  says,  he  is  conscious  of  deserving,  for  particulars  I  refer 
you  to  the  Pennsilvania  Papers.*  I  suppose  he  will  return  here  more 
rivited  than  ever  to  his  Eastern  friends;  I  assure  you  they  lost  in  him  no 
contemptible  Ally 

At  present  there  are  no  very  great  matters  in  which  our  state  is  partic- 
ularly interested  before  Congress ;  and  indeed  if  they  were  Mr  Morris  ^ 
can  supply  my  place  with  great  advantage  to  the  reputation  of  the  State, 
as  well  as  his  ow^n.  His  coolness  of  temper,  and  happy  vein  of  Irony  are 
qualifications,  which  would  render  him  a  very  powerful  antagonist  to  Mr 
R :  H.  Lee 

548.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  July  9th  1777 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Petition  of  November  last  has  been  this  Day  revived  at  the  Board 
of  Treasury,  and  It  appeared  to  be  the  Desire  of  the  Board  that  You 

[547]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  I.  487   (copy). 

-  The  resolutions,  June  30,  relative  to  the  New  Hampshire  Grants.     See  nos. 

524,  526,  532,  533,  539,  a"  f^-  ^,     , 

3  Cf.  nos.  511,  note  2,  539,  atite.  Lee  took  his  seat  Aug.  12.  The  Virginia  creden- 
tials are  in  the  Journals,  Aug.  11. 

*  See  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Landon  Carter,  June  25.  Letters  (ed.  Ballagh),  L 
303 ;  also  John  Banister  to  Theodoric  Bland,  June  10,  Bland  Papers,  1.  57.  Cf.  no.  506, 
ante.  In  the  election  of  delegates  to  Congress.  May  22,  Richard  Henry  Lee  had  been 
defeated,  the  delegates  chosen  being  George  Mason,  Joseph  Jones,  Francis  Lightfoot 
Lee,  and  John  Harvie.  Mason  having  declined,  Richard  Henry  Lee  vi^as  elected  in  his 
place,  June  24.  Meantime  the  house  of  delegates  (June  20)  and  the  senate  (June  21) 
had  passed  votes  of  thanks  to  Lee  for  his  services  in  Congress.  These  resolutions, 
together  with  Lee's  responses,  are  found  in  the  Virgmia  Gazette  (Purdie),  June  27. 
They  appeared  in  the  Pennsylvania  Journal,  July  9,  and  in  the  Pennsylvania  Evening 
Post,  July  ID. 

5  Gouverneur  Morris.  He  was  elected  a  delegate  May  13,  and  again  Oct.  3, 
1777,  but  did  not  attend  until  Jan.  20,  1778. 

[548]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 


July,  1777  411 

should  be  present  and  heard,  previous  to  their  considering  the  prayer  and 
reporting  thereon,  this  will  probably  occasion  no  great  Delay,  and  may 
be  the  Means  of  producing  a  Decision  that  will  be  agreable  on  all  sides.^ 

I  remain  Sir  yours  with  Esteem 

E  Gerry. 
Colo  Trumbull 

549.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly.* 

Philada.  July  loth  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

I  do  myself  the  Honour  to  enclose  to  you  Copies  of  sundry  Papers, 
transmitted  to  Congress  by  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  accompanied  with 
the  Resolution  of  Congress  founded  thereon.^  From  these  you  will  learn, 
that  a  Brig  belonging  to  two  Gentlemen  of  that  State,  Mr  Smith  and  Mr. 
Hewes,  was  some  Time  ago  captured  by  a  certain  Brazilla  Smith,  Com- 
mander of  the  Privateer  Eagle,  said  to  be  owned  by  Mr  Elijah  Freeman 
Payne,  of  the  Town  of  Boston.  The  Congress  therefore  have  recom- 
mended it  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  to  enquire  into  the  Matter ; 
and  unless  the  Master  and  Owner  can  shew  sufficient  Cause  to  the  con- 
trary, to  order  full  Restitution  to  be  made,  and  the  offenders  to  be  pun- 
ished. I  beg  Leave  to  refer  your  Attention  to  the  Resolve  and  also  to  the 
Papers. 

Mr  Hewes,  who  is  the  Bearer  hereof,^  and  one  of  the  Owners  of  the 
Brig,  was  a  Member  of  Congress  for  a  considerable  Length  of  Time  in 
the  Representation  from  the  State  of  North  Carolina.  From  the  enclosed 
Memorial  you  will  perceive  the  Sense  his  Constituents  entertain  of  his 
Merit — to  which  I  shall  only  add,  that  his  Conduct  as  an  inflexible  Patriot 
and  his  Liberality  as  a  Gentleman,  justly  entitle  him,  not  only  to  their 
Protection,  but  to  the  Notice  and  Protection  of  every  good  Citizen,  and 
Friend  of  America. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be, 

with  great  respect,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obed  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 

Honble  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Masstts  Bay. 

550.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

July  nth  [1777.] 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  the  9th  and  loth  are  come  to  hand.  Mr  Aylet's  letter  was 
read,  and  several  of  yours  also.     As  the  Committee  you  mentioned  is 

2  See  the  Journals.  Nov.  18,  1776.     Cf.  no.  239,  ante. 
[549]!  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVII.  253;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58, 
pt.  II.,  p.  220 ;  ibid.,  Force  Trans.,  Massachusetts  Records,  Letters,  1777. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  4,  June  4,  and  nos.  278,  282,  358,  ante. 

3  See  a  letter  from  John  Adams  to  his  wife,  July  11,  Familiar  Letters,  p.  282. 
[550]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 


412  Continental  Congress 

appointed,  it  is  needless  for  me  to  say  any  thing  about  your  Department. - 
1  hope  Brother  Geary  will  be  disposed  to  do  every  thing  proper  to  make 
those  regulations  practically  useful  about  which  he  has  already  had  a  vast 
deal  of  perplexity.  I  shall  be  very  sorry  if  you  cannot  have  the  aid  of 
two  such  men  as  Aylet  and  Wadsworth.'  You  know  how  little  I  like 
the  slow  manner  of  conducting  business  in  large  popular  assemblies.  I 
do  not  better  like  the  short  way  in  which  the  Depy.  Issuers  have  managed 
their  matters :  if  the  army  was  not  in  such  a  very  critical  state  just  at 
this  time  I  should  rejoice  to  have  every  man,  heretofore  employed  in 
that  way,  dropped,  and  others  found  to  whom  I  would  give  lo  pr  Ct. 
rather  than  retain  the  old  ones  at  the  lowest  Salary.  Mr  Hoops  *  is  an 
example  to  them  which  they  ought  to  follow.  He  will  take  up  at  present 
tho'  he  does  not  think  to  continue.  He  accompanies  the  Committee ;  so 
that  I  hope  you  will  have  some  Leisure  to  mend  a  bad  scheme. 

If  Bucannan  °  should  not  accept  I  hope  yr.  old  friend "  here  will  find 
it  worth  his  pains.    I  am  sure  it  may  be  made  so,  to  the  public  advantage. 

551.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Benedict  Arnold.^ 

Philada.  July  1 2th.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  have  the  Honour  to  enclose  you  an  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Genl. 
Washington,  from  which  you  will  perceive  the  General  is  of  Opinion, 
"  a  brave  active  and  judicious  Officer  "  should  be  immediately  employed 
in  collecting  the  Militia  to  check  the  Progress  of  Genl.  Burgoyne,  as 
very  disagreeable  Consequences  may  be  apprehended,  if  the  most  vigor- 
ous Measures  are  not  taken  to  oppose  him. 

The  Congress  therefore  concurring  in  Opinion  with  General  Wash- 
ington who  has  strongly  recommended  you  for  this  Purpose,  have 
directed  you  to  repair  immediately  to  Head  Quarters  to  follow  such 
Orders,  as  you  may  receive  from  him  on  the  Subject.^  I  have  the 
Honour  to  be  wath  respect  Sir 

Your  most  obed  Serv. 

J.  H.  Presid 
Honble  Major  Genl  x\rnold 

Philada 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  11.    Cf.  no.  554.  post. 

3  William  Aylett  of  Virginia  and  Jeremiah  Wadsworth  of  Connecticut  were 
elected  deputy  commissaries-general  of  purchases  June  18.  Wadsworth  resigned  Aug. 
6  and  was  succeeded,  Aug.  9,  by  Peter  Colt.  Apr.  9,  1778,  he  was  elected  commissary- 
general  of  purchases,  serving  until  Jan.  i,  1780. 

*  Robert  Hoops.  See  no.  544,  note  3,  ante.  He  resigned  and  was  succeeded,  Aug. 
6,  by  Archibald  Stewart.  Stewart  declined  (Aug.  11),  and  Robert  White  of  Maryland 
was  chosen  in  his  stead  (Aug.  14). 

5  William  Buchannan.     See  no.  544,  note  4,  ante. 

6  This  may  refer  to  Ephraim  Blaine,  who  was  elected  deputy  commissary-general 
of  purchases  Aug.  6,  1777,  and  commissary-general  of  purchases  Dec.  2,  1779. 

[551]^  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  225;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II..  p.  221. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  11. 


July,  1777  413 

552.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly.* 

Phila.  July  14th.  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

The  enclosed  Resolve  of  Congress  recommending  it  to  your  state  to 
send  such  reinforcements  of  militia  to  the  Armies  under  generals  Wash- 
ington or  Schuyler  as  may  be  requested,  comes  with  such  peculiar  force 
at  this  juncture,  that  I  am  persuaded  any  arguments  to  induce  you  to 
comply  with  it  will  be  unnecessary.  From  the  Continental  battalions  not 
being  compleated  agreeably  to  the  original  plan  there  is  indeed  an  abso- 
lute necessity  for  adopting  the  measure  in  our  present  situation.  Give 
me  leave  therefore  most  earnestly  to  request  your  compliance  with  this 
requisition  of  Congress,  as  the  only  effectual  mode  of  checking  the 
progress  of  our  enraged  and  cruel  Enemies.^ 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Gent 

Your  most  obdt'  and  very  hble.  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 

553.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.* 

Philade.  July  15  1777 
My  dear  Friend 

....  We  have  letters  from  General  Schuyler  ^  in  the  Northern  De- 
partment giving  us  an  Account  of  the  untoward  Situation  of  our  Affairs 
in  that  Quarter  and  I  confess  it  is  no  more  than  I  expected,  when  he  was 
again  instrusted  with  the  Command  there.  You  remember  it  was  urged 
by  some  that  as  he  had  a  large  Interest  and  powerful  Connections  in  that 
Part  of  the  Country,  no  one  could  so  readily  avail  himself  of  Supplys  for 
an  Army  there,  than  he.  A  most  substantial  Reason,  I  think,  why  he 
should  have  been  appointed  a  Quartermaster  or  a  Commissary.  But  it 
seems  to  have  been  the  prevailing  Motive  to  appoint  him  to  the  Chief 
Command !  ^  You  have  his  Account  in  the  inclosed  Newspaper,  which 
leaves  us  to  guess  what  is  become  of  the  Garrison.  It  is  indeed  droll 
enough  to  see  a  General  not  knowing  where  to  find  the  main  Body  of 
his  Army.  Gates  is  the  Man  of  my  Choice.  He  is  honest  and  true,  and 
has  the  Art  of  gaining  the  Love  of  his  Soldiers  principally  because  he  is 
ahvays  present  with  them  in  Fatigue  and  Danger.     But  Gates  has  been 

[552]  1  Mass.  Arch  CXCyil.  282;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58, 
pt.  11.,  p.  222;  tbid.,  New  Hampshire  Records,  Council  Corr.,  1777;  Jour.  NY.  Prov. 
Long.,  1.  1008. 

11  .1,    xT^^V^^-^^J^c""'^'  J"^^  ^^  i^-  549).    This  letter  was  sent  to  the  assemblies  of 
all  the  New  England  States  and  to  the  Convention  of  New  York 

rJ^,^-^^^^"/>^^H.^--  HNt?"^^.^*  ^°"-'  "o-  496;  ibid.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers  (draft)  : 
Wrxttngs  (ed.  Cushmg),  III.  386. 

T  u  A  ]  ^^^  *'^^  Journals.  July  11 ;  also  Lossing,  Life  of  Schuyler,  vol.  II.,  chs.  x.-xii. 
John  Adams  wrote  to  his  wife,  July  13:  "We  have  a  confused  account  from  the  north- 
ward of  something  unlucky  at  Ticonderoga,  but  cannot  certainly  tell  what  it  is.  I  am 
much  afraid  we  shall  lose  that  post,  as  we  did  forts  Washington  and  Lee;  and  indeed 
1  believe  we  shall  if  the  enemy  surround  it."    Familiar  Letters,  p.  283 

3  See  nos    453.  461,  472,  483,  495,   502,   504,  511,  515^  517-S20,  522,  ante.     Cf 
nos.  555,  556,  s6oA,  561,  562A,  563-566,  568-572,  574.  578-580,  587,  597,  598,  609,  611,  post. 


414  Continental  Congress 

disgiisteil !  Wo  arc  however  waiting  to  be  relieve!  from  this  disagreeable 
State  of  uncertainty,  by  a  particular  Account  of  Facts  from  some  Person 
who  was  near  the  Army  who  trusts  not  to  Memory  altogether,  lest  some 
Circumstances  may  be  omitted  while  others  are  misapprelieniied.* 

I  rejoice  in  the  Honors  your  Country  has  done  you.  Pray  hasten  your 
Journey  hither. 

Your  very  affectionate, 

S.   AUAMS 

R.  H.  Lee,  Esq 

554.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Philadelphia  July  15th  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Recievd  your  favr.  of  the  9th  Instant  yours  to  Congress  was  recievd 
at  the  same  time  and  the  Matter  Immediately  taken  up  in  Congress  ^ 
there  is  so  many  fond  of  their  New  plan  that  it  is  difficult  to  make  them 
attend  to  the  Objections  against  and  cannot  bare  so  soon  to  throw  up 
What  they  have  entertained  so  great  a  fondness  of  but  however  they  soon 
agreed  to  send  a  Com**^^  of  Congress  to  goe  to  the  Army  and  see  and 
hear  and  report.^  the  Congress  is  very  thin  and  most  Gentn.  had  a  Very 
great  Aversion  to  goe  on  this  business.  Except  Mr  Gerry  I  think  there 
could  scarce  been  one  more  unsuitable.  Mr  Livingston  was  chose  one 
principally  because  he  was  gone  that  way  before  and  would  be  in  the 
way.*  I  much  fear  the  Consequence  arising  from  this  New^  Regulation 
but  hope  for  the  best  every  thing  must  be  Endured  before  the  Army 
must  fail  it  is  said  in  Congress  by  some  that  you  must  goe  on  your  Old 
way  till  the  New  one  gets  into  a  proper  regulation  and  employe  pur- 
chasers as  formerly  I  know  not  what  or  how  to  advise  you  only  in 
General  to  do  the  Utmost  in  your  pow-er  to  advance  and  promote  the 
general  good  and  service  ^  am  sure  I  should  at  once  advise  you  to  quit 
if  I  did  not  apprehend  the  worst  Consequences  would  follow  and  if  you 
do  not  it  may  possibly  be  as  bad  unless  Congress  should  place  the  pur- 
chasing Commissy.  business  in  the  same  line  as  formerly,  if  the 
Com*^*^  should  report  favorably  that  way  it  may  possibly  be  done, 
if  you  had  the  appointment  of  your  Dep*^  Commis^  of  purchasers  and  to 

*  See,  further,  Adams's  letter  to  Lee,  July  22,  in  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III. 
389;  also  nos.  560A,  562A,  post.  The  newspaper  item  referred  to  was  probably  an  extract 
of  a  letter  from  Schuyler  to  Washington,  dated  at  Saratoga,  July  7.  found  in  the  Penn- 
syh-aiiia  Packet  of  July  15  and  in  the  Pcnnsyhania  Gaccttc  of  July  16,  announcing 
St.  Qair's  retreat  from  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independence  Sunday,  July  6. 

[554]!  Conn.   Hist.   Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull    Papers. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  11  ;  cf.  no.  550,  ante. 

3  The  committee  was  appointed  July  11  and  made  its  report  Aug.  5.  See  also 
the  Journals,  July  24,  Aug.  6,  7,  28. 

*  Philip  Livingston  returned  to  Philadelphia  July  24,  in  advance  of  the  com- 
mittee. James  Lovell  wrote  to  Trumbull,  July  15  :  "I  do  not  suppose  you  yourself  would 
have  balloted  for  Envoys  just  as  others  have  done  on  this  occasion  but  I  hope  you 
have  a  Ball  [an]  ce  to  yr  liking."     Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

5  See  nos.  529.  530,  543.  544,  ante.  Trumbull  again  offered  his  resignation  Aug. 
2.     See  the  Journals,  Aug.  2,  7,  and  no.  585,  post. 


July,  1777  415 

allow  Wages  according  to  their  Merrit  I  see  no  difficulty  in  carrying  on 
your  part  but  fear  it  will  be  hard  to  bring  them  back  to  that  mode  unless 
the  Genii,  and  Com'^^  should  recommend  it. 

The  News  we  have  recievd  from  Ticonderoga  is  truly  Alarming  ° 
fear  it  will  throw  the  New  England  States  into  the  greatest  Consterna- 
tion expect  the  Enemies  ships  are  all  along  the  sea  coast  giving  the 
alarm  there  to  divert  them  from  giving  aid  to  other  parts  where  they 
may  be  wanted  expect  every  hour  to  hear  Genii.  How  has  pushd  up 
the  North  river  God  grant  he  may  meet  with  a  repulse  there.  I  fear 
the  late  success  of  the  Enemy  will  again  oblidge  us  to  call  of  Our  Militia 
as  last  summer  and  now  in  this  most  Critical  season,  there  ar  about 
15  hundrd.  or  two  thousand  Southern  Troops  now  forwarding  from  this 
place  to  join  Genii.  Washington.  I  want  much  to  hear  from  our  Country 
if  you  have  Any  Accounts  from  there,  especially  of  our  family  you  will 
be  so  kind  as  to  let  me  hear. 


I  Am  with  sincere  regards 


Yrs 
Elipht  Dyer. 


Joseph  Trumbull  Esqr 


555.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Philada.  July  1 8th  1777. 
Sir, 

....  The  Loss  of  Ticonderoga  still  remains  a  very  mysterious  Affair 
for  Want  of  proper  Information,  nor  have  we  any  Account  as  yet,  of  the 
Fate  of  the  Garrison,  under  Genl.  St.  Clair,  only  from  Report.  I  am 
therefore  to  request  you  will  favour  us  as  soon  as  possible  with  the  best 
Intelligence  you  can  procure,  as  Congress  are  extremely  anxious  to  hear 
the  particulars.^ 

556.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Philadelphia  July  21st  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

I  shall  only  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  pleasing  favor  of  the  8th. 
and  enclose  you  a  newspaper.  I  am  not  at  leisure,  and  scarcely  in  a 
temper,  to  make  reflexions  upon  the  vile  situation  of  our  affairs  at  the 
Northward,  which  before  this  reaches  you  will  be  the  main  topic  of  con- 
versation.    Believe  me  this  is  the  first  day  that  we  have  had  any  thing 

6  See  no.  553,  ante. 
[555]^  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  232;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  H.,  p.  228. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  21.  Cf.  nos.  553,  554,  ante. 
[556]!  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  2>77-  A  notation  on  the  tran- 
script says :  "  Without  address  or  signature  probably  from  James  Lovell."  There  is 
no  doubt  whatever  that  the  letter  is  from  Lovell,  and  the  fact  that  it  was  found  among 
the  Whipple  papers,  the  reference  to  General  Folsom,  as  well  as  other  indications, 
point  clearly  to  Whipple  as  the  person  to  whom  it  was  written. 


410  Conthicntal  Congress 

from  St.  Clair.  We  had  a  line  from  Schuyler  of  the  9th.  a  scrawl  with- 
out head  or  tail  and  an  artful  one  of  the  14th.  rec'd  this  day.^  Busy  as 
we  are  this  matter  must  he  searched  to  the  hottom.  A  most  uncommon 
composure  has  appeared  in  Jemmy  Du —  and  his  colleague  D.  Uncle 
Phil '  is  at  Camp  with  Geary  and  Clyman  [Clymer]  to  try  to  patch  the 
Commissary's  department,  as  the  issuers  will  have  their  own  price  and 
customs.* 

An  attempt  will  he  made  to  throw  the  whole  fault  in  the  Northern 
Department  upon  the  New  England  States,  whose  Delegates  ought  to  be 
furnished  with  the  exact  quota  of  our  troops  sent  forward  prior  to  the 
disaster."^  Genl.  Folsom  *  arriving  yesterday  may  possibly  give  a  true 
history  of  your  part 

By  a  letter  from  Col  Brigr.  Lee  to  day  I  have  the  hope  of  seeing  him 
in  August  early.'  We  sent  to  get  a  full  representation  that  we  may  if 
possible  confederate.  Har — n  ®  obstinately  pushed  to  lay  it  aside  in  in- 
dulgence to  his  State's  want  of  a  vote  at  present.  Page  being  gone  home. 
I  called  a  hornet's  nest  about  my  ears  by  soberly  asserting  that  Schuyler 
was  beloved  by  the  Eastern  States,  especially  by  the  Officers  from  thence, 
that  he  was  the  key  to  the  Militia  of  Albany  County,  and  that  the  Indians 
called  him  father.  I  asserted  that  I  was  told  so  six  weeks  ago  by  gentle- 
men of  intelligence,  veracity  and  honor.  The  ungrateful  curs  said  I  was 
satirizing  and  Middleton  joined  them  ® 

557.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Philadelphia,  July  22d,  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

I  waited  some  time  for  the  intelligence  from  Ticonderoga  which  you 
will  find  in  the  inclosed  paper,  and  I  declined  writing  until  I  could  give 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  21.  Letters  from  Schiu'ler  to  Washington,  July  9  and 
14,  are  in  Sparks,  Letters  to  Washington,  I.  395,  397.  His  "  scrawl "  of  the  Q]th  was 
probably  an  extract  of  a  letter  to  the  New  York  council  of  safety,  sent  by  the  council 
to  General  Putnam  and  by  him  to  Washington  (Library  of  Congress,  Washington 
Papers,  XVL  296,  298,  299).  Other  letters  pertaining  to  this  affair  are  in  Sparks, 
Letters  to  Washington,  IL,  appendix.  Cf.  no.  553,  note  2,  ante.  St.  Clair's  letter  of  July 
14,  together  with  the  council  of  war,  July  5.  was  printed  in  the  Philadelphia  papers: 
the  Evening  Post,  July  22,  the  Packet,  July  22,  the  Journal,  July  23,  and  the  Gasette, 
July  25.  Cf.  no.  574,  post.  See  The  Trial  of  Major-General  St.  Clair,  reprinted  in  N.  Y. 
Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  1880. 

3  James  Duane,  William  Duer,  and  Philip  Livingston,  delegates  from  New  York, 
who  were  supporters  of  Schuyler,  as  against  the  New  England  delegates,  who  were 
largely  antagonistic  to  him.     See  no.  553,  note  3,  ante,  no  5^,  post. 

*  See  nos.  550,  554,  ante. 

5  See  nos.  557,  560A,  562A,  564-566,  568,  post. 

^  Nathaniel  Folsom,  delegate  from  New  Hampshire.  He  took  his  seat  in  Con- 
gress July  21.     See  no.  561,  post. 

''  The  reference  is  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.  He  took  his  seat  in  Congress  Aug.  12. 
See  nos.  539,  547,  ante;  also  no.  558,  post. 

8  Benjamin  Harrison  of  Virginia.     Cf.  no.  558,  post. 

^  The  allusion  is  doubtless  to  remarks  made  by  the  New  York  delegates  in 
support  of  Schuyler  during  the  debate  concerning  him  in  May.  See  nos.  502,  504,  511, 
515,  ante. 

[SSlVN.  C.  State  Rccs.,  XL  529. 


July,  1777  417 

you  particulars,  because  I  did  not  choose  to  put  you  on  disagreeable 
speculation.  Many  of  us  have  long-  expected  that  Ticonderoga  would  be 
evacuated  at  the  approach  of  an  enemy,  because  we  had  no  hopes  of 
having  a  force  there  competent  to  its  defense.* ....  Mr.  Harnett 
arrived  here  on  Friday  night  last,  but  has  not  yet  been  able  to  go  into 
Congress.^  I  shall  use  the  permission  you  are  pleased  to  give  me  of 
returning  home,  as  soon  as  I  can  do  so  without  danger  of  injury  to  public 
service 

558.  Samuel  Adams  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.^ 

Philada  July  22  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

Your  very  acceptable  Letter  of  the  12th  came  to  my  hand  yesterday. 
The  Confederation  is  most  certainly  an  important  Object,  and  ought  to 
be  attended  to  and  finishd  speedily.  I  moved  the  other  Day  and  urgd 
that  it  might  then  be  brought  on ;  but  your  Colleague  Colo  H  ^  opposed 
and  prevented  it,  Virginia  not  being  represented.  It  is  put  ofif  till  you 
shall  arrive;  you  see  therefore  the  Necessity  of  your  hastening  to 
Congress.' .... 

559.  James  Lovell  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadelphia  July  24th. 
Sir 

So  long  ago  as  Deer.  2d  1775  direction  was  given  by  Congress  to  the 
committee  of  secret  correspondence  to  procure  from  Europe  four  good 
Engineers.  This  was  not  however  accomplished  till  the  13th  of  last 
Febry,  when  the  bearer  the  Chevalier  du  Portail,  with  Mr.  La  Radiere, 
Mr.  Gouvion  and  one  other  Officer  who  is  left  sick  in  the  West  indies, 
was  engaged  by  Doctor  Franklin  and  Mr.  Deane  to  come  over  to  Amer- 
ica.^ I  beg  your  Excellency  to  observe  well  that  these  are  the  only 
Officers,  of  any  Species,  who  have  been  procured  from  abroad  by  express 
direction  of  Congress.  And  this  I  do,  because  I  am  about  to  furnish  you 
with  several  circumstances  peculiarly  within  my  knowledge  relative  to  a 

2  See  no.  566,  post. 

3  According  to  the  Journals,  Harnett  took  his  seat  the  day  on  which  this  letter 
was  written.  Cf.  Harnett  to  William  Wilkinson,  July  20  {N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  741),  and 
to  Governor  Caswell,  Aug.  11   (ibid.,  XI.  569). 

[558]  1  Writings  (ed.  Cashing),  III.  389;  Uniy.  Va.  Lib.,  Lee  Papers;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.. 
Samuel  Adams  Papers  (draft)  ;  Lee,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  II.  122;  Wells,  Samuel  Adams, 
II.  484  (dated  July  12). 

2  Benjamin  Harrison.     Cf.  no.  556,  ante. 

3  It  was  resolved  Aug.  16  (four  days  after  Richard  Henry  Lee  took  his  seat) 
to  take  up  the  Confederation  the  following  Monday  (Aug.  18),  but,  so  far  as  the 
Journals  indicate,  the  consideration  of  the  Articles  was  not  resumed  until  Oct.  7. 
See  no.  528,  ante,  no.  588,  post.  The  remainder  of  the  letter  is  a  discussion  of  the 
Ticonderoga  affair,  and  a  criticism  of  Schuyler.     Cf.  no.  553,  atite,  no.  568,  post. 

[559]  ^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVII.  105;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  408;  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  366. 

2  Concerning  these  engineers,  see  no.  525,  note  5,  ante.  Cf.  nos.  561,  565,  576, 
581,  603,  632,  post.  See  also  a  letter  of  Charles  Thomson  to  Washington,  July  21,  in 
Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  I.  406. 


41 S  Cout'nicnfal  Couqrcss 

point  of  equity  well  worthy  of  your  Excellency's  attention.  The  Corps  of 
Enijfineers  is  very  honorable  in  France;  and  officers  from  it  are  sought 
by  ditTerent  european  Powers.  These  Gentlemen  who  are  come  over  into 
our  service  made  an  agreement  with  our  Commissioners  to  rise  one 
degree  from  the  rank  they  held  at  home,  upon  a  supposition  that  the 
practice  of  luirope  had  been  regarded  here.  But  when  they  arrived,  they 
found  instances  very  dillereiit  wth.  respect  to  officers  in  all  other  corps. 
It  was  their  mishap  also  to  see  a  Major  of  artillery  affecting  to  be  exalted 
four  ranks,  as  a  Chief  in  his  proper  line  and  theirs  also.  They  made  a 
representation  of  these  circumstances  and  appealed  to  the  Equity  of  Con- 
gress. But,  they  had  arrived  at  a  time  when  the  Infatuation  of  some 
here  and  the  wild  conduct  of  one  abroad  had  rendered  a  Spirit  of  refor- 
mation absolutely  necessary  as  to  the  point  of  rank.  The  ingenuous, 
however,  must  own  that  there  is  singular  hardship  in  the  case  of  these 
Gentlemen.  The  only  officers  ever  sent  for  by  us,  procured  by  the  real 
political  Agents  of  Congress,  coming  out  with  the  good  wishes  of  the 
french  Ministry,  being  of  undoubted  rank  and  ability  in  their  Profession, 
find  themselves  in  the  Dilemma  of  becoming  the  first  examples  of  our 
new  reforming  Spirit,  or  else  of  going  home  during  a  Campaign,  which 
their  high  sense  of  honor  w^ill  not  allow.  But,  tho'  the  Chevalier  du 
Portail  was  not  made  a  Brigadier,  yet  it  appeared  too  gross  to  expose 
him  to  be  directed  in  his  peculiar  line  by  such  as  w-ill  readily  acknowledge 
his  pretensions  by  regular  education  and  discipline  to  be  greatly  Superior 
to  their  own.  His  commission  prevents  this,  and  enables  him  so  to  dis- 
tribute, in  work,  the  others  who  came  with  him,  as  to  prevent  them,  who 
have  been  within  a  few^  months  as  long  in  service  as  himself,  from  being 
interfered  with  by  such  as  never  belonged  to  the  royal  corps  of  Engineers 
in  France,  or  perhaps  but  a  very  short  time  to  any  other.  Your  Excel- 
lency cannot  but  wonder  at  the  strange  manner  of  wording  the  com- 
mission. I  shall  explain  it  with  the  greatest  freedom.  Mr.  Du  Coudray  ^ 
being  employed  as  a  good  artillery  officer  to  examine  the  arsenals  in 
France,  to  see  \vhat  cannon,  etc.  could  be  spared  from  them,  acted  with 
great  Industry  in  that  emplo3'ment  and  much  seeming  regard  to  america. 
In  the  course  of  his  transactions  betw^een  the  Ct.  de  St.  Germain  and  Mr 
Deane,  he  was  not  blind  to  perceive  that  he  might  take  occasion  to  serve 
himself.  Besides  being  paid  for  his  trouble  and  Expenses  in  France  he 
procured  an  agreement  from  mr.  Deane  wxh.  has  already  been  shown 
to  yr.  Excellency,  and  has  affected  you,  doubtless,  with  the  same  surprise 
and  indignation  which  it  has  excited  in  others,  almost  w'ithout  a  single 
exception.  I  shall  omit  any  remarks  upon  that  treaty,  or  a  long  too- 
ingenious  memorial  presented  to  Congress  with  it,  except  such  as  are 

strictly  connected  with  the  occasion  of  this  letter.    Mr.  Du  C having 

created  himself  to  the  Command  of  Artillery  and  Engineers,  persuaded 

3  In  regard  to  Du  Coudray,  see  nos.  501,  514,  525.  53i,  537,  539>  54i,  542,  ante, 
and  the  Journals,  passim.  Cf.  nos.  561,  565,  576,  581.  586,  632.  648,  post.  The  contract 
between  Deane  and  Du  Coudray  was  repudiated  by  Congress,  Sept.  8.  Cf.  the  Journals, 
Aug.  13.  See,  further,  letters  of  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs  to  the  commissioners 
in  Paris,  Oct.  18,  Dec.  i,  1777,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  412,  437. 


July,  1777  419 

Mr.  Deane  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  get  any  from  the  military  corps 
of  Engineers  now  called  royal  because  their  Demands  would  be  so  ex- 
orbitant ;  and  that  it  would  be  also  unnecessary,  because  we  ought  not  to 
build  fortified  Places  in  America  to  serve  as  secure  Holds  to  our  Enemy 
when  once  taken  from  us;  and  that  therefore,  a  few  Bridge  and  Caiise- 
zvay-makers  would  answer  all  the  ends  of  military  Engineers.  Such  he 
brought  with  him;  who  were  quite  ready  to  fall  under  the  command  of 
an  artillery  direction ;  when  not  the  lowest  officer  of  the  royal  corps  of 
Engineers  would  have  submitted  to  such  a  novel  pretension.  It  is  need- 
less to  enquire  whether  it  be  true  that  Mr.  Deane  acknowledged  he  had 
been  surprised  into  his  uncouth  compact.  It  is  sufficient  that  Doctr. 
Franklin  made  an  after  one,  which  Mr.  Deane  also  signed.  Is  not  this 
in  fact  tantamount  to  a  disavowal  of  the  first  treaty  so  far  as  relates  to 
the  orders  of  Congress?  For,  if  those  orders  were  fulfilled  by  the  first, 
why  was  a  second  treaty  made  ?  The  agents  show  that  there  had  been  a 
deception;  or  that  there  had  not  been  any  attempt  to  follow  the  instruc- 
tions of  congress  as  to  Engineers,  in  all  the  train  attending  Mr.  Du 

C Another  remark  may  not  be  impertinent  here.     As  these  four 

engineers  showed  their  treaty  to  the  Count  de  St.  Germain,  to  whom  they 
have  also  written  from  hence,  it  cannot  be  supposed  that  he  would  have 
permitted  a  Lt  Colol.  of  the  royal  corps  of  Engineers  and  two  old  Majors 
of  the  same  to  come  over  hither,  to  be  under  the  immediate  command  of 
a  young  Major  of  Artillery.    It  is  not  to  be  conceived.     From  whence,  I 

conclude  that  Mr.  Du  C never  let  his  exorbitant  and  whimsical 

treaty  be  known  to  that  Minister  of  the  War  Department,  who  must  have 
been  shocked  at  the  confusion  of  corps  in  the  principles  of  the  contract. 
Excuse  me,  dear  General,  I  will  not  again  wander  from  the  point  which 

I  said  I  would  explain.    Mr.  Du  C has  given  full  scope  to  his  species 

of  Ingenuity,  here,  as  in  the  Neighbourhood  of  Mr.  Deane.  I  have  been 
told  that  he  has  said,  if  he  could  not  be  employed  himself,  he  would  bring 
it  about  that  these  others  should  not.  This  may  be  an  absolute  False- 
hood. But,  I  will  own  it  comes  the  nearest  of  anything,  which  I  can 
conceive  of,  to  explain  the  delays  which  have  taken  place  in  regard  to 
these  Engineers,  who  ought  to  have  been  sent  to  your  Excellency  long 
ago.  They  have  remained  subject  to  the  crucifying  expences  of  this  city, 
because  their  employment  seemed  to  interfere  wth.  Mr.  Du  Coudray's 
Pretensions,  tho'  those  very  Pretensions  had  been  rejected.  Your  Ex- 
cellency would  doubtless  smile,  if  you  should  ever  hear,  that  even  a  num- 
ber of  Peasants  disputed  3  days  about  the  difference  between  the  conse- 
quences of  a  man's  being  Colonel  in  Chief,  or  First  Colonel,  or  Colonel 
to  take  rank  and  Command  of  all  heretofore  appointed,  or  Colonel  com- 
mandant of  Engineers.  Would  not  a  Brigadier  or  Major  General  of 
Engineers  alike  annul  the  supremacy  of  the  differently  worded  commis- 
sions? Or  rather,  do  not  the  4  different  modes  give  like  command?  I 
shall  pass  from  rank  to  pay.  These  Gentlemen  not  only  far  from  the 
prophesied  exorbitancy  in  demand  of  rank,  never  received  one  shilling 
in  France  as  Gratification;  tho'  others  who  were  not  sent  for  received 


420  Continental  Congress 

large  sums,  and  claim  pay  from  their  embarkation,  and  even  pensions  for 
life.  But  Doctr.  Franklin,  supposing^  it  would  be  less  trouble  to  himself 
and  more  agreeable  to  the  Engineers  to  see  to  their  own  passages,  stipu- 
lated their  pay  from  the  13th.  of  Febry.  As  no  Regulations  have  yet 
been  made  in  regard  to  Cavalry  or  Engineers,  these  Gentlemen  have 
received  5  months  pay  as  Infantry;  which  will  not  refund  the  expenses 
of  their  voyage.  I  am  really  uneasy  when  I  find  manly  honourable  Inten- 
tions do  not  meet  with  at  least  equal  emoluments  with  artful  suspicious 
tricking  contractors.  If  these  Officers  do  not  walk  to  camp,  it  is  not 
because  they  were  furnished  by  the  Board  of  war  with  horses  upon  my 
application  for  them  :  And  yet  the  nature  of  their  Profession  demands 
a  provision  of  this  Kind.  Are  they  suddenly  to  reconnoitre  a  Camp,  a 
River,  a  shoar,  or  a  whole  neighbouring  country  thro'  which  an  army  is 
to  march,  and  to  make  the  speediest  return  to  the  Generals,  on  foot?  I 
trust  your  Excellency  when  asking  for  Engineers  had  ideas  of  something 
beyond  what  the  sinister  views  of  an  ambitious  foreigner  has  sought  to 
inspire  us  with  here ;  which  is  forming  a  causeway,  or  cutting  a  ditch  or 
planking  a  bridge.  And  I  shall  consequently  rest  satisfied  that  you  will 
receive  the  Officers  now  presenting  themselves  to  you,  and  secure  to  them 
such  honors  and  emoluments  as  you  shall  find  them  to  merit  from  their 
education  and  abilities  exemplified  under  your  command. 

No  one  has  been  more  backward  than  I  in  desiring  to  see  foreigners 
in  our  service,  to  the  slight  of  my  countrymen.  And,  except  Engineers, 
I  could  not  admit  the  thought  of  our  wanting  any  military  strangers 
other  than  one  or  two  veteran  Adjutants  or  Majors,  wdio  know  our  lan- 
guage well,  and  could  serve  as  instructors-at-large  to  our  spirited  and 
well-attached  young  american  Officers. 

I  wish  these  Engineers  could  speak  english  better  than  they  do;  but 
they  can  receive  orders  and  give  them  in  english,  and  will  speedily  learn 
to  speak. 

I  hope  your  Excellency  will  not  think  amiss  of  the  freedom  I  have 
taken  at  this  time  both  as  to  the  matter  of  my  letter  and  the  interruptive 
length  of  it.  I  do  not  write  officially,  as  of  the  Committee  on  foreign 
Applications.  In  that  capacity  I  have  more  than  once  communicated  to 
you  proceedings  of  Congress  in  a  Style  which  might  lead  you  to  mis- 
conjecture  my  individual  opinion.  I  write  as  a  Friend  to  my  Country 
and  the  Reputation  of  it's  Congress  its  Army  and  its  Agents  abroad. 
I  write  as  being  well  acquainted  with  your  Excellency,  or,  in  other  words, 
as  thinking  I  know  you.  In  short,  I  write  because  I  had  determined  it 
to  be  my  DUTY  so  to  write.  That  Path  once  determined,  I  never  ask 
myself  whether  there  may  not  be  a  Lion  in  the  way. 

After  the  important  kindnesses  which  your  Excellency  has  done  me, 
I  so  far  forgive  the  late  injury  of  your  apologizing  for  a  short  answer 
WTitten  by  one  of  your  hurried  family,  as  not  to  revenge  myself,  by 
entreating  you  to  excuse  my  rough  unco  pied  sheets  to  a  violent  headache. 

Aliquando  dormitat  did  not  appear  an  unnatural  charge  against  Homer 


July,  1777  421 

Nimium  vigilat  would  have  appeared  so  against  Scipio  or  Marlbrough, 
and  yet  I  am  led  by  you  to  think  they  might  have  given  provocation 
for  it. 

With  truest  vows  for  your  prosperity  I  am 

Your  Excellency's 

Obliged  Friend  and  humble  Servant 

James  Lovell. 

General  Washington 

559A.  Charles  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates.^ 

July  24,  1777 

Report  of  the  board  of  War  10  July  ^ 

Mr  Harrison  for  it.  i.  because  it  will  injure  the  enemy  in  their  trade, 
in  their  connexions  with  the  indians.  in  their  fame.  2.  It  will  benefit  the 
states  by  supplies  gained  from  it.  etc  3.  it  will  be  agreeable  to  the 
Spaniards. 

Mr  Duane  agst  it  i.  Because  we  want  men.  2.  Money.  3.  Cannot 
retain  it,  if  we  succeed. 

Mr.  Biirk  on  the  same  side,  addit.  reason,  too  late  to  undertake  it 
this  ensuing  fall  and  winter. 

Mr.  Duer.    for  it.    Answered  the  objections. 

Mr.  Burk  spoke  again    said  nothing  new. 

Mr.  Wilson  for  it.  points  out  more  at  large  the  advantages  of  under- 
taking it.  Much  to  be  gained ;  tho'  no  attempts  made  agst  Mobille  and 
Pensacola.  The  importance  of  the  settlements  on  Mississipi  and  of 
taking  post  at  Messhack.' — what  sort  of  men  shd.  be  employed  2  reg^ 
and  400  militia.  Great  proba[bi]Hty  of  succeeding;  no  great  ill  conse- 
quences, because  of  safe  retreat 

Mr.  Clarke  declares  for  it  but  wants  farther  time  to  consider.  Men- 
tions the  many  objections  agst  it  The  danger  of  delaying,  on  account 
of  the  rapid  encrease  of  inhabitants. 

Mr.  Morris  for  it.  States  the  force  of  the  enemy  at  present  not  more 
than  300.  requires  little  advances  of  money  to  procure  provisions  or 
military  stores  explains  the  nature  of  the  country.  Now  is  the  time, 
danger  of  delay. 

1559a]^  Library  of  Congress. 

2  The  report  of  the  board  of  war  had  apparently  been  taken  into  consideration 
for  the  first  time  July  19,  and  resumed  on  the  24th.  The  report  was  based  on  a  plan  of 
George  Morgan,  June  6,  1776,  submitted  to  General  Arnold,  together  with  a  letter  of 
Arnold,  July  5,  1777,  and  a  further  memorandum  of  Morgan,  July  6.  (The  report  of 
the  board  of  war  and  the  other  papers  mentioned  are  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  no.  147,  vol.  I.,  flf.  251,  255.  259,  263.)  The  members  of  the  board  of  war 
who  were  present  July  10  (see  the  Journals,  July  19,  p.  567  n.)  were  John  Adams, 
Benjamin  Harrison,  James  Wilson,  George  Qymer,  Samuel  Adams,  and  William  Duer. 
Of  these  all  except  John  Adams  and  Qymer,  from  whom  no  remarks  are  quoted,  appear 
in  Thomson's  Notes  as  advocating  the  expedition,  as  does  also  Robert  Morris.  The 
principal  critic  of  the  project  was  Henry  Laurens,  who  gives  a  more  explicit  account  of 
his  part  in  the  discussion  in  his  letters  to  Mcintosh  and  Rutledge  (nos.  584.  586,  post). 
3  Presumably  Fort  Massac,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  River. 


422  Continental  Congress 

Mr.  Duer  spoke  again  another  argiinit.  this  country  may  be  made 
to  contribute  greatly  to  the  expence  of  the  War. 

Mr.  Harrison  spoke  again  enlarged  on  the  reasons  he  first  offered, 
obviated  the  objections 

Mr.  Middlcton  moved  to  put  of[f]  the  determination 

Mr.  Duanc  seconded  the  motion  to  postpone  and  strengthend  his  first 
objection  with  this  consideration  that  it  cannot  be  undertaken  without 
gold  and  silver. 

Question  put    carried  to  postpone  till  to  Morrow.* 

559B.  Cir.vRLEs  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates.^ 

July  25,  1777 

Resumed  the  consideration  of  report 

Sergeant,  desires  to  know  whether  the  country  thro  wch  the  troops 
are  to  pass  is  healthy,     till  he  knows  this  cannot  give  his  voice 

Chase.  Desires  to  know  to  whom  the  country  will  belong,  if  it  suc- 
ceeds. Unless  it  is  first  determined  that  it  is  to  belong  to  the  United 
States  generally,  he  will  be  agst.  it. 

Middlcton.  Against  it.  It  will  draw  the  attention  of  the  enemy  to 
the  Southern  States,  and  endanger  them,  particularly  S.  Carolina 

IVilliams.  desires  it  may  be  postponed  for  a  day  or  two  till  the 
enemy's  intention  is  better  known. 

Sergeant,  against  it.  because  he  thinks  there  is  great  w*.  in  the 
observ.  that  it  will  turn  the  attention  of  the  enemy  agst  the  S.  States 
he  thinks  we  sho*^.  oppose  the  enemy  here. 

Duer.  It  will  save  the  Southern  States  and  divert  the  enemy  from 
immediately  attacking  them.  It  will  save  X  Y  and  the  middle  states 
from  the  incursions  of  Indians 

Laurens.  1000  or  1200  too  few.  Situation  of  the  country  much 
changed  since  177 1  The  banks  of  the  Mis.  lined  with  inhabitants,  many 
of  them  enemies  to  these  States.  ]\Iany  have  gone  and  are  going  from 
the  U  S  who  are  enemies  and  discontented.  We  cannot  keep  it  a  secret, 
thev  will  be  ready  to  oppose  our  troops  and  there  are  sundry  advan- 
tagious  posts  can  be  taken,  where  they  and  the  regulars  can  oppose  our 
passage.  Besides  two  enemy s  to  oppose  not  mentiond.  i.  The  Ague 
and  fever  2.  Choctaws.  If  we  have  troops  to  spare,  They  shd.  be  applied 
to  defend  Georgia,  which  is  in  a  defenseless  state  and  in  wch  they  have 
m*^.  inroads  and  carr'^  ofT  ^  tken  The  plan  not  w^ell 

concerted.  That  part  respecting  frigates  particularly,  first  we  [have 
no]^  frig,  if  we  hd  [they]*  cd.  be  betr.  employd.  i.  force  inadequate. 
2.  The  enemy  [have]^  more  strength  than  we  can  oppose  w^th.     3.  If  w^e 

4  See  no.  SSQB.  post. 

[559b]^  Library  of  Congress.  .         ,     ,       ,       ^  .,  ,      .   j.      . 

2  Thomson  uses  here  a  speaes  of   shorthand  or   apher,  apparently  indicating 
numbers,  but  of  which  the  translation  has  not  been  discovered.    See  notes  3,  4,  5,  below. 

3  The  cipher  used  here  is :   "  V—." 

*  The  manuscript  has  here  a  diagonal  stroke :   "  \  ". 

5  The  manuscript  has  "  V  ",  the  same  character  translated  *'  have  ",  above. 


July,  1777  ^23 

had  force  to  spare  they  cd.  be  better  employed  Has  no  objection  to  send 
person  to  N.  O."     thinks  it  would  be  proper  and  prudent. 

Burke,  agst  it  We  shd.  bend  our  whole  force  agst  the  enemy's  army. 
Exp.  and  prepara.  will  be  great.  We  must  set  off  wth  full  supplies  of 
arms,  amm.  and  provs.  for  6  mo.  We  cannot  depend  on  the  inhab.  on 
the  banks  for  provs.  They  have  none  to  spare.  They  do  not  raise  prov. 
(here  Mr  Morris  beg  leave  to  set  him  right  in  that  matter,  he  has 
imported  from  thence  cargoes  of  rice  and  exported  from  thence  to  the 
W.  I.  cargoes  of  indian  corn.)  B.  continues  this  informa.  does  not 
satisfy  him  that  they  have  now  provisions  to  spare.  But  if  they  had 
we  have  not  money  to  purchase  it.  Impracticable  to  keep  poss.  of  the 
river  Ought  to  be  given  up,  because  disagreeable  to  Southern  States, 
who  will  not  suffer  that  count [r]y  to  be  poss*^.  by  Spain  as  it  is  necessary 
for  their  own  safety. 

Harrison.  Answers  the  objection  abt.  it  being  divulged.  The  fever 
and  Ague.  All  accts  agree  the  country  on  the  Miss,  healthy  tho'  Mobille 
unhealthy.  Ind.  cant  become  enemies  by  our  going  down.  Want  of 
money  answered.     Obj.  abt  frig  and  georg.  answd. 

Wilson.  Draws  an  argumt.  for  undertaking  it  Nozv  from  the  obj. 
that  a  number  have  gone  and  are  going  to  settle  there  who  are  enemies 
or  discontented  with  the  governments  of  these  states.  We  shd.  get  poss : 
of  that  country  to  prevent  such  from  fix^  themselves  where  they  will 
undoubtedly  be  dangerous  and  troublesome  even  tho  we  shd.  defeat  the 
enemy  here.  The  gain^  poss.  will  open  a  new  trade,  wch.  the  poss.  of 
Aug.'^  will  not  and  this  can  be  secured  tho  Pensac.  or  Mob.*  are  not 
attacked.  As  it  must  sometime  be  undertaken  as  it  can  never  be  undertn. 
at  any  fuf  time  with  a  greatr.  probab^  of  success  than  the  present,  he 
is  for  the  present  exp. 

Burke.  The  Argumt.  of  encrease  of  settlers  not  of  w'.  because  they 
are  freemen  not  slaves  and  however  they  may  differ  in  sentim*^.  they 
retain  and  their  pos'^  will  in  a  higher  degree  retain  a  love  of  it.  And 
hopes  for  a  Union  wth.  the  inhab.  wch.  will  be  better  than  a  conquest. 

Moved  to  postpone    carried  to  postpone.® 

560.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.^ 

Philadelphia  25  July  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

....  I  should  have  excepted  of  Public  Intelligence  that  our  Fleet  of 
Xebeques  and  Galleys  lie  ready  in  the  River  for  a  concerted  Expedition 
below,  upon  which  they  wd.  have  sail'd  before  this  time  but  for  an  im- 
proper Demand  of  Increase  of  Wages  made  by  the  Lieutenants  12  in 
number,     the  Congress  ordered  them  immediately  to  be  dismiss'd  the 

^  New  Orleans. 
">  St.  Augustine. 
8  Pensacola  or  Mobile. 

^  The  expedition  conducted  by  James  Willing  in  the  beginning  of  1778  was  prob- 
ably a  revision  of  this  project.    See  no.  749A,  post. 

[560]^  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  Jan.,  1776-Mar.,  1778,  p.   109. 

32 


42-i  Continental  Congress 

Service  under  a  Resolution  rend[er]inp:  them  incapable  of  serving  in  any 
of  the  States  in  any  Capacity  civil  or  Military,  this  Resolution  produced 
humble  Petitions  from  the  whole,  they  arc  now  reinstated  and  I  suppose 
Business  will  go  forward  ai^ain.*  a  Combination  of  Surgeons  in  the 
Fleet  treated  in  the  same  manner.^ 

56o.\.  Charles  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates.* 

July  26,  1777 

Mr.  Sergleauf].-  move  to  send  G.  G.  to  Comd.  in  the  North"  departmt. 
Seconded  by  Mr.  Rob. — u  Reasons  adduced.  G.  S.  is  unpopular  Milit. 
have  not  confid  in  him.^    G —  popular  and 

Harrison  thinks  this  is  delicate  gv°.  Our  Affrs.  critical.  However 
unpop.  S.  may  be  elsewhere,  always  understood  he  was  very  pop.  in  his 
own  Country  remove  him,  you  disoblige  that  whole  country  and  risque 
the  entire  loss  of  it.  Has  no  objectn.  to  an  inquiry  into  the  cond.  of 
Sincl — *  who  lost  Ti.  if  S  is  on  enquiry  found  involved,  has  no  objec- 
tion. But  why  remove  one  off.  because  another  behavd.  amiss  or  is 
unfortunate 

6".  Adams,  in  favr.  of  motn.  with  an  amendmt.  and  for  the  reasns. 
adducd.  knows  G.  is  pop.  in  East".  St.  C.  M.  [?y  thinks  he  is  pop.  in 
N  Y.    grnds  blf  on  adrss  of  Cnvn  of  N.  Y.^ 

Chase,  agst  it.  Ti.  lost  not  thro  fault  of  gnrls,  but  for  wnt  men. 
En's  7000  Sin  but  2000  ^ — not  suff.  to  dfnd  post,  these  not  well  armd. 
It  wl.  disgr  officers  wnth*  just  found.®  disgr.  Congr,  who  lately  sent 
Sch  to  that  commd. 

Wilson,  seconds  mot.  for  inqy.  opposes  the  other  from  motiv  policy 
justice  and  publ  utility.  To  arg.  unpop.  A  man  miay  be  unpop  because 
virt. 

Serg{eant'].  supports  his  mot.  spoke  long — ansr  arg.  agst  pop  those 
drawn  from  justice  policy  delicacy,  paints  the  prest.  situa.  adduced  G 
Sch's  letters  in  proof.    A  change  cant  hrt.  it  may  do  good. 

Dyer.  All  not  qualfd.  for  all  posts,  thinks  Sch.  endowed  of  m^  val 
quals.®  but  not  distingd.   for  mility.   abilities,     he  has  not  talents  for 

2  See  the  Journals,  May  15,  July  23,  24,  28.  The  letter  was  evidently  not  finished 
until  after  the  action  of  Congress  on  the  28th. 

3  A  memorial  from  the  surgeons  of  the  vessels  in  Philadelphia  was  presented  to 
Congress  May  15,  and  referred  to  the  marine  committee.  No  further  record  is  found 
in  the  Journals,  unless  the  action  of  July  16  relates  to  this  memorial. 

[56oA]i  Library  of  Congress. 

2  Here,  and  also  below,  Thomson  abbreviates  the  name  to  "  Serg  ".  Roberdeau 
is  uniformly  "  Rob. — u " ;  Samuel  Adams  is  set  down,  below,  as  "  S.  Adms  "  ;  John 
Adams  appears  once  (in  no.  562A,  post^  as  "  J.  Ad  " ;  Schuyler  usually  appears  as  "  Sch  " 
(sometimes  as  "S");  and  St.  Clair  is  "Sincl"  or  "Sin".  "  G.  G."  in  the  first  para- 
graph is  General  Gates,  and  "  G.  S."  is  General  Schuyler. 

3  Militia  have  not  confidence  in  him. 

*  Conduct  of  St.  Clair,  who  lost  Ticonderoga. 

5  Probably   for    Connecticut  and   Massachusetts :    that  is,    Gates  is  popular  in 
the  Eastern  States,  especially  in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts. 
8  Grounds  belief  on  address  of  convention  of  New  York. 
''Enemy's  [forces]  7000,  St.  Qair's  but  2000. 
s  It  will  disgrace  officers  without  just  foundation, 
s  Many  valuable  qualities. 


July,  1777  425 

governg.  an  army  and  therefore  unpop.  It  is  no  crime  not  to  have 
talents.  It  is  no  supposit.  of  a  crime  to  remove  one  who  is  unfortunate, 
or  unqualified,  Pitt  recalled  many  officers  last  war  with*  impeaching 
them  The  quitting  Ti.  unpop.  Smallness  of  gar",  and  numb,  of  En^ 
not  a  suff  justific.  in  opin".  of  people.  Abercromby  [with]"  16000  was 
defeated  at  same  place  by  3000.  But  suppose  abil  and  integry.  and  admit 
a  genl  unfortun.  it  wd.  be  proper  to  change  him, 

Burke,  thot.  this  inconsid.  motn.  wd.  not  have  been  deemd  worthy 
debate.  Ev^  membr.  must  kno  the  Genls  have  been  guilty  of  no  fault.  It  is 
fruitless  to  debate  it  farther.  A  majority  of  the  house  must  see  the  impro- 
priety of  it  and  that  no  good  and  much  ill  must  arise  from  it  and  there- 
fore desires  the  question. 

Folsom.  3  regemts.  from  N.  H,  well  armed  declares  that  from  his 
knowledge  and  he  had  great  opport.  to  know  Sch  is  not  pop.  with  either 
off.  or  soldiers  who  served  last  year;  nay  w'  is  worse,  he  hopes  with* 
good  grnds,  they  have  not  confidence  in  him 

Williams,  confirms  the  want  of  Sch  pop.  in  Conn. :  mentions  the  joy 
of  the  people  on  Gates  appmt.  their  apprehensions  when  Sch  came  to 
Cong,     their  grief  when  replaced. 

Marchant.  This  Congr.  depends  upon  the  genl.  Opin.  of  the  people 
without  attending  to  this  we  cannot  support  this  cause.  Has  a  gr*.  Opin 
of  the  Judgmt.  of  the  people,  it  is  genly.  pure,  uncorrupt  and  well 
founded.  Sch  unpop  in  his  State  and  the  Neighbg.  states  This  Opin. 
not  lately  taken  upon.  Strongly  rivetted  ever  since  last  war.  MiP.  will 
not  serve  under  him.  The  En^  can  only  be  opposed  by  the  East :  Mil. 
hence  the  necessity  of  recallg.  him  and  placing  at  the  head  of  the  North", 
a  man  in  w"'  that  Mili^.  can  have  confid. 

Lovel.    is  for 

Duer.  An  army  of  the  en^  o  Ind."  at  Oswego  the  frontier  of  Tryon 
from  whence  great  part  of  the  mil.  come  Ti  an  important  frontr.  on  the 
other  side  given  up.  Three  counties  [have]  revolted. ^^  A  weak  army  ill 
provided  ill  disciplined  to  defend  him.  A  well  appointed  victorious  arm[y] 
entered  the  State,  under  these  circumstances  can  it  be  supposed  the 
Mil,  wd.  turn  out.  It  is  therefore  owing  to  circumstances  not  to  want  of 
inf  or  popy  in  Sch.^^  With  regrd  to  Indns.  it  is  well  known  success  influ- 
ences them. 

Burke,  went  into  the  conduct  of  Sch  and  G  to  each  other  and  of 
Cong,  towrds.  them,     has  no  objectn.  to  inquiry  but  to  recalling  them. 

Clarke,    for  the  motion  with  a  small  amendment. 

/.  Adams,  gave  an  accot.  of  the  difif.  in  the  North",  depart,  and  the 
steps  taken  to  heal  those  difif:  but  without  effect.  As  to  his  unpopu — 
knows  it  to  be  great  in  the  eastern  States :  thinks  he  is  not  so  popular  " 
as  represented  even  in  his  own  State     A  late  instance  proves,  when 

i"The  cipher  here  is  "o";  similarly,  in  the  remarks  of  Duer,  below. 

11  Enemy  with  Indians. 

12  Here,  and  in  the  remarks  of  J.  Adams,  below,  the  cipher  "  V  "  is  used. 

13  Influence  or  popularity  in  Schuyler. 

1*  The  word  "  great  "  is  erased  and  "  popular  "  substituted. 


426  Continental  Congress 

another  carried  an  election  agst."  notwithstanding  all  the  pains  Cong 
[have]  tken  by  res.  to  splice  iiis  chrctr.    The  evil  genius  of  N.  D/" 

Motion  made  and  seconded  to  postpone.  Question  put.  carried  in  the 
affirmative." 

561.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  the  President  of  New  Hampshire.^ 

Philadelphia  July  26tli.  1777 
Sir 

I  arrived  here  in  good  Health  the  20th.  being  stopt  two  days  on  the 
Road  by  foul  wather :  I  Performed  the  journey  in  12  Days,  on  my 
joining  the  Congress  I  found  them  worried  with  Petitions  from  a  grate 
Numl)er  of  French  gentlemen  for  commissions  to  serve  in  our  army  to 
be  made  generals  and  none  less  then  Colonels  and  that  our  agents  in 
france  and  general  Washington  in  the  camp  were  not  less  troubled  with 
them.^ 

The  first  oppurtunity  we  had  we  presented  the  Petition  of  Mr.  Phill- 
brook  '  and  that  of  our  State  to  the  Consideration  of  Congress  which  was 
referred  to  the  treasury  board  and  this  morning  we  are  to  have  a  hearing 
before  them.  By  what  we  Can  learn  from  the  members  and  the  ex- 
hausted state  of  the  Treasury,  at  this  Time  we  despair  of  success  on  the 
Petition  of  the  State,  tho  it  seems  to  be  the  wish  of  Congress  that  the  same 
thing  which  is  asked  by  us  might  be  done  with  each  of  the  thirteen  United 
States.  However  if  we  should  fail  now  we  shall  embrace  the  first  favour- 
able oppurtunity  to  try  them  again  and  do  every  thing  in  our  Power  to 
accomplish  so  desirable  an  end.  I  am  not  without  hopes  of  obtaining  a 
grant  for  Mr.  Phillbrook  as  at  Present  I  have  heard  no  objection  to  it. 

The  Loss  of  Ticonderoga  considerably  alarmed  Congress  as  they  were 
informed  but  a  Little  Time  before  by  General  St.  Clair  that  it  wase  in  a 
good  state  of  defence  an  Enquiry  into  that  affair  is  thought  necessary.* 
By  Intelligence  from  ouer  guards  near  New  York  we  learn  that  Lord  and 
General  Howe  sailed  from  that  place  with  the  most  of  the  army  on 
wensday  the  23d.  Inst :  it  is  generaly  thought  fore  some  part  of  New 
England 

I  am  Sir 

with  the  greatest  Respect 

Yr.  most  obedt.  huml.  Servent 

Nathl.  Folsom 
Honl.  Meshek  Wear  Esqr. 

15  First  written :  "  when  he  was  outvoted  ".  If  this  means  that  Schuyler  was 
defeated  in  the  election  of  delegates  to  Congress  it  is  an  error.  Schuyler  was  re-elected 
by  the  convention  of  New  York  May  13  (see  the  credentials,  in  the  Journals,  May  29). 

16  Northern  Department. 

1^  See  no.  562A,  post.  There  is  no  intimation  in  the  Journals  of  the  discussion, 
July  26  and  28,  of  the  question  of  replacing  Schuyler  with  Gates ;  but  letters  of  New 
England  delegates  (see  nos.  553-556,  ante)  had  already  suggested  that  they  were  laying 
plans  to  this  end.    See  also  no.  561,  post. 

[561]!  Me.  Hist.  Soc,  Revolution,  no.  2;  N.  H.  State  Papers,  VIII.  647. 
2  See  the  Journals,  July  21  ;  also  no.  559.  ante. 
^  Joseph  Philbrick.     See  the  Journals,  July  24. 
*  See  no.  560A,  ante,  and  no.  562A,  post. 


July,  7777  427 

562.   Samuel  Adams  to  Paul  Revere.* 

Philade  July  28  1777 
My  dear  Sir 

I  receive!  your  favor  of  the  26th  of  June  and  also  one  from  Colo  Crafts  ^ 
of  the  same  Date.  I  wrote  to  him  by  the  Return  of  the  Post  and  desired 
him  to  communicate  the  Contents  to  you.  I  conversd  with  Mr.  J.  A  '  upon 
the  Subject  of  your  Letter,  and  we  venturd,  both  of  us,  to  step  out  of  the 
Line  of  strict  order  in  a  Debate  in  Congress  the  other  day,  to  bring  your 
Regiment  of  Artillery  into  View.  It  occasiond  a  Conversation  in  the 
House  in  which  we  had  a  Opportunity  of  acquainting  the  Members  of  the 
long  Standing  of  that  Regiment  and  the  Seniority  of  its  Officers.  But 
still  it  was  considerd  as  a  Regiment  raisd  by  a  State  and  not  by  the  Con- 
tinent. And  though  we  caused  the  Merit  of  it  to  be  well  understood  and 
it  was  acknowledgd  in  the  House,  the  Difficulty  of  altering  the  Regulation 
you  refer  to  appeard  so  evidently  in  the  Minds  of  the  Gentlemen,  that  we 
waved  making  any  Motion  at  tjiat  time,  because  we  apprehended  that  the 
Issue  would  be  unfavorable.  Indeed  I  am  of  Opinion  that  Congress  will 
not  be  induced  to  make  the  Alteration  you  wish  for,  until  it  shall  become 
a  Continental  Regiment.  In  that  Case,  I  am  apt  to  think  there  would  be 
no  Difficulty  with  Regard  to  the  Seniority  of  other  Regiments  which  have 
been  raisd  since,  over  yours.  But  till  that  is  done,  it  is  feared  that  an 
Alteration  in  this  Instance  would  cause  Discontent  in  other  States,  where 
it  is  said  there  are  Instances  similar.  A  Regiment  of  Artillery  raisd  in  this 
State  under  Command  of  Colo  Procter  *  was  lately  taken  into  Continental 
Service  and  the  Commissions  were  dated  at  the  time  they  were  raisd.  It 
was  upon  this  Occasion  that  Colo  Crafts  Regiment  was  mentiond ;  and  I 
suppose  that  Regiment  wd  be  admitted  on  the  same  terms.  But  I  think 
I  foresee  an  insuperable  Obstacle  in  that  Case.  If  any  thing  can  be  done 
consistently  with  the  general  Service,  to  show  Honor,  but  especially  to 
do  Justice  to  the  Regiment  of  Artillery  in  Boston,  I  shall  not  fail  to  push 
it  as  far  as  I  may  have  Influence 

562A.  Charles  Thomson,  Notes  of  Debates.^ 

[July  28,  1777.] 
Monday  question  resumed.^ 

Duane.  Before  this  question  is  decided,  all  the  reso.  of  Con.  the  lettrs. 
from  the  Genls.  should  be  read  Light  wanted.  A  fault  some  where, 
enqy  shd.  be  made  to  see  whether  pt.  of  the  fault  is  not  here.  Before  any 
censure  is  passed  on  the  genls  it  sho^  be  preceded  by  a  res.  that  Con  have 
done  everything  that  ou*  to  be  done.  This  an  unusual  attack  more  alarm^ 
as  formed  by  a  combination  of  4  States.  Apprehends  arises  from  resentmt 
or  private  views 

[562]!  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  393;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samnel  Adams  Papers. 

2  Thomas  Crafts,  colonel  of  the  regiment  of  which  Paul  Revere  was  lieutenant- 
colonel.     See  E.  H.  Goss,  Life  of  Paul  Revere,  I.  278-282. 

3  John  Adams. 

*  Gol.  Thomas  Proctor.    See  the  Journals,  June  20,  July  14,  15,  19. 
[562  A]  1  Library  of  Gongress. 
2  See  no.  560A,  ante. 


428  Continental  Congress 

J.  Ad[ams.']  set  menib.  ri'  with  respect  to  combination.  The  4  St. 
did  not  move  it  and  he  moved  an  amt. 

Rob[cr(iea]u  disclaimed  combination,  laments  divisions.  Has  no  view 
to  injure  any  character.  But  thinks  it  necessary  to  recal  the  2  off.'  but 
is  willing  it  be  done  in  tiie  easiest  man'  and  most  agreeable  to  them  and 
th'  frds. 

Williams,  disclaimed  combinations,  believes  the  assertions  of  member 
from  N.  Y.  that  he  is  not  influenced  by  resentmt  or  partial,  private 
motives,  and  thinks  he  slid,  give  like  credit  to  others,  declares  he  has  no 
resentmt  no  private  views.  Acknowledge  4  States  have  not  conf.*  thinks 
regard  slid,  be  paid  to  their  joint  desire  of  a  change  in  the  off[icers]. 

Gerry,  has  not  heard  the  argumts.  but  thinks  it  proper.  Everything 
in  disorder.  Can  only  be  put  right  by  change  Gates  has  shewn  w*  he  can 
do.  Collected  shattered  remains  of  army  last  year  under  every  dis- 
advantg.     reduced  it  to  order,  repulsed  the  enemy. 

Wilson.  Against  the  motion  Thinks  it  unjust,  acknowledges  fault 
somewhere.  The  Genls.  part.  Sch.  not  to  blame,  fault  in  East.  S.' 
Attack  of  Quebec  begin^  of  misf.  owing  to  the  troops  refusing  to  continue 
after  time  expired  This  common  to  troops  of  all  the  states  The  sending 
3  reg.  from  Cambridge  opposed  by  Del.  from  East  states  and  troops 
ordered  not  sent  forward  in  time  hence  misfort.  continued.  The  levies 
for  this  camp",  not  raised  in  time  nor  properly  armed  cause  of  present 
misf.  The  want  of  pop:  an  ill  timed  object,  agst  Sch.  sho"^  have  been 
urged  before  he  was  last  sent  up. 

Sergeant,  provoked  at  being  accused  of  combin^.  scorns  the  charge. 
Speaks  and  acts  his  own  sentim*^  reit.  his  object,  ag.  Sch.°  enumerates 
complnts  agst.  him  is  interrupted  by  Duer,  on  mentiong  Sch's  keeping  a 
store  of  goods  at  Alb'',  proceeds  repeats  w*  he  has  heard  thinks  it 
propr.  these  Accusa.  whethe[r]  true  or  false  shd.  be  known.  The  Opin** 
of  off.  and  sol.  respectg  his  abil.  as  genl.  The  Genl.  Answr.  Good  Qr. 
Mr.  etc' 

postponed  till  to  morrow, 
[/w/y  ^p]     Question  resumed/ 

563.  William  Duer  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

[Philadelphia]  29th.  July  1777. 
My  dear  Friend: 

I  have  experienced  extreme  uneasiness  in  not  hearing  from  you  since 
the  loss  of  Ticonderoga,  and  hardly  know^  how  to  account  for  your  silence. 

3  Officers ;  that  is,  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair. 

*  Confidence. 

5  Eastern  States. 

8  Reiterates  his  objections  against  Schuyler. 

7  The  meaning  is,  that  inquiry  of  officers  and  soldiers  for  their  opinions  respect- 
ing the  ability  of  Schuyler  as  a  general  brings  the  general  answer  that  he  is  a  good 
quartermaster.  ,  r  .,  j 

8  If  there  was  a  similar  discussion  of  the  question  on  July  29,  Thomson  failed 
to  record  it.    The  Journals  merely  show  that  the  inquiry  was  ordered.    See  nos.  563-566, 

568-572.  574,  579.  580,  post.  ,    ^  „     ^  ,      ,       x^  ,         s 

[563]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  355   (copy). 


July,  lyyy  429 

Your  enemies  in  this  quarter  are  leaving  no  means  unessayed  to  blast  your 
character,  and  impute  to  your  appointment  in  that  Department,  a  loss 
which,  when  rightly  investigated  can  be  imputed  to  very  different  causes. 
The  friends  to  truth  find  an  extreme  difficulty  to  stem  the  torrent  of 
calumny. 

Be  not  surprised  if  you  should  be  desired  to  attend  Congress  to  give  an 
account  of  the  loss  of  Ticonderoga.'^ .... 

564.  The  New  York  Delegates  to  the  New  York  Council  of 

Safety.^ 

Philad.  29th.  July  1777 
Honour".  Gentlemen 

We  have  the  Honour  of  your  favour  of  the  17th.  Instant  with  the 
several  Enclosures,  to  which  we  shall  pay  all  due  attention.^ 

We  had  flatterd  ourselves  that  having  happily  accomplished  the  various 
matters  given  us  in  Charge  by  our  late  honourable  Convention,  our 
Anxiety  relating  to  our  own  internal  affairs  woud  have  been  for  some  time 
at  least  relievd.  But  the  misfortunes  in  the  northern  Department,  and  the 
fresh  attack  which  is  made  upon  General  Schuyler  in  consequence  of  them, 
renew  our  Difficulties.  The  Eastern  States  openly  affirm  that  their  Troops 
have  no  Confidence  in  General  Schuyler  and  assign  this  as  the  Reason  that 
they  have  not  marched  to  his  Assistance.  They  therefore  insist  that  he 
as  well  as  Genl  St.  Clair  shall  be  recalled  and  General  Gates  again  ap- 
pointed to  the  Command :  or  that  Congress  must  Take  upon  themselves 
all  the  Consequences  which  may  attend  a  Refusal  of  this  Proposition. 
You  see  Gentlemen  the  Delicacy  of  our  Situation.  If  the  Eastern  Dele- 
gates carry  their  point  the  world  is  left  to  conclude  not  only  that  General 
Schuyler  is  unworthy  of  the  Command;  but  that  if  the  late  change  had 
not  taken  place,  Ticonderoga,  by  the  abilities  of  Genl  Gates,  might  still 
have  been  preserved.  In  what  Light  your  Delegates  and  the  State  by 
whose  Authority  they  interposd,  will  be  represented,  on  this  View  of  the 
Case,  is  sufficiently  obvious.  But  supposing  General  Schuyler,  after  this 
warm  application  for  his  Removal,  should  be  continud  in  the  Command ; 
and  the  Eastern  States  be  backward  in  supplying  their  Militia;  and  the 
Calamities  of  the  Country  in  that  Quarter  encrease,  Woud  there,  under 
these  Circumstances,  be  any  End  to  Clamour  and  Reproach  ?  ^ 

It  is  not  easy  to  determine  the  Line  of  Conduct  we  ought  to  pursue 
especially  as  we  cannot  be  assisted  by  your  advice,  nor  strengthend  by 
your  authority. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  30,  August  i,  3,  4.  Cf.  nos.  553,  555,  556,  s6oa,  561, 
562A,  ante,  564,  565,  566,  568-572,  574,  578,  post. 

[564]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  XI.  289  (in  Duane's  writing)  ;  ibid., 
Minutes  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  IX.  711  (copy) ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  1033, 
II.  500. 

2  Probably  the  letter  spread  on  the  minutes  of  the  council  of  safety  July  18 
{Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  1003).  A  letter  to  President  Hancock  is  found  in  the 
minutes  of  the  same  day.    It  was  this  letter,  doubtless,  that  was  read  in  Congress  July  28. 

8  Cf.  no.  556,  560A,  561,  562A,  563,  ante. 


430  Continental  Congress 

We  shall  take  the  first  opportunity  to  inform  you  of  the  Event :  *  And 
in  the  mean  time  assure  you  that  we  are  most  respectfully 

Honour"  Gentlemen 

Your  most  Obedient  humble  Servants 

Phil.  Livingston 
Jas.  Duane 
Wm.  Duer 

Honour'  Council  of  Safety  for  the  State  of  New  York 

565.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple/ 

July  29th.  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  Your  ideas  about  Ticonderoga  you  will  find  by  my  letters  of  last 
Tuesday  ^  are  similar  to  those  which  we  had  here.  But  will  you  believe 
that  the  same  obstinacy  which  withstood  the  sending  Schuyler  to  Head 
Quarters  in  the  Jersies  7  weeks  ago,  now  also  withstands  calling  him 
hither  *  to  give  an  account  of  our  affairs  in  the  Northern  Department 
and  of  the  causes  of  the  relinquishment  of  Independence,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  Western  part.  He  writes  that  the  Tories  will  all  join  Burgoyne 
and  the  timid  Whigs  and  Six  Nations  of  Indians  and  that  the  Eastern 
Militia  will  not  stay  with  him ;  yet  we  are  not  to  send  a  more  fighting 
popular  General  in  his  place.  Just  such  contradictory  letters  as  you  and 
your  brother  mention,  we  received  here.  If  the  Eastern  States  do  not 
muster  all  possible  proofs  that  they  have  done  as  well  at  least  as  others,  a 
number  in  Congress  with  the  Northern  Council  of  War  and  Schuyler,  and 
more  than  one  in  the  Jersies,  will  cry  out  "  New  England  alone  is  to 
blame  "  * 

In  addition  to  the  perplexities  wdiich  I  have  before  mentioned  to  you 
about  French  Treaties  made  by  Deane  we  have  a  fresh  quantity  from  the 
arrival  of  2  Majors  General  two  Brigadiers,  2  Lt.  Cols.  2  Majors,  3  Cap- 
tains and  two  Lts.  created  and  ranked  7th.  Nov  last  and  ist.  of  Deer,  to 
whom  have  been  advanced  16,000  livs.  ^  gratuity  and  half  pay."    Ought 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  30,  Aug.  i.  3,  and  nos.  565.  566,  568-572,  578,  post. 
[565]  1  Library-  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  383;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft 
Coll.,  Langdon-Ehvyn  Papers  (copy  of  part). 

2  Tuesday  was  the  22d,  but  probably  the  letter  of  July  21  (no.  556,  ante)  is 
meant.    The  plural  "  letters  "  may  be  an  error  of  the  Force  copyist. 

3  It  would  appear  from  this  statement  that  the  programme  of  the  New  England 
delegates  was  first  to  have  Schuyler  called  to  Philadelphia,  but  was  afterward  changed 
to  have  him  sent  to  headquarters.    Cf.  no.  571,  post. 

4  Cf.  nos.  556,  560A,  562A,  564,  ante,  and  566,  568-572,  578,  post. 

5  The  reference  is  evidently  to  the  group  of  French  officers  who  came  over  with 
Lafayette,  although  the  category  here  set  down  does  not  altogether  accord  with  the 
lists  in  the  Deane  contracts.  Dec.  i  and  7,  1776.  See  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  IL 
218-221 ;  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  IIL  1089-1091 ;  Kapp,  Life  of  Kalb,  pp.  296-297. 
Lafayette  as  well  as  Kalb  is  given  the  rank  of  major-general  in  the  last-mentioned  agree- 
ment.   There  are  no  brigadiers  in  either  list. 

Lafayette's  party  landed  near  Georgetown,  South  Carolina,  June  13,  and  arrived  in 
Philadelphia  July  27.  See  Kapp,  Life  of  Kalb,  pp.  108-113;  Tower,  Lafayette  in  the 
Revolution,  I.  171  et  seq.;  Lafayette,  Memoires,  Correspondance,  et  Manuscriis  (Brus- 
sels, 1837),  L  14,  15,  40,  42.    See  also  Rutledge  to  Caswell,  June  25,  1777,  in  N.  C.  State 


July,  1777  431 

not  this  weak  or  roguish  man  to  be  recalled ;  if  as  a  corresponding  Agent 
he  did  thus,  what  will  not  he  think  himself  entitled  to  do  as  a  Commis- 
sioner !".... 

566.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina/ 

Philadelphia,  July  30th,  1777. 
Dr.  Sir: 

....  No  new  accounts  have  arrived  from  the  Northern  Department 
since  my  last.     Our  affairs  there  give  us  great  uneasiness.    The  loss  was 

Records,  XI.  502.  Sparks,  who  probably  obtained  the  facts  from  Lafayette  himself, 
gives  the  following  account  of  Lafayette's  application  to  Congress : 

"  When  Lafayette  arrived  in  Philadelphia  he  put  his  letters  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Lovell,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs.  He  called  the  next  day  at  the 
Hall  of  Congress,  and  Mr.  Lovell  came  out  to  him  and  said,  that  so  many  foreigners 
had  offered  themselves  for  employment,  that  Congress  was  embarrassed  with  their 
applications,  and  he  was  sorry  to  inform  him  there  was  very  little  hope  of  his  success. 
Lafayette  suspected  his  papers  had  not  been  read,  and  he  immediately  sat  down  and 
wrote  a  note  to  the  President  of  Congress,  in  which  he  desired  to  be  permitted  to  serve 
in  the  American  army  on  two  conditions ;  first,  that  he  should  receive  no  pay ;  secondly, 
that  he  should  act  as  a  volunteer.  These  terms  were  so  different  from  those  demanded 
by  other  foreigners,  and  presented  so  few  obstacles  on  the  ground  of  an  interference 
with  American  officers,  that  they  were  at  once  accepted.  His  rank,  zeal,  perseverance, 
and  disinterestedness  overcame  every  objection,  and  he  was  appointed  a  major-general 
in  the  American  army  more  than  a  month  before  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty." 
Writings  of  Washington,  V.  454  (Appendix  L).  See  the  Journals,  July  31;  also  no. 
603,  post. 

The  Chevalier  Du  Buyssons,  one  of  the  officers  of  Lafayette's  party,  gives  in  his 
journal  the  following  account  of  the  matter: 

"  We  arrived  on  the  27th  of  July,  in  the  morning.  After  having  brushed  ourselves  up 
a  little,  we  went  to  see  the  President  of  Congress,  to  whom  we  presented  our  letters 
of  recommendation  and  also  our  contracts.  He  sent  us  to  see  M.  Moose  [Morris  ?  ], 
a  member  of  the  Congress,  who  made  an  appointment  to  meet  us  on  the  following 
day  at  the  door  of  the  Congress;  and  in  the  mean  time  our  papers  were  read  and 
examined.  The  next  day  we  were  punctual  in  keeping  our  appointment,  but  we  were 
made  to  wait  a  long  time.  Finally  M.  Moose  appeared,  with  another  member,  and  said 
to  us,  '  This  gentleman  speaks  French  very  well,  and  he  is  intrusted  with  the  matters 
that  concern  people  of  your  nationality;  hereafter  your  communications  will  all  be  with 

him.'     He  then  went  in,  and  the  other  member,  M. [Mr.  Lovell],  talked  with  us 

in  the  street,  where  he  left  us,  after  having  treated  us,  in  excellent  French,  like  a  set 
of  adventurers.  He  ended  his  speech  by  saying,  '  Gentlemen,  have  you  any  authority 
from  Mr.  Deane  ?  We  authorized  him  to  send  us  four  French  engineers ;  but,  instead 
of  that,  he  has  sent  us  Mr.  du  Coudray  and  some  men  who  pretend  to  be  engineers  but 
are  not,  and  some  artillerists  who  have  never  seen  service.  We  then  instructed  Mr. 
Franklin  to  send  us  four  engineers,  and  they  have  come.  It  seems  the  French  officers 
have  a  great  fancy  to  enter  our  service  without  being  invited.  It  is  true  we  were  in 
need  of  officers  last  year,  but  now  we  have  experienced  men  and  plenty  of  them.' 

"  This  was  our  first  reception  by  the  Congress,  and  we  did  not  know  what  to  think 
of  it;  indeed,  it  would  be  impossible  for  any  one  to  be  more  stupefied  than  we  were. 
Would  it  have  been  possible  for  M.  de  La  Fayette,  M.  de  Kalb,  and  M.  de  Mauroy, 
followed  by  ten  officers  recommended  as  we  had  been,  and  secretly  approved,  if  not 
openly  avowed,  by  the  Government  of  France,  to  expect  such  a  reception  as  this? 

"  We  determined  to  wait  and  to  discover  the  cause  of  this  affront,  if  possible,  before 
making  any  complaint.  We  attributed  it,  and  rightly,  to  the  misconduct  of  certain  of 
our  compatriots  who  had  preceded  us ;  for  we  soon  heard  of  the  bad  behavior  of  several 
of  them,  and  the  discredit  which  their  actions  had  thrown  upon  letters  of  recommenda- 
tion brought  by  them  from  our  colonies,  and  we  discovered  that  certain  other  things 
also  had  had  an  influence  in  this  connection."  Tower,  Lafayette  in  the  Revolution, 
179-180;  Doniol,  Histoire  de  la  Participation  de  la  France  a  l'£tablissetnent  des  £tats- 
Unis  dAmerique,  III.  215  et  seq. 

^  See  the  motions  for  Deane's  recall,  in  a  foot-note  to  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford), 
under  Aug.  5  (p.  605).  It  was  not  however  until  Nov.  21  that  Congress  resolved  upon 
the  recall.     See  the  Journals,  and  no.  753,  post. 

[566]!  ^■.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  549- 


432  Continental  Congress 

certainly  occasioned  by  the  want  of  suflicicnt  well  appointed  force,  and  as 
the  Eastern  States  were  to  supply  the  Troops  for  that  station,  they  are 
very  solicitious  that  it  should  be  thought  the  fault  of  the  officers,  who  in 
reality  could  not  have  done  more  than  they  did  with  the  force  in  their 
hands.  They  are  unwilling  that  it  should  l3e  thought  they  have  not  the 
force  they  have  always  pretended  to ;  and  altho'  it  must  be  and  is  admitted 
they  have  exerted  themselves  as  much  as  any  State,  yet  they  are  very 
unwilling  to  admit  that  any  of  our  misfortune  has  happened  through  a 
weakness  which  they  only  share  in  common  with  the  rest.  The  result  I 
suppose  will  be,  that  the  officers  must  be  unjustly  disgraced.*  Upon  the 
whole  of  our  affairs,  they  bear  rather  a  promising  aspect,  and  could  we, 
by  general  taxing,  or  any  other  means,  establish  the  credit  of  our  money, 
every  campaign  would  give  us  more  command  of  the  war.  I  shall  not 
trouble  you,  Sir,  with  any  more  at  present.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with 
the  greatest  respect  and  esteem, 

Your  obt.  Ser't, 
Thos.  Burke 

Governor  Caswell. 


567.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Maryland  Assembly.^ 

Philada.  July  31st.  1777. 
Getttlemen 

The  Congress  have  this  day  receiv'd  intelligence  that  the  fleet  of  the 
enemy,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-eight  sail  have  arrived  at 
the  offing  in  the  capes  of  Delaware  and  are  standing  in  for  the  bay  with  a 
fair  wind.  No  doubt  therefore  can  remain  that  the  city  of  Philadelphia 
is  the  object  of  their  destination  and  attack. 

Upon  this  occasion  their  is  no  necessity  of  using  arguments  to  animate 
you.  it  is  sufficient  to  mention  the  importance  of  this  city  to  all  America, 
and  that  the  preservation  of  it  will  be  attended  with  the  most  extensive 
consequences  in  favour  of  our  country.  I  must  therefore  most  ardently 
entreat  you  to  call  out  your  militia  with  the  utmost  expedition,  that  they 
may  be  in  readiness  to  repel  any  invasion  of  your  state,  or  to  assist  in  the 
defence  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania  which  is  immediately  threatened  with 
an  attack  from  the  enemy.  I  beg  leave  to  request  your  attention  to  the 
enclosed  resolve  of  Congress  on  the  subject,  and  your  compliance  with  it.* 

2  See  nos.  556,  557,  564,  565,  ante,  568-572,  578,  post. 
[567]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  VI.  30;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book, 
VI.  239  (to  Del.,  N.  J.,  and  Md.)  ;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58, 
pt.  II.,  p.  235. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  30,  31.  A  despatch  from  Henry  Fisher,  July  30,  to  the 
state  navy  board  of  Pennsylvania,  announcing  the  appearance  of  the  fleet,  is  in  Pa.  Arch., 
first  ser.,  V.  465;  cf.  ibid.,  V.  402.  458,  462,  467,  468.  471-475-  480,  482.  See  also 
Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  322.  324;  also  nos.  578,  587,  post.  Relative  to  the  resolve  of  Con- 
gress recommending  to  the  Pennsylvania  authorities  that  proprietary  officers  be  arrested, 
see  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  478-480,  484,  489,  490,  502,  503,  512.  Cf.  no.  586,  notes 
ID,  13,  post. 


July,  7/77  433 

568.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

Philada.,  July  31,  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

It  is  a  long  time  since  I  had  the  Pleasure  of  a  Letter  from  you.  I  have 
not  heard  your  opinion  of  the  Evacuation  of  T[i]conderoga.^  You  are 
doubtless  as  much  chagrind  as  I  am.  It  is  ascribd  to  different  Causes. 
Congress  is  determind  that  the  true  Reasons  shall  be  enquired  into,  and 
the  Conduct  of  the  General  officers.  Schuyler's  Friends  are  endeavoring 
to  clear  him  from  all  Blame,  because,  say  they,  he  was  not  there.  This  is 
true.  And  as  it  was  well  known  he  had  never  been  used  to  keep  his  own 
Person  near  his  Army,  perhaps  it  may  be  pertinently  asked,  Why  he  was 
pitched  upon  to  take  the  Command.^  Your  Delegates,  I  can  assure  you, 
were  utterly  against  it.  And,  notwithstanding  it  was  publishd  in  one  of 
the  Boston  News  papers,  said  to  be  warranted  by  a  Letter  from  this  City, 
that  General  Schuyler  had  the  entire  Confidence  of  Congress,  there  were 
five  only  of  eleven  States  present,  in  favor  of  it.  The  Paper  I  think  was 
of  the  5th  of  June.*  I  wish  I  could  know  who  gave  the  Letter  to  the 
Printer.  In  order,  I  suppose,  to  give  Credit  to  that  Letter,  there  was 
another  Publication  in  the  Papers  here,  informing  the  World,  that  when 
he  set  off  for  the  Northern  Department,  he  was  accompanied  by  the  Pres- 
ident and  other  Members  of  Congress,  which  I  take  for  granted  is  true.^ 
These  are  trifling  political  Manuvres  similar  to  those  which  we  have 
formerly  seen  practicd  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  when  a  Prop  was  wanted 
for  a  sinking  Character.  You  may  think  them  not  worth  your  Notice ; 
Excuse  my  troubling  you  with  them.  Cunning  Politicians  often  make 
use  of  the  Names  of  Persons,  and  sometimes  of  the  Persons  themselves, 
who  have  not  the  least  Suspicion  of  it,  to  serve  their  own  designs.  When 
I  mentiond  five  out  of  Eleven  I  should  have  explaind  my  self.  There  were 
five  States  for  the  Measure,  four  against  it  and  two  divided.  Had  not  the 
State  of  Rhode  Island  been  at  that  Juncture  accidentally  unrepresented, 
there  would  have  been  an  equal  Division,  and  the  Measure  would  have 
been  prevented."  The  most  important  Events  may  sometimes  depend  upon 
small  Circumstances.  Some  Gentlemen  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.  are  exceed- 
ingly attachd  to  G.  Schuyler.    They  represent  him  as  Instar  Omnium  in 

[568]'^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  344;  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  395. 

2  See  his  letter  to  Warren,  July  22,  in  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  J43;  also 
Warren's  letters  to  John  Adams,  July  10,  11,  Aug.  10,  ibid.,  I.  340,  342,  347. 

8  See  the  Journals,  May  15,  22;  cf.  no.  553,  ante. 

*  In  the  Independent  Chronicle  (Boston),  June  12,  1777,  is  found  the  following 
"  Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Philadelphia,  May  27  " :  "  General  Schuyler  will  return  to 
the  Northern  Department,  possessed  of  the  full  Gonfidence  of  Congress,  his  Conduct  has 
been  fully  enquired  into,  and  the  Congress  have  given  very  honorable  Proofs  of  their 
good  opinion  of  him."    Cf.  nos.  560A,  562A,  ante. 

5  "  On  Wednesday  last  the  Hon.  Major  General  Schuyler  left  this  city  to  repair 
to  his  command  in  the  Northern  department.  The  President  and  several  Members  of 
Congress  accompanied  him  some  miles  out  of  town."  Pennsylvania  Evening  Post, 
May  31,  1777.    Wednesday  was  the  28th.    See  no.  504,  note  3,  ante. 

6  The  vote  of  May  22  in  Schuyler's  favor  is  mentioned  by  Lovell,  in  a  letter  of 
that  date  to  Gen.  Gates  (no.  502,  ante),  as  "  5  to  4  and  2  divided".  Cf.  no.  515,  ante, 
nos.  574,  58s,  post.  Concerning  that  controversy,  see  nos.  453,  461,  472,  483,  495,  502, 
511,  515,  517-520,  ante. 


434  Continental  Congress 

the  Northern  Department.  After  all  that  has  been  said,  I  conceive  of  him, 
as  I  have  for  a  lunj^  time,  excellently  well  qualified  for  a  Commissary  or 
(Juartermaster,  Tlie  N.  E.  Delei^ates  were  (perhaps  one  excepted)  to  a 
Man  against  his  having  the  Command  of  that  Army.  But  of  this  I  will 
write  particularly  in  another  Letter. 

I  am  not  willing  to  prejudge,  but  I  must  say,  it  is  difficult  to  reconcile 
the  sudden  Evacuation  of  Ty.  with  the  previous  flattering  Letters  of 
General  St.  Clare.  In  one  of  his  Letters  written  but  a  few  days  before  he 
says  "  My  People  are  in  the  best  Disposition  possible  and  I  have  no  Doubt 
about  giving  a  good  Account  of  the  Enemy  if  they  shall  think  proper  to 
attack  us."  ^  He  has  been  esteemed  here  a  good  officer  and  in  his  Letter 
he  bespeaks  the  Candor  of  the  Publick  till  he  can  be  heard.  Pains  will  be 
taken  to  lay  the  Blame  upon  the  N.  E.  States,  for  not  furnishing  their 
Quota  of  Men.  I  wish  therefore  you  would  procure  for  me  an  authentick 
Account  of  the  Number  of  Men,  both  regular  and  Militia  sent  to  the 
Northward  from  our  State,  and  how  they  were  cloathd  and  armd.  You 
may  remember  that  Congress  recommended  to  the  Eastern  States,  some 
time  I  think  in  December  last,  to  send  a  Reinforcement  of  Militia  to 
Ticonderoga,  to  remain  there  till  they  could  be  replacd  by  Continental 
Troops  then  raising.^  I  have  never  been  informd  of  the  Effect  of  that 
Recommendation — or  if  I  have  I  do  not  recollect  it.  Pray  put  it  in  our 
Power  to  state  Facts  precisely  as  far  as  they  regard  our  State.  It  is 
agreed  on  all  Sides  that  a  Fault  lies  some  where.  I  hope  the  Truth  will  be 
thoroughly  investigated,  and  to  use  the  homely  Proverb,  the  Saddle  laid 
on  the  right  Horse.® .... 

569.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Dear  Sir, 

....  Congress  have  orderd  that  an  Enquiry  be  made  into  the  Reasons 
of  the  Evacuation  of  Tyconderoga  and  Mount  Independence  and  into  the 
Conduct  of  the  General  officers  who  were  in  the  Northn.  Departmt.  at 
the  time  of  the  Evacuation.^ .... 

It  appears  to  me  difficult  to  account  for  the  Evacuation  of  those  Posts 
even  upon  the  Principle  of  Cowardice.    The  whole  Conduct  seems  to  carry 

'  St.  Qair's  letters  to  Schuyler,  June  25,  July  8,  are  in  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  II.  510,  513. 

8  Cf.  nos.  556,  564,  565,  566,  afite.  The  resolution  referred  to  is  in  the  Journals, 
Dec.  24,  1776.    See  also  the  resolves  of  Apr.  29,  1777. 

9  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  30,  Aug.  i,  3,  4;  also  nos.  569-572,  574.  578-580,  585, 
587,  597.  598,  609,  611,  post.  Cf.  no.  553,  note  3,  ante.  In  the  Pennsylvania  Evening 
Post,  July  24,  is  "  A  Card  "  concerning  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga,  the  tone  of  which 
suggests  that  Samuel  Adams  may  have  been  its  author. 

[sSg]''- Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  346;  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  398. 

2  See  no.  568,  ante.  A  letter  to  General  Washington,  Aug.  2,  written  by  Samuel 
Adams  and  signed  also  by  John  Adams,  Nathaniel  Folsom,  Henry  Marchant,  Elbridge 
Gerry,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  and  William  Williams,  bespeaking  the  appointment  of  General 
Gates  to  the  northern  command,  is  found  in  the  Writings  of  Washington  (ed.  Ford) ,  VI. 
4,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  14;  Wells,  Life  of  Samuel  Adams,  II.  487.  Washington  asked 
(letter  to  Congress  Aug.  3)  to  be  excused  from  making  the  appointm.ent.  Cf.  no. 
579,  post. 


August,  7777  435 

the  evident  Marks  of  Deliberation  and  Design.     My  utmost  Endeavors 
shall  not  be  wanting  to  have  the  Matter  searched  to  the  Bottom.^ .... 

Philada.,  Augt.  I,  '77 

570.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Friday  August  ist.  1777. 
(In  confidence) 

My  Dear  Sir, 

You  will  easily  guess  that  some  of  your  friends  here  have  had  a  task 
indeed  to  get  so  much  justice  done  to  the  public  as  to  call  Schuyler  and 
St.  Clair,  Poor,  Patterson  and  Fermoy  to  Head  Quarters,  and  direct 
General  W to  send  a  proper  officer  to  command  in  the  Northern  De- 
partment,    hot  work  from  last  Saturday." .... 

571.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut.^ 

2.  Aug.  [1777-] 
Sr. 

Since  sealing  my  Letters  "  and  [coming]' 
to  Congress  I  found  an  oppertu[nity  to] 
extract  the  partes  respecting  th[e] 
Northern  Affairs  etc.    While  th[e] 
Members  are  loitering,  which  [         ] 
you  be  willing  to  see.*    They  [are] 
mangled,  and  garbled,  from  w^ha[t  was] 
the  original  Plan  :  and  with  great 
difficulty  W'e  avoided  the  Order  to 
Schuyler  from  standing,  that  He 
repair  to  Congress,  to  give  an 
Acct.  of  the  State  of  Affairs  in  his 
Department  in  stead  of  repairing 
to  Head  Quarters.^ .... 

Your  most  dutiful  and  obedt. 
Son  and  Servt. 

W  [Williams] 
his  Excellency 

Gov.  Trumbull. 

3  Cf.  sundry  letters  of  Adams,  Aug.  5,  7,  8,  11,  12,  13,  in  Writings  (ed.  Gushing), 
III.  400-408.  The  letter  of  Aug.  12  (to  James  Warren)  is  also  in  Warren-Adams 
Letters,  I.  351. 

[570]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  385;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Ban- 
croft Coll.,  Langdon-Elwyn  Papers  (copy). 

2  See  nos.  565,  568,  569,  ante;  cf.  nos.  571,  572,  574,  578,  579,  post. 
[571]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Jonathan  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  No  earlier  letter  of  Aug.  2  has  been  found.  For  a  letter  written  in  the  evening 
of  the  same  day,  marked  "  3d  Letter  ",  see  no.  572,  post. 

3  A  part  of  the  right-hand  margin  of  this  letter  has  been  torn  away.  The 
conjectural  words  may  not  in  every  instance  fill  the  entire  gap. 

*  On  the  first  sheet  of  this  letter  are  copies  of  resolves  of  July  29,  31,  Aug.  i. 
s  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  i ;  cf.  nos.  563-566,  568,  570,  ante,  nos.  572,  574.  578, 
579,  post. 


436  Contincntol  Congress 

572.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).* 

Ph.  2d  Aug.  p  m  1777 

Hon''  Sir 

Congress  have  this  Day  reed,  a  number  and  very  large  Letters  from 
Dr  Franklin  Mr  Lee  and  Dean,  with  a  great  variety  of  Papers,  the  Letters 
from  12  Mar.  to  abt  the  26  May.  tis  vain  for  me  to  attempt  any  particular 
acco.  of  their  Contents.^ ....  Schuyler  I  dare  say  is  removed  forever.' 
You  will  improve  these  broken  hints,  to  the  greatest  advantage, 
have  wrote  so  much,  I  must  Cease  once  more. 

Your  most  affect*.  Dutiful  Son  and  Servt 

W  Williams 


573.  The  President  of  Congress  to  William  Heath.* 

Philada.  Aug  2d,  1777. 

Sir, 

You  will  perceive  from  the  enclosed  Resolve,  that  your  Letter  of  the 
27  [17]  of  May,  ulto.,  was  duly  received,  and  laid  before  Congress;  and 
that  they  have  directed  you  to  make  Enquiry  into  the  Fact  set  forth  by  the 
Committee  of  Salem,  with  Respect  to  Fry's  Insanity,  not  because  Con- 
gress have  any  doubt,  of  their  having  represented  the  Matter  as  it  appeared 
to  the  Committee,  but  because  the  Crime  is  the  most  atrocious  and  detest- 
able, and  should  never  on  any  Account  or  Pretence  whatever,  pass  with 
Impunity,  where  the  Person  committing  it  has  the  proper  Exercise  of  his 
Faculties.^ 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Attention  to  the  Resolve  as  the  Rule  of  your 
Conduct,  and  have  the  Honour  to  be,  Sir 

Your  most  obdt  and  Very  hble  Serv't 

John  Hancock  Presid. 

Honble  Major  Genl.  Heath. 

[572]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  William  Williams  Papers.     On  the  wrapper  of  the  letter  is 

found  the  following  notation  :   "  Pr  Mr  Hunt    3d  Letter    2d  inclosed  ". 

2  Williams  nevertheless  summarizes  the  more  important  matters  in  the  letters  of 
the  commissioners.  (The  letters  are  in  Wharton.  Rev.  Dtpl.  Corr.,  H.  283-327.)  See  the 
Journals,  Aug.  i,  2,  3,  5.  Cf.  nos.  576,  586,  post;  also  Samuel  Adams  to  Samuel  Free- 
man, Aug.  5,  and  to  John  Langdon,  Aug.  7,  Writings,  HI.  400,  401. 

3  See  no.  571,  ante. 

[573]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Heath  Papers,  VI.;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont. 
Cong.,  no.  58.  pt.  n.,  p.  236. 

2  In  regard  to  the  case  of  Peter  Pickman  Frye,  see  the  Journals,  June  2,  9,  20;  also 
Heath  to  Washington,  May  19,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  IV.  98.  No 
explanation  has  been  discovered  why  a  resolution  of  June  20  should  not  be  reported  to 
General  Heath  until  Aug.  2.  A  few  weeks  later  trye  was  reprieved.  See  the  Diary  of 
William  Pynchon  (ed.  F.  E.  Oliver),  pp.  38,  39;  The  Holyoke  Diaries,  pp.  96,  99; 
and  the  Boston  Gazette,  Sept.  15,  1777. 


August,  7777  4:37 

574.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

August  4th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  paper  of  Duulap  will  show  you  how  we  go  on  both  as  to  Ty  and 

Europe.'    New  York  pushed  for  a  reference  to  General  W as  to 

the  successor  of  Schuyler,  intending  and  attempting  to  prevent  G ^ 

from  being  sent ;  but  it  was  referred  back  to  us  and  we  were  11  to  i  which 
is  far  from  5  to  4,  and  2  divided.* .... 


575.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Philadelphia  August  5th  1777. 
D.  Sir 

....  The  Business  relative  to  Colo.  Shepherds  Battalion,  and  the 
Artilary  Company  underwent  no  delay  except  what  was  absolutely  Neces- 
sary for  the  several  references  and  reports  Incident  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment. The  result  on  Both  was,  the  Battalion  was  taken  into  continental 
pay  as  one  of  the  16.  (the  Stipulations  of  the  Assembly  being  observed) 
the  Company  also  taken  into  pay  (but  not  annexed  to  any  Battalion)  and 
both  are  ordered  to  Join  the  Grand  army  without  delay.^  the  resolutions 
relative  to  these  were  transmitted  to  you  both  by  the  Board  of  War  and  by 
me,  and  Inclosed  Duplicates  of  that  relative  to  the  Battalion.^ .... 

[574]!  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  387;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft 
Coll.,  Langdon-Elwyn  Papers  (copy). 

2  In  the  Pennsylvania  Packet  (published  by  William  Dunlap),  July  22,  was 
printed  St.  Qair's  letter  to  Congress,  July  14,  together  with  the  council  of  war  of  July 
5,  relative  to  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independence  (see  no.  5561 
ante).  In  the  issue  of  July  29  is  a  discussion  of  this  letter,  and  also  other  items  pertain- 
ing to  the  Ticonderoga  affair.  In  the  issue  of  Aug.  5  is  a  letter  from  St.  Clair  to 
John  Jay,  July  25 ;  also  extracts  from  the  Journals,  July  29  to  Aug.  3. 

Touching  the  European  situation,  in  the  issue  of  July  22  is  an  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Bordeaux,  May  17 :  "  The  news  is,  that  Messrs.  Franklin  and  Deane  are  well,  and  always 
well  received  at  Court,  both  by  Princes  and  Lords."  Another  extract  of  a  letter  from 
Bordeaux,  May  15,  is  found  in  the  issue  of  July  29:  "Everything  is  in  favor  of  the 
Americans;  and  if  war  is  not  declared  between  France  and  England,  there  is  every 
appearance  of  very  considerable  assistance  of  necessaries." 

3  General  Gates.    Cf.  nos.  565,  570,  571,  ante,  and  no.  579,  post. 

■*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  4.  The  words  "5  to  4  and  2  divided "  refer  to  the 
vote,  May  22,  for  placing  Schuyler  in  command  in  the  Northern  department.  Cf.  nos. 
502,  568,  ante,  and  nos.  579,  585,  post. 

1575]^  N.  C.  Hist.  Comm.  (copy)  ;  N.  C.  State  Rccs.,  XL  558. 

2  Burke  is  replying  particularly  to  Caswell's  letter  of  July  15  (N.  C.  State  Recs., 
XL  737).  Concerning  Col.  Abraham  Sheppard's  battalion,  see  the  Journals,  June  10 
(p.  450),  17;  also  Hancock  to  Washington,  June  13,  in  Letters  to  Washington  (ed. 
Sparks),  I.  381.  Correspondence  concerning  the  battahon  is  in  A''.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL 
430,  456,  465,  467.  470,  494,  496,  500.  501,  507,  587,  602,  603,  614,  616,  679,  737.  Concerning 
the  artillery  company,  see  ibid.,  XL  500,  602,  603,  614.  616,  and  the  Journals,  July  10,  19. 

3  The  resolve  of  June  17  was  sent  to  Caswell  by  Burke  in  a  letter  of  June  18 
(N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  501),  and  duplicates  in  a  letter  of  June  27  (ibid.,  XL  507).  The 
resolution  relative  to  the  artillery  company  is  not  mentioned  in  Burke's  letters  of  July 
22  and  30,  A'^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  529,  549. 


438  Continental  Coigrcss 

576.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais/ 

PlIILADA.   5th  August    1777 

Dr  Sir, 

....  the  repeated  Instances  of  British  Cruelty  exercised  upon  Amer- 
ican Prisoners  particularly  those  produced  in  Doctor  Franklins  Letter  to 
Lord  Storniont  and  others  this  very  day  by  a  Master  of  a  Vessel  escaped 
from  N.  York  have  raised  a  spirit  which  will  soon  appear  with  the  Label 
of  Retaliation.^  when  the  Question  is  brought  I  will  oppose  it  in  part. 
I  abhor  the  practice  of  Cruelty  and  will  never  in  our  circumstances  con- 
sent to  make  Returns  except  in  cases  where  good  effects  may  be  expected. 
Circumstanced  as  we  are  a  general  and  rigid  Retaliation  wd  be  impolitic, 
the  common  people  of  England  are  our  Friends.  I  believe  their  infamous 
Leaders  have  strove  to  extort  Cruelty  to  prisoners  on  our  part  in  order  to 
enrage  and  unite  them  against  us.  nothing  less  will  make  them  our 
Enemies,  to  imprison  closely  and  if  occasion  require  to  hang  a  Prescot  ^ 
and  a  Barrington  for  Injuries  done  to  a  Lee  will  not  displease  but  rather 
be  applauded  by  those  common  people,  such  Strokes  I  have  no  objection 
to.  with  the  lower  Class  of  Soldiers  and  Seamen  I  would  contrast  Amer- 
ican humanity  against  British  Ferocity,  but  if  a  Douglas  or  a  Jordan 
could  be  handled  some  Atonement  should  be  made  for  the  Blood  of  Burke 
and  others  who  have  suffered  under  their  Barbarian  Hands 

The  late  flood  of  French  Men  rushed  in  upon  us  under  agreements  with 
Mr.  Deane  has  reduced  Congress  to  a  painful  dilemma  *  if  we  comply 

[576]'^  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  pp.  109,  iii,  112. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  i,  2,  3,  5;  cf.  no.  572,  ante.  The  letter  from  Franklin 
and  Deane  to  Lord  Stormont,  dated  Apr.  2,  together  with  the  de^positions  of  Eliphalet 
Downer  and  Seth  Clark,  was  printed  in  the  Pennsylvania  Evening  Post,  Aug.  5,  the 
Pennsylvania  Gazette,  Aug.  6,  and  the  Pennsylvania  Journal,  Aug.  6.  The  letter  is  found 
in  Franklin's  Writings  (ed.  Smyth),  VIL  36.  In  the  letter  of  Franklin  and  Deane 
to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  Mar.  12-Apr.  9  (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr., 
IL  283),  it  is  stated  that  copies  of  the  letter  and  depositions  were  enclosed. 

The  "  master  of  a  vessel "  was  John  Barret,  first  lieutenant  of  the  Raleigh  (see  the 
Journals,  Aug.  5).  For  earlier  action  by  Congress  of  the  nature  of  retaliation,  see 
the  Journals,  Jan.  2,  July  10,  1776;  Feb.  20,  June  9,  10,  1777.  Cf.  nos.  367,  403,  404,  407, 
ante.  July  19  Congress  ordered  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  conduct  of  the 
enemy  (see  the  Journals,  Apr.  18)  to  be  pubhshed  in  a  pamphlet  (see  Bibliographical 
Notes,  the  Journals,  IX.  1085).  The  report  and  accompanying  affidavits  were  published 
in  the  Philadelphia  papers  in  the  latter  part  of  April  and  early  May,  e.g.,  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Evening  Post,  April  24  to  May  3.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Aug.  9,  Nov.  19, 
Dec.  6,  16,  18. 

3  Brig.-Gen.  Richard  Prescott,  the  object  of  severe  denunciation  by  Americans 
for  his  harsh  treatment  of  Ethan  Allen  and  other  American  prisoners.  When  he  was 
taken  prisoner  himself  in  Canada  in  November,  1775,  Washington  proposed  to  retaliate 
upon  him  whatever  treatment  Ethan  Allen  might  be  subjected  to.  See  Washington  to 
Howe.  Dec.  18,  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  IV.  310,  and  Washington  to  Schuyler,  the 
same  date,  ibid.,  IV.  314,  and  passim,  also  ibid.,  fifth  ser.,  I.  and  II.,  passim.  Prescott 
was  exchanged  for  General  Sullivan  in  September,  1776.  He  was  again  taken  prisoner, 
together  with  his  aid-de-camp,  Maj.  William  Barrington,  in  Rhode  Island  in  July,  1777 
(see  the  Journals,  July  25),  and  although  Washington  proposed,  July  25,  an  exchange 
of  him  for  General  Lee,  the  exchange  was  not  effected  until  April,  1778.  See  the 
Journals,  July  19,  22,  25,  26,  Aug.  7,  Dec.  24,  1777;  Mar.  30,  Apr.  10,  1778.  _  An  interest- 
ing account  of  the  negotiation  for  this  exchange  is  related  by  Elias  Boudinot,  commis- 
sarj'-general  of  prisoners  (Boudinot,  Life  of  Elias  Boudinot,  I.  142-148). 

4  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  5,  Sept.  5,  8;  cf.  nos.  559,  561,  565,  ante,  581,  586,  632, 
648,  post. 


August,  7/77  439 

with  all  his  unwarrented  Contracts,  many  of  our  best  Generals  will  be 
greatly  affronted,  if  we  do  not,  the  United  States  will  be  exposed  to  the 
reproach  and  probable  resentment  of  Men  who  have  been  deceived  and 
ill  used,  some  of  these  have  been  very  clamorous  and  we  shall  be  obliged 
to  make  pecuniary  satisfaction  for  their  disappointment  of  Rank,  some 
of  them  by  the  by  prove  to  be  rank  Cheats,  nevertheless  they  have  Creden- 
tials from  our  Agent  Deane  and  must  be  provided  for  in  some  way.  Hol- 
zendorf  hung  a  long  time  upon  hand.  I  interposed  on  his  behalf  and 
obtamed  his  Commission  of  Lt.  Colonel  according  to  agreement  but  he  is 
not  employed."  this  so  far  looks  well  as  it  shews  these  people  we  are  not 
altogether  dependent  upon  Frenchmen,  the  Chevalier  Faliet «  who  in 
his  passage  from  Charles  Town  to  Virginia  had  been  taken  by  the  Daphne 
arrived  here  a  few  days  ago.  the  recommendation  of  Doctor  Franklin 
seconded  by  that  of  Monsr.  de  Coudrie  has  ensured  him  a  Majority,  a 
Commission  only  but  no  employment  at  present 

577.  George  Walton  to  George  Washington.' 

Philadelphia,  August  5,  1777. 

I  moved  Congress  a  few  days  ago,  to  order  Brigadier-General  Mcintosh 
from  his  Station  in  Georgia  to  join  the  grand  Army;  and  it  was  objected 
to,  because  it  was  feared  it  might  derange  the  Army,  or  that  you  would 
have  no  command  for  him.^  The  cause  of  my  having  made  this  proposi- 
tion was,  that  he  had  lately  fought  a  Duel  with  Governor  Gwinnett,  in 
which  the  latter  had  fallen;  and  I  was  afraid  the  friends  of  the  deceased 
made  sore  by  the  loss  of  their  principal,  would  again  blow  up  the  embers 
of  party  and  dissention,  and  disturb  the  harmony  and  vigour  of  the  Civil 
and  military  authorities. 

I  have  since  received  a  letter  from  Georgia,  proving  that  my  conjectures 
were  too  well  founded.  I  therefore  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  to  know, 
whether  it  will  be  convenient  and  agreeable  to  you  that  he  should  be 
ordered  to  join  the  grand  Army.^ 

He  is  a  man  of  sense  and  judgment,  with  a  great  experience  of  the 
world;  and,  in  point  of  bravery,  he  is  fit  to  fight  under  the  banners  of 
General  Washington. 

:u  Tj  ^  HoltzendorfF  was  one  of  the  officers  included  in  the  agreement,  Dec.  i,  1776. 
with  Baron  de  Kalb.  See  no.  565,  note  5,  ante.  It  would  appear  from  the  Journals, 
July  17  that  he  also  had  a  separate  agreement  with  Deane.  See  Wharton,  Rev  Dipl 
Corr.  11.  26r._  As  Laurens  did  not  attend  Congress  until  July  22,  it  is  not  clear  wherein 
his  mterposition  could  have  been  helpful  in  obtaining  for  Holtzendorff  a  commission 
already  authorized  by  Congress.    But  see  the  Journals,  July  30. 

«  The  Chevalier  de  Failly.    In  the  agreement  with  Deane  TWharton,  Rev.  Dit>l 
J^^u'S    ^^^^        ^^^  *°  ^^^^  *^^  '■^"^  °^  lieutenant-colonel.    See  the  Journals  Aug  s  • 
cf.  tbid.,  Aug.  13   21,  25.     See  also  Laurens  to  Lafayette,  Feb.  7,  Mar.  6,  1778,  in  the 
next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

[577]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVII.  182. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  i  (erased  entry,  p.  597). 
•    •      ..  ^7^^  resolve  was  passed  Aug.  6.    Washington's  reply  to  Walton,  dated  Aug  6. 
is  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Washington  Papers.    Cf.  no.  446,  ante.    See  also  no    ;84. 
post.  ^ 

33 


440  Continental  Congress 

I  have  the  happiness  to  be,  Sir,  your  Excellency's  most  Obedient 
Servant, 

Geo  Walton. 

NB.  As  I  intend  to  send  off  an  Express  to  Georgia  tomorrow  I  should 
be  obliged  by  an  answer  today. 

His  Excellency 

General  Washington. 

578.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

Philadelphia  agust  5th.  1777. 
Sir 

I  arrived  here  in  good  Health  the  20th.  of  July  on  my  joining  the  Con- 
gress I  found  them  worried  with  Petitions  from  a  great  Number  of  French 
gentlemen  for  Commissions  to  Serve  in  our  army  and  Continnue  to 
Plague  us  to  this  day.^ 

Saturday  mr.  Bass  Came  to  Congress  from  Portsmouth  and  brought 

Letters  from  ouer  agents  in  france  up  to  the  26th.  of  may the 

Loss  of  Ticonderoga  hes  given  grate  uneseyness :  Generall  Schyler  and 
Sant  C[l]aire  aire  orderd  to  head  Quarters  in  order  for  an  inquirey  into 
thaire  Condukt:  the  other  Generals  that  Sat  in  Counsel  aire  to  Stay  at 
thaire  Departments  till  General  Washington  thinks  they  Can  be  Recald 
without  hurting  the  Service :  General  Gates  is  orderd  to  take  the  Come- 
mand  in  the  northen  Department  Congress  have  Past  a  Resolve  that  New- 
hampshier,  Massachusetts  Conneticut  new  jersey  and  new  york  and  Penn- 
sylvania Raise  and  march  as  many  of  the  militia  to  Serve  in  the  northen 
Department  till  the  fifteenth  of  november  as  General  Gates  Shall  think 
Suffishent  for  the  Defence  of  that  Part  of  the  Cuntrey.^ ....  you  will 
See  by  the  Paper  Inclosed  that  the  Enemys  fleets  have  been  hovering 
abought  the  Capes  of  the  Delleware  amounteing  to  228  Saile  Till  fryday 
Last  and  have  Since  Disapeaird  it  is  Prity  Generely  thought  thay  aire 
bound  up  the  north  River  or  to  Rhode  island.* .... 

579.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut.^ 

Philadelphia  Aug.  6,  1777 
Hon'^  Sir 

....  Genl  Washington  yesterday  sent  in  a  Letter  beging  Congress 
to  excuse  him  from  appointing  the  Officer  to  the  Comand  of  the  Northern 
Army,  assigning  plausible  Reasons,  upon  which  Congress  took  it  up,  and 
appointed  Genl  Gates.  He  was  strenuously  opposed  by  N  York,  and  sup- 
ported by  N.  England  and  was  carried  by  almost  every  Vote.^    The  truth 

[578]  1  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 

2  Cf.  nos.  559,  56s,  576,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  30,  Aug.  i,  3.  4;  also  nos.  564-566,  568,  572,  574, 
ante,  nos.  579,  580,  587,  597,  598,  600,  609,  611,  post. 

*  See  no.  561,  ante,  no.  587,  post. 
[579]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Etting  Coll.,  Signers. 

2  Washington's  letter,  dated  Aug.  3,  was  read  in  Congress  Aug.  4,  and  the 
election  of  Gates  took  place  the  same  day.  Williams  may  therefore  have  written  on 
the  5th.    See  nos.  568-572,  574,  578,  ante. 


August,  lyyy  441 

is  Duane  etc,  had  earnestly  remonstrated  agst.  him  to  the  Genl  and  told 
him  it  wo''  greatly  disgust  their  Convention  etc.  (the  fact  is  Schuyler 
hates  him)  and  N.  Engld.  Delegates  had  written  to  the  Genl  in  favr.  of 
his  appointmt.'  and  so  I  conclude  He  was  embarrasd  and  chose  to  get  rid 
of  it,  and  it  has  turned  out  Well. 

I  hope  N  England  will  take  their  own  measures  to  drive  Burgoyne 
into  the  Lakes,  without  waiting  for  Congress  no  not  a  moment  their 
resolves  you  will  see  in  the  Paper,  can  it  be  that  N  E.  will  be  long  driven 
and  distresd  by  6000  men.  surely  we  can  eat  them  up  at  a  Meal.  O  That 
They  wo^  rouse  in  earnest  the  work  wo'^  be  short  and  easy.*  I  trust  they 
will,  and  the  more  for  the  late  shamefull  Conduct  to  say  no  more,  of 
St.  Clair  etc 

I  cannot  add  but  my  best  Regards  to  my  dear  Friends  and  that  I  am 
with  the  greatest  Respect  and  dutiful  Regard 

Your  most  Obed :  and  most  H  Servt 

W.  Williams 

His  Excellency  Govr.  Trumbull 

580.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

New  York  Assembly.^ 

Phila.  August  6th,  1777 
Gentlemeji, 

The  Congress  having  ordered  generals  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair  to  head- 
quarters that  an  enquiry  may  be  made  into  their  conduct  and  the  reasons 
of  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga,  they  have  directed  general  Gates  to  take 
the  command  in  that  department,  and  to  repair  thither  with  the  utmost 
expedition.^ 

In  the  present  critical  state  of  our  affairs  in  that  quarter  it  is  absolutely 
necessary,  that  some  vigorous  and  decisive  measures  should  be  taken,  to 
stop  the  progress  of  the  enemy.  These  steps  should  be  taken  as  early  as 
possible;  as  the  consequences  of  delay  may  be  extremely  disagreeable. 
From  the  great  advantage  our  enemies  have  over  us  in  the  facility  with 
which  their  troops  may  be  transported  by  sea  to  any  port  of  America,  they 
will  always  have  it  in  their  power  to  make  a  descent  before  the  continental 
army  can  possibly  arrive  to  oppose  them. 

The  militia  therefore  whenever  this  happens  must  be  depended  upon, 
and  their  exertions,  I  trust  will  never  be  wanting  when  called  on,  either  to 
defend  their  own  country,  or  to  join  with  the  army  of  the  united  states  to 
oppose  the  common  enemy,  I  am  therefore  most  earnestly  to  entreat  you 
will  order  such  part  of  your  militia  to  reinforce  the  army  under  general 

5  In  regard  to  this  letter,  see  no.  569,  note  2,  ante. 

*  Cf.  the  letters  of  Samuel  Adams  mentioned  under  no.  569,  note  3,  ante. 
[580]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers,  XI.  235;  Library  of  Congress,  Force 
Trans.,  Mass.  Recs.,  Letters,  1777-1778;  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVIII.  5;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov. 
Cong.j  II.  495.     This  was  a  circular  letter  to  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts,   Con- 
necticut, New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania. 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  30,  Aug.  i,  3,  4.    Cf.  nos.  560A,  562A,  563,  564,  565, 
568-572,  578,  579,  ante. 


442  Continental  Congress 

Gates  as  he  may  judg-e  sufficient  and  that  you  will  exert  yourselves  to 
comply  with  tiie  enclosed  requisition  of  Congress  without  the  least  delay.* 

The  Honble.    The  Assembly 
of  the  state  of  New  York 

581.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

August  7th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

....  Mr  Du  Coudray  has  put  in  a  memorial  and  petition  wherein  he 
requests  that  I  may  be  dismissed  from  any  Committee  relative  to  his 
affairs  and  that  no  attention  may  be  paid  to  any  thing  I  may  have  said 
relative  to  his  treaty  with  Mr  Deane.  Even  his  most  enamored  advocates 
did  not  think  proper  to  support  his  petition.     It  was  dismissed.^ 

582.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

August  8th.  1777. 
Sir, 

.  .  .  .  [P.  S.]  Walton  wrote  Arnold  that  he  was  not  likely  to  have  his 
old  date  of  rank  as  the  Eastern  States  were  particularly  against  it.  But 
he  "  excused  "  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut.  Upon  a  new  motion  to 
restore  his  rank,  two  days  have  been  spent,  and  finally  it  was  carried  in  the 
negative  w^hen  poor  Mass :  w^as  the  only  New  England  State  faulty. 
We  put  the  Yeas  and  Nays  of  each  member  in  the  Journals  if  any  Delegate 
desires  it.  N  H.  Con :  R.  I.  Georgia  Yea.  Mass.  York  Jersey :  Penn : 
Del :  Mar :  N.  C.  Nay.  It  was  really  a  question  between  Monarchical  and 
Republican  principles  put  at  a  most  critical  time.^ 

583.  Henry  Laurens  to  Robert  Howe.^ 

Philadelphia  7th  August  1777. 
Dear  General, 

About  the  22d.  July  ^  I  had  the  honour  of  delivering  Severally  your 
Letters  to  Congress  and  to  the  New  England  Delegates,    the  former  was 

8  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  3,  5.  6.  In  the  New  York  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers, 
II.  57,  is  a  copy,  in  the  writing  of  Charles  Thomson,  of  the  resolve,  Aug.  6  {Journals, 
p.  616,  second  paragraph  from  top),  giving  directions  to  Gates  in  regard  to  caUing  out 
the  militia,  wherein  the  word  "  impossible  "  is  used  instead  of  the  word  "  imprudent ", 
found  in  the  Journals. 

[581  ]i  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52,  vol.  II.,  p.  191  (copy)  ;  Library  of 
Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  391. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  6 ;  also  no.  559,  note  3,  ante,  nos.  586,  632,  648,  post. 

[582]!  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans..  Whipple,  p.  393;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib., 
Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52,  vol.  II.,  p.  190  (copy)  ;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Langdon- 
Elw>-n  Papers  (copy  of  part). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8.    Cf.  nos.  419,  476,  497,  ante,  and  nos.  583,  585,  586, 
607,  post.     See  also  the  Journals,  Nov.  29,  1777. 

[583]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-177?,,  p.  118.  The  letter  is 
addressed  to  General  Howe  at  "  Charles  Town  ". 

2  Laurens  took  his  seat  July  22.  See  his  letters  of  Aug.  11,  12  (nos.  584,  586, 
post).  John  Adams  wrote  to  his  wife  Aug.  19:  "They  have  sent  us  a  new  delegate 
whom  I  greatly  admire,  Mr.  Laurens,  their  Lieutenant-Governor,  a  gentleman  of  great 
fortune,  great  abilities,  modesty  and  integrity,  and  great  experience  too.  If  all  the 
States  would  send  us  such  men,  it  would  be  a  pleasure  to  be  here."  Familiar  Letters, 
p.  292. 


August,  7;77  443 

instantly  committed  to  the  Board  of  War  and  their  Report  followed  by 
a  confirmation  of  your  appointment  to  Cols.  Eveleigh  and  Mr.  Purcel,''  but 
for  your  fine  polite  Commercial  Story  which  must  have  cost  you  some 
labour  to  learn  and  given  you  much  pleasure  to  relate  no  more  notice  was 
taken  than  of  the  particular  kind  of  paper  upon  which  the  tale  was  told.* 
I  am  sure  I  thought  it  a  very  clever  thing  when  I  read  it  at  Mepkin  and 
sealed  it  up  so  nicely.     What  deal  of  writing  in  this  World  goes  for 
nothing,     in  that  class  your  other  Letter  touching  Rank  may  possibly  be 
found,  and  it  will,  if  one  may  judge  from  our  determination  two  days  ago 
upon  an  application  from  an  old  and  valuable  Servant  Mr  Gen  Arnold 
whose  prayer  to  be  restored  to  his  rank  was  rejected  notwithstanding  the 
acquiesence  of  Officers  whose  dates  are,  as  they  admit,  improperly,  prior 
to  his,    but  good  General  draw  no  hasty  conclusions  another  unexpected 
vote  may  turn  up  and  be  in  your  favour,    when  I  am  a  little  older  in  Con- 
gress I'll  try  hard  at  a  reformation  in  that  article  of  Rank    perseverincr  in 
the  present  mode  which  is  arbitrary'  and  often  Subject  to  Caprice  willliot 
promote  the  welfare  of  our  Army 

584.  Henry  Laurens  to  Lachlan  McIntosh." 

Philadelphia  nth  August  1777. 
Dear  Sir,  ^         ^^^ 

Some  where  on  my  journey  hither  your  favour  of  the  30th  May  over 
took  me,  at  my  arrival  I  put  it  into  the  hands  of  Colonel  Walton  the  verv 
Morning  after  I  reached  this  City  I  took  my  Seat  in  Congress  where  I  had 
intended  to  have  remained  a  silent  auditor  at  least  until  I  should  have 
perused  the  Journals  for  some  Months  back,  gained  a  clue  to  business  and 
an  acquaintance  with  Members  and  their  manners,  but  I  was  soon  pro- 
voked to  break  through  the  proscribed  bounds  and  to  oppose  a  random 
scheme  for  a  Western  enterprize  which  had  been  proposed  to  the  House 
as  equally  practicable  and  advantageous  and  which  to  my  amazement  the 
whole  House  appeared  to  have  adopted ; '  nothing  remained  to  do  on  their 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  22,  23.  If  Laurens  means  to  say  that  Congress  had  con- 
firmed Howe's  appomtments  of  Nicholas  Eveleigh  and  HeniV  Pur ceHhL  statement 
IS  mcorrect.  The  board  of  war  so  reported,  but  the  report  wa7postpo„ed  Tulf23  and 
for  some  unaccountable  reason  was  not  adopted  until  Feb    17    1778  •'"^J'^^,  ana 

of  Cong^rfsrillffrnnTr"^"^  '^'  "t^F^^i^  Commercial  Story'"  is  in  the  Library 
ot  Congress    i^apers  Cont   Cong.,  no.  160,  f.  360.    It  is  dated  June  8,  but  endorsed  bv 

C^arle'ston.  "'   ^"^^    ^-      ^^'   ^'''''    ^^^^"^^"    *^^    commercial    s'"uation    of 

r  o  i^ff  no    582,  a«f^,  nos.  585,  586,  607,  Post 
l584J^Mass.  Hist   Soc,  Washburn  Autographs,  Statesmen  and  Orators   p    11  •  S   C 

Mctt'o^f  at  Sava^^5!^^^-^°°''  '''"-'''''  '■  "^^  ^^^  ^^"^  -^  addres^ed^to^GeLS 
in  a  rJo'S'nfTfl  ^^e  expedition  ag^nst  West  Florida,  proposed  by  the  board  of  war 
Tulv  2?  no  Sih/  ■  '  ^^^''^  "P  '"  Congress  July  19,  24,  and  defoiitely  "postponed" 
T„w  T<^'  i^^'^A  '"  consequence   of   Laurens's  representations.      (See  the  Journals 

ivJn  ?  ?•  ^^'  ^^^  U-'  "f ^  "°'-  5^9^'  S59B,  ante.)  A  fuller  discussion  of  this  affair  is 
given  by  Laurens  in  his  letter  to  Rutledge,  Aug.  12,  no.  586,  post.  Concerning  a  pro- 
posed expedition  against  East  Florida,  see  Laurens  to  Rutledge,  June  3  1778  and 
Laurens  to  Houstoun,  Aug.  27,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  thesi  L.«^r^  '^  ' 


444  Continental  Congress 

part  but  to  vote  Men  and  Money.  I  saw  in  that  business  destruction  of  a 
number  of  honest  fellows  whom  we  want  excecdin^j^ly  for  better  employ- 
ment, disgrace  to  our  Arms  and  a  vast  increase  to  our  general  debt 
already  swelled  to  an  alarming  heigth  and  felt  that  I  should  rise  a 
criminal  if  I  forbore  to  say  every  thing  in  my  power  which  might  tend  to 
avert  such  evils.  I  delivered  my  sentiments  and  was  successful,  the 
question  had  scarcely  an  affirmative.  I  took  occasion  to  report  the  value 
and  at  the  same  time  the  precarious  and  dangerous  state  to  which  Georgia 
was  reduced,  wished  if  so  many  Men  as  had  been  talked  of  could  be  spared 
from  this  quarter,  they  might  be  immediately  ordered  to  that  Colony,  as 
well  for  its  protection  as  for  laying  the  foundation  of  an  enterprize  nearer 
home  which  at  a  proper  time  might  be  carried  into  execution  with  success 
and  which  would  work  half  the  Conquest  of  the  other  place  without 
marching  a  foot  towards  it.  before  I  sat  dowm  I  moved  for  a  Committee 
to  consider  the  State  of  Georgia  or  wished  to  second  the  Delegate  from 
thence  in  a  motion  to  that  effect,  in  consequence  of  these  suggestions  a 
Committee  was  appointed  whose  report  favorable  to  Georgia  and  I  hope 
very  agreeable  to  my  friend  Mr  Clay  and  yourself  you  will  receive  from 
Colonel  Walton.^  I  think  it  does  not  go  far  enough,  if  we  might  have 
raised  a  certain  number  of  Men  for  an  intended  service  full  of  perils  and 
almost  certain  shame  and  loss,  the  same  number  might  have  been  added 
for  the  security  of  Georgia  worth  ten  thousand  times  more,  estimating 
property,  than  the  other  would  have  been  if  w^e  had  conquered,  and  for 
conquering  a  good  barrier  and  removing  very  dangerous  Neighbors. 
these  matters  are  not  enjoined  in  secrecy  but  the  less  said  upon  what  we 
had  intended  or  do  intend  the  better,  let  our  Enemies  apprehend  by  our 
Silence,  we  Sleep.  I  have  been  driven  too  to  a  necessity  of  giving  my  old 
friend  Mcintosh  a  Character  in  open  Congress  in  opposition  to  the  insinua- 
tions of  some  of  his  back  friends  who  I  suppose  had  industriously  trans- 
mitted the  poison  to  a  few  Members,  I  did  not  find  a  difficult  task  in  that 
part,  the  Labour  was  pleasant  and  Gentlemen  generally  disposed  to  think 
favorably  of  him,  even  those  who  had  "  Seen  "  or  perhaps  received 
"  Letters  ",  retracted  as  soon  as  they  were  better  informed.  Colo.  Walton 
wnll  be  more  particular.* .... 

I  conclude  with  Compliments  to  Mrs.  Mcintosh  and  the  young  Gentle- 
men and  assurances  of  remaining  with  great  regard 

Dear  General 

Your  most  obedient  Servant 

Henry  Laurens. 

Genl.  Mcintosh  ^ 

3  The  committee  on  the  state  of  Georgia  was  appointed  July  25,  andmade  a  report 
July  30;  measures  were  adopted  by  Congress  Aug.  i,  and  the  officers  provided  for  in  the 
resolution  (including  Joseph  Clay  as  deputy  paymaster-general)  were  elected  Aug.  6. 
See  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  12,  15.    Cf.  no.  601,  post. 

*  See  no.  577,  ante. 

5  As  a  young  man  General  Mcintosh  had  lived  for  a  time  in  the  family  of 
Henry  Laurens  in  Charleston.  A  sketch  of  him  is  found  in  Appleton,  Cyclo.  of 
Am.  Biog. 


August,  i-jji  445 

585.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.' 

Philadelphia  nth.  Aug  1777. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  wrote  you  that  1 1  Colonies  in  12  sent  Gates ;  ^  and  the  12th  only 
made  objection,  that  he  had  addressed  the  Committees  of  the  Grants  by 
the  same  title  as  they  had  used  in  their  letters  to  him — miserable  objection! 

Jemmy  D '  promised  me  a  printed  copy  of  the  resolves  of  Congress 

of  the  30th.  of  June  which  the  New  York  Delegates  got  struck  ofif  but  he 
did  not  perform  his  promise,  though  I  told  him,  I  wanted  it  only  for  you. 
However  Town  has  given  them  to  the  world  at  large  to  praise  or  condemn 
as  shall  seem  best.*  It  was  scarcely  rub  and  go  by  the  absence  of  a  Jersey 
member.  The  expressions  are  no  encouragement  to  New  York  though  the 
petition  of  the  Grant-men  was  not  allowed. 

Commissary  Trumbull  has  at  last  got  free.^  Arnold  too  is  at  liberty 
to  quit.  He  conducted  almost  without  blemish  in  resigning,  if  a  man 
may  be  said  to  do  so,  who  leaves  a  patriotic  exertion  because  self  love  was 
injured  in  a  fanciful  right  incompatible  with  the  general  interest  of  the 
Union.®  Georgia  ^  wrote  that  he  could  not  expect  his  claimed  rank  would 
be  restored,  as  the  Eastern  States  were  set  against  it  though  he  owned  he 
had  made  an  exception  of  Con :  and  Rh :  Isl : —  If  any  member  demands 
it  the  yeas  and  nays  of  every  member  are  noted.  It  was  demanded  on  this 
mighty  occasion,  the  vote  against  restoration  being  7  to  4 : — 3  of  which 
4  were  N.  E.  and  Georgia  the  4th.  happening  all  to  be  single  voices — one 
of  your's  being  unwell  and  two  of  Connecticut  also  sick.  They  intend  to 
have  Mass  :  hanged  on  a  tree  we  being  all  4  of  a  mind,  as  were  all  the  rest 

except  General  R *  among  the  Pennsylvanians.     This  registering  is 

childish  for  if  I  am  at  a  loss  in  any  other  question,  I  can  defend  this 
against  a  crowd.® .... 

586.  Henry  Laurens  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).^ 

Philadelphia  12th  August  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

I  reached  this  City  the  21  July  and  next  morning  took  my  Seat  in  Con- 
gress where  I  found  upon  the  tapis  a  subject  not  well  understood  and 

[585]^  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  395;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib., 
Sparks  MSS.,  no.  52,  vol.  II.,  p.  191 J^  (copy)  ;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Langdon- 
Elwyn  Papers  (copy  of  part). 

2  See  no.  574,  ante. 

3  James  Duane.     Cf.  nos.  539,  556,  ante. 

*  Benjamin  Towne  was  publisher  of  the  Pennsylvania  Evening  Post.  The  resolu- 
tions of  June  30  relative  to  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  appeared  in  his  paper  Aug.  7. 
Apparently  no  separate  copy  of  the  resolutions  has  been  found,  as  the  Bibliographical 
Notes  (Journals,  IX.,  appendix)  do  not  mention  it. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  2,  6.    Cf.  nos.  529,  530,  543,  544.  548,  550,  554.  ante. 

8  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  8.    Cf.  nos.  582,  583,  ante,  nos.  586,  607,  post. 

7  That  is,  George  Walton,  delegate  from  Georgia.     See  no.  582,  ante. 

8  Daniel  Roberdeau.     See  the  yeas  and  nays  in  the  Journals,  Aug.  8. 

9  Cf.  no.  387,  ante,  and  no.  766,  post. 

l586]i  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  120.  A  draft  of  a  part 
of  this  letter  appears  in  the  letter-book  under  date  of  Aug.  11.  The  variations  from  this 
revision  are  not  considerable,  except  in  two  instances,  which  are  noted  below. 


446  Continental  Congress 

wliicli  came  to  be  ag-itatcd  w  itliin  ci^^lit  and  forty  hours,  an  expedition  to 
West  I-'lorida  projected  by  persons  out  of  doors  and  recommended  upon 
vag^ue  and  indi<^csted  plans  and  propositions,  adopted  by  a  few  within  and 
apparently  acquiesed  in  by  a  great  majority,  the  delegates  from  So 
Carolina  are  to  be  excepted.^ 

looo  or  1 200  Men  were  to  be  immediately  raised  and  embarked  in 
Battoes  on  the  Ohio  ^  and  proceed  down  the  Stream,  to  rely  for  assistance 
in  the  friendly  disposition  of  the  Inhabitants  on  the  Banks  of  Mississipi 
"  who  were  chiefly  emigrants  from  the  united  States  "  and  upon  the 
Governor  of  New  Orleans  for  supplies  of  Money  Cannon  and  Artillery 
Stores  and  upon  the  Strength  of  "  friendly  assurance  received  from  the 
Spaniards  "  The  troops  to  lie  perdue  in  a  certain  Cove  or  Bay  near  the 
mouth  of  the  River  till  intelligence  should  be  received  of  the  arrival  of 
"  3  or  4  Frigates  "  in  the  Bay  of  pansacola.*  these  were  to  attack  in  front 
and  aid  the  efforts  which  were  to  be  made  on  the  land  Side,  the  Frigates 
indeed  were  to  rendezvous  at  Havanna  from  whence  they  were  to  Sail 
when  advice  should  be  given  of  the  arrival  of  the  Troops  near  Orleans. 

the  intended  operations  to  be  kept  a  profound  Secret  and  the  whole 
coup  to  be  accomplished  between  the  midle  of  October  and  Christmas. 

The  Strength  of  the  Enemy  Supposed  to  be  about  800  Men  on  Shore 
and  one  Frigate  or  two  Sloops  of  War, 

Benefits  expected. 

an  acquisition  of  vast  Stores  of  Merchandize  and  other  valuables.* 
destruction  of  a  rising  trade  from  W.  Florida  to  Great  Britain  and 

the  English  West  Indies, 
a  14th  State  if  we  should  resolve  to  receive  it  into  our  confederacy. 
Lustre  reflected  upon  the  Arms  of  the  united  States.' 
In  answer  to  these  fine  things  it  was  said. 

The  projectors  should  have  been  present,  their  answ-er  to  many  ques- 
tions which  were  necessary  to  put  to  them  would  prove  they  had  not  fully 
considered  the  Subject  and  that  the  scheme  was  impracticable  upon  their 
principles. 

2  See  nos.  559A,  559B  (particularly  Thomson's  notes  of  Laurens's  remarks), 
and  584.  ante. 

3  The  draft  of  Aug.  11  has  "at  Fort  Pitt". 

*  Besides  some  differences  in  phraseology,  the  draft  of  Aug.  11  has  here  the 
additional  clause :  "  Where  vast  Magazines  of  Merchandize  Warlike  Stores  and  other 
valuables  were  to  be  seized  the  Town  and  fortifications  to  be  destroyed  or  reserved 
according  to  circumstances  ".  The  statement  in  the  close  of  the  paragraph  regarding 
the  rendezvous  at  Havana  is  not  found  in  the  earlier  draft. 

5  In  the  earlier  draft  this  passage  reads :  "  an  acquisition  of  necessary  articles 
for  our  Troops  and  Indian  Trade  and  of  other  effects  ".  In  the  other  items  of  expected 
benefits  there  are  variations  of  phrase  but  no  essential  differences  of  fact. 

^  At  this  point  the  draft  of  Aug.  11  has  the  following: 
"  I  listened  with  patience  to  the  reasonings  on  these  points  till  I  found  the  House 
hastening  into  the  measure  not  because  they  saw  the  way  but  rather  because  they  did 
not  and  had  relied  implicitly  upon  papers  sent  in  by  the  out  of  door  projectors  who  ought 
to  have  been  examined  pointedly  at  the  Bar  of  the  House,  my  objections  were  partly 
to  the  utility  in  our  present  circumstances  but  principally  against  the  practicability. 

"  W' ise  men  would  not  rely  upon  the  power  of  1000  or  1200  raw  Troops  to  dispossess 
a  number  not  ascertained  of  disciplined  and  well  armed,  nor  upon  a  junction  of  such 
Troops  and  Frigates  which  were  not  in  existance."     [The  draft  ends  here  A 


August,  7/77  447 

If  looo  or  1 200  Men  should  be  so  suddenly  raised  they  were  extremely 
wanted  to  act  against  the  British  Troops  in  this  quarter  and  move  as 
auxiliaries  in  the  Southern  States  now  held  by  a  tenure  very  little  better 
than  the  will  of  the  Enemy,  the  power  against  which  they  were  to  act  in 
West  Florida  was  confessedly  unknown  and  the  junction  of  Army  and 
Frigates  admitting  these  to  exist  precarious  in  the  highest  degree,  but 
where  were  the  Frigates?  if  we  had  "3  or  4"  to  spare  upon  foreign 
exploits  they  could  not  be  better  directed  than  by  order  to  scour  the  Coast 
from  E,  Florida  to  Cape  Fear  whence  in  all  probability  we  should  derive 
additional  Strength  to  our  Navy  and  open  the  passage  to  Charles  Town 
now  become  the  envy  of  British  Cruisers  and  the  emporium  of  at  least  one 
half  the  States.  Emigrants  from  these  States  had  in  general  abandoned 
us  and  our  Cause  in  search  of  Trade,  of  free  Imports  and  Exports,  from 
such  men  we  could  expect  neither  assistance  nor  secrecy,  on  the  contrary 
they  would  join  with  numerous  tribes  of  Indians  who  had  not  been 
thought  of  in  the  scheme  of  attack,  in  order  to  repel  our  Troops  as  the 
most  dangerous  invaders  whose  design  was  to  plunder  their  present  Stock 
and  to  cut  off  the  means  of  their  future  Supplies. 

the  Governor  of  Orleans  would  entertain  no  high  estimation  of  our 
political  forecast  should  we  embark  1200  Men  in  dependence  upon  him  at 
1000  Miles  distance  for  the  very  essentials  of  our  expedition  before  treaty 
or  even  consultation,  and  what  would  be  the  consequence  if  we  should. 
These  facts  of  success — 

If  our  Frigates  found  harbour  at  Havanna  we  should  remember  that 
Jamaica  afforded  safe  anchorage  to  a  large  squadron  of  British  Ships  of 
War  and  that  the  vulgar  Spaniard  for  a  little  Gold  would  convey  intelli- 
gence in  a  very  few  hours. 

1000  or  1200  Men  just  taken  from  the  Mountain  Air  and  Water  sent 
in  the  latter  end  of  October  and  November  to  lie  in  any  cove  of  brackish 
water  and  near  Salt  Marshes  would  sicken  and  die  very  fast,  even  upon 
the  fresh  River  wdiere  such  Men  were  exposed  to  night  dews  huddled 
together  and  lived  upon  Salt  food,  the  list  of  dead  and  non  effective  would 
increase  every  day. 

It  was  in  vain  to  hope  for  Secrecy  of  an  enterprize  which  had  been  often 
talked  of  in  different  States  and  long  suspected  by  the  Enemy. 

finally  that  vast  expence  of  Money  and  Men  and  further  disgrace  on  our 
Arms  would  be  the  result  of  so  mad  an  enterprize,  into  which  it  seemed 
Gentlemen  had  been  hastening  merely  because  they  could  not  see  their 
way. 

Your  Excellency  will  not  be  displeased  with  the  detail  of  this  affair  if 
you  think  the  termination  without  a  serious  question,  a  fortunate  event 
and  that  if  the  Expedition  had  been  attempted  and  failed  as  most  un- 
doubtedly it  would,  that  our  Enemies  would  have  been  furnished  with 
strong  arguments  for  moving  the  Creek  and  other  Indians  to  act  offen- 
sively against  So  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

from  the  above  circumstances  and  sorry  I  am  to  say,  more  than  a  few 
others  which  I  have  been  w'itness  to  in  Short  three  Weeks  I  can  hardly 
forbear  concluding  that  a  great  Assembly  is  in  its  dotage  and  that  happily 
for  us  our  Enemy  is  at  the  Same  time  very  infirm 


448  Continental  Congress 

A  late  determination  in  Cong^ress  relative  to  the  rank  of  a  good  old  Ser- 
vant Gcnl  Arnold  will  probably  deprive  us  of  that  OlTiccr  and  may  be 
attended  by  further  ill  ctlccts  in  the  Army,  the  reasoning  upon  this  occa- 
sion was  disgusting,  he  was  refused  not  because  he  was  deficient  in  merit 
or  that  his  demand  was  not  well  founded  but  because  he  asked  for  it  and 
that  granting  at  such  instance  would  be  derogatory  to  the  honour  of  Con- 
gress, it  would  be  tedious  to  relate  all  the  particulars  but  a  curious 
anecdote  will  arise  from  them.^  Our  proceedings  have  also  been  injudi- 
cious towards  many  of  the  French  and  other  foreign  Officers  too  hastily 
chartered  and  flooded  upon  us  by  Mr.  Deane.®  some  of  these  have  ad- 
dressed very  riotous  Letters  to  Congress  and  tis  too  certain  that  some  of 
them  have  solid  ground  for  Complaint.  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  besides 
disparaging  reports  of  Congress  at  the  Court  of  France  Actions  will  be 
brought  against  Mr.  Deane  for  breach  of  Covenants.®  he  has  certainly 
stretched  his  Commission  if  not  beyond  the  Letter  far  beyond  all  bounds 
of  discretion,  it  seems  as  if  he  could  not  say  nay  to  any  frenchman  who 
called  himself  Count  or  Chevalier 

The  Executive  Council  of  Pensylvania  by  recommendation  from  Con- 
gress had  framed  a  parole  to  be  signed  by  the  late  Officers  of  King  George. 
Governor  Penn  and  Mr.  Chief  Justice  Chew  to  whom  it  was  tendered 
having  in  the  most  indignant  terms  refused  to  comply,  were  taken  into 
Custody  this  morning  and  Congress  have  recommended  to  Send  them 
under  guard  to  Virginia  to  be  there  held  in  confinement.  It  will  be  no 
misfortune  if  every  other  King's  Officer  and  others  suspected  persons  who 
are  also  included  should  follow  the  example  of  these  leaders.^" .... 

I  have  not  the  least  doubt  of  the  good  wishes  of  all  the  Trading  and 
other  people  in  middle  Life  that  our  Independence  may  be  established, 
'tis  probable  they  hold  themselves  Interested  in  the  event  and  that  many 
thousands  already  anticipate  happiness  in  a  Land  of  Liberty,  the  more 
this  spirit  appears  or  is  even  suspected,  the  more  artfully  will  the  move 
ments  respecting  us  be  conducted  at  Versailles.  One  of  our  Agents, 
I  mean  no  offence,  has  not  discovered  competency  to  the  immense  work 
in  hand,  the  other  is  on  the  verge  of  Life  and  judging  from  the  ordinary 
course  of  nature  must  soon  drop.  I  have  urged  Congress  to  appoint  a 
proper  person  to  repair  to  France  in  order  to  act  as  a  Coadjutor  to  Doctor 
Franklin  while  he  lives,  and  in  his  Stead,  in  case  of  Sudden  death.^^  a 
precaution  like  this,  a  wise  man  w'ould  take  where  the  Interest  of  a  distant 
Rice  and  Indigo  Plantation  was  concerned  and  by  Heavens  Sir  we  wont 

7  Cf.  nos.  582,  583,  58s,  ante,  no.  687,  post. 

8  See  nos.  559.  561,  565,  576,  581,  ante,  nos.  632,  648,  734,  753,  760,  769,  770,  post. 

8  A  motion  for  Deane's  recall  had  been  offered  in  Congress  Aug.  5  (see  the 
foot-note  in  the  Journals,  under  Aug.  5,  p.  605),  but  it  was  not  until  Nov.  21  that  such 
a  motion  prevailed  (see  no.  565,  ante,  no.  753,  post).  Meanwhile,  on  Sept.  8,  Congress 
definitely  declared  that  as  Deane's  conventions  were  without  authority,  Congress  was 
not  bound  to  ratify  or  fulfill  them. 

1°  See  the  Journals,  July  31,  Aug.  12;  also  the  further  statement  in  this  letter, 
added  Aug.  15,  and  note  13,  below. 

11  Silas  Deane.     "  The  other  "  is  of  course  Franklin. 

12  The  Journals  contain  no  record  of  a  motion  of  this  kind.  Upon  the  recall 
of  Deane  (Nov.  21)  John  Adams  was  elected  commissioner  to  France  in  his  stead 
(Nov.  28;  see  no.  753,  post). 


11 


August,  I///  449 

feel  for  the  salvation  of  thirteen  plantations  1700  Miles  long  and  at  a 
distance  of  a  Thousand  Leagues,  with  submission  I  think  our  Treaties 
have  been  prematurely  offered.  proiX)sals  should  have  commenced  on 
the  other  side  or  if  on  ours  not  plumply  by  a  Schedule  of  all  we  would 
yield 

ijth  Mr.  Penn  and  Mr.  Chew  have  been  introduced  by  motion  in  Con- 
gress from  a  member  as  willing  now  to  give  their  parole,  the  mode  was 
objected  to  and  after  seven  hours  one  day  and  four  another  wasted  in 
debate  a  Letter  from  the  former  and  a  Memorial  from  the  other  Gentle- 
man conceived  in  terms  which  after  a  gross  affront.  "  I  despise  the 
Authority  " ,  would  not  have  been  admitted  as  satisfactory  by  a  private 
Gentleman,  have  gained  their  point.  Congress  accepts  their  parol  with- 
out concurrence  of  the  Executive  Council  whose  authority  derived  if  not 
from  a  certain  Law  from  recommendation  of  Congress  had  been  con- 
temned, private  conversation  between  a  Member  of  Congress  and  Secre- 
tary of  Council  is  received  for  good  evidence  and  is  even  entered  upon  the 
Journal  altho  contradicted  by  other  Members  who  had  conversed  with 
Members  of  the  Council. ^^  judge  Sir  from  this  Specimen,  of  our  ability 
to  keep  the  mighty  Machine  in  its  proper  direction.  My  Colleagues  see 
and  own  the  justness  of  my  Complaints  and  are  as  anxious  to  get  away, 
what  am  I  to  do.  I  will  do  everything  in  my  power  for  the  Service  of  the 
particular  State  which  I  represent  nor  do  I  apprehend  (from  the  giving 
and  granting  Spirit  of  the  times)  I  shall  meet  difKculty  in  obtaining  every 
proper  consideration  towards  my  Constituents  but  alas  Sir  what  will  this 
avail,  unless  by  wiser  management  than  I  have  yet  been  witness  to,  we 
conserve  the  whole  System. 

Some  of  these  intimations  appear  to  me  to  be  important  and  to  merit 
the  consideration  of  every  man  embarked  in  the  great  cause  of  American 
Liberty.  Your  Excellency  will  excuse  what  are  not  so  and  courteously 
accept  the  whole  intended  as  a  mark  of  Esteem  and  respect  with  which  I 
have  the  honour  to  be  etc. 

587.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

Philadelphia  agust  the  12th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

I  Reed,  your  Kind  feavover  of  the  first  Instant  in  which  you  have 
Represented  the  Effect  and  Consequence  that  have  taken  Place  with  the 
People  at  Large  by  the  Loss  of  that  important  fortrise  tyconderoga,  and 
I  find  them  the  Same  that  w^ase  Expected  by  all  the  Newengland  Delle- 
gates,  and  mad  use  of  in  thaire  arguements  in  Congress  for  the  Recalling 
of  the  Generals  Schyler  and  Sa*  Clare  and  for  an  inquirey  in  to  thaire 
conduct  for  three  Days  togather  abought  Eighteen  Days  agoe,  which  wase 
most  voilently  aposed  by  the  New  york  and  Some  of  the  Southern  mem- 
bers, but  at  last  Carried  by  a  Large  majorety,  and  a  Committe  appointed 

13  See  note  10,  above ;  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  13,  14,  28.    Cf.  no.  567,  note  2,  ante, 
nos.  619,  627,  630,  633.  634,  post. 

[587]!  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 


450  Continental  Congress 

in  Congress  to  report  the  mode  of  inqiierey.  General  Gates  is  apinted  to 
take  the  Comand  in  the  northern  Department  and  went  off  Last  Thurs- 
day.^  .  .  . 

Hows  fleet  waire  Seen  Last  thursday  forty  five  miles  Southward  of  the 
Capes  of  the  Deleware  wdiich  ware  the  Last  Congress  heard  of  them  his 
difTcrant  menovers  have  Puseld.  us  all  ^  Genl.  Washington  is  now  at 
Coroels  feray  *  with  the  bigest  half  of  the  armey  waiteing  the  moshon  of 
the  Enemy,  the  Congres  wood  be  Glad  mr.  how  wood  Come  up  the 
Deleware  all  most  to  a  man  because  it  Give  you  an  oppertunety  to  Scurge 
those  Sons  of  murder  in  the  north,  the  wather  here  is  Excedeing  Hot 
the  Post  is  waiteing.    I  am  with  Grate  Respect  your  Hum'*".  Servent 

Nathl.  Folsom 
to  Coll.  Josiah  Bartlet 

588.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  to  Benjamin  Franklin.* 

DOUHOREGAN  AnNE  ArUNDEL  CoUNTY 

1 2th.  August  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

P.  S.  In  reading  over  my  letter  I  find  I  have  omitted  some  things, 
which  you  may  be  desirous  to  know :  probably  you  will  be  informed  of 
them  by  others,  but  lest  you  should  not,  I  shall  mention  such  as  I  think  will 
be  most  interesting;  indeed  to  a  person  3000  miles  off  the  most  trifling 
circumstances  are  interesting.  We  have  not  yet  confederated,  but  almost 
every  member  of  Congress  is  anxious  for  a  Confederacy,  being  sensible, 
that  a  Confederacy  formed  on  a  rational  plan  will  certainly  add  much 
weight  and  consequence  to  the  united  States  collectively  and  give  great 
Security  to  each  individually,  and  a  credit  also  to  our  paper  money :  but 
I  despair  of  such  a  confederacy,  as  ought,  and  would  take  place,  if  little 
and  partial  interests  could  be  laid  aside :  very  few,  and  immaterial,  altera- 
tions will  be  made  in  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  the  whole  house ;  this 
is  only  my  opinion,  for  we  have  made  but  very  little  progress  in  the  house 
in  that  important  affair;  immediate  and  more  pressing  exigencies  having 

2  See  no.  578,  ante,  and  nos.  598,  609,  611,  post.  John  Adams  wrote  to  his  wife 
Aug.  II  (Familiar  Letters,  p.  289):  "We  have  given  New  England  men  what  they 
will  think  a  complete  triumph  in  the  removal  of  Generals  from  the  northward  and 
sending  Gates  there,  hope  every  part  of  New  England  will  now  exert  itself  to  its 
utmost  efforts."  Cornelius  Harnett  wrote  to  Governor  Caswell  Aug.  11:  "Gen.  Gates 
is  gone  to  take  command  of  our  army  in  the  Northern  Department,  and  we  have  great 
expectation  from  that  Gentleman's  military  abilities  that  an  immediate  change  will  take 
place,  as  the  New  England  people  have  a  high  esteem  for  him."  A^.  C.  State  Recs., 
XI.  569.     See  also  his  letter  to  William  Wilkinson,  same  date,  ibid.,  XL  748. 

The  omitted  passage  relates  to  the  letters  recently  received  from  the  commissioners 
in  Paris.    See  nos.  572,  576,  578,  586,  ante. 

3  See  nos.  561,  578,  ante. 

*  Coryell's  Ferry,  on  the  Delaware  River  above  Philadelphia.  Washington's 
headquarters  at  this  time  were  at  Neshaminy  Camp,  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  about 
twentv  miles  north  of  Philadelphia. 

[588]!  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Franklin  Papers,  vol.  VI.,  (II.),  no.  188;  Rowland,  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carrollton,  I.  206. 


August,  ly'j'j  451 

from  time  to  time  postponed  the  consideration  of  it  to  this  day,  when,  I 
am  informed,  it  is  to  be  again  resumed.^  If  this  war  should  be  of  any 
considerable  duration,  we  shall  want  men  to  recruit  our  armies :  could  we 
engage  5  or  6  thousand  men,  Germans,  Swiss,  or  the  irish  Brigade?  I 
have  mentioned  this  matter  to  several  members  of  Congress,  but  they  did 
not  seem  to  relish  the  introduction  of  foreign  mercenaries ;  I  own  it  ought 
to  be  avoided,  if  possible.* .  .  .  ,  This  postscript  is  longer  than  my  letter ; 
excuse  the  length  of  both,  and  believe  me  to  be 

Dr.  Sir  yr.  affectionate  hum^.  Servt. 

Ch.  Carroll  of  Carrollton 

2  The  Journals  do  not  record  that  Aug.  12  was  set  for  considering  the  Con- 
federation. On  Aug.  16  consideration  of  the  Articles  was  assigned  for  Monday,  the 
i8th,  but  it  does  not  appear  in  the  Journals  that  they  were  taken  up  on  that  day,  in  fact 
not  until  Oct.  7.  See  nos.  528,  note  2,  537,  556,  558,  ante,  and  nos.  616,  631,  649,  659, 
671,  679,  post. 

3  Silas  Deane  wrote  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence  Nov.  28,  1776 : 
"  I  have  been  offered  troops  from  Germany  on  the  following  general  terms,  viz :  Officers 
to  recruit  as  for  the  service  of  France  and  embark  for  St.  Domingo  from  Dunkirk, 
and  by  altering  their  route  land  in  the  American  States.  The  same  has  been  proposed 
from  Switzerland,  to  which  I  could  give  no  encouragement,  but  submit  it  to  your  con- 
sideration in  Congress  whether,  if  you  can  establish  a  credit,  as  I  have  before  hinted,  it 
would  not  be  well  to  purchase  at  Leghorn  five  or  six  stout  frigates  which  might  at  once 
transport  some  companies  of  Swiss  and  a  quantity  of  stores,  and  the  whole  be  defended 
by  the  Swiss  soldiers  on  their  passage?  Or,  if  you  prefer  Germans,  which  I  really  do 
not,  the  vessels  might  go  from  Dunkirk."  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  196.  Dec.  3 
he  wrote  to  John  Jay:  "You  may,  if  you  judge  proper,  have  any  number  of  German 
and  Swiss  troops ;  they  have  been  offered  me,  but  you  know  I  have  no  proposals  to  treat." 
Ibid.,  II.  212.  Deane's  letters  are  also  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser..  III.  882,  1051. 
Cf.  the  Journals,  Oct.  18,  1777.  William  Lee,  writing  to  Charles  Thomson,  Nov.  24, 
'^777,  concerning  the  enlistment  of  German  troops  by  Great  Britain,  declared :  "  It  would 
certainly  add  to  their  difficulty  and  embarrass  the  British  ministry  if  there  were  only 
an  appearance  of  beating  up  for  men  for  the  American  States  in  some  of  the  free 
towns  in  Germany,  where  all  the  world  by  custom  is  permitted  to  recruit  and  enlist  men. 
Something  of  this  sort  might  be  attempted,  sufficient  to  give  a  great  alarm  and  create 
a  diversion  in  your  favor  at  a  very  little  expense,  if  prudently  managed."  Wharton, 
Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  426.  The  committee  of  foreign  affairs  replied,  May  14,  1778: 
"  The  turn  of  affairs  in  Europe  will  make  it  needless  for  us  to  attempt  the  finesse  of 
recruiting  in  Germany,  which  you  hint  at,  and  which  would  have  a  good  effect  in  case 
of  necessity."    Ihid.,  11.  578. 

Antedating  Deane's  first  mention  of  the  matter  by  more  than  a  year  is  the  suggestion 
of  the  unknown  writer  of  a  letter,  Aug.  10,  1775,  an  extract  of  which  is  found  in  Force, 
Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser..  III.  74.  The  emphasis  of  this  writer  is,  however,  upon  the 
spirit  of  liberty  among  the  Germans  as  the  basis  of  recruiting,  rather  than  the  merce- 
nary spirit. 

Some  items  relating  to  this  subject  are  found  among  the  Franklin  Papers  in  the 
American  Philosophical  Society  and  the  University  of  Pennsylvania :  a  memoir  of  Dec, 
1776,  respecting  the  hiring  of  German  troops  (Univ.  of  Pa.,  X.  15,  XII.  46)  ;  proposals 
by  Maj.  H.  E.  Lutterloh  to  raise  a  corps  of  troops  in  Germany  for  use  in  America, 
written  to  Franklin  from  Paris,  Jan.  8,  21,  1777  (Am.  Phil.  Soc,  LX.  50,  51,  LXII.  74,  75)  ; 
a  letter  from  Chaumont  to  Franklin,  Jan.  27,  1780,  concerning  the  proposal  of  a  German 
prince  to  furnish  a  regiment  of  soldiers  for  the  American  service  (Univ.  of  Pa.,  IV. 
12)  ;  and  a  proposal  of  Jean  Guillaume  Backhaus  to  Franklin,  written  from  Hannover, 
Feb.  7,  1783,  to  recruit  a  regiment  of  Germans  for  service  in  America,  mainly  from 
among  those  who  will  return  from  British  service  (Am.  Phil.  Soc,  XXVII.  90). 
To  the  latter  proposal  Franklin  replied  that  he  had  no  authority  to  set  on  foot  nego- 
tiations to  that  end,  etc.  See  Hays,  Calendar  of  the  Franklin  Papers,  I.  199,  III. 
17,  IV.  426,  484.  Cf.  a  letter  of  Benjamin  Rush  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Dec.  20,  1776, 
in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fifth  ser.,  III.  1308. 


462  Continental  Congress 

589.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Horatio  Gates.* 

Philada.  Aug^ust  14th.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  From  the  Want  of  Discipline,  and  other  Disorders,  too  apt  to 
prevail  in  a  retreating  Army,  the  Congress  have  been  induced  to  pass  a 
Resolve,  empowering  you  to  remedy  those  Evils  as  far  as  possible,  and 
have  for  this  Purpose,  authorized  you,  for  the  limited  Time  of  four 
Months,  to  suspend  any  Officers  for  Misconduct ;  not  doubting  that  before 
the  Expiration  of  that  Period,  you  will  be  able  to  introduce  that  Order  and 
Subordination,  so  necessary  in  the  military  Line.  You  will  be  pleased  to 
forward  to  Congress,  with  as  much  Dispatch  as  possible,  the  Names  of 
those  you  may  suspend,  with  the  Reasons  of  their  Suspension.* .... 

590.  Henry  Laurens  to  William  Thomson.* 

17th  August  1777 

....  Your  application  for  leave  to  arm  half  your  Regiment  with 
smooth  bores  and  by  bayonets  lies  before  the  board  of  War,  where  a  mul- 
tiplicity of  business  may  keep  back  a  report  many  days  ^  in  the  mean  time 
I  am  w'ell  assured  Congress  will  have  no  objections  to  your  arming  agree- 
able to  your  desire  provided  His  Excellency  the  president  shall  judge  the 
variation  to  be  for  the  good  of  the  Service.^  Make  your  application  there 
or  possibly  with  propriety  to  the  General  Commanding  in  the  Sothern  de- 
partment, from  thence  also  you  must  expect  to  be  Supplied  wath  Arms, 
there  has  been  I  am  informed  great  waste  made  in  this  quarter  and  there 
is  now  an  universal  Cry  for  Muskets  for  the  Militia. 

591.  Henry  Laurens  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).* 

17th  August  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  Congress  have  now  before  them  a  plan  for  borrowing  ten  Mil- 
lions Dollars.    I  hope  the  Carolina  Delegates  will  oppose  the  mode  much 

[589] iN.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  IX.;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc.  Hancock  Letter-Book, 
VI.  246  (copy)  ;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  p.  240. 
2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  14. 
[590]*  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  134. 

2  The  Journals  contain  no  record  concerning  Thomson's  application.  Possibly 
it  was  made  only  to  the  board  of  war,  and  not  referred  to  Congress.  William  Thomson 
was  at  this  time  colonel  of  a  South  Carolina  regiment.  See  the  Journals,  July  20, 
Sept.  15.  This  letter  was  addressed  to  him  at  Amelia.  There  is  a  sketch  of  him  in 
Joseph  Johnson,  Traditions  of  the  Revolution,  pp.  90-96.  A  briefer  account  is  in 
Appleton,  Cyclo.  Am.  Biog.  Many  of  his  letters  and  other  materials  relating  to  his 
career  are  found  in  A.  S.  Salley,  jr.,  History  of  Orangeburg  County,  1704-1782.  See 
also  Haltigan,  The  Irish  in  the  American  Revolution,  p.  405,  where  it  is  stated  that  he 
was  a  brother  to  Charles  Thomson,  secretary  of  Congress.  Cf.  Harley,  Life  of  Charles 
Thomson,  p.  20.  In  the  index  to  the  Journals  Col.  William  Thomson  is  confused  with 
Brig.-Gen.  William  Thompson. 

3  The  president  of  South  Carolina  is  meant. 

1591]^  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  134. 


August,  I'j-j'j  453 

favoured  by  particular  persons  and  succeed    the  Interest  of  all  the  States 
is  concerned.^ 


592.  Henry  Marchant  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

Philadelphia,  August  17th,  1777. 

Honored  Sir, 

....  Congress  this  Day  received  the  Resolutions  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Eastern  States,  transmitted  to  them  by  the  Honb  Stephen  Hopkins, 
Esq.,  President  of  that  Committee;  those  Resolutions  have  been  read,  but 
not  yet  considered.^  I  now  Sir  enclose  you  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the 
15th  Instant,  requesting  you  to  transmit  to  Congress  Accounts  of  all 
Monies  advanced  and  Expenses  incurred  by  Prisoners  of  War  etc.  The 
Resolve  points  out  to  You  the  Necessity  of  an  immediate  Attention  thereto. 
An  Expectation  of  a  general  Exchange  of  Prisoners  soon  to  take  Place 
occasioned  that  Resolve, — as  without  those  Accounts  an  Exchange  cannot 
well  be  made 


593.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  August  17th.  1777.    Sunday  Morning. 

Sir, 

The  Complaints  of  the  Want  of  Men  to  the  Northward,  are  so  great 
and  urgent,  that  Congress,  with  a  view  of  affording  them  some  Assistance, 
have  come  to  the  inclosed  resolve;  by  which  you  will  perceive,  it  is  their 
Desire  that  Five  Hundred  Riflemen,  under  the  Command  of  an  active 
Officer,  should  be  immediately  sent  into  that  Department,  to  oppose  the 
Incursions  of  the  Indians.^ 

Your  Favour  of  the  i6th.  Inst.  I  was  last  night  honoured  with  contain- 
ing sundry  Inclosures,  which  shall  be  communicated  to  Congress  to  mor- 
row.   The  Plan  you  have  adopted  and  recommended  for  the  Defence  of 

2  The  report  of  the  committee  on  ways  and  means,  which  was  brought  in  on 
June  II,  was  taken  up  in  committee  of  the  whole  Aug.  i6.  See,  further,  the  Journals, 
Aug.  18,  19,  28-30,  Sept  1-3,  9,  10,  Oct.  6,  Nov.  22  (pp.  953-958),  Dec.  2,  3.  Cf.  nos. 
594-597,  607,  618,  620,  627,  636,  post. 

[592]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777-1778,  p.  5;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  147. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  18.  Apparently  the  date  of  Marchant's  letter  is 
erroneous.  August  17  was  Sunday.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Sept.  10,  Oct.  27, 
Nov.  13,  22,  26,  27 ;  also  nos.  72s,  736,  post. 

[593P  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  270;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  L  424. 

2  This  action  was  taken  in  consequence  of  the  letters  from  Col.  George  Morgan 
and  General  Hand,  at  Fort  Pitt.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  16.  See  also  a  letter  of  July 
24  from  General  Hand  to  Thomas  Wharton,  president  of  the  executive  council  of 
Pennsylvania,  with  sundry  enclosures,  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  443-448.  Further  action 
was  taken  Aug.  20  (see  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  18). 


454  Continental  Congress 

the  River  Delaware,  is  ordered  to  be  carried  into  execution."  As  soon  as 
Congress  shall  come  into  any  Resolves  on  the  Subjects  of  your  several 
Letters,  the  Result  shall  be  immediately  transmitted. 


594.  James  Lovell  to  William  WniprLE.^ 

August  i8th,  1777. 
My  Dear  Sir 

I  have  nothing  material  to  inform  you  of  beyond  what  the  Gacette  con- 
tains, except  in  confidence,  that  it  is  a  disputed  point  whether  we  shall  go 
upon  the  scheme  of  drawing  Bills  of  Exchange  on  France  to  carry  interest 
after  a  certain  day  if  not  paid,  hoping  that  bankers  and  merchants  will 
discharge  them  upon  the  plighted  faith  of  these  States :  or  whether  we 
shall  only  draw  from  the  interest  due  on  our  Loan  certificates  to  be  paid 
out  of  a  fund  already  visible  and  of  most  probable  increase.  Should  the 
first  plan  take  place,  the  mercantile  part  here  would  immediately  run  mad 
after  the  Bills,  and  so  sink  the  Loan  Office  Supply :  whereas  the  certainty 
of  dollar  for  dollar  interest  would  encourage  the  Loan  business,  would 
induce  the  merchant  to  pay  off  widow's  and  orphan's  dues  to  them, 
increase  his  claim  of  interest  to  be  paid  by  Bills  of  Exchange  at  the  offices 
and  w'ould  give  credit  to  our  tickets  in  France  where  they  will  be  bought 
up  at  par  or  a  trifling  discount.  In  the  mean  time  we  may  tax  very  con- 
siderably to  lessen  the  quantity  of  current  paper  by  burning  Colonial. 
Honesty  and  justice  are  for  the  last,  fear  and  cunning  are  for  the  first. 
I  will  give  you  early  intelligence  of  the  decision ;  I  only  add  that  the  last 
is  the  opinion  also  of  our  Commissioners,  who  have  hinted  a  further  plan 
for  laying  out  land  in  the  Mississippi  as  an  object  of  a  Subscription  in 
France.  This  is  much  more  honest  than  selling  Bills  without  a  known 
fund.^  .  .  . 

595.  John  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

Aug.  18,  1777 
My  Dear  Sir, 

The  inclosed  Copies,  you  will  see  must  not  be  made  public.  You  will 
communicate  them  in  Confidence  to  such  Friends  as  have  Discretion. 
When  you  have  made  such  use  of  them  as  you  shall  judge  proper,  be 

3  Washington's  letter  of  Aug.  15  (see  the  Journals,  Aug.  16)  relates  to  a  plan  of 
the  Delaware  River  laid  before  him  by  Du  Coudray.  Washington's  letter  is  in  Pa. 
Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  526,  but  this  particular  plan  of  Du  Coudray  has  not  been  found, 
unless  it  be  Du  Coudray's  letter  of  Aug.  10,  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Washington 
Papers.  An  earlier  report  of  Du  Coudray,  made  in  obedience  to  a  resolution  of  Congress 
June  II  (see  also  the  Journals,  July  15,  16)  is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  360-363.  See 
also  ibid.,  V.  430,  431.  A  further  representation  of  Du  Coudray,  dated  Aug.  29,  and 
relating  to  Washington's  letter  of  Aug.  15,  is  ibid.,  V.  565. 

[594]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  403;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib., 
Sparks  MSS.  no.  52,  vol.  IL,  p.  193  (copy)  ;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Langdon- 
EhvjTi  Papers  (copy  of  part). 

-  See  no.  591.  aute. 
[595]^  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  359. 


August,  1777  455 

pleased  to  send  them  to  the  Foot  of  Pens  Hill,  because  I  have  no  other 
Copies  and  should  be  glad  to  preserve  them.^ .... 

We  are  in  deep  Contemplation  upon  the  state  of  our  Currency.  We 
shall  promise  Payment  in  the  Loan  offices  of  the  Interest  in  Bills  of  Ex- 
change on  our  Ministers  in  France.  But  Taxation,  My  dear  Sir,  Taxa- 
tion, and  Oeconomy,  are  our  only  effectual  Resources.  The  People  this 
way  are  convinced  of  it  and  are  setting  about  it  with  spirit.' 


596.  Henry  Laurens  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).^ 

19th  August  1777 

....  Congress  has  on  the  Table  a  plan  for  negotiating  a  Loan  for 
Ten  Millions  of  Dollars    if  they  go  no  further  it  may  not  quite  ruin  us.^ 

I  am  as  averse  from  this  measure  as  I  was  from  that  of  the  Western 
expedition  '  but  have  no  hopes  of  Succeeding  against  a  confirmed  Major- 
ity,   the  mischief  will  be  done  but  not  without  a  modest  dissent  on  my  part. 


597.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  Tuesday,  19  August,  1777 
My  Best  Friend, 

....  In  the  northern  department  they  begin  to  fight.  The  family  of 
Johnson,  the  black  part  of  it  as  well  as  the  white  are  pretty  well  thinned. 
Rascals !  They  deserve  extermination.  I  presume  Gates  will  be  so  sup- 
ported that  Burgoyne  will  be  obliged  to  retreat.  He  will  stop  at  Ticonder- 
oga,  I  suppose,  for  they  can  maintain  posts  although  we  cannot.  I  think 
we  shall  never  defend  a  post  until  we  shoot  a  general.^  After  that  we  shall 
defend  posts,  and  this  event  in  my  opinion  is  not  far  off.  No  other  fort 
will  ever  be  evacuated  without  an  inquiry,  nor  any  officer  come  off  without 
a  court  martial.  We  must  trifle  no  more.  We  have  suffered  too  many 
disgraces  to  pass  unexpiated.    Every  disgrace  must  be  wiped  off. 

We  have  been  several  days  hammering  upon  money.  We  are  contriv- 
ing every  way  we  can  to  redress  the  evils  we  feel  and  fear  from  too  great 
a  quantity  of  paper.  Taxation  as  deep  as  possible  is  the  only  radical  cure.' 
I  hope  you  will  pay  every  tax  that  is  brought  you,  if  you  sell  my  books,  or 
clothes,  or  oxen,  or  your  cows  to  pay  it. 

2  The  enclosures  are  letters  of  Arthur  Lee,  Jan.  31,  Feb.  3,  11  (with  an  addition 
Feb.  14).    They  are  printed  in  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  360-363. 

'  Cf.  nos.  591,  594,  ante,  nos.  596,  597,  post. 
[596]  1  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  136. 

2  See  nos.  591,  594,  595,  ante,  607,  618,  620,  627,  636,  post. 

8  See  nos.  584,  586,  ante. 
{S9l]'^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  292. 

2  Cf.  no.  602,  post. 

3  Cf.  no.  595.  ante. 

34 


456  Continental  Congress 

598.  George  Frost  to  Josiah  Bartlett.^ 

Philadelphia  Augst.  iQtli.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  Reed,  yours  of  the  25th.  Ulto.  (it  came  to  hand  after  the  post  was 
g-orn)  You  say  the  appointment  of  GenI  Schoyler  to  the  Command  at 
the  northward  gave  great  uneasiness  to  New  Hampshire  and  I'l  add  to 
many  other  states  also  and  that  very  justly,  the  I)eligate[s]  from  the 
Eastern  States  told  Congress  that  the  people  in  those  States  had  no  confi- 
dence in  sd.  Genl.  but  the  Influence  of  said  man  and  the  Deligates  of  New 
York  (Dewane  and  Duer  in  my  opinion  is  no  better  then  their  Genl.)  had 
more  wait  in  Congress  at  that  time  then  all  the  Deligates  from  the  Eastern 
States  and  obtained  a  majority  of  one  vote  in  his  favour,  they  now  see 
the  III  Consequence  of  that  appointmt  and  have  order'd  Genl :  Gates  to 
supersead  him  in  that  Command  and  sopose  he  is  at  that  post  if  well  before 
this  time  Schoyler  and  St.  Clear  is  ordered  to  head  quarters  in  order  for 
tryeul  ^  I  hope  you'l  furnish  the  Court  of  Inquiry  with  all  the  proofs 
Relating  to  the  situation  that  post  was  in  and  in  what  manner  the  troops 
was  furnished.  Schoyler  and  St.  Clear  writes  to  Congress  and  says  most 
of  the  troops  was  old  men,  Boys,  and  negros  and  unfit  for  garison  duty 
their  armes  very  bad  and  but  one  bayinet  to  ten  men,  that  many  of  the 
officers  mutinous  and  a  disgrace  to  an  armey  that  he  (Schoyler)  wants 
power  from  Congress  to  suspend  them,"  thanks  be  to  praise  they  are  sus- 
pended themselves 

am  with  much  Esteam — 

Sr  Your  most  obt.  Sert. 

Geo:  Frost 

P.  S.  Inclosed  you  have  a  Copey  of  a  letter  from  Genl.  Lincoln  to  Genl. 
Schoyler.* 

The  Honble  :  Josiah  Bartlett  Esqr. 

599.  George  Frost  to  Josiah  Bartlett,^ 

[August  19,  1777.] 

....  The  foregoing  letter '  was  Sent  by  Genl.  Lincoln  to  Genl. 
Schoyler  and  by  P.  Schoyler  to  Congress  Which  is  Very  Alarming  to 
Congress  that  Gen.  Starkes  Should  take  Occasion  to  Resent  any  sopposed 

[598]^  Me.  Hist.  Soc.  Revolution,  no.  2. 

2  See  nos.  578,  587,  ante,  nos.  609,  611,  post. 

8  Frost  evidently  has  in  mind  particularly  Schuyler's  letter  of  Aug.  4,  which 
may  be  found  in  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  352.  See  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren, 
ibid.,  I.  351.  Extracts  of  Schuyler's  letters  of  Aug.  8  and  10  (read  in  Congress  Aug. 
18  and  17,  respectively)  are  in  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  1879,  pp.  184,  185. 

*  See  no.  599,  post. 
[599]^  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  I.,  1774-1778. 

2  These  remarks  of  Frost  were  appended  to  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  Lincoln  to 
Schuyler,  dated  at  Bennington,  Aug.  8  (see  the  postscript  to  no.  598,  ante).  Following 
is  a  part  of  it :  "  Yesterday  Genl.  Stark  from  New  Hampshire  came  into  Camp  at 
Manchester,  by  his  Instructions  from  that  State  It  is  at  his  Option  to  Act  in  Conjunc- 
tion with  the  Continental  Armey  or  not     He  Seems  to  be  exceedingly  Soured  and 


August,  lyjy  457 

Affrunt  by  Congress  to  him  when  his  Country  lays  at  Stake,  at  the  Same 
time  woud  take  Notis  that  we  Shall  loos  the  benifit  of  our  troops  being  put 
in  the  Continentall  pay  Except  the  Measures  are  Alterd,  and  woud  also 
observe  he  dont  refuse  to  put  him  selfe  under  Genl.  Schoyler  who  is 
Recarled  from  thet  Command  and  Congress  has  given  the  Command  of 
thet  Armey  to  Genl.  Gates,  wch.  I  Suppose  Gel.  Starke  knew  not  of  at 
that  time,  as  to  the  promotion  of  Officers  in  the  Armey  the  Congress 
went  on  a  new  plan  agreaed  on  in  Baltimore  (at  the  Raising  the  as  it 
Called  Standing  Armey)  that  Every  State  Should  in  som  measure  have 
their  propotion  of  Genl.  Officers  according  to  the  Troops  they  Raised  by 
which  Reason  som  officers  was  Supersed  [ed]  or  as  they  call  afronted.^ 

600.  William  Paca  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

Dr  Sir. 

I  enclose  you  Genl  Washington's  letter  and  doubt  not  you  will  make  a 
proper  Enquiry  into  the  Arrest  he  complains  of  ^  I  wish  the  Artillery  Corp 
and  the  16  Regt.  had  been  apportioned  on  the  States  that  such  States 
might  have  known  what  were  its  Quota  and  the  frequent  Difficulties  in 
filling  up  those  Corps  prevented. 

We  have  no  Intelligence  of  Howe's  Fleet:  The  Army  we  know  for 
a  Certainty  is  embarked.  We  begin  to  be  apprehensive  they  have  gone  to 
South  Carolina.^ 

....  Genl  Schuyler  writes  that  the  Van  of  Burgoyne's  Army  he  is 
informed  has  moved  forward  to  Saratoga :  I  wish  our  Affairs  in  that 
quarter  bore  a  more  pleasing  Aspect :  The  New  England  States  disgusted 
with  Schuyler  and  his  officers  have  been  very  slow  in  giving  him  Assis- 
tance   Gates  perhaps  will  please  them  and  get  them  to  exert  themselves.* 

•     •     •     • 

Phila  :  19.  Aug.  1777 

thinks  he  hath  been  neglected  and  hath  not  had  Justice  done  him  by  Congress — he  is 
determined  not  to  join  the  Continental  Armey  untill  the  Congress  give  him  his  Rank 
therein — his  Qaim  is  to  command  all  the  Officers  he  Commanded  last  Year  as  also 
all  those  who  joined  the  Armey  after  him,  Whether  he  will  march  his  Troops  to  Still- 
water or  not  I  am  quite  at  a  loss  to  know — but  if  he  doth  it  is  a  fixed  point  with  him 
to  act  there  as  a  Seperate  Chor  and  take  no  orders  from  any  officer  in  the  Northern 
Department  saving  Your  Honour  for  he  Saith  they  all  were  Either  commanded  by  him 
the  last  Year  or  joined  the  Arm^y  after  him."  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr. 
The  letter  is  printed  in  N.  H.  State  Papers,  VIII.  662.  The  principal  part  of  it  is  also  in 
Lossing,  Life  of  Schuyler,  II.  263.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  18,  19,  20 ;  cf.  nos.  606,  607,  609, 
615,  619,  622,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Feb.  18.    Cf.  nos.  363,  364,  365,  372,  376,  392,  419,  ante. 
[600]-^  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  338. 

2  Washington's  letter  to  the  Maryland  delegates  is  dated  Aug.  17  and  is  found 
in  his  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  39.  It  relates  to  the  arrest  of  Lieut.  James  McNair  by 
Maryland  authorities  for  enlisting  men  to  serve  in  one  of  the  continental  regiments  of 
artillery.  On  the  same  day  that  Paca  wrote  to  the  governor  Samuel  Chase  replied  to 
Washington's  letter.    Chase's  letter  is  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington. 

8 "  Howe's  fleet  and  army  is  still  incognito.  The  gentlemen  from  South 
Carolina  begin  to  tremble  for  Charleston."  John  Adams  to  his  wife,  Aug.  19,  Familiar 
Letters,  p.  292.    Cf.  nos.  605,  607,  post. 

*  Cf.  nos.  578,  579,  587,  598,  ante,  nos.  609,  611,  post. 


458  Continental  Congress 

60 1.  Henry  Laurens  to  Joseph  Clay/ 

20th  August  1777 

....  Since  my  arrival  here  I  have  done  everything  in  my  power  to 
impress  upon  the  mind  of  Congress  the  value  and  importance  of  Georgia 
and  to  recommend  it  to  their  particular  protection  which  your  Delegate 
will  do  me  the  justice  to  confirm.  I  apply  in  politics,  St  Paul's  remark, 
if  one  member  Suffers  all  the  Members  Suffer,  the  loss  of  Georgia  or 
South  Carolina  or  even  their  distress  will  be  sensibly  felt  by  all  the  north- 
ern States.  I  think  this  important  truth  has  not  hitherto  been  properly 
considered. 

I  moved  for  a  Committee  to  take  the  State  of  Georgia  into  considera- 
tion this  produced  certain  determinations  of  which  you  will  be  advised 
fully  by  Colo.  Walton  to  whom  I  also  took  the  liberty  of  mentioning  your 
name  for  Dep  pay :  JNIaster  General  and  you  will  find  you  are  accordingly 
appointed.* 

602.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  Wednesday,  20  August,  1777. 

5  o'clock  Afternoon. 

....  We  have  been  hammering  to-day  upon  a  mode  of  trial  for  the 
general  officers  at  Ti.  Whether  an  inquiry  will  precede  the  court  martial, 
and  whether  the  inquiry  shall  be  made  by  a  committee  of  Congress,  or  by 
a  council  of  general  officers,  is  not  determined,  but  inquiry  and  trial  both, 
I  conjecture  there  will  be." .... 

603.  Benjamin  Harrison  to  George  Washington.^ 

Dear  General  ^ 

I  remember  well  a  Conversation's  passing  betwixt  you  and  I  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  Marquis  de  la  Fyattes  Commission,  and  that  I  told  you  it  was 
merely  Honorary,  in  this  light  I  look'd  on  it.  and  so  did  every  other 
member  of  Congress,    he  had  made  an  agreement  with  mr  Deane,  but  this 

[601]^  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc.  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  137.  Addressed  to  Clay 
at  "  Savanna  Per  Captn.  Homback  ". 

2  See  the  Journals,  July  25,  30,  Aug.  i,  6,  12,  15 ;  cf.  nos.  584,  586,  ante,  no.  605, 
post. 

[602]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  2g^. 

2  The  mode  of  conducting  the  inquiry  into  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  and 
Mount  Independence  was  determined  Aug.  27.  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  Aug.  i,  19. 
20,  23,  25,  27.  The  committee  to  conduct  the  investigation  was  appointed  Aug.  28. 
See  the  heads  of  inquiry  drawn  up  by  Laurens,  under  Aug.  27  (no.  617,  post),  and  the 
Journals,  Oct.  9,  Nov.  14,  Dec  26,  1777;  Jan.  20,  26,  27,  Feb.  5,  Mar.  10,  Apr.  29,  1778. 
On  the  date  last  mentioned  a  third  committee  was  appointed,  to  examine  the  evidence  and 
state  the  charges  against  the  general  officers.  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  29,  June  12,  20,  1778. 
Cf.  nos.  617,  619,  625,  669,  671,  677,  781,  post. 

[603]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVII,  295. 

2  Harrison  is  replying  to  a  letter  of  Washington  of  Aug.  19,  Writings  (ed. 
Ford),  VI.  39,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  35.    See  also  Tower,  Lafayette  in  the  Revolution,  I.  218. 


August,  lyyy  459 

he  gave  up  by  Letter  to  Congress,  not  wishing  as  he  said  to  embarrass 
their  affairs.  Mr  Diier  who  presented  this  Letter  assur'd  us  he  did  not 
wish  or  desire  Command,  but  gave  us  to  understand,  his  chief  motive  for 
going  into  our  Service  was  to  be  near  you,  to  see  Service,  and  to  give  him 
an  Eclat  at  home,  where  he  expected  he  would  soon  return,  these  you 
may  depend  on  it  were  the  Reasons  that  induced  Congress  to  Comply  with 
his  request,  and  that  he  could  not  have  obtain'd  the  Commissn.  on  any 
other  terms  *  The  other  Day  he  surprised  every  body  by  a  letter  of  his, 
requesting  Commissions  for  his  Officers,  and  Insinuating  at  the  same  time 
that  he  should  expect  a  Command  as  soon  as  you  should  think  him  fit  for 
one  depend  on  it  Congress  never  meant  that  he  should  have  one,  nor  will 
not  countenance  him  in  his  applications.  I  had  it  not  in  my  power  yester- 
day to  get  their  opinions  on  the  subject,  but  will  do  it  soon.* .... 

Philad  Augst.  20  1777. 

604.  Roger  Sherman  to  Horatio  Gates.* 

Hartford  August  20th.  1777 
Sir, 

....  My  son  who  was  Pay  Master  in  Colo.  Warner's  Regiment  writes 
to  me  that  he  has  been  Cashiered,  by  a  Court  Martial,  for  Innoculating  a 
]\Ian  not  belonging  to  the  Army,  who  brought  the  Infectious  matter  to 
him,  and  promised  immediately  to  go  to  a  place  about  30  Miles  distant 
from  the  Army  where  innoculation  was  allowed  under  the  Inspection  of  a 
Committee — that  he  did  it  inadvertantly  without  any  ill  design,  as  he  has 
always  been  a  friend  to  the  American  cause  he  seems  much  grieved  to 
leave  the  Service  under  a  Censure,  and  tho'  the  Emoluments  of  that  office 
are  not  worth  seeking  for,  Yet  for  the  sake  of  his  reputation  he  wishes  to 
be  restored.  I  never  heard  but  that  he  has  been  faithful  in  his  public  trust. 
he  served  some  time  as  an  Assistant  Paymaster  in  Canada  where  he  went 
as  a  Volunteer.  I  understand  that  Application  has  been  made  to  Congress 
by  him  and  some  officers  in  his  behalf  but  Colo.  Dyer  writes  me  that  it  was 
said  in  Congress  that  the  Application  ought  to  be  made  to  the  Officer  who 
Dismissed  him,  or  the  State  who  appointed  him  so  they  did  not  enter  into 
the  consideration  of  the  Matter.^    As  the  officers  of  that  Regiment  were 

3  Lafayette  was  commissioned  a  major-general  July  31.     See  no.  565,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  13,  25.  Lafayette's  letter  to  Congress,  to  which  Harri- 
son refers,  was  dated  Aug.  13,  and  was  read  in  Congress  the  same  day.  It  is  printed 
in  Tower,  Lafayette  in  the  Revolution,  L  184,  where  it  is  also  given  in  facsimile.  In 
the  close  of  the  letter  Lafayette  says :  "  I  wish  to  serve  near  the  person  of  General 
Washington  till  such  time  as  he  may  think  proper  to  entrust  me  with  a  division  of  the 
Army. 

"  It  is  now  as  an  american  that  I'l  mention  every  day  to  Congress  the  officers  who 
came  over  with  me,  whose  interests  are  for  me  as  my  own,  and  the  consideration  which 
they  deserve  by  their  merits  their  ranks,  their  state  and  reputation  in  france." 
[604]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  IX. 

2  William  Sherman,  jr.,  was  appointed  by  Congress  paymaster  of  Col.  Seth 
Warner's  regiment,^  July  6,  1776.  There  is  no  record  in  the  Journals  concerning  his 
court-martial  or  reinstatement.  That  he  was  reinstated  appears  from  an  entry  in  the 
Journals,  July  16,  1779,  where  it  is  recorded  that  he  had  offered  to  resign.  According 
to  Heitman's  Historical  Register,  he  retired  from  the  service  Jan.  i,  1781. 


460  Continental  Congress 

appointed  by  Conf^ress  being-  from  different  States,  be  lias  no  vvbere  to 
apply  but  to  tbe  Commander  of  tbe  Department.  If  you  on  consideration 
of  tbe  Case  shall  tbink  fit  to  afford  bim  relief  it  will  oblige  him,  and  be 
gratefully  acknowledge  by 

Your  Obedient  bumble  Servant 

Roger  Sherman 

The  Honorable  Major  General  Gates. 

605.  Henry  L.\urens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.^ 

2 1  St.  August  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  This  Morning  I  will  move  Congress  to  believe  the  danger  real 
and  to  take  some  measure  to  hem  the  assailants  within  a  narrow  Circle  if 
unhappily  they  should  get  footing.^  .... 

606.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  Thursday,  21  August,  1777. 
....  10  o'clock  at  night. 

Just  come  in  from  Congress.  We  have  within  this  hour  received  letters 
of  General  Schuyler  and  Lincoln,  giving  an  account  of  the  battle  of 
Bennington,  wherein  General  Stark  has  acquired  great  glory,  and  so  have 
his  militia.  The  particulars  are  to  be  out  in  a  hand-bill  to-morrow  morn- 
ing.   I  will  enclose  you  one." 

607.  James  Lovell  to  Oliver  Wolcott.'^ 

Philada.  Augst.  2 1  St.  1777 
Sir 

This  gratefully  acknowledges  the  receipt  of  Yr.  favour  of  the  31st.  Ult: 
from  Litchfield.    The  probable  "  slow  pilgrimage  "  of  every  written  testi- 

[605] IS.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  138. 

2  The  danger  apprehended  was  from  the  British  fleet  which  was  supposed  to  be 
aiming  for  southern  ports.  Cf.  no.  600,  note  3,  ante,  and  no.  607,  post.  A  committee  on 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia  was  appointed  Aug.  21,  and  on  Aug.  28  North  Carolina  was 
added  to  their  charge.  Cf.  nos.  584,  586,  ante.  No  definite  report  from  the  committee 
of  Aug.  21  appears  to  have  been  made.  A  new  committee  on  the  state  of  Georgia 
was  appointed  Jan.  15,  1778,  and  made  an  elaborate  report  Feb.  13. 

[6ohY  Familiar  Letters,  p.  294. 

2  The  information  came  in  a  letter  from  General  Schuyler,  dated  Aug.  18.  The 
letter  is  printed  in  Caleb  Stark,  Memoir  and  Official  Correspondence  of  General  John 
Stark,  p.  129.  Strangely  enough  the  Journals  make  no  mention  of  the  character  or 
contents  of  the  letter.  See  also  the  Journals,  Aug.  22,  erased  entry.  A  letter  of  Schuyler 
to  Washington,  dated  Aug.  19,  embodying  a  letter  of  General  Lincoln,  dated  Aug.  18, 
giving  an  account  of  Stark's  victory,  is  in  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  L  425. 
A  letter  from  Stark  to  the  Xew  Hampshire  council,  dated  Aug.  18,  giving  an  account  of 
his  victory,  is  in  N.  H.  State  Papers,  VHL  670,  and  in  the  Memoir  of  Stark,  p.  126. 
Stark  also  gave  an  account  of  the  battle  in  a  letter  to  General  Gates,  Aug.  23,  ibid., 
p.  129.  Cf.  no.  599,  ante,  and  nos.  607,  609,  615,  619,  622,  post.  Concerning  the  handbill 
see  nos.  612,  621,  post. 

[607]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  vol.  L,  no.  29. 


August,  /777  46  J 

mony  of  my  esteem  towards  you  makes  it  useless  to  endeavour  to  convev 
any  novelty  respectnig  matters  to  the  east  and  north  of  my  present  situa- 
tion; and  the  known  similarity  of  our  ideas  of  the  leaders  old  and  new  in 
the  fatal  Department  annuls  every  call  for  my  comments  or  reflexions 
upon  their  conduct.  If  the  final  decision  in  regard  to  Arnold's  cC 
should  draw  any  strictures  from  you,  I  shall  not  be  backward  to  answer 
them  in  turn.^  It  may  be  fresh  to  you  that  Genl  Starks  from  N  Hampsh^ 
refuses  to  act  with  continental  troops  but  upon  his  own  terms ;  I  believe 
the  state  gave  some  option  whether  to  join  the  regular  army  or  not  •  all 
beyond  that,  is  his  own  freak.'  ^  '      ' 

We  think  we  have  reason  to  conclude  that  Howe  is  gone  to  surprize 
the  Ports  in  North  and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,-That  he  means  to 
fr  M  vJ  T^fu'^'  proper  :-to  block  the  harbours,  and  to  return  to  this 
or  JN- Yk.  In  the  mean  time  our  main  strength  will  lay  midway,  instead  of 
reinforcing  Gates  and  putnam  to  destroy  Bourgoin  and  the  last  mentioned 
foTes^*'  ^""^  ^^^^  conquests  in  the  absence  of  Genl.  Howe's  body  of 

As  to  indoor  matters  they  are  like  unto  like.  Our  agents  will  pay  the 
interest  of  our  borrowings  at  the  Loan  Offices  for  5,oSo,ooo  Dollars  or 
more.  Some  of  us  therefore  think  that,  by  informing  the  public  they  shall 
e  ther  receive  6  pr[cent]  here,  or  bills  of  Exchange  upon  our  Commis- 
sioners at  5,  mercantile  men  would  be  induced  to  lend.  Others  are  for 
making  new  tickets  carrying  upon  their  face  5  pr  Ct  in  France  so  as  to 
make  hem  negotiable,  supposing  they  would  be  bought  abroad  at  par  or 
a  small  discount.  But  even  if  this  was  probable,  which  it  is  not  in  my 
opinion,  the  consequence  would  be  giving  foreigners  a  demand  upon  u. 
a  some  certain  future  Period  for  millions.  These  we  could  not  Ldg^ 
like  our  own  people  to  wait  till  we  could  sink  our  tickets  by  taxes  in  a 
course  o  years.  You  will  guess  who  are  for  turning  thing^s  into  rapid 
mercantile  courses  with  a  motto  of  the  devil  take  the  hindmost.    In  both 

itablv  nnr  nT'''"  ^'  T^V"^  ^''''^'  exigencies;  For,  Taxes  are  indub- 
itably our  only  wise  plan  for  a  continuance ;  and  every  day  we  omit  to  tax 
we  pass  a  precious  opportunity.  One  of  the  schemes  is  built  upon  cer- 
tainty; the  other  upon  chance  with  the  highest  probability  of  ill  conse- 

S'^'lf  l'  T'"''"'  °.^  '^'  ^''^'''  ^'  ^^  ^^  P^^d  here  upon  our  plighted 
taith.  If  they  do  not  obtain  currency  in  Europe  we  shall  be  disgmced 
immediately;  for,  the  face  of  the  paper  shows  our  views  and  expectations 
If  they  do  pass  freely,  we  shall  have  a  sad  afterreconing.  If  fresh  encour- 
agement to  lenders,  by  bills  of  Exchange  for  their  interest  as  it  becomes 
due  does  not  give  an  immediate  spring  to  our  Loan  business,  we  must 
emit  directly,  till  a  tax  can  supply.  We  should  consider  that  we  have  only 
gone  two  years  into  our  annual  income;  we  can  bear  much  more;  and  our 
circulation  is  most  amazingly  extended,  so  as  not  to  leave  the  depreciation 
a  charge  against  the  quantity  of  Bills  by  any  means  so  strong  as  the  pre- 

2  See  nos.  582,  583,  585,  586,  ante;  cf.  no.  671,  post. 

3  See  nos.  599,  606,  ante,  nos.  609,  615,  post 

See  no.  605,  ante,  and  the  addition  to  this  letter,  Aug  22 


462  Continental  Congress 

valent  opinion.'  Other  causes  have  a  more  powerful  influence.  If  Silas 
and  his  york  connexions  could  have  a  good  opening-  to  transfer  their  whole 
property  to  the  other  side  of  the  water  it  is  not  impossible  that  they  would 
gladly  do  it." 

22d  Augst 

Sir 

Since  scratching  an  attendant  half  Sheet  we  have  had  several  sorts  of 
intelligence  that  may  produce  changes  very  considerable  in  our  domestic 
plans.  In  the  first  place  there  has  been  a  proper  council  of  war  and 
determination  as  things  then  stood.^  We  have  in  the  next  place  informa- 
tion that  on  the  15th  the  Enemy's  fleet  was  at  the  Capes  of  Virginia.  The 
Genl  and  Council  had  thought  Sth  Carolina  or  the  eastern  States  the 
Object  of  Howe's  pursuit.  I  still  believe  that  Virginia  is  visited  thro 
meer  necessity,  if  the  present  appearance  of  the  ships  is  any  thing  more 
than  an  allarm.® .... 

Starks  and  his  militia  have  made  even  Genl  Chase  willing  to  overlook 
a  foolish  rashness  about  rank.  The  Bennington  affair  may  spur  up  to 
general  vigour  in  the  northern  Department.®  Schyler  has  been  petitioned 
by  the  Genl  Officers  to  tarry  and  influence  the  Militia,  and  he  has 
consented  to  do  it."  If  he  is  not  a  valliant  man,  he  certainly  knows 
how  to  use  the  w-orld ;  he  is  far  from  a  foolish  man.  He  advises  to  send 
other  indian  Commissioners  because  Mr  Woolcot  etc.  are  so  far  off.  I  will 
give  you  the  extract.    This  also  is  not  foolish. 

4  oClock  P.  M. 
yesterday  and  this  day  we  adjourned  to  dine."     We  were  particularly 
induced  to  it,  now,  by  an  Express  declaring  the  fleet  high  in  the  Bay  of 
Chesepeak.     It  appears  we  must  at  length  fight  it  between  Head  of  Elk 
and  Philadelphia. 

25th 

I  have  not  got  the  Extract  hinted  at,  but  it  is  not  material 

^  Cf.  nos.  591,  594-597,  ante,  no.  627,  post. 
^  The  reference  is  to  Silas  Deane. 

"  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  21,  22,  and  Washington's  letter,  Aug.  21,  in  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  VI.  45,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  38. 

8  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  22  (p.  665,  note  2).  The  passage  here  omitted  relates 
to  the  movements  of  the  fleet  since  July  5.  See  no.  610,  post.  Cf.  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI. 
336,  22,^2'\2,  344 ;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  544. 

9  See  no.  606,  note  2,  ante.  "Genl  Chase"  is  Samuel  Chase,  member  of  Con- 
gress. The  "  Genl "  is  of  course  used  sarcastically.  In  the  vote  of  Oct.  4  for  making 
Stark  a  brigadier-general  of  the  United  States,  Chase  was  the  only  member  in  opposition, 

10  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  21.  Schuyler's  letter,  dated  Aug.  15,  is  in  Lossing,  Life 
of  Schuyler,  II.  301.    See  also  ibid.,  p.  309.     Cf.  no.  611,  post. 

11  The  Journals,  Aug.  21,  22,  do  not  show  at  what  time  adjournment  for  dinner 
was  taken,  but  the  reassembling  was  at  five  o'clock.  The  dating  of  Hancock's  letter, 
Aug.  22,  post,  indicates  that  on  that  day  Congress  did  not  adjourn  before  half  past  one. 
Congress  shifted  frequently  between  one  session  a  day  and  two.  There  were  a  few  more 
trials  at  double  sessions,  then,  on  Oct.  i,  two  sessions  were  made  the  rule  (see  the 
Journals).  Nov.  19,  however,  it  was  resolved  to  return  to  the  practice  of  one  session  a 
day,  but  Dec.  16  the  two-session  day  was  once  more  adopted. 


August,  7777  463 

608.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington/ 

Philada,  August  2 1st,  1777. 
Sir, 

Upon  the  Resignation  of  Mr.  Philips  as  Commissary  of  Hydes,  the 
Congress  have  been  pleased  to  appoint  Mr.  George  Ewing  in  his  Place, 
who  is  ordered  to  carry  into  Execution  the  Plan  you  have  proposed ; ' 
which  I  make  no  Doubt  he  will  do  with  Application  and  Success 

609,  The  New  Hampshire  Delegates  to  the  President  of 
New  Hampshire  (Meshech  Weare).^ 

Philadelphia,  August  22d,  1777. 
Sir, 

The  inclosed  is  a  copy  of  General  Lincoln's  letter  to  General  Schuyler 
and  the  Resolution  of  Congress  on  receiving  it,  which  was  the  19th 
Instant.^  Some  of  the  southern  Gentlemen  made  themselves  very  warm 
on  the  occasion,  threw  out  many  illiberal  reflections  on  General  Stark,  and 
some  on  the  Legislative  authority  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  which 
made  your  delegates  sit  very  uneasy  in  their  chairs  even  to  give  them  time 
to  go  through,  but  in  our  turn  we  informed  Congress  that  we  had  no 
information  from  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  to  inform  us  what  the 
reasons  were  that  induced  them  to  give  such  orders  to  General  Stark ;  but 
that  we  had  Reed  a  letter  from  the  Honbl,  Josiah  Bartlett,  a  member  of 
the  Council  of  that  State  and  lately  a  member  of  Congress,  which  had 
given  us  some  of  their  reasons,  and  were  such  in  our  opinion  as  were  con- 
clusive, and  would  justify  the  conduct  of  that  State  in  the  eyes  of  the 
whole  world :  That,  in  the  first  place,  the  Militia  of  that  State  had  lost 
all  confidence  in  the  General  Officers  who  had  the  command  at  Tycon- 
deroga  when  it  was  evacuated  and  given  up  to  our  enemies;  that  they 
would  not  turn  out  nor  be  commanded  by  such  officers ;  that  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  lives  of  the  inhabitants  on  our  frontiers  and  the  cause  in  which 
we  were  all  engaged  made  such  orders  at  that  critical  time  absolutely 
necessary ;  that  we  were  not  about  to  justify  General  Stark  for  making  a 
demand  of  rank  in  the  army  at  that  critical  time,  but  we  well  knew  he  had 
a  great  deal  to  say  for  himself  on  that  head,  and  that  he  had  been  in 
almost  all  the  engagements  to  the  northward,  and  distinguished  himself, 
while  others  were  advanced  over  his  head.  Yesterday  a  motion  was  made 
by  Maryland  and  seconded  that  a  Resolve  of  Congress  might  be  passed  to 
censure  his  conduct  in  refusing  to  submit  to  the  Rules  and  Regulations  of 

[608]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington.  XVIL  260. 

2  George  Ewing  was  elected  commissary  of  hides  in  place  of  Peter  Philips, 
Aug.  5.  A  resolution  to  the  effect  that  Ewing  had  full  authority  to  carry  out  Washing- 
ton's plans  was  presented  by  the  board  of  war  Aug.  19,  but  the  record  in  the  Journals 
would  indicate  that  the  resolution  was  laid  on  the  table,  and  there  is  no  record  of  its 
having  been  taken  up  again.  The  letter  of  Washington  alluded  to  is  dated  Aug.  16, 
and  was  read  in  Congress  Aug.  18. 
l6o9]iJV.  H.  State  Papers,  VIIL  663. 

2  See  nos.  599,  606,  607,  ante,  no.  615,  post. 


4C4  Continental  Congress 

the  Army ;  on  which  a  larp^e  debate  ensued,  in  which  we  were  supported 
by  all  the  New  Eng^land  Delegates  and  Some  of  the  Virginians :  On 
motion  being  made,  it  was  agreed  it  should  lie  on  the  table  and  carried  by 
a  grate  majority.'  We  inform'd  Congress  that  a  motion  of  that  sort  came 
with  a  very  bad  grace  from  Maryland  who,  only,  of  the  thirteen  United 
States  had  seen  fit  to  make  laws  directly  in  opposition  to  Congress  by 
refusing  that  their  militia  should  be  subjected  to  the  rules  and  regulations 
of  the  army  when  joynd ;  And  we  informed  Congress  that  we  had  not 
the  least  doubt  but  the  first  battle  they  heard  of  from  the  North  would  be 
fought  by  Stark  and  the  troops  commanded  by  him  ....  and  that  I 
should  not  be  afraid  to  risque  my  honor  nor  my  life,  they  would  do  as 
much  towards  the  defence  of  that  part  of  the  country  and  the  common 
cause,  as  the  same  number  of  any  of  the  troops  in  that  department, 

I  will  leave  you,  Sir,  to  judge  of  our  feelings,  when  the  very  next  day 
we  had  a  confirmation  of  what  we  had  asserted  by  an  express  from  Gen- 
eral Schuyler  giving  an  Account  of  the  victory  obtained  by  General  Stark 
and  the  troops  under  his  command.*  We  believe  this  circumstance  only 
will  make  those  easy  who  have  been  trying  to  raise  a  dust  in  Congress. 

We  are,  with  the  greatest  respect,  Sir, 

Yr  most  obedt.  Humbl  servts. 

Nath  Folsom 
Geo  :  Frost. 

6io.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

Congress  Cham.  22  Augst  1777. 
^  past  I  oClock  P  M  ^ 
Sir 

This  moment  an  Express  is  arriv'd  from  Maryland  with  an  Accott  of 
near  Two  hundred  Sail  of  Mr  Howe's  Fleet  being  at  Anchor  in  the 
Chesapeak  Bay,  a  Copy  of  the  Letter  brought  by  Express  I  inclose  you, 
and  to  which  I  Refer  you.'    In  consequence  of  this  Advice  Congress  have 

3  See  the  erased  entry  in  the  Journals,  Aug.  20 ;  cf.  the  erased  entry  Aug.  22.  The 
motion  was  probably  made  by  Samuel  Chase ;  such  is  at  least  the  natural  inference  from 
Lovell's  remark  in  his  letter  to  Wolcott  (no.  607,  ante).  The  other  Maryland  delegates 
were  William  Paca  and  William  Smith.  Paca  was  probably  present  on  the  20th  (see 
his  letter  of  Aug.  19,  no.  600,  ante),  but  he  left  Philadelphia  not  later  than  Aug,  22. 
See  the  yeas  and  nays  of  that  day,  and  also  Paca's  letter  to  Governor  Johnson,  Aug.  24 
(dated  "Sunday  25  Aug.  1777"),  in  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  344.  Cf.  Rowland,  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carrollton,  I.  212. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  21,  22,  (pp.  663,  665)  ;  cf.  no.  606,  ante. 
[6io]i  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC,  273;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  L  429. 

2  At  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  Hancock  had  written  to  Washington,  acknowl- 
edging his  letters  of  Aug.  21,  together  with  the  deliberations  of  a  council  of  war,  and 
enclosing  the  resolutions  of  Congress  on  the  subject. 

3  A  letter  from  William  Bordley  to  William  Paca.  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  22 
(p.  665,  note  2).  Cf.  no.  607,  note  8,  ante.  A  letter  from  Hancock  to  Governor  Caswell 
of  North  Carolina  on  the  same  day,  transmitting  a  resolution  of  Aug.  21  (see  the 
Journals,  p.  660),  mentions  "intelligence  from  Virginia  that  the  fleet  of  the  enemy  were 
seen  near  the  capes  of  the  Chesapeak  on  the  15th  inst"  {N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  585). 
See  also  the  New  York  delegates  to  the  council  of  safety,  Aug.  22,  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov. 
Cong.,  1.  51,  and  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  to  (jovemor  Johnson,  Aug.  22,  in  Rowland, 
Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton,  I.  212. 


August,  ijjj  465 

order'd  the  immediate  Removal  of  all  the  Stores  and  Prisoners  from 
Lancaster  and  York  in  this  State  to  places  of  greater  Safety. 

Congress  have  this  moment  come  to  the  Inclos'd  Resolution  *  to  which 
I  beg  leave  to  Refer  you,  and,  indeed  I  need  not  add,  as  the  whole  matter 
is  submitted  to  you.  I  will  not  Detain  the  express  only  to  say  that  I  am 
with  every  Sentiment  of  Esteem  and  Respect,  Sir, 

Your  very  hum'  Servt 

John  Hancock,  Presidt. 

His  Excellency  General  Washington. 

6ii.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Philad  23d  Augt.  1777 
My  dear  General 

I  am  now  to  thank  you  for  your  kind  and  confidential  favour  of  the 
[19th]  Inst.;  ^  with  the  papers  transmitted  me  by  Mr  Jay  they  have  and 
shall  be  seen  by  those  whose  good  Opinions  deserve  your  Solicitude. 

your  Conduct  in  my  Judgement  wants  no  Apology :  instead  of  Censure 
it  merits  thanks:  your  Friends  in  Congress  echo  this  Sentiment  freely; 
your  Enemies,  relentless  and  bent  on  your  Destruction  would  willingly 
involve  you  in  the  Odium  of  loosing  Ticonderoga.  The  Change  of  Com- 
mand was  not  however  founded  on  this  principle  but  merely  on  the  Repre- 
sentation of  the  Eastern  States  that  their  Militia  suspicious  of  your 
military  Character  woud  not  turn  out  in  Defence  of  New  York  while  you 
presided  in  the  Northern  Department.  So  Confident  were  they  in  these 
Assertions  and  such  from  your  Own  representations  was  the  gloomy 
Aspect  of  our  Affairs  there,  that  the  Southern  Members  were  alarmed, 
and  we  thought  it  prudent  not  to  attempt  to  Stem  the  Torrent.  It  was 
however  agreed  and  declared,  as  I  hinted  before,  that  the  Eastern  preju- 
dices against  you  were  the  only  Motive  to  your  recall,  and  it  was  under- 
stood that  you  might  take  your  time  in  coming  down.'  Indeed  to  have 
ordered  otherwise,  at  so  critical  a  Time,  wou'd  have  been  inhuman  con- 
sidering your  family  fortune  and  Influence  in  that  Country,  your  Reso- 
lution to  stay  and  exert  yourself  while  she  remains  in  such  imminent 
danger  is  worthy  of  a  Virtuous  brave  and  patriotic  Citizen :  All  your 
Friends  wish  that  fortune  may  put  it  in  your  power  to  give  some  signal 
Proof  of  the  only  military  Talent  which  you  have  not  Evidenced  in  the 
course  of  your  Command  for  want  of  an  Opportunity.  They  all  pro- 
nounce that  this  would  put  your  Enemies  to  Silence  and  to  Shame  and 
elevate  you  to  the  highest  Rank  among  the  American  Commanders.* 

*  The  resolution  giving  Washington  entire  liberty  of  action  on  the  approach  of 
the  enemy's  fleet  (Journals,  p.  666).  Washington's  reply,  dated  Aug.  22,  is  in  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  VI.  49.  See  also  his  letter  of  Aug.  23,  ibid.,  VI.  50.  The  letters  are  in 
Writings  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  42,  43. 

[6ii]iN.  Y,  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  543;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS., 
no.  60,  p.  141   (copy). 

2  An  extract  of  Schuyler's  letter  to  Duane,  Aug.  19,  is  in  Lossing,  Life  of 
Schuyler,  II.  309. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  i. 

*  See  nos.  587,  598,  ante. 


466  Continental  Con^iircss 

The  Application  from  the  Eastern  Generals  for  your  Continuance  in  the 
Department,  and  the  respectable  Reinforcement  from  New  Hampshire, 
which  so  pali)ably  contradict  the  assertions  which  were  the  Basis  of  your 
Removal  are  no  small  Occasion  of  Triumph  to  such  of  us  as  predicted  that 
you  would  be  supported ;  and  will  not  readily  be  forgotten.'^ 

612.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell),^ 

Philadelphia,  August  23d,  1777. 
Sir: 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  your  Excellency  a  hand-bill  published  by 
order  of  Congress.  Gen'l.  Stark  has  in  some  measure  retrieved  our  affairs 
in  the  Northern  Department :  he  is  a  Militia  Brigadier  from  N.  Hamp- 
shire, and  has  acquired  great  honor.^  The  fleet  of  the  enemy  are  arrived 
in  Chesapeak  Bay,  what  may  be  their  intentions  Congress  is  not  informed, 
but  are  prepared,  I  hope,  to  disconcert  their  plan  whichever  way  it  may 
be  pointed. 

As  Congress  seem  at  present  inclinable  to  fortify  sea-ports  at  the  Con- 
tinental expence.  I  could  wish  your  Excellency  would  be  pleased  to  for- 
ward to  the  Delegates  of  your  State,  the  plans  of  Cape  Lookout  Bay  and 
of  C.  Fear  river.    I  hope  for  the  assistance  of  Congress  in  this  business. 


613.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Pennsylvania  Council.^ 

Phil  ADA.  August  23d.  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

In  the  present  critical  Situation  of  Affairs,  the  Congress  have  come  to 
the  enclosed  Resolves  for  the  Defence  of  the  several  States  therein  men- 
tioned, which  I  make  no  Doubt  you  will  immediately  carry  into  Execu- 
tion.^ The  absolute  Necessity  of  Exertion  and  Vigour  on  the  Occasion, 
is  too  apparent  to  be  pointed  out.  It  is  sufficient  to  observe,  that  an  active 
and  spirited  Behaviour  in  the  Militia  will  have  the  most  beneficial  Effects, 
by  convincing  our  Enemies  of  our  Determination  to  oppose  them  with 
the  utmost  Firmness  and  Resolution. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be,  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obedt.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt 

His  Excellency,  Thomas  Wharton  Esqr 
President,  and  the  Honble  the  Executive 
Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  21 ;  cf.  no.  607,  ante,  no.  669,  post. 
l6i2]iA\  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  590. 

2  Cf.  nos.  606,  607,  609,  ante,  nos.  615,  619,  621,  622,  post.     See  also  Burke  to 
Caswell,  Aug.  21,  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  592. 

[6i3]iHaverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  722;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  544- 

-  The  resolves  passed  at  the  five-o'clock  session  of  Aug.  22,  upon  the  report  of 
a  committee  appointed  just  prior  to  adjournment. 


August,  7777  467 

614.  Henry  Marchant  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke)/ 

Philadelphia,  August  24th,  1777. 

Honored  Sir 

Taking  into  Consideration  that  the  Enemy  have  seen  proper  to 
make  this  Campaign  so  far  to  the  Southward  and  Northward  as  I  am  in 
Hopes  will  give  an  Opportunity  to  raise  a  Sufficient  Force  of  Militia  and 
State  Battalions  to  induce  Our  State  joined  by  Mass  and  Connecticut  to 
make  an  Attempt  upon  Rhode-Island :  And  in  Order  to  give  a  Spring  to 
such  a  hoped  for  Design;  and  wishing  at  least  to  get  our  Shipping  and 
Continental  Navy  out  to  Sea,  I  ventured  to  draw  up  the  enclosed  Resolu- 
tions and  prefer  them  to  Congress :  They  were  by  Congress  referred  to 
the  Marine  Committee,  and  obtaining  a  favorable  Report  from  that  Board, 
I  finally  got  them  passed  by  Congress  nearly  as  I  had  at  first  drawn  them 
up.^  If  they  should  be  thought  by  the  Navy  Board  for  the  Eastern  De- 
partment, and  the  Councill  of  War  of  Our  own  State,  to  have  been  idle, 
inexpedient  or  unadvisable,  I  shall  but  have  lost  my  Pains,  not  doubting 
but  they  will  be  candidly  considered.  If,  on  the  other  Hand,  they  should 
meet  the  Approbation  of  the  State  I  have  the  Honor  to  represent,  I  shall 
feel  myself  amply  rewarded :  And  should  they  prove  efficatious  in  deliver- 
ing Our  Trade  and  Commerce  and  the  Continental  Navy  from  its  present 
Embarassments  my  every  Wish  will  be  unspeakably  gratified.  I  thought 
I  could  not  well  answer  it  to  the  distressed  State  of  Rhode  Island  to 
remain  an  Idle  Spectator  of  the  Calamities  to  which  it  has  been  reduced 
without  receiving  any  Continental  Aid,  while  so  many  Thousands  have 
been  expended  in  the  particular  Defence  of  Delaware  Bay  and  River ; 
not  less  than  ten  Fire  Ships,  besides  several  large  Gallies  having  been 
ordered  by  Congress,  exclusive  of  very  great  Continental  Assistance  in 
constructing  and  raising  of  Batteries  etc.^  I  would  by  no  means  however 
wish  to  see  the  publick  Monies  expended  in  our  State,  without  a  hopeful 
Prospect  of  its  being  really  beneficial.  And  I  would  therefore  strongly 
recommend  that  it  be  first  well  considered.  I  doubt  not  you  will  have  the 
same  Resolves  inclosed  to  you  by  the  President ;  but  I  have  hitherto  made 
it  my  Duty  to  transmit  you  all  Resolves  that  respect  Our  State 

615.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  New  Hampshire  Assembly.^ 

Philada.  Augt.  25th.  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

I  have  it  in  charge  from  Congress  to  transmit  you  the  enclosed  Copy  of 
a  Letter  from  G^nl.  Lincoln,  accompanied  with  the  Resolve  of  Congress 
founded  thereon. 

[614]  iR.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777-1778,  p.  11;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  148. 

2  "  The  Congress  being  moved  to  pass  sundry  resolutions,  and  the  same  being 
read, 

"  Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Marine  Committee."     The  Journals, 
Aug.  18.    The  resolutions  as  passed  are  in  the  Journals,  Aug.  21  (pp.  661-662). 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  16,  Aug.  6. 

[615]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VL  257;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  H.,  f.  250;  ibid.,  N.  H.  Records,  1777. 


468  Continental  Congress 

It  is  with  the  utmost  Regret  the  Congress  hear,  that  Genl.  Stark  has 
Instructions  to  act  independant  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  if  he 
should  be  so  inchned.  As  Nothing  can  be  more  destructive  of  mihtary 
Subordination,  or  produce  greater  Confusion  in  the  Service,  than  the 
Existence  of  any  Corps  or  Body  of  Men,  free  from  the  Controul  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  and  the  Rules  of  Discipline  that  bind  the  Rest  of 
the  Army,  it  is  the  earnest  Desire  of  Congress  that  Genl.  Stark  may  be 
subject  to  the  same  Regulations  by  v^hich  all  other  general  Officers  of  the 
Militia  have  been  hitherto  governed  when  called  out  at  the  Expence  of  the 
United  States.  I  am  therefore  to  request  you  will  give  Genl.  Stark 
Instructions  to  govern  himself  accordingly. 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  your  Attention  to  the  enclosed  Resolve  and  to 
intreat  your  immediate  Compliance  with  it,  as  the  only  effectual  Means 
of  preventing  Discord,  and  restoring  that  Harmony  so  indispensably 
necessary  at  this  Juncture  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States  of  America.^ 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be.  Gentlemen, 

your  most  obed  and  very  hble.  Sert. 

J.  H.  Presid. 

Honble  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire 


6i6.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Jefferson.* 

Phila.  August  25,  1777 

Dear  Sir, 

....  The  Confederation  goes  on  but  slowly,  occasioned  by  the  immen- 
sity of  business  created  by  the  war.  But  I  find  our  right  to  our  Charter 
bounds,  as  stated  by  our  Act  of  Government  will  be  strongly  contested. 
The  Charter  of  1609  it  is  said  has  been  vacated,  and  that  no  transfer  of 
that  Charter  right  can  be  shewn  from  the  Company  to  the  people  of 
Virginia.  That  therefore  the  ungranted  lands  were  the  property  of  the 
Crown,  and  being  taken  from  it,  by  Common  exertions,  must  become 
common  Stock.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  favor  me  with  your  reasons  and 
authorities  in  support  of  our  right? ' .  .  .  . 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  19,  20  (erased  entry),  22  (erased  entry),  and  nos. 
599,  609,  ante;  cf.  nos.  606,  607,  612,  ante,  nos.  619,  622,  post. 

[616]  1  Library  of  Congress.  Jefferson  Papers,  second  ser.,  LI.  16;  Letters  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  L  317. 

2  Jefferson's  reply  to  this  letter  has  not  been  found.  The  "  Act  of  Government  " 
of  Virginia  referred  to  is  probably  the  provision  in  the  constitution  of  1776  ceding  the 
charter  bounds  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  North  Carolina,  and  South  Carolina,  but 
retaining  all  else  according  to  the  charter  of  1609.  See  Gannett,  Boundaries  of  the  United 
States,  p.  89.  Lee's  letter  indicates  that  the  Maryland  delegates  were,  in  the  discussion  of 
the  Confederation  at  this  time,  taking  the  position  in  regard  to  the  western  territory  which 
is  given  definite  record  in  the  Journals,  Oct.  15.  Cf.  no.  672,  post.  The  attitude  of  Mary- 
land had,  in  fact,  been  clearly  shown  bv  Chase's  remarks,  July  25,  anent  the  proposed 
southern  expedition  (see  no.  559B,  ante).  In  regard  to  the  Confederation  see  no.  588, 
note  2,  ante. 


August,  7777  469 

617.  Henry  Laurens,  Heads  of  Inquiry  as  to  the  State  of  the 

Army/ 

In  Congress  27  Aug-ust  1777. 
Resolved  and  etc.^ 

By  corresponding  with  pub :  Bodies  or  private  persons  by  Letter  or 
otherwise  in  this  and  the  neighboring  States 

Jst.  To  collect  the  fullest  and  clearest  evidence  of  the  state  of  the  Army 
in  the  Northern  department. 

Agreed,  to  apply  to  the  Board  of  War  for  all  Letters  from  General 
Schuyler  and  Gen.  St.  Clair  from  ist.  May  last  to  31st  July  and  to  the 
Board  of  War  and  Treasury  for  all  the  Returns 

2d  The  state  of  the  Troops,  military  Stores  and  provision  at  Ticonderoga 
and  Mount  Independance. 

Agreed — see  Returns '  for  state  of  the  Troops — for  Military  Stores, 
enq.  of  Commissy  MS  [  ?]*  for  Provision  of  the  Commissy  of  P.  What 
provisions  were  there  the  ist  May  and  sent  afterwards  up  to  the  time  of 
abandoning  the  post. 

^d  To  call  for  and  examine  the  minutes  of  the  Council  of  War  what 
orders  were  given  from  time  to  time  by  the  Commander  in  Chief  of  that 
department. 

4th    Were  the  Barracks  and  Stores  destroyed? 

^th  Enquire  of  the  Quarter  Master  and  Commissary  Gen — the  quantity 
of  Provision  laid  up  at  Ticonderoga  or  near  it.  what  measures  were 
taken  or  taking  for  throwing  in  further  supplies,     see  2d. 

[6i7]iUniv.  Va.  Lib.,  Lee  Papers  (in  the  writing  of  Henry  Laurens). 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  27,  28 ;  cf.  ibid.,  July  29,  Aug.  i,  19,  20,  23,  25.  See  also 
no.  602,  note  2,  ante,  and  nos.  619,  625,  post.  Laurens  was  chairman  of  the  committee 
appointed  Aug.  i  to  report  the  mode  of  conducting  the  inquiry  into  the  evacuation  of 
Ticonderoga,  and  drew  the  report  which  was  the  basis  of  the  resolutions  of  Aug.  27. 
He  was  also  chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  Aug.  28  to  collect  the  evidence  and 
facts  relative  to  the  evacuation.  He  has  here  set  down  in  order,  but  more  minutely 
subdivided,  the  points  of  inquiry  found  in  the  report  of  Aug.  27,  followed  by  memoranda 
of  agreements  in  the  proceedings  of  the  committee  of  Aug.  28  as  to  certain  lines  of 
inquiry.  The  fact  that  Richard  Henry  Lee  was  a  member  of  this  committee  will  explain 
why  this  document  is  found  among  the  Lee  Papers.  The  other  member  of  the  com- 
mittee was  John  Adams.  Laurens  has  given  to  these  heads  of  inquiry  the  date  Aug.  27, 
the  date  on  which  the  mode  of  inquiry  was  determined,  but  the  minutes  of  committee 
proceedings  evidently  belong  to  some  subsequent  day,  as  the  committee  was  not  appointed 
until  Aug.  28.  Dec.  26,  1777,  three  members  were  added  to  the  committee,  namely, 
Francis  Dana,  John  Witherspoon,  and  William  Ellery.  Jan.  20,  1778,  James  Lovell  was 
put  in  place  of  Dana.  Jan.  27  James  Smith  was  added  to  the  committee.  Feb.  5  the 
committee  reported  that  it  had  collected  the  evidence,  and  was  ordered  to  transmit  it 
to  General  Washington,  who  was  directed  to  order  a  court-martial.  Apr.  29  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  examine  the  evidence  and  state  the  charges  against  the  general  officers 
who  were  in  the  Northern  department  when  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Independence  were 
evacuated.    This  committee  reported  June  12. 

3  This  reference  in  the  original  is  to  "  Returns  "  in  item  i.  Laurens  has  placed 
a  cross  against  the  word  "  Returns  "  in  each  instance. 

*  It  is  conjectured  that  the  note  is  to  be  read:  "  for  Military  Stores,  enq[uire] 
of  Commissary  [of]  M[ilitary]  S [tores]."  In  the  5th  paragraph,  which  essentially 
duplicates  the  second  inquiry,  the  phrase  is  "  enquire  of  the  quarter-master  and  com- 
missary Gen."  "  Commissy  of  P."  is  Commissary  of  Purchases. 


470  Continental  Congress 

6th  The  numlier  appointment  and  movements  of  tlie  Enemy  from  the 
time  of  tlieir  Landing  to  the  time  of  Evacuating  the  Fort. 

yth.  And  also  the  number  quality  and  condition  of  the  Garrison,  see 
the  2. 

8th.  What  measures  were  taken  to  gain  Intelligence  of  the  strength  of 
the  Enemy  by  the  Comm.  in  Chief  or  the  Commanding  Officer  of  the 
Garrison. 

Agreed  to  enquire  of  Officers  who  were  in  Garrison. 

g>th.  To  Enquire  of  the  Clothier  general — what  Clothing  had  been 
issued  from  time  to  time  for  use  of  the  Northern  department  and  from 
other  public  Officers  into  the  expenditure  of  such  issues. 

Agreed — to  enquire  at  the  War  Office  for  returns  by  Mr.  Measom.' 
of  Mr.  Maese  '  and  his  deputies  and  of  proper  persons  for  the  expenditure. 

loth.  The  number  equipment  and  behaviour  of  the  Militia,  the  terms 
for  their  service,  at  and  before  the  time  of  the  evacuation. 

nth.  The  situation  and  condition  of  the  Lines  [at  Ticonderoga]  ^  and 
the  Fortifications  upon  Mount  Independence. 

Agreed — to  inquire  of  Colonel  Putman,  Engineers. 

I2th.  What  works  thrown  up  by  the  Enemy  at  what  distance  and  what 
posts  they  had  taken. 

Agreed — to  enquire  of  Engineers  and  other  proper  Officers. 

i^th.  What  Orders  by  the  Command^  Officer  directing  and  regulating 
the  manner  in  which  the  Retreat  was  conducted,  what  care  taken  of  the 
Sick. 

Agreed  to  enquire  of  Field  Officers  and  others. 

14th.  Where  any  Continental  Troops  and  what  number  at  Albany  or 
in  the  Neighborhood  how  long  they  had  been  there  and  why  not  ordered 
to  Ticonderoga. 

Agreed — Enquire  of  the  Adjutant  general,  his  deputy  also  of  General 
Officers. 

15th.  The  number  and  size  of  the  Cannon — Were  any  removed  before 
evacuating  the  Posts?  The  qnty  and  pieces  of  Military  Stores?  were 
the  Troops  furnished  with  Bayonets?  were  there  Pikes  and  Spears  and 
what  number  proper  for  defending  Lines? 

Agreed — Enquire  of  Engineers,  of  Officers  of  Artillery,  Commissary 
of  Military  Stores,  Colonels  and  others. 

Agreed  to  send  Copies  of  the  Resolve  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 
Councils  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  and  to  Governor  Clinton 
of  N.  York. 


s  George  Measam,  commissary  of  clothing  for  the  Northern  army. 
8  James  Mease,  clothier-general. 

7  There  is  a  defect  here  in  the  manuscript.    The  missing  words  are  supplied  from 
the  Journals  (p.  685). 


September,  J///  471 

6i8.  Henry  Laurens  to  Lachlan  McIntosh/ 

1st.  Septem.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  Congress  is  now  engaged  in  ways  and  means  for  filling  an 
almost  exhausted  Treasury  without  repeating  an  Emission  of  paper 
Dollars  the  favorite  Scheme  is  that  of  borrowing  from  France,  which 
I  esteem  [the  most]  destructive  step  we  can  take,  so  far  as  for  all  internal 
demands,  and  will  be  to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  further  emission  of 
paper  Money  infinitely  more  detrimental  in  its  consequences  than  the 
evil  which  is  dreaded  from  a  further  Issue  of  Dollars,  it  may  deprive  us 
too  of  the  use  of  so  much  Money  as  we  shall  want  in  France  for  the  most 
important  occasions  to  which  paper  Dollars  are  inadequate.  I  have 
endeavoured  to  point  out  ways  and  means  by  which  our  Treasury  might 
be  filled  without  either  of  the  modes  above  mentioned,  make  the  Condi- 
tions of  your  Loan  more  favorable  I  might  say  more  equitable  to  Lenders, 
and  practice  that  frugality  and  oeconomy  in  public  and  private  affairs 
which  was  our  boast  in  1774  and  from  which  particularly  in  public 
Oeconomy  we  have  departed  as  widely  as  prodigality  lies  from  discretion 
and  virtue.^ .... 


619.  The  New  Hampshire  Delegates  to  the  President  of 

New  Hampshire.'^ 

Philadelphia,  Sept  2d,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  The  Congress  has  chosen  a  Committee  to  collect  what  evidence 
they  can  for  the  trial  of  officers  at  Ticonderoga,  as  you'll  see  more  at  large 
by  the  newspapers,  and  how  far  the  State  of  New  Hampshire  is  concerned 
in  that  collection.^ 

There  has  been  lately  a  discovery  as  is  supposed  a  plot  by  the  Quakers 
in  this  place  against  the  States,  by  furnishing  our  Enemies  with  intelli- 
gence etc.  (I  fear  we  shall  fail  of  that  proof  that  is  expected)  which  has 
in  some  degree  laid  the  censure  on  all  those  people  in  the  United  States ; 
and  the  Congress  has  passed  some  Resolves  to  be  sent  to  the  United  States 
in  order  to  apprehend  some  of  those  people.  I  trust  our  Court  will  act 
with  their  own  prudence  and  caution  in  that  affair.^ 

The  Treasury  board  has  not  made  any  report  on  our  request  for  money, 
but  are  daily  promising  to  do  it ;  am  still  in  doubt  whether  we  shall  suc- 

[618]  1  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  144. 
2  See  no.  591,  note  2,  ante,  nos.  620,  627,  post. 

"  Congress  are  deeply  engaged  in  financiering,  in  contriving  ways  and  means.  All  agree 
in  taxing  largely,  but  that  will  not  afford  us  immediate  supplies."  Eliphalet  Dyer  to 
Governor  Trumbull,  Sept.  i,  1777,  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  H.  137. 

[619]!  AT.  H.  State  Papers,  VHI,  673. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  28,  and  nos.  602,  617,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  28  (p.  688,  note  2,  and  p.  694),  Sept.  3,  5,  6,  8;  also 
Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  554,  574,  580,  582,  584,  586,  589,  590,  591,  593,  S96,  597,  600,  604, 
607,  610,  612,  632.  Cf.  no.  586,  notes  10,  13,  ante,  nos.  627,  630,  633,  634,  post.  See, 
further,  the  Journals,  Jan.  29,  Mar.  10,  16,  May  15,  1778. 

35 


472  Cont'uicntal  Congress 

ceed,  as  the  Congress  is  in  want  of  all  our  money  for  the  public  use :  * 
It  is  greatly  wished  by  Congress  that  the  monied  men  would  supply  the 
loan  office  faster,  and  that  all  the  States  would  go  largely  into  taxation. 

There  is  no  Commissioners  appointed  as  yet  in  the  Eastern  Department 
to  settle  the  accts.  of  those  States,  except  what  is  relating  to  the  army,  but 
suppose  there  will  be  some  appointed  soon;"  as  we  have  requested  of 
Congress  to  appoint  such  to  examine  the  State  of  New  Hampshire's  acct, 
it  would  be  no  small  advantage  to  your  Delegates  if  we  could  be  honor'd 
with  the  Acts  or  Resolves  of  our  Honorbl.  Court,  so  far  as  relates  with  our 
duty  we  oicc  the  State  and  Court  in  Congress ;  we  were  left  to  guess  the 
Reasons  the  State  had  in  giving  Genl  Stark  his  orders  as  it  is  said  he  had, 
and  trust  we  have  given  the  Congress  sufficient  reason  to  justify  the  State 
therein,  and  to  prevent  any  censure  on  the  State  in  supposing  they  had  any 
desire  in  acting  in  a  separate  or  distinct  line,  but  in  conjunction  and  steady 
union  with  the  whole  United  States  and  for  the  general  welfare  of  the 
same ;".... 

Your  most  obedt  and  most  Humbl  servts 

Nathl  Folsom 
Geo.  Frost, 
The  Honbl  Meshech  Weare,  Esq. 
Presidt  New  Hampshire, 

620,  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Philadelphia,  Septr,  2d,  1777. 
Dr  Sir: 

The  inclosed  paper  will  give  you  all  the  public  intelligence  since  my 
last.  The  complexion  of  affairs  is  not  yet  become  so  determined  that  I 
can  set  off  for  home ;  but  I  am  in  daily  expectations  of  some  events  which 
may  determine  my  resolutions  to  that  purpose.  Our  finances  have  long 
engaged  our  attention  in  Congress,  but  we  have  not  yet  come  to  any  con- 
clusive Resolutions  thereon.  The  subject  is  of  the  greatest  importance, 
and  truly  too  great  for  our  talents.  One  thing  every  one  seems  clear  in, 
that  Taxation  in  a  ver}^  liberal  degree  must  take  place.  This,  Sir,  is  so 
necessary  that  it  must  at  all  events  be  attempted  every  where.  The 
quantity  of  money  in  circulation,  and  its  consequent  depreciation,  and  the 
accumulating  debt  of  the  public  makes  it  inevitably  necessary.  I  fear  the 
system  under  consideration  will  not  be  so  far  matured  before  my  depar- 
ture that  I  can  carry  it  with  me,  or  know  how  to  apply  my  endeavours  at 
home  towards  the  perfection  of  it,  I  shall  however  make  myself  as  much 
master  as  possible  of  the  prevailing  opinions  thereon.^  You  will  find  by 
the  intelligence  that  our  affairs  every  where  bear  a  promising  aspect,     I 

•*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  12,  15, 

s  Cf.  the  Journals,  Nov.  5.  1776,  Jan.  24,  Feb.  13,  ]\Iar.  13,  25,  Apr.  9,  19,  29, 
May  3,  1777,  Jan.  3,  5,  10,  Feb.  6,  1778.    Cf.  no.  627,  post. 
^  See  nos.  599,  609,  615,  ante. 
[62o]iAr.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  604. 

2  Cf.  nos.  591,  596,  597,  ante,  no.  627,  post. 


September,  i;;y  473 

have  the  most  sanfi:uine  hopes  that  this  campaign  will  give  a  severe  blow 
to  the  British  arms ;  and  I  even  look  forward  to  an  end  of  the  war  much 
sooner  than  has  hitherto  appeared  probable.  I  have,  Sir,  troubled  you  too 
long  m  this  letter,  and  shall  only  add  that,  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the 
greatest  respect  and  regard  your  very  obed't  hum.  S't., 

Thos.  Burke. 
621.   The  Committee  of  Intelligence  to  George  Washington.* 
^.  Philadelphia  2d.  Septr.  1777 

We  have  the  honor  to  send  your  Excellency  herewith  a  number  of  hand 
bills  published  by  order  of  Congress,  in  that  form,  for  the  more  easy  dis- 
persion thro  the  army,  that  the  troops  may  be  made  acquainted  with,  and 
emulate  the  conduct  of  their  brave  northern  and  eastern  brethren  ^ 

Wishing  you  health  and  success  we  are  with  much  esteem  and  reeard 
your  Jixcellencies  most  obedient  humble  Servants 

Richard  Henry  Lee 
Thos.  Heyward  Junr. 
JoNA  D  Sergeant 
Wm  Duer 
Committee  of  Intelligence 

622.  James  Duane  to  Robert  R.  Livingston.' 
MydearSir,  [September  3 (?),  1777-]^ 

....  It  is  difficult  to  fix  a  reward  for  Herkimer.  He  does  not  want  a 
Continental  command  nor  money.  The  thanks  of  Congress  and  a  sword 
whl  be  readily  granted.  Can  you  think  of  any  thing  more  suitable ' 
Gansvoort  and  Willett  are  in  the  highest  degree  of  fame,     we  have  had 

[62IJ1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  304 

2  These  were  handbills  announcing  Stark's  victory  at  Bennineton  See  nn« 
M  Fo;dr  VI  6."  Th?l  °'  Washington's  reply  Sept'  3  is^  prinTd^in  WritS^i 
fh^'h.Zu-u  c  K  ^"^  Journals  do  not  record  the  order  of  Congress  for  orintine 
(el'rordfix.^fo86.'"''"  ^'^  Bibliographical  Notes  under  Aug.  2!,  in%he  /JiS 

^^""""K^x}'!-  P"b.  Lib     Bancroft  Coll.,  Livingston  Papers,  L  299  (copy) 

2  With  regard  to  the  conjectural  date  of  this  letter,  see  note  3,  befow 

3  The  question  of  reward  for  Herkimer,  Gansevoort,  Willet    and  Stark  came 
n!ZlLT"^T   ?,'P'-  ^'   ^S^^'-dingly  this   letter  was  probably  writtefon  that  Ty 
?see  Aooletnn   r^W^  T  ^V^^^l^  "J  Herkimer's  death,  which  had  occurred  Aug    S 
nrfnf.^^^     ?u'  ^^^"^  ^r^"'  ^'""^/^ '  ^"^  ^e  must  presently  have  read  the  following  notice 
printed   in   the  />.„n.yfoama  /o«r«a/   Sept.   3:    "Kingston    (New   York     Au|usr2? 
thVbaUle  n?ar  Onev^'a  brri^^^^A^KEMAN  is  dead  of  the  wounds  he  recdved  at 
SidTesterdav''   ?Fif..?f.^/   ^^-"^J"^  wrote  to  Gates,  Aug.  21:    "General  Herkimer 
fwl-    f  ..  ^Letters  to  Washtngton,  ed.  Sparks,  H.  518),  but  there  is  no  record 
that  this  letter  was  read  m  Congress,  although  Arnold's  letters  to  Gates  of  Aug  IMnA 
iiZf^,  'f^   ^^^\'-     ^r^"°n"  ^^'"*°"  announced  Herkimer°s  death  to  Ihfcoundl 
?n  Prl  -^  ^"!^^^  ^{'T  ^-  ^-  -^^^^^  ^''«^-  I-  1048).  and  a  copy  of  his  letter  was  seS 
to  President  Hancock  by  the  council  Aug.  26.    Its  receipt  by  Congress  is  not   Sever 

SeT  2  and  '^rP^'T^''  T^t''  ^^^'"^  '^'^^'^^  Herki^er'^n  his^letters  to  his  °v¥e  of 
nn^A^rfo-     i  (^^^'^^'^C  J^^tters,  pp.  304,  305),  but  does  not  mention  his  death      It  is 
T.t    ^V^'^^T.  "?"",  Congress  learned  it.     See  the  Journals,  Oct.  4,  and  no   66^ 
post.    With  regard  to  Stark,  see  nos.  609,  615,  ante.  ^' 


474  Continental  Congress 

such  a  train  of  disgrace  at  all  our  forts,  and  lost  them  so  unexpectedly — 
Let  me  except  Sullivan's  Island  that  the  brave  defence  of  Fort  Schuyler 
has  made  the  deepest  impression.  The  reward  due  to  these  gentlemen  is 
not  yet  determined :  but  it  is  generally  talked  to  raise  Gansevoort  to  the 
rank  of  Brigadier  General,  and  VVillett  to  that  of  Colonel.  Stark  will 
also  be  provided  for,  though  he  is  something  under  the  clouds  for  refusing 
to  serve  under  General  Lincoln  to  whom  he  refused  the  command  of  the 
troops,  assigning  as  a  reason  that  Congress  had  done  him  injustice  in  not 
promoting  him 

623.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Israel  Putnam/ 

Philada.  Septr  3d.  1777. 
Sir, 

Your  Favour  of  the  27th  Ulto  I  have  been  duely  honored  with,  and 
immediately  laid  it  before  Congress. 

From  the  enclosed  Resolves  you  will  percieve  that  Provision  has  been 
made  for  Major  Generals,  while  they  act  in  a  seperate  Department,  and  as 
Congress  consider  you  as  acting  in  that  Line  for  the  present,  the  same  Pay 
is  to  be  extended  to  you  from  the  Time  you  took  the  Command  at  Peeks- 
Kill,  until  it  shall  cease.^ 

The  Congress  have  been  induced  from  your  Recommendation  of  Rose 
and  Ackerly,  to  consent  that  you  should  pardon  them  both.  The  Manner 
in  which  you  propose  to  employ  them  appears  to  be  extremely  proper. 

The  Honble  Major  Genl  Putnam  Peeks-Kill. 

624.  Robert  Morris  to  William  Whipple.* 

Philada.  Septr.  4th.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  seen  letters  from  Cap  McNeil  to  the  Marine  Committee  wherein 
he  blames  Manly  for  some  part  of  his  Conduct,  it  w-as  a  great  pity  they 
did  not  push  into  some  port  with  their  Prize  where  the  whole  might  have 
been  manned  and  gone  out  fresh  again  they  wou'd  have  formed  a  stern 
little  squadron,  however  as  that  cannot  be,  w^e  must  attend  to  what  is 
in  our  power  and  if  Thompson,  Hinman[,]  Jones  and  McNeill  are  not 
gone  they  wnll  now  receive  orders  to  cross  the  Ocean,  this  point  I  carried 
yesterday  in  Committee  and  the  orders  will  be  sent  immediately.^ 

[623]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  262;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  H.,  p.  255. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2.  The  extra  pay  and  allowance  to  a  major-general 
acting  in  a  separate  department  rests  on  the  resolve  of  June  16,  1775.  See  no.  512, 
ante. 

[624]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Gilmor  Papers,  III.  5. 

2  The  officers  mentioned  are  Captains  Thomas  Thoiripson,  Elisha  Hinman,  John 
Paul  Jones,  and  Hector  McNeill  (see  the  Journals,  Oct.  10,  1776).  The  marine  com- 
mittee's letter  to  Capt.  Thompson,  dated  Sept.  6,  ordering  him  to  get  ready  and  sail  to 
France,  is  in  Paullin,  Out-Letters  of  the  Continental  Marine  Committee  and  Board  of 
Admiralty,  I.  155.  In  regard  to  the  controversy  between  McNeill  and  Manley,  see  G.  W. 
Allen.  Navai  Hist.  Am.  Rev.,  I.  202,  et  seq;  and  I.  J.  Greenwood,  Captain  John  Manley, 
ch.  IV.    Cf.  no.  427,  ante. 


September,  7777  475 

I  am  much  engaged  in  winding  up  the  Accounts  of  the  Secret  Com- 
mittee and  it  will  be  a  Herculean  labour,  and  in  order  to  do  it  compleatly 
I  moved  for  a  New  Committee  which  was  appointed  and  is  stiled  the 
Commercial  Committee  who  are  to  carry  on  the  business  in  future  '  they 
have  chosen  me  Chairman  but  I  am  very  averse  to  engaging  deeply  in  this 
new  business  untill  the  old  is  closed,  and  indeed  I  now  wish  to  be  released 
from  public  business  totally.  I  have  had  a  long  spell,  my  own  affairs 
suffering  amazingly  the  whole  time  and  having  no  Ambition  to  gratify 
I  wish  to  Resign  my  honors  and  powers  to  somebody  that  may  be  better 
pleased  with  them.  Whether  I  shall  be  permitted  to  retire  or  not  I  dont 
yet  know,  but  the  meeting  of  our  assembly  is  at  hand  and  I  hope  they 
will  leave  me  out  of  the  new  appointments.  The  Commercial  Committee 
agreed  at  their  last  meeting  that  it  was  better  to  lay  by  awhile  as  the 
Enemies  Cruizers  are  too  numerous  on  our  Coasts  for  any  thing  to  escape 
in  the  Summer  Months,  but  I  suppose  they  will  Commence  some  opera- 
tions soon  as  hard  Winds  begin  to  blow 

625.  Committee  of  Congress  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Sir — 

The  Resolve  of  Congress  which  you  will  receive  under  this  Cover  will 
show  you  that  we  are  appointed  a  Committee  and  for  what  purposes.^ 

We  request  you  to  transmit  to  us  by  the  earliest  good  opportunity  the 
fullest  intelligence  in  your  late  department  of  Commissary  General  and 
you  will  further  oblige  us  by  adding  any  further  information  properly 
authenticated  relative  to  the  enquiries  which  we  are  ordered  to  make. 

We  are  with  great  regard  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  Servant  [s] 

Henry  Laurens 
Richard  Henry  L[ee] 
John  Adams 
State  House 

Philadelphia  5  September  1777 
Joseph  Trumbull  Esquire 

Connecticut. 

626.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Governor  of  New  Jersey.* 

Philadelphia,  September  5th,  1777. 
Sir, 

In  the  present  exigency  of  public  affairs,  the  Congress  have  come  to 
the  enclosed  resolve,  which  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit,  and  which  I  am 
to  request  you  will  comply  with  as  soon  as  possible.^ 

3  See  the  Journals,  July  5,  and  no.  539,  ante.    See  also  Morris's  statement,  Jan. 
7>  1779.  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

[625]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  506  (in  the  writing  of  Henry 
Laurens). 

2  The  committee  appointed  to  collect   evidence   relative  to   the  evacuation  of 
Ticonderoga.     See  nos.  602,  note  2,  617,  619,  ante,  nos.  669,  671,  677,  781,  post. 
[626]^  N.  J.  Rev.  Corr.,  p.  98. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  4,  and  nos.  627,  629,  post.    Cf.  nos.  635,  639,  post,  and 
the  Journals,  Sept.  17. 


476  Continental  Congress 

The  militia  of  the  state  of  New  Jersey  by  their  late  conduct  ag-ainst  our 
cruel  enemies,  have  distingfuisheci  themselves  in  a  manner  that  does  them 
tile  g^reatest  honor;  and  I  am  persuaded  they  will  continue  to  merit  on  all 
occasions,  when  called  upon,  the  reputation  they  have  so  justly  acquired. 
Those  which  the  Congress  now  rc«iuest  you  will  order  out,  it  is  their 
desire  you  will  order  to  rendezvou  at  Bristol. 

It  will  be  highly  agreeable  to  Congress  to  give  the  command  to  Gen. 
Dickinson,  should  the  appointment  fall  in  with  your  judgment,  and  I  have 
reason  to  believe  he  will  cheerfully  accept  of  it,  if  you  should  think  proper 
to  put  them  under  his  direction.^ 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect,  sir,  your  most  obed't 
and  very  h'ble  serv't, 

John  Hancock,  Presid't. 

His  Excellency,  Governor  Livingston, 

627.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.^ 

5th.  Septem.  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

....  Congress  is  not  the  respectable  body  which  I  expected  to  have 
found,  to  be  particular  on  this  point  would  be  improper,  but  I  mention 
so  much  from  that  feeling  which  is  irrisistible.  I  see  my  own  private 
affairs  going  to  Wreck.  I  am  helping  forward  the  heavy  loss  by  most 
amazing  expences  here.  I  am  adding  to  the  load  of  trouble  which  my 
friends  must  have  from  attending  to  their  own  concerns,  and  am  render- 
ing my  Country  no  intrinsic  services,  this  latter  consideration  grieves 
me  most.  I  think  I  have  been  instrumental  in  averting  two  pernicious 
schemes  and  except  these  my  time  8  or  10  hours  every  day  has  been 
squandered,  the  most  necessary  work  we  have  to  do  at  present  is  that  of 
Confederating,  and  that  of  making  a  state  of  past  expences,  to  be  fully 
informed  of  the  application  of  those  Millions  already  Issued  to  govern  our 
future  proceedings  by  wiser  measures  and  to  fill  our  exhausted  Treasury 
by  means  least  likely  to  involve  us  in  difficulties,  my  attempts  to  accom- 
plish these  great  purposes  have  hitherto  proved  fruitless  and  I  have  too 
much  reason  to  fear,  from  a  discovery  of  the  cause,  will  ever  prove  so,  un- 
less very  particular  Instructions  from  some  of  the  States  should  be  charged 
upon  their  Delegates  to  demand  of  Congress  an  adjustment  of  accounts.^ 
I  wish  we  were  half  an  hour  together  I  would  say  many  things  to  you. 
as  an  Assembly  Man,  in  favour  of  our  little  honest  State,  what  I  have 
said  you  may  think  of  in  that  Character  but  as  being  said  to  your  self 
only 

here  I  left  ofif  at  ^  past  10  oClock  (the  6th.)  and  w^ent  to  Congress  am 
this  moment  returned  ^  pt.  3 — five  hours  debating  one  silly  point  whether 
certain  persons  chiefly  Quakers  who  hav^e  given  the  Strongest  proofs 
w^hich  in  these  times  can  be  expected  of  their  avowed  attachment  to  the 

'Maj.-Gen.  Philemon  Dickinson.    Cf.  the  Journals,  Sept.  12.  14.  16.  17- 
[627]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  149. 
2  See  no.  619,  note  5,  ante. 


September,  i///  477 

cause  of  our  Enemies,  who  have  peremptorily  refused  to  take  an  Oath  or 
affirmation  of  Allegiance  to  the  state  or  to  give  a  parole  to  the  Executive 
power,  should  have  a  hearing  in  their  own  defence,  the  hearing  which 
they  aim  at  is  not  intended,  but  a  hearing  they  may  have,  if  they  will 
accept  the  mode  prescribed.  Congress  have  recommended  to  the  Execu- 
tive Council  to  hear  what  they  have  to  allege  "  for  removing  Suspicion 
that  they  are  Enemies  to  the  Independence  of  the  United  States."  * 

I  am  much  mistaken  if  by  this  shifting  ground  the  Cry  of  persecution 
will  not  be  raised  ten  times  higher,  and  that  Congress  and  Council  will 
eventually  make  rediculous  figures 

when  I  first  arrived  here  I  was  told  by  way  of  caution  that  in  Congress 
there  were  parties.  I  soon  perceived  there  were,  in  the  short  space  of 
Seven  Weeks  I  have  discovered  parties  within  parties,  divisions  and  Sub- 
divisions to  as  great  a  possible  extent  as  the  number  35  (for  we  have  never 
more  together)  will  admit  of  as  it  is  wholly  contrary  to  my  genius  and 
practice  to  hold  with  any  of  them  as  party,  so  I  incur  the  censure  of  not 
being  long  with  any 

I  told  you  I  had  been  Instrumental  in  averting  two  pernicious  schemes, 
this  is  one  of  the  Instances  * — the  other  was  a  proposed  mad  expedition. ° 
but  I  have  not  succeeded  to  my  wish,  far  from  it.  by  a  Majority  of  one 
voice  we  have  Resolved  to  draw  on  France  at  all  hazard,  Tobacco  or  no 
Tobacco,  or  whether  the  fund  may  be  exhausted  by  other  demands  or  not, 
to  draw  I  say  for  the  amount  of  Interest  of  all  past  and  future  loans.' 

I  cannot  persuade  Gentlemen  to  believe  that  Bills  of  Exchange  on 
France  bearing  6  Per  Cent  Interest  is  a  further  emission  of  paper  Money, 
but  so  much  more  dangerous  than  an  emission  of  Square  Dollars  by  the 
Interest  which  will  accumulate  to  be  repaid  abroad  and  thereby  in  effect 
mortgaging  to  a  foreign  Crafty  power  so  much  of  our  Soil.  I  cannot 
prevail  upon  them  to  believe  that  if  their  Loan  Certificates  were  made 
payable  in  one  Year  instead  of  three  or  five  Years  and  the  Interest  quar- 
terly or  half  Yearly,  Money  holders  could  be  induced  to  lend  more  freely. 
I  cannot  prevail  by  my  reasoning,  to  prove  that  either  from  the  tenour 
of  their  present  loan  Certificates  or  from  the  insufficiency  of  the  Sums 
Emitted  to  answer  the  amazing  circulation  of  paper  Currency  and  also  for 
a  return  into  the  public  Funds,  arises  the  slackness  and  deficiency  of 
Loans.    I  believe  it  arises  chiefly  from  the  former,  because  there  can  be  no 

^  See  no.  619,  note  3,  ante;  also  note  13,  below. 

*  The  reference  is  to  the  proposed  French  loan,  which  Laurens  had  been  dis- 
cussing adversely,  with  quotations  from  the  letter  of  Mar.  12  (including  an  addition  of 
Apr.  9)  from  the  commissioners  in  Paris.  The  letter  is  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr., 
II.  283.  Cf.  nos.  591,  594-597,  618,  620,  anie.  He  closes  his  observations  with  these 
remarks:  "Is  this  going  hand  over  head?  is  it  governing  13  United  States  by  random 
Strokes  of  policy?  or  did  it  spring  from  sinister  motives?  I  cannot  suspect  the  latter 
yet  such  projects  were  the  megrims  of  men  who  hold  themselves  of  the  first  rank  and 
first  importance  in  our  political  system." 

5  See  nos.  584,  586,  ante. 

8  This  doubtless  refers  to  the  vote  in  the  committee  of  the  whole.  See  the 
Journals,  Sept.  9,  10,  Oct.  6.  Cf.  the  report  of  the  committee  on  ways  and  means, 
June  II,  and  see  no.  591,  note  2,  ante;  also  nos.  631,  636,  post.  With  regard  to  the 
tobacco  negotiations,  see  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.,  passim  (consult  preliminary 
index,  vol.  I.,  also  index,  vol.  VI.). 


478  Continental  Congress 

Man  so  stupid,  as  to  think  Congress  Money  in  many  Rills  more  perma- 
nent and  secure  by  lying  in  their  Desks  useless  and  subject  to  many 
ordinary  risques  than  it  would  be  if  it  was  comprised  and  expressed  in 
one  CertiHeate  of  Congress  Money  and  bearing  6  Per  Cent  Interest  ♦  ♦ 
*  *  [sie^.  Neither  can  I  prevail  on  Interested  Men  to  acknowledge  that 
20  Millions  of  Expence  per  Annum  all  i)aid  in  ready  Money  whether  the 
Kxpcnce  be  f«>r  Soldiers  Waggons  and  Rations  or  for  Broad  Cloth  and 
Silk  re(iuires  more  money  for  circulating  Currency  than  the  expence  of 
8  or  10  Millions  Per  Annum,  of  which  Jth.  at  least  [is]  entered  into  Books 
not  paid  for  in  twelve  or  18  months  and  even  the  not  \(\  paid  for  in  Paper 
Money  but  in  produce  of  the  Ground,  nor  can  I  persuade  Such  Men  to 
own,  although  they  must  know,  that  however  hard  they  may  Struggle 
and  rant  in  order  to  accomplish  impossibilities  the  Value  of  their  paper 
Currency  whether  in  Bills  of  Exchange  hawked  about  in  France  or  in 
Paper  Dollars  contemned  in  Philadelphia  Beef-Market  will  continue  to 
decrease  until  we  can  open  our  Ports  and  obtain  a  free  exchange  for  the 
products  of  our  Land,  we  may  indeed  find  some  temporary  relief  by  Sale 
of  Forfeitures  within,  what  is  worse  than  all  I  cannot  prevail  upon  them 
to  listen  to  the  alarm — that  going  into  debt  to  France  howbeit  this  may 
afford  us  present  means  and  put  our  debt  out  of  sight  for  a  little  while 
will  be  mortgaging  our  Soil  will  induce  that  Court  to  persevere  in  her 
plan  "  to  do  no  act  which  may  seem  to  acknozuledge  our  Independency," 
will  encourage  the  British  Ministry  to  protract  the  War,  will  infallilDly 
Create  Jealousies  and  engender  broils  and  divisions  among  the  States 
and  will  in  a  very  few  years  burst  our  Childish  bubble  of  Independence — 
that  from  these  aw^ful  considerations  Wisdom  dictates  to  us  to  draw  upon 
France  for  no  more  Money  than  is  absolutely  necessary  to  purchase  and 
pay  for  articles  essential  to  our  defensive  War — that  we  should  contract 
our  expences  public  and  private — recommend  Taxation  in  each  Colony — 
borrow  at  home  upon  the  best  terms — clear  the  States  of  Enemies — 
Sell  vacant  and  forfeited  Tracts  and  other  Estates — encourage  Manufac- 
tures— Strive  more  ardently  to  improve  our  marine  force  and  do  a 
Thousand  other  things  which  we  know  to  be  necessary  which  we  ought 
immediately  to  engage  in  and  which  we  would  do,  if  Luxury  and  Avarice 
were  discountenanced  and  banished  If  we  have  not  virtue  enough  to 
Save  our  Selves,  easy  access  to  the  Treasury  of  France  will  only  hasten 
our  ruin,  these  Sir  are  ver\'  Serious  considerations  I  have  suffered  much 
distress  of  mind  on  the  occasion.  I  have  been  told  that  my  arguments 
were  very  pretty  for  theoretic  writers,  but  I  appeal  to  experience,  it  is 
from  experience  I  draw  my  reasoning.  I  do  not  contend  for  a  further 
Emission  of  paper  Money,  I  w^ish  to  avoid  it.  I  am  sure  we  may  avoid 
it  if  we  please.  I  contend  against  the  most  dangerous  of  all  Emissions 
drawing  Bills  on  a  foreign  Court,  but  if  we  must  emit  for  domestic  pur- 
chases and  services,  of  two  Evils  I  would  choose  the  least,  many  other 
arguments  I  have  at  different  Stages  introduced,  too  many  to  trouble 
you  with.^ .... 

'  Cf.  no.  766,  post. 


September,  i///  479 

It  is  now  Monday  Morning  the  8th 

I  will  trouble  you  a  little  further  on  the  Subject  which  I  droped  the  (5th. — 
*  *  *  *    [jic] 

It  was  said,  "  many  people  held  Congress  Money  to  purchase  Lands  and 
other  bargains  or  would  even  lend  it  at  a  low  Interest  to  private  persons  in 
preference  to  putting  it  into  the  Loan  Office."  answer,  admit  these  to  be 
facts,  what  is  proved  but  that  there  is  a  circulation  for  Money  either  by 
purchases  or  by  Loans,  and  that  there  are  some  people  who  have  so  good 
an  opinion  of  Congress  Money  as  to  Exchange  Land  for  it,  and  some 
who  have  opportunities  of  improving  it  in  different  ways  otherwise  they 
would  not  borrow;  and  the  loans  to  them  being  at  a  low  Interest  prove 
these  to  be  men  of  Substance. 

Again,  "  Many  people  will  not  take  Congress  Money  who  will  by  some 
means  or  other  find  Money  to  purchase  Bills  and  fill  your  Loan  Office." 
granted ;  but  who  are  these  people  ?  Surely  our  friends  do  not  refuse  to 
take  Congress  Money?  and  shall  we  Involve  the  States  in  a  debt  which 
may  involve  their  ruin  in  order  to  accomodate  our  Enemies'?  but  is  it 
certain  that  Tories  who  will  not  Credit  us  here  at  home,  where  there  is 
a  Stamina,  will  take  our  paper  Money  Payable  in  a  Country  where  we 
have  wo  foundation  ? 

"  But  it  has  been  the  practice  of  all  Nations  to  borrow  " ;  true  when 
necessity  obliged  them,  and  so  far  and  no  further.  I  consent  now  to 
borrow,  but  so  extremely  cautious  wise  nations  have  been  of  borrowing 
from  other  powers,  so  jealous  even  of  a  Balance  of  Trade  against  them 
has  Great  Britain  been,  that  they  broke  off  connexion  with  France  and 
submitted  to  drink  muddy  port  instead  of  Sparkling  Champaign  and 
brilliant  Claret. 

"  But  Great  Britain  owes  now  about  40  Million  to  the  States  of  Holland 
for  Money  borrowed."  this  lies  on  you  to  prove,  but  I  believe  I  may 
safely  deny  it.  the  Dutch  Subjects  I  will  grant  have  money  in  the  British 
Loans.  I  dont  know  to  what  amount  perhaps  six  or  eight  Millions,  so 
have  the  subjects  of  other  States  as  Individuals.  But  if  Nations  have 
been  accustomed  to  borrow  of  other  Nations  have  they  not  given  Security  ? 
did  not  Holland  put  some  of  her  Port  Towns  into  the  hands  of  the  Queen 
of  England  !  did  not  Prussia  Mortgage  Selissia  for  the  Credit  established 
in  London?  which  of  the  United  States  will  you  put  into  the  hands  of 
France  as  guarantee  for  the  Sums  intended  to  be  borrowed,  but  why  will 
you  borrow  when  by  a  reassumption  of  that  Virtue  which  we  boasted  of 
and  dropped  in  the  Same  Year,  you  may  go  on  and  Succeed  without 
borrowing  ? 

"  But  France  asks  us  no  Guarantee,  she  offers  to  lend  without  any 
Security  and  when  we  are  in  her  debt  it  will  be  her  Interest  to  Support 
us."    true  she  has  as  yet  Courted  us  to  take  trifling  Sums  and  magnified 

"  the  K s  ®  generosity  "  in  demanding  no  Security.    She  has  also  told 

us  it  is  impossible  to  let  us  have  the  trifling  Sum  of  two  Millions  Sterling, 
how  long  shall  we  remain  free  from  a  demand  for  guarantee?    can  any 

8 "  King's." 


480  Continental  Congress 

one  answer?  If  it  will  he  consistent  with  the  interest  of  France  to  Sup- 
port us  when  we  are  in  her  debt,  it  will  be  equally  consistent  with  her 
Interest  and  her  practise  too  to  send  a  few  Men  of  War,  Troops  and 
Officers  into  one  or  more  of  our  ports  to  protect  us  from  insults  from  our 
old  Enemies  and  at  the  Same  time  to  collect  the  Revennues  due  for  the 
Loans,  we  have  a  recent  proof  of  the  Value  France  has  put  upon  our 
Lands  in  our  present  Circumstances.  "  Livre  or  io\d.  Sterling  per  Acre." 
what  folly  what  madness  it  will  be  to  involve  our  selves  in  debt  to  that 
power,  we  should  at  least  refrain  until  we  have  Resolved  upon  the  Port 
for  the  reception  of  the  French  Men  of  War. 

I  compare  our  present  attempt  to  the  folly  of  a  Young  Man  borrowing 
Money  from  a  designing  Sharper  upon  the  Credit  of  an  expected  Heir- 
ship. We  are  unwary  and  love  ease  and  pleasure,  we  will  borrow  because 
it  will  save  trouble.  France  pleads  poverty  in  order  to  enhance  the  favor, 
will  lend  as  much  as  she  can  (if  you  will  enable  her)  and  asks  no  Security, 
this  magnifies  the  Royal  and  National  Generosity,  to  whom  are  these 
manifique  Offers  proposed?  to  free  and  independent  States?  No — to 
puppets  whom  she  keeps  behind  the  Curtain,  to  Squeak  her  purposes,  for 
tis  her  plan  "  to  do  no  Act  which  shall  seem  to  acknowledge  our  Inde- 
pency."  [,sic']  She  will  not  openly  receive  our  Agents,  her  minister 
tells  them — "  it  will  be  well  taken  if  they  communicate  with  no  other 
persons  about  the  Court  but  himself,  that  he  will  at  all  convenient  seasons 
be  ready  to  confer  with  them."  they  treat  our  Agents  "  with  all  Civility 
but  are  cautious  of  giving  Umbrage  to  England." 

"  they  (the  french  ministry)  take  every  step  to  gratify  England  pub- 
lickly — attend  to  their  Remonstrances,  forbid  Ships  with  Military  Stores 
for  America  to  depart,  recal  leave  of  absence  to  their  Officers  going  out  to 
America  and  in  presence  of  the  British  Minister  give  Strict  Orders  that 
American  Prizes  should  not  be  sold  in  France,  at  the  same  time  all  these 
things  are  nevertheless  done  and  they  assure  us  (American  Agents)  of 
their  good  Will."  *  Can  there  be  stronger  proof  adduced  of  French 
dissimulation  and  American  Puppetism? 

Would  wise  men,  would  the  Guardians  of  thirteen  Orphan  States  in- 
cautiously trust  their  W^ards  in  the  power  of  such  a  Court?  if  you  pro- 
fusely borrow  from  her  you  will,  you  must  be  in  her  power.  I  tremble 
at  the  prospect.  I  would  almost  rather  return  to  subjection  to  England, 
but  I  would  surely  rather  recall  our  Agents  than  submit  any  longer  to  such 
Insults.  France  will  not  for  her  own  Interest  let  you  go  back  to  England, 
be  Virtuous,  she  will  also  for  her  own  Interest  seek  you,  she  will  continue 
to  supply  you  with  everything  needful  and  to  keep  her  ports  open  to  your 
ships,  in  a  little  time  such  virtuous  Resolutions  will  render  you  Indepen- 
dent of  both  France  and  England.  I  must  have  tired  you  good  Sir  and 
yet  I  have  not  minuted  here  one  half  that  I  thought  my  self  obliged  to 
say  and  repeat  upon  this  important  business  in  the  Course  of  5  or  6  days 
debate  and  adjournment,     many  good  men  see  into  the  danger  of  con- 

5  See  Franklin  and  Deane  to  the  committee  of  secret  correspondence,  Mar.  12, 
cited  in  note  4,  above. 


September,  7777  481 

tracting  a  debt  with  France  but  they  dont  see  clearly,  they  say  "  what  shall 
we  do  the  Treasury  is  Empty."  this  shews  our  Error  in  having  neglected 
so  long,  a  business  which  is  one  of  the  main  pillars  of  our  Independence, 
it  shews  our  folly  too  in  the  wanton  terms  proposed  for  Treaty  last  year.^° 
there  the  Court  of  Versailles  has  again  made  puppets  of  us  and  treated  us 
with  the  Contempt  we  deserved.  God  Grant  Mr.  Washington,  that  brave 
and  virtuous  that  disinterested  Patriot.  Hero,  success  in  a  conflict  which  is 
probably  now  in  agitation  and  we  shall  have  further  time  to  retrospect  our 
proceedings  and  to  mend  what  shall  appear  to  have  been  amiss,  if  he  fails, 
a  New  Scene  will  open.  Nothing  but  Virtue  then  can  save  us.  we  never 
shall  call  in  her  aid  until  we  feel  severe  distress,  tis  time  to  attend  Con- 
gress, may  be  when  I  return  I  may  tell  you  more  of  the  Quaker  affair 
and  trouble  you  with  another  sheet,  but  before  I  go  let  me  suggest  a 
danger  which  we  seem  to  be  drawn  into,  a  whole  week  is  passed  and 
nothing  is  said  or  done  further  for  replenishing  our  Treasury,  if  the 
proper  means  are  neglected  until  that  is  nearly  or  more  nearly  exhausted, 
we  may  be  frighted  into  a  measure  big  with  ruin,  that  of  drawing  for  five 
or  ten  Million  Dollars  for  doing  which  we  have  neither  permission  nor 
encouragement,  if  this  shall  happen  remember  I  have  foretold  it  and  to 
you  and  others  of  my  Constituents  who  are  concerned  in  the  event. 

I  am  happy  in  having  Mr.  Middleton  exactly  coincide  in  sentiments  with 
me  altho  he  has  not  spoke  to  the  point.  Mr.  H."  differs  but  I  would  not 
have  it  taken  notice  of  for  w^hatever  his  opinions  may  be,  he  is  a  man  of 
Candor  and  Integrity,  and  I  wish  not  to  name  any  Body. 

pth  Septemr. — I  did  not  return  from  business  yesterday  till  the  Sun 
had  Set,  eat  a  Scanty  dinner  and  was  obliged  to  go  out  again  upon  business 
when  I  came  home  I  felt  a  much  stronger  propensity  for  the  Bed  than  the 
writing  Table,  it  was  mortifying  to  sit  from  1 1  oClock  to  ^  past  6  with- 
out respite.  Spend  four  hours  of  that  time  wrangling  a  point  which  I 
think  had  employed  us  five  days  before,  receive  and  pocket  a  well  timed 
and  spirited  reprimand  from  the  Council  and  end  the  business  relative  to 
the  Quakers  and  other  self  disaffected,  where  it  might  have  been  ended 
and  in  the  manner  in  which  it  ought  to  have  been  ended  in  five  minutes 
from  the  very  outset,  by  recommending  to  confine  at  an  appointed  place, 
Stanton  in  Virginia,  all  the  mischeivous  and  active  ones,  who  shall  refuse 
to  take  the  Oath  or  affirmation  of  Allegience  to  the  State.  I  will  not  say 
the  business  is  quite  ended,  for  as  the  Council  feel  or  rather  express  them- 
selves as  if  they  were  chaffed  by  our  conduct,  it  may  be,  they  will  have 
nothing  further  to  do  in  it.^^ 

These  are  weighty  Considerations,  very  weak,  very  impolitic  Steps  in 
Congress  tends  to  lower  it  in  the  Esteem  of  the  World,  to  sink  its  power 
and  influence  and  to  Strengthen  the  hands  and  hopes  of  our  Enemies 
abroad  and  at  home,    many  such  Steps  are  taken  which  the  World  do  not 

i"The  proposed  treaty  with  France  is  found  in  the  Journals  under  Sept.  17, 
1776,  and  the  instructions  to  the  commissioners  relative  thereto  are  ibid.,  Sept.  24. 

11  Thomas  Heyward. 

12  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  8.  The  "  spirited  reprimand "  from  the  council  of 
Pennsylvania,  dated  Sept.  6,  is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  593.  For  other  references  see 
no.  619,  note  3,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  567,  586,  ante. 


4S2  Continental  Congress 

know  of  these  which  arc  the  Subject  of  pubhc  canvassing  make  a  rapid 
progress  to  our  detriment,  observe  among  other  reasons  given  in  the 
House  of  Commons  by  Ld.  Geo  Germaine  for  continuing  the  War  in 
America  he  gives  particularly  this  one — "  that  he  had  further  formed  his 
opinion  from  the  circumstance  of  the  Congress  having  given  up  the 
Government  confessing  them  selves  unequal  to  it  and  creating  Mr.  Wash- 
ington dictator  of  America."  .... 

I  am  persuaded  you  will  make  the  best  use  you  can  of  these  intimations, 
you  may  depend  upon  it  I  have  neither  by  word  or  energy  misrepresented 
any  fact.  I  have  SiX)ken  pretty  freely  to  His  Excellency  the  President."* 
Mr.  Middleton  I  believe  has  delivered  his  Sentiments  and  will  deliver 
them  very  fully  when  he  returns,  but  I  speak  more  to  your  Self  in  the 
Character  of  one  of  my  Representative  Constituents  I  wish  what  I  have 
said  may  be  useful.  I  hold  it  dangerous  that  the  public  should  know  our 
[**]Infirmity  " — as  it  was  yesterday  properly  termed  in  debate  by  my 
Colleague  last  mentioned 

We  have  Submitted  to  General  Washington  the  propriety  of  ordering 
three  Thousand  Men  from  Peeks  Kill  for  the  protection  of  Jersey  or  for 
forming  a  Corps  de  reserve  for  enabling  him  in  case  of  need  to  give 
second  battle  to  General  Howe's  Troops."  it  is  said  from  Camp  that 
General  Howe  has  with  the  sick  and  Wounded  embarked  his  Baggage 
and  Tents,  his  Army  retired  a  little  way  and  Camped  in  Bowers  on  or 
near  Iron  Hill  if  this  be  true  the  fleet  will  soon  reappear  in  Delaware. 
I  must  now  go  again  to  Congress  when  I  return  or  early  to  morrow 
Morning  will  close  this  very  long  Epistle,  we  are  more  than  three  days 
older  yet  nothing  extraordinary  is  brought  forth  so  vain  are  all  our 
conjectures. 

Just  returned  from  Congress  4  oClock.  I  cannot  sit  to  dinner  before 
I  disburthen  my  mind  by  giving  you  a  further  Idea  of  our  Confused 
proceedings. 

I  have  been  Witness  to  a  Report  made  by  a  Committee  of  the  whole, 
which  had  been  entered  upon  the  Journal,  superceded  by  a  new  Resolu- 
tion even  without  reference  to  the  Report.  A  Resolution  carried  almost 
Nam  Con — entered,  and  half  an  hour  after  reconsidered  and  expunged.^' 
when  I  add  that  such  irregularity  is  the  work  of  almost  every  day,  you 
will  not  wonder  that  I  wish  to  be  any  where  but  in  Congress. 

the  great  question  upon  borrowing  ]\Ioney  and  paying  in  Bills  upon 
France  for  the  Annual  Interest  at  6  Per  Cent  was  this  Morning  confirmed 

13  The  remarks  of  Germain  were  made  in  the  debate  on  the  budget,  May  15, 
1777.  See  Hansard,  Parliamentary  History,  XIX.  269;  Almon,  Parliamentary  Register, 
vol.  VII.,  House  of  Commons,  p.  214. 

13a  That  is,  the  president  of  South  Carolina.    See  nos.  586,  591.  ante,  636,  post. 
1*  A  resolution  of  this  precise  content  is  not  found  in  the  Journab.    The  order 
of  Sept.  8,  to  General  Putnam,  who  was  at  Peekskill,  to  hold  fifteen  hundred  men  in 
readiness  to  cross  the  North  River,  is  probably  what  Laurens  had  in  mind.     Cf.  the 
Journals,  Sept.  12,  and  no.  635,  post. 

15  These  remarks  of  Laurens  seem  to  apply  to  the  proceedings  of  Sept.  9,  but  the 
Journals  of  that  day  do  not  show  that  any  part  of  the  record  had  been  expunged.  That 
much  reconsidering  and  expunging  had  taken  place  of  late  is  evident  from  an  inspec- 
tion of  the  Journals  for  Aug.  22,  23,  25-28,  and  Sept.  2. 


September,  1777  483 

which  if  our  Bills  are  accepted  is  meant  to  involve  us  further  at  least 
Two  hundred  and  Seventy  thousand  pounds  Sterling-  per  Annum  in  a 
debt  to  France — 21  Yeas  against  5  Nay.  the  nays  Colo.  Harrison,  Mr. 
John  Adams,  Mr.  Duane,  Mr.  Middleton  Mr.  Laurens.^'  a  very  thin 
house  for  deciding  the  fate  of  America,  time  will  shew  who  are  in  the 
right.  £270000  Sterling,  per  Annum,  I  should  have  added  besides  the 
disadvantage  of  Remittances  and  besides  vast  other  debt,  but  we  have 
now  temporary  access  to  Money  we  Shall  continue  to  Squander  until  we 
receive  some  very  severe  Check,  this  may  possibly  be  within  48  hours 
for  we  this  moment  learn  by  express  that  Genl  Howe  has  stolen  a  march 
upon  our  great  General,  he  must  be  stopped  this  Night  or  tomorrow 
Morning  he  will  be  on  our  Skirts,  we  are  all  now  talking  of  adjourning 
to  the  Country,  the  question  is,  where  ?  "  .  .  .  . 

628.  Committee  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.* 

Philadelphia  6th  Sepr  1777 
Sir 

The  Representation  made  to  your  Excellency  by  a  Board  of  General 
Officers  touching  the  Inconveniences  arising  from  the  Mode  in  which 
regimental  officers  have  drawn  their  Rations,  having  been  committed  to 
us  by  Congress,  We  propose  to  report  the  inclosed  Resolve,  upon  which 
We  previously  wish  to  have  your  Sentiments.^ 

We  are  not  to  consider  the  proposal  for  drawing  more  provisions  than 
are  allowed  by  the  Establishment,  which  appears  to  be  attended  with 
many  Difficulties,  and  have  therefore  confined  our  Views  to  the  Removal 
of  the  Inconveniences  complained  of,  being  with  much  Esteem  Sir  your 
very  hum^  Servts. 

Richard  Henry  Lee 
Nath^'  Folsom 
E  Gerry 
His  Excellency  General  Washington 

629.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.* 

Philada.  6th.  Septr.  1777. 
Sir, 

You  will  perceive  from  the  enclosed  Resolves,  that  Congress,  desirous 
of  reinforcing  the  Army  at  this  critical  Period,  have  recommended  to 

^^  See  the  yeas  and  nays  in  the  Journals,  Sept.  9  (p.  725)  ;  cf.  ibid.,  Sept.  10. 

1^  The  express  was  probably  Col.  Samuel  Forman.    Cf.  no.  631,  post.    Congress 

decided,  Sept.  14,  upon  Lancaster,  Pa.,  as  the  place  to  which  to  adjourn  if  necessary. 

Cf.  the  Journals,  Sept.  17.     The  adjournment  took  place  Sept.   18.  and  Congress  met 

in  Lancaster  Sept.  27.     See  nos.  631,  637,  642,  643,  646,  649-653,  656-659,  661,  698,  post. 

[628]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVIII.  48. 

2  The  representation  of  the  board  of  officers  in  regard  to  the  question  of  rations 
was  conveyed  to  Congress  in  Washington's  letter  of  Aug.  9,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI. 
16  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  24  (see  the  Journals,  Aug.  11).  The  committee  was  appointed, 
Sept.  4.  A  report  of  the  board  of  war,  brought  in  the  same  day,  contained  a  resolution 
on  the  subject  but  it  was  ordered  "to  lie"  (see  the  Journals,  p.  711).  The  resolve, 
together  with  the  preamble  proposed  by  the  committee,  was  adopted  Sept.  11. 

[629]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  311;  Letters  to  Washington. 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  432. 


484  Continental  Congress 

the  States  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey  to  order  out  immediately  a 
considerable  Part  of  their  militia ;  and  I  liave  no  Doubt  of  their 
Compliance. 

I  have  wrote  to  Govr.  Livingston  on  the  Subject,  and  informed  him 
that  should  he  think  proj)er  to  appoint  Genl  Dickinson  to  tlie  Command 
of  the  three  Thousand  requested  from  that  State,  it  will  be  extremely 
agreeable  to  Congress.  That  Gentleman  has,  I  understand,  signified  his 
Readiness  to  act  whenever  called  upon ;  and  as  he  possesses  the  Confidence 
of  the  Militia,  and  has  Talents  equal  to  the  Task,  I  am  persuaded  the 
Appointment  will  give  general  Satisfaction.^ 

Your  Favor  of  the  3d.  Inst,  and  likewise  of  yesterday  by  the  hands  of 
Genl.  St.  Clair  I  have  been  duly  honoured  with.  The  latter  I  shall  lay 
before  Congress  this  Morning.^  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the 
greatest  Respect,  Sir, 

Your  most  obed.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 
His  Excellency  Genl.  Washington. 

630.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philada.  Sept.  7th. 
Dear  Sir 

....  As  to  Journals — be  persuaded  that  no  Expence  or  Industry  has 
been  wanting  on  the  Part  of  Congress  to  get  them  up  to  the  present  Time. 
The  Flight  of  Printers  and  the  Want  of  Paper  has  impeded  the  Work 
till  now,  when  we  have  a  good  Prospect.  We  are  up  to  Octr.  25th.  and 
shall  very  shortly  have  the  Year — 76  in  a  Volumn. 

When  the  main  Army  is  at  our  Elbow,  and  while  we  are  Situated  in 
the  Capital  of  such  a  State  as  Pensylvania  we  shall  never  want  ten 
thousand  Interruptions  to  the  Settlement  of  the  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion and  the  Establishment  of  our  Currenc}'. 

As  to  losing  the  Confidence  of  the  People,  I  shall  be  sorry  for  their  own 
Sakes ;  But,  by  way  of  Scare  Crow  to  an  honest  Heart.  I  value  it  as  little 
as  any  other  natural  Phenomenon  of  Nature.  There  is  a  majority  in 
every  State  of  the  Union,  and  in  every  great  Assembly,  w'hich  can  be 
depended  upon,  at  this  Day ;  But  there  are  also  heavy  Clogs  in  each.  The 
Cause  of  the  People  is  safe.  But  their  Patients  must  have  full  Exercise. 
Virtuous  themselves  they  cannot  be  ruined  by  their  present  Assailants. 

Had  there  been  due  Vigour  in  this  Government,^  Congress  w^ould  not 
have  been  obliged  to  have  pointed  out  Individuals  of  this  State  for  Arrest. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  4;  cf.  ibid.,  Sept.  12,  14,  16,  17;  also  nos.  626,  627,  ante^ 
nos.  635,  639,  post.  A  letter  from  Dickinson  to  Hancock  in  regard  to  this  request 
is  printed  in  part  in  Stan.  V.  Henkels's  Catalogue,  no.  1 170,  p.  18.  The  letter  is  there 
given  the  date  Sept.  20,  which  would  seem  to  be  incorrect. 

3  The  letters  were  read  in  Congress  Sept.  4  and  6,  respectively.  They  related 
to  the  skirmish  at  Iron  Hill,  Delaware,  and  to  the  enemy's  movements. 

[630]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  That  is,  the  state  of  Pennsylvania.  In  regard  to  the  arrest  of  a  number  of 
persons  in  the  state,  see  the  Journals,  Aug.  28,  Sept.  3,  5,  6,  8 ;  also  nos.  619,  note  3,  627,. 
ante,  nos.  633,  634,  post. 


September,  lyjy  485 

But  the  Safety  of  the  Union  called  for  it.  And  yon  may  depend  upon  it 
every  step  we  have  taken  can  be  handsomly  defended.  Freely  did  old 
Israel  and  the  Tribe  in  general  turn  out  armed  when  scandalous  Oppres- 
sion had  stirred  up  the  Paxton  Boys.  Read  the  hypocritical  Cant  of  these 
Days.  Hear  the  Appeal  to  the  Freemen  of  Pensylvania,  and  Quotations 
from  the  Bill  of  Rights  of  this  Independent  State,  from  Wretches  who 
will  not  affirm  themselves  faithful  Subjects  of  it ;  and  who  since  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independency  complain,  in  the  Registries  of  their  meetings  of 
Sufferings,  that  they  are  forced  to  aid  in  a  War  against  Government. 

I  will  suppose  Coll.  Dyer  has  written  on  the  Subject  of  giving  a  Spring 
to  the  Loan  offices,  therefore  I  shall  omit  that  Topic  at  this  Time. 

Before  this  reaches  you,  a  Number  of  New  England  Skippers  will  be 
about  you,  who  have  lost  their  Vessels  at  the  Head  of  Elk.  There  has 
been  a  most  horrid  Delay  in  the  Management  of  the  Persons  to  whom 
they  were  consigned.  I  have  written  to  Coll.  Aylett  to  desire  he  would 
confide  the  Settlement  of  his  private  Accounts  as  well  as  public  to  you  so 
far  as  concerns  the  6  Captains  particularly  Taylor  my  old  Fellow  Prisoner 
and  Perkins  my  half  Land  Lord.  You  can  empower  Tracy  or  Deacon 
Smith  to  go  through  with  it.  The  poor  Fellows  are  heartsick  of  public 
Employ.  They  have  about  ruined  themselves  by  their  late  Tryal.  Four 
in  Five  would  have  got  to  Boston  long  ago  if  they  had  been  in  private 
Service 

631.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  Septr  7th  1777 
Dear  Sr 

....  I  think  Congress  now  are  in  a  pretty  good  Temper  to  do  bus- 
iness if  this  plaguy  fellow  of  an  How  does  not  disturb  us  we  are  now 
very  Sulky  and  determine  not  to  move  for  him  if  we  can  help  it  how 
long  our  Courage  may  last  I  know  not  it  will  not  be  strange  if  at  this 
time  it  should  exceed  our  Conduct  we  feel  very  Magnanimous,  but  a  few 
days  may  decide.^  before  Hows  appearance  this  way,  our  removal  from 
this  Venial  City  became  a  serious  topick,  and  believe  would  have  been 
the  case  had  not  G  How  Appeard  but  you  know  we  Scorn  to  fly.  Con- 
federation and  financies  are  now  the  great  objects  but  ten  thousand 
necessaries  are  dayly  Crouding  in :  but  there  is  no  design  nor  art  in  keep- 
ing it  off  all  are  agreed  in  the  Object  differ  only  in  the  proportion  of 
Representation  and  taxation,  you  may  say  that  is  enough  :  true  it  is  but  I 
think  we  shall  not  break  upon  these ;  it  will  now  soon  be  agitated.^  Sup- 
plying our  Army  securing  and  apreciating  our  Currency  is  now  first 
attended  to.  France  and  Spain  offer  us  money  to  pay  the  Intrest  of  all 
our  Loan ;  will  not  sure  Bills  on  our  Commisrs.  in  France  for  the  Intrest 
at  6  pr  Ct  in  specie  make  money  Catchers  fond  of  our  Bills  and  eager  to 

[63i]iConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  14,  and  no.  637,  post.    Cf.  no.  627,  note  17,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2  (erased  entry)  ;  also  nos.  528,  note  2,  537,  556,  558, 
588,  616,  ante,  649,  659,  671,  679,  post. 


480  Continental  Congress 

put  them  into  the  Loan  oftice  on  receiving  their  liitrest  in  l^urope  by 
bills  of  Excge.  drawn  on  our  Commissrs.  it  would  in  fact  be  equal  to 
15  pr  Ct.  for  the  present  if  you  have  any  to  put  in  you  had  best  wait  a 
few  days  for  a  decision  for  I  yet  know  not  whether  that  Advantage  will 
be  given  Only  as  Incouragcnient  to  those  who  will  now  throw  in  their 
money  into  the  Oflice  as  it  may  soon  be  wanted,  or  shall  extend  to  those 
whose  money  we  have  allready  got     I  mean  to  past  Loans.* .... 

632.  James  Lovell  to  Vicomte  de  Mauroy.^ 

Philada  Sept  8th  1777 

In  answer  to  the  letter  with  which  you  favoured  me  of  the  5th  from 
Darby,  I  would  assure  you  that  I  have  been  continually  attentive  to  the 
very  disagreable  situation  in  which,  as  a  man  of  military  spirit,  you 
must  have  thought  yourself,  ever  since  the  near  approach  of  the  enemy. 
But,  Sir,  as  something  is  begun,  at  length  relative  to  your  departure  for 
France,  I  am  of  opinion  that  you  should  not  now  be  desirous  of  exposing 
yourself  as  a  volunteer  in  the  field  of  battle  for  us. 

I  hope  to  inclose  to  you  to  morrow  a  final  determination  of  your 
business  ^ 

With  much  respect  for  your  very  worthy  character  and  with  a  Due 
sense  of  your  zeal  towards  these  states,  I  have  the  honour  to  be  Sir 

Your  most  humble  Servant 

James  Lovell 

633.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia 

(Patrick  Henry). ^ 

Philadelphia  8th.  Septr.  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

....  The  Quaker  motto  ought  to  be  "  Nos  turba  sumus,"  for  if  you 
attack  one  the  w-hole  society  is  roused.  You  will  see  by  the  inclosed 
testimonies  a  uniform,  fixed  enmity  to  American  measures,  which,  with 
the  universal  ill  fame  of  some  capital  persons,  has  occasioned  the  arrest 
of  old  Pemberton  and  several  others,  to  prevent  their  mischievous  inter- 

*  Cf.  no.  627,  ante,  nos.  636,  659,  post. 

[632]!  Paris,  Arch.  Nat.,  K  1364,  dossier  "  Amerique ''.  no.  61. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  11,  13,  Sept.  8,  11,  14.  Mauroy's  letter  of  Sept.  5,  to 
which  Lovell  is  replying,  was  presumably  addressed  to  Lovell  as  a  member  of  the  com- 
mittee of  foreign  applications.  A  letter,  without  date  but  evidently  written  in  view  of 
the  resolutions  of  Sept.  8,  addressed  to  the  President  of  Congress  by  Mauroy,  in  behalf 
of  himself,  Fayolles,  and  Boismartin,  is  in  Arch.  Nat.,  K  1364,  dossier  "  Amerique  ",  no. 
59  (copy).  It  was  this  letter  upon  which  Congress  took  action  Sept.  11,  in  connection 
with  similar  demands  from  Baron  de  Kalb.  A  long  letter  from  the  Vicomte  de  Mauroy 
to  the  Comte  de  Broglie,  written  from  Boston,  Oct.  23,  1777,  describing  his  situation 
and  discussing  the  action  of  Congress  in  refusing  to  recognize  the  contract  made  by 
Deane,  is  ibid.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Dec.  8,  and  no.  770,  post.  Concerning  Baron 
de  Kalb,  see  no.  565,  note  5,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  passim. 

[633]  1  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  IIL  92;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh), 
L  320. 


September,  7777  487 

position  in  favor  of  the  enemy  at  this  critical  moment,  when  the  enemies' 
army  is  on  its  way  here,  with  professed  design  to  give  this  city  up  to  the 
pillage  of  the  soldiery.  They  have  taken  infinite  pains,  according  to 
custom,  to  move  lieaven  and  earth  in  their  favor,  and  have  transmitted 
copies  of  their  indecent  remonstrances  over  the  country.  Congress  have, 
to  prevent  ill  impressions,  ordered  their  several  inimical  testimonies  to  be 
published  in  one  Hand-bill."  Altho'  nothing  can  be  more  certain  than 
that  allegiance  and  protection  are  reciprocal  duties,  yet  these  men  have 
the  assurance  to  call  for  the  protection  of  those  laws  and  that  Government 
which  they  expressly  disclaim,  and  refuse  to  give  any  evidence  of  their 
allegience  to.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  they  will  endeavor  by  means 
of  the  "  Friends  "  in  Virginia,  to  make  disturbance  and  raise  discontent 

there,  but  this  may  serve  to  put  you  on  your  guard This  day 

Congress  has  proposed  that  the  Quaker  Tories  should  be  sent  forthwith 
to  Staunton  in  Augusta.  I  hope  you  will  have  them  well  secured  there, 
for  they  are  mischievous  people.  Should  Howe  be  disappointed  here, 
as  it  seems  very  likely  that  he  will,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  he  will 
endeavor  to  do  us  all  the  injury  in  his  power  as  he  returns,  and  therefore 
it  will  be  wise  to  be  as  well  prepared  for  him  as  possible. 

634.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  Monday,  8  September,  1777 
My  Dear, 

....  You  will  see  by  the  papers  enclosed  that  we  have  been  obliged 
to  attempt  to  humble  the  pride  of  some  Jesuits,  who  call  themselves 
Quakers,  but  who  love  money  and  land  better  than  liberty  or  religion. 
The  hypocrites  are  endeavoring  to  raise  the  cry  of  persecution,  and  to  give 
this  matter  a  religious  turn,  but  they  can't  succeed.  The  world  knows 
them  and  their  communications.  Actuated  by  a  land-jobbing  spirit  like 
that  of  William  Penn,  they  have  been  soliciting  grants  of  immense  regions 
of  land  on  the  Ohio.  American  independence  has  disappointed  them, 
which  makes  them  hate  it.  Yet  the  dastards  dare  not  avow  their  hatred 
to  it,  it  seems. ^ .... 

635.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

Philadia.  Septr.  9th.  1777. 
Sir^ 

I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  at  this  Time,  Copies  of  several  Letters 
from  Governor  Livingston  and  Genl.  Du  Coudray  to  Congress.  As  Govr. 
Livingston  seems  apprehensive  of  an  Irruption  from  the  Enemy  on  Staten 
Island,  and  says  they  are  collecting  there  for  this  Purpose,  the  Congress 
have  directed  Genl.  Putnam  to  hold  in  Readiness  fifteen  Hundred  Men 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  6.    Cf.  nos.  619,  627,  630,  ante,  no.  634,  post. 
[634]  ^Fami/iar  Letters,  p.  305. 

2  See  nos.  619,  627,  630,  633.  ante. 
[635]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XC.  314;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  433. 

36 


488  Continental  Congress 

under  the  Coniniand  of  a  Brigadier,  to  cross  the  North  River  when  you 
may  think  proper  to  order  it.  A  Copy  of  the  Resolve,  I  shall  immediately 
forward  to  Genl.  Putnam. 

The  inclosed  Letter  from  Monsr.  du  Coudray  contains  a  Proposal  of 
forming-  a  Camp  between  Wilmington  and  Philadelphia  the  Propriety 
of  which,  the  Congress  have  referred  entirely  to  you.  Colonel  Harrison's 
Favour  of  the  7th.  Inst,  was  duly  received.^ 

I  beg  Leave  to  request  your  Attention  to  the  Inclosures,  and  have  the 
Honour  to  be, 

with  the  greatest  Respect,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedt.  and  very  hble  Servt. 

John  Hancock  Presidt. 

His  Excellency  Genl.  Washington. 

636.  Henry  Laurens  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).^ 

loth  Septem.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  had  the  honour  of  writing  to  Your  Excellency  the  12  and  15  August 
by  Colo.  Sumpter.*  A  very  important  question  varied  in  different 
branches  of  borrowing  Money  from  the  Court  of  France  has  been  since 
agitated  in  Congress.  I  have  been  uniformly  against  the  measure  and 
think  it  my  duty  by  the  earliest  opportunity  to  inform  Your  Excellency 
the  grounds  of  my  dissent.' 

The  first  question  was  for  drawing  Bills  on  our  Commissioners  for 
Ten  Millions  Dollars,  which  passed  in  the  Negative. 

A  proposition  was  then  made  and  a  question  put  for  drawing  for  five 
Millions  of  Dollars,  passed  also  in  the  negative. 

Yesterday  by  the  most  extraordinary  motion  and  irregular  proceeding 
that  I  have  ever  been  Witness  to  in  any  other  Assembly  a  Question  was 
carried  for  drawing  Bills  of  Exchange  on  our  Commissioners  at  the  rate 
of  5  Livres  of  France  for  a  Spanish  Dollar  for  payment  of  Interest  at 
6  per  Cent  per  Annum  of  all  Money  already  brought  into  the  loan  office 
or  that  shall  be  brought  in  before  the  ist.  March  next. 

It  is  expected  that  upon  this  encouragement  money  holders  will  bring 
Supplies  to  the  Loan  Office  and  that  we  may  without  another  Emission 
of  paper  raise  before  the  ist.  March  20  M[illion]  Dollars,  the  Annual 
Interest  of  which  will  be  about  £270000  Sterling  besides  the  risques  of  loss 
and  delay  by  Remittances. 

2  For  the  order  to  Putnam,  see  the  Journals,  Sept.  8,  12 ;  cf.  no.  627,  note  14, 
ante.  The  letters  of  Livingston,  Harrison,  and  Du  Coudray  were  read  in  Congress 
Sept.  8  (see  the  Journals,  p.  770,  note  i).  Cf.  no.  639,  post.  The  letter  of  Du  Coudray 
is  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCL  3. 

[636]!  S.  C  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  163;  Gibbes,  Documentary 
Hist,  of  the  Rev.,  p.  88  (with  modifications  and  omissions). 

2  Col.  Thomas  Sumter  of  South  Carolina.  In  July,  1780,  he  was  made  brigadier- 
general  of  South  Carolina  troops.    Laurens's  letter  of  Aug.  12  and  15  is  no.  586,  ante. 

3  Cf.  no.  627,  ante,  and  see  the  Journals,  Sept.  9,  10. 


September,  lyy/  489 

'  Tis  true  the  Commissions  have  given  Congress  assurance  of  Money 
received  and  promised,  sufficient  to  pay  the  Interest  of  five  Million 
Dollars  annually  and  added  "  we  hope  "  also  to  find  sufficient  by  subsidies 
to  pay  the  Interest  of  20  Million  if  we  should  be  obliged  to  borrow  that 
sum.  at  the  same  time  they  informed  us,  that  upon  application  to  the 
Court  of  France  to  borrow  two  Million  Sterling  they  were  told  it  was 
"  impossible  "  to  spare  such  a  sum.  that  they  had  been  strongly  pressed 
and  that  the  Minister  was  "  anxious  "  to  contract  for  the  delivery  of 
20,000  Hogsds  of  Tobacco  as  a  ground  for  raising  Money  by  Taxes. 
That  they  had  actually  engaged  to  deliver  4000  Hogsds  and  had  received 
a  very  considerable  advance  on  the  Stipulation  and  "  earnestly  intreat  " 
Congress  to  enable  them  to  comply  with  their  part  of  the  agreement, 
which  while  our  ports  are  stopped  will  be  impossible.* 

It  appears  to  me  that  the  foundation  for  drawing  Bills  is  not  substan- 
tial, the  practice  dangerous  and  the  measure  except  for  articles  absolutely 
requisite  for  carrying  on  our  defensive  War  not  necessary. 

the  Commissioners  Speak  possitively  of  Money  advanced  and  expected 
by  periodical  payments  only  for  payment  of  the  Interest  of  five  Millions,' 
which  sum  and  a  much  larger  I  apprehend  will  be  consumed  by  a  variety 
of  other  demands  on  them,  which  'tis  impossible  from  our  mode  of  trans- 
acting business  and  our  total  ignorance  of  the  public  debt  contracted  and 
increasing,  to  form  an  Estimate  of.  this  forbids  in  the  strongest  terms 
the  Act  of  borrowing  Money  abroad,  they  say  in  a  subsequent  dispatch  " 
that  we  may  rely  on  punctual  payment  of  Congress — Bills  drawn  for  the 
discharge  of  the  Interest  of  Sums  borrowed,  but  refer  I  apprehend  only 
to  the  Five  Million  per  Annum  and  here  they  recommend  that  the  Interest 
should  be  reduced  to  3  or  4  per  Cent,  but  Congress  upon  a  question  con- 
firmed 6  per  Cent  against  5,  and  have  put  former  loans  upon  a  level  with 
such  as  may  be  here  after  made.^ 

the  Court  of  France  on  failure  on  our  part  of  the  Contract  for  Tobacco, 
our  continued  demands  on  them  for  Money,  for  ship  building  Cloths 
Arms  and  many  other  articles  will  have  ground  for  Complaint  and  may 
make  a  pretext  of  failure  on  our  side  witholding  further  payments  to  the 
Commissioners. 

the  drawing  Bills  of  Exchange  is  to  all  intents  and  purposes  emissions 
of  Paper  Money  upon  the  very  worst  terms  aggravated  by  6  per  Cent 
per  Annum  to  be  discharged  under  all  disadvantages  in  a  foreign  country, 
it  is  putting  our  debt  out  of  Sight  for  a  little  but  it  will  infallibly  return 
upon  us  with  accumulated  force. 

Although  France  has  premptorily  told  us  it  is  impossible  to  lend  us 
two  Million  Sterling  we  are  hastening  to  make  a  demand  for  that  and 
for  aught  we  know  a  much  larger  sum. 

*  See  the  letters  of  the  commissioners  in  Paris,  Jan.  17,  Feb.  6,  Mar.  12,  May  26, 
Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  248,  261,  283,  325.  The  agreement  with  the  farmers- 
general  of  France,  Mar.  24,  1777,  is  ibid.,  II.  300.  See  also  Arthur  Lee's  letter  of 
Feb.  14,  ibid.,  II.  270. 

5  See  the  letters  of  Jan.  17  and  Mar.  12,  mentioned  in  note  4,  above. 

*  The  letter  of  May  25,  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  322. 
^  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  9,  10. 


490  Continental  Congress 

the  Seeming:  temporary  relief  whicli  we  shall  receive  by  draughts  upon 
France  will  draw  otT  our  attention  from  enquiring  deeply  into  the  State 
of  our  funds  and  debts  and  help  us  in  our  present  alarming  course  of 
extravagance. 

We  shcHild  pay  proper  regard  to  the  conduct  of  the  Court  of  Versailles, 
in  refusing  to  receive  our  Commissioners  openly  in  their  Ambassadorial 
Characters,  in  "  avoiding  every  act  which  should  seem  to  acknowledge 
our  Independence."  in  '*  refusing  possitively  "  the  Naval  Aid  which  we 
had  applied  for,  in  neglecting  to  consider  or  give  any  answer  to  our  plan 
for  a  Treaty  and  in  betraying  part  of  our  proposals  and  possibly  the  whole 
of  them  to  the  British  Ambassador,  in  a  taunting  Sarcastical  remark  to 
one  of  our  Commissioners  that  we  had  not  bid  high  enough,^  in  Imprison- 
ing one  of  our  Captains,  Seizing  his  Vessel,  ordering  a  restitution  of  his 
prizes  and  in  a  word  carefully  avoiding  to  give  "  Umbrage  "  to  the 
English." 

To  borrow  Money  from  a  foreign  power  is  to  mortage  our  Soil,  that 
the  boasted  generosity  of  the  K  of  F."  in  funding  us  lightly  and  demand- 
ing no  security  is.  when  compared  with  the  conduct  above  mentioned 
liable  to  Suspicion  of  being  insidious.  It  \\\\\  be  the  Interest  of  the 
French  Minister  to  ensnare  us  by  degrees  into  a  considerable  debt  and  the 
knowledge  of  the  Negotiation  will  be  a  strong  incentive  to  the  British 
for  protracting  the  War. 

that "  by  altering  the  tenor  of  our  Loan  Certificates  making  the  pay- 
ment of  Capital  at  one  instead  of  three  Years  and  of  Interest  quarterly 
or  half  Yearly,  Money  holders  would  be  induced  to  bring  supplies  into 
the  Office,  that  the  expectation  which  the  public  have  been  held  in  of  an 
emission  of  Bills  of  Exchange  for  5  or  10  M[illion]  of  Dollars  had  been 
no  small  impediment. 

When  the  loan  Office  Certificates  are  put  on  a  beneficial  plan,  if  Money 
shall  not  be  brought,  in  sums  equal  to  the  public  exigency,  it  will  be  a 
proof  that  past  emissions  are  not  excessive,  the  demand  for  money  at 
this  time  is  not  confined  to  the  Capital  Towns  and  Cities  and  within  a 
small  Circle  of  Trading  Merchants,  but  spread  over  a  surface  of  1600 
miles  in  length  and  three  hundred  broad  nor  is  it  nov.^  the  practice  to  give 

8  The  interpretation  which  Laurens  puts  upon  the  conduct  of  the  French  court 
seems  quite  out  of  keeping  with  the  tacit  good-will  indicated  by  the  letters  of  the  com- 
missioners (see  note  4,  above). 

9  The  allusion  is  to  the  case  of  Capt.  Gustavus  Conyngham  (often  spelled 
Cunningham).  See  Franklin  and  Deane  to  the  committee  of  foreign  affairs,  May  25 
and  26,  1777.  Wharton.  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  322,  325,  Deane  to  Robert  Morris,  Aug.  23, 
^777,  ibid  .  II.  378.  For  further  accounts  of  Conyngham,  see  ibid.,  II.  784,  827,  840, 
III.  350,  386,  394,  IV.  324,  511,  V.  148;  also  the  Journals,  Dec.  26,  1778,  Jan.  4,  Feb.  22 
(p.  236),  July  17  (pp.  844,  849).  July  29,  Dec.  13,  1779,  May  17,  June  11.  1781.  See, 
especially,  Neeser,  Letters  and  Papers  relating  to  the  Cruises  of  Gustazms  Conyngham 
(Publications  of  the  Naval  History  Society,  vol.  VI.)  ;  also  C.  H.  Jones,  Captain  Gus- 
tavus Conyngham;  Allen,  Naval  Hist.  Am.  Rev.;  and  PauUin,  The  Navy  of  the  Am. 
Rev. 

1°  King  of  France. 

11  The  structure  of  this  letter  is  rather  loose,  shifting  between  direct  and  indirect 
statements  of  arguments  used  on  the  floor  of  Congress. 


September,  Z///  491 

credit  for  one  and  more  years  for  |th.  of  the  whole  traffic,  every  Man 
IS  now  a  Money  holder  and  every  article  is  paid  for  in  Cash,  it  is 
hence  obvious  that  an  immense  sum  is  necessary  for  a  compleat  circula- 
tion. No  Man  would  be  so  void  of  understanding-  as  to  keep  Continental 
Bills  Idle  and  at  a  risque  of  loss  in  his  desk  when  he  might  upon  the 
Same  Security  improve  them  at  6  per  Ct.  per  Annum. 

The  sudden  rise  of  price  for  domestic  necessaries  of  Life  is  not  wholly 
owing  to  great  Emissions  of  paper,  but  in  fact  principally  to  the  total 
Stoppage  of  Imports  and  the  consequent  scarceness  and  dearness  of  such 
articles  as  our  real  wants  cannot,  and  too  many  which  our  Luxury  will 
not  forego. 

Borrowing  of  a  foreign  power  will  not  increase  the  value  of  our  paper 
Money,  it  may  and  probably  will  be  the  source  of  extending  the  depre- 
ciation to  Several  Years  beyond  the  term  when  we  might  if  we  were  in 
debt  at  home  only,  have  redeem'd  it." 

Such  and  many  other  arguments  I  used  upon  this  occasion  particularly 
recommending  Taxation  and  the  most  vigorous  exertions  for  opening  our 
Ports  and  promoting  exportation.  I  had  the  mortification  to  fail  in  my 
endeavour,  the  question  being  put  and  the  Yeas  and  Nays  demanded 
there  appeared  21  Yeas  and  5  Colo.  Harrison  Mr.  Jno.' Adams  Mr. 
Duane  Mr.  Middleton  Mr.  Laurens  Nays.  If  I  have  erred  in  my  attempts 
it  is  fortunate  for  my  Country  that  I  have  done  no  harm,  but  the  measure 
appears  to  me  big  with  danger,  and  as  I  am  apprehensive  a  further 
attempt  may  be  made  to  draw  for  some  Capital  Sum  on  the  Commis- 
sioners I  request  to  be  instructed  by  Your  Excellency  whether  to  consent 
or  protest. 

I  beg  your  Excellency's  pardon  for  having  delivered  my  self  on  this 
important  subject  so  unconnectedly,  but  I  am  reduced  to  a  very  short  space 
for  writing,  my  Colleagues  had  intended  to  have  sent  our  dispatches  on 
tomorrow  by  an  express  messenger  we  have  now  determined  to  stay 
him  til  we  learn  the  event  of  an  approaching  general  battle  between  our 
Army  and  the  British  now  very  near  each  other  and  within  thirty  miles 
of  this  City.^^  I  intend  this  by  the  hands  of  Doctor  Houston  who  waits 
for  it.  I  shall  inclose  half  a  dozen  news  papers  and  refer  to  them  for  past 
intelligence  and  add  only  that  I  am  with  great  regard  and  esteem  etc. 

P.  S.  Casting  my  Eye  upon  the  Resolve  I  perceive  the  time  for  bring- 
ing money  into  the  Loan  office  in  the  terms  above  mentioned  stands 
unlimited,  the  Report  of  a  Committee  of  the  whole  House  had  Limited 
1st.  March  which  was  passed  over  without  a  question  so  very  irregularly 

12  In  connection  with  Laurens's  remarks  concerning  a  foreign  loan,  a  paper  drawn 
up  by  Franklin  in  August,  for  use  among  the  European  courts,  is  of  interest.  The  docu- 
ment is  printed  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  382. 

^3  The  battle  of  Brandywine  occurred  the  following  day  (Sept.  11).  See  the 
Journals,  Sept.  11,  12;  also  no.  638,  post. 


492  Contiuental  Congress 


I 


do  we  transact  business  every  day."  this  Resolution  being  made  known 
in  our  state  will  give  an  opportunity  to  our  people  to  prepare  for  partaking 
the  proposed  benefit  if  they  choose  to  lend." 

637.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Philadelphia  Septr  12th  1777 
Dear  Sr 

....  Saturday  Evening  {September  ij] Congress  tho  much 

Alarmd  Yet  determined  not  to  move  till  the  last  Extremity  tho  they  had 
began  to  be  in  earnest  about  moving  from  this  City  before  Genii  Hows 
approach.  We  are  still  in  great  hopes  How  will  never  be  able  to  get  to 
his  Shipping  again. ^    my  sincere  Affection  to  family  and  am  Yours 

Elipht  Dyer 

638.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock),  to 

George  Washington.^ 

Philada.  Septr.  12th.  1777. 
4  O'clock  A.  M. 
Sir, 

I  am  this  Moment  favoured  with  yours  by  the  Express.''  I  am  sorry 
for  the  unfortunate  Issue  of  the  Day,  but  from  the  Troops  keeping  up 
their  Spirits,  I  flatter  myself  it  will  still  be  in  our  Power  to  retrieve  the 
Loss  of  Yesterday. 

I  have  thought,  proper,  in  Consequence  of  the  Intelligence  received 
this  Morning,  to  call  the  Congress  together  at  Six  O'Clock. 

1*  Laurens's  conclusion  that  the  limiting  date,  March  I,  1777,  had  been  left  out 
of  the  resolution  as  finally  passed,  is  erroneous.  A  motion  for  the  payment,  by  bills  of 
exchange,  of  the  interest  on  future  issues  of  loan  certificates  without  any  time  limit  was 
adopted  Sept.  9  (see  also  the  motion  Sept.  10),  but  the  final  action,  Sept.  10,  was  the 
adoption  of  the  resolution  as  reported,  Sept.  9.  by  the  committee  of  the  whole.  See 
the  Journals,  pp.  724,  725,  730,  731.  It  is  needful  to  observe  however  that  (as  indicated 
in  the  Library  of  Congress  edition  of  the  Journals,  pp.  730-73 1"*  the  adoption  of  the 
report  as  a  whole  is  not  recorded  in  the  original  Journals,  but  only  in  the  "  corrected  " 
Journals  (see  the  Prefatory  Note  in  the  Journals,  vol.  II.,  p.  7).  It  seems  probable  that 
in  the  division  of  the  question  the  limiting  date  was  inadvertently  left  out  of  the  proposition 
voted  upon  Sept.  9,  and  that  this  feature  of  the  measure  was  restored  by  a  later  vote 
upon  the  resolution  as  reported  by  the  committee  of  the  whole.  A  comparison  of  the 
Library  of  Congress  edition  of  the  Journals  with  the  older  editions  (that  is,  the  "  original  " 
with  the  "corrected"  Journals)  shows  two  other  differences  that  require  to  be  pointed 
out :  In  the  former  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the  whole  is  quoted  entire,  and  there 
is  no  motion  to  divide ;  whereas  in  the  latter  the  record  reads : 

"  Congress  took  into  consideration  the  resolution  reported  from  the  committee  of  the 
whole;  \\'hereupon,  it  was  moved  that  it  be  divided,  and  the  sense  of  Congress  taken 
on  it,  reduced  to  distinct  propositions ;  it  was  then  moved  ",  etc 

15  Following  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  it  was  ordered :  "  That  the  resolution 
now  agreed  to  be  published."  Oct.  6,  an  order  was  passed  requesting  the  states  to 
publish  the  resolution  in  their  respective  gazettes  for  six  months  successively. 

[637]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Cf.  nos.  631,  ante,  and  nos.  638.  642,  643,  646,  649,  653,  656-659,  661,  698,  post. 
The  omitted  part  of  this  letter  is  an  account  at  some  length  of  the  battle  of  Brandywine. 

[638]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVIII.  90;  Letters  to  Washing- 
ton (ed.  Sparks),  I.  433. 

2  xhe  letter  written  from   Chester  the  night  after  the  battle  of   Brandywine, 
Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  69  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  57.     See  the  Journals,  Sept.  12. 


September,  7777  493 

639.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 
Governor  of  New  Jersey  (William  Livingston)/ 

Philada  Septr  12th  1777. 

S%T, 

It  is  the  earnest  Desire  of  Congress,  and  I  have  it  in  Charge  to  inform 
you  of  it,  that  you  will  immediately  order  out  four  Thousand  of  the 
Jersey  MiHtia  to  reinforce  the  Army  under  Genl.  Washington  with  all 
possible  Expedition. 

If  you  should  not  be  able  to  call  out  that  Number,  it  is  the  request  of 
Congress,  that  you  will  call  out  as  many  as  possible  in  this  critical  State 
of  our  Affairs.^ 


640.    The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.'- 

Philada.  Sepr.  13  th.  1777, 

In  consequence  of  some  information  Congress  have  received  respecting 
the  conduct  of  brigadier  general  Borre,  they  have  come  to  the  enclosed 
resolve,  which  I  do  myself  the  honour  to  transmit  you,  and  am  to  request 
you'l  be  pleased  to  pay  immediate  attention  to  it.^ 


641.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

Phila.,  Sept.  13,  1777. 

Saturday  11  o'clock,  A.  M, 
Dear  Sir 

....  Congress  have  given  brevet  commissions  to  the  officers  who 
came  with  Mr.  DuCoudray.^  two  of  them  Monsieur  Augusto  Le  Brah, 
[Augustin  Le  Brun]  an  able  engineer,  and  Monsieur  Pierre 

•  ^^t^^lV^^-  '^\^^^^%M^-lJ^-  ^-  ^^'  Corr.,  p.  99.  The  same  letter,  with  variations,  is 
m  the  Mass.  Hist  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  270;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f .  262. 

2  No  resolution  of  this  precise  character  is  found  in  the  Journals.  See,  however, 
the  resolution  Sept.  12,  to  send  an  express  to  Gen.  Dickinson,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  New  Jersey  militia.    Cf.  the  Journals,  Sept.  4  and  17,  and  nos.  629,  635,  ante. 

1640]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCI.  12. 
,  r  ^  ^^^  following  day  Borre  offered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted.  See 
the  Journals,  Sept.  13  and  14;  cf.  ibid.,  Oct.  i,  2,  4,  6.  The  Chevalier  Prudhomme  de 
Borre  was  made  a  brigadier-general  Apr.  11,  1777.  Washington's  reply  to  this  letter 
ism  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  71.  A  note  concerning  Borre  is  found  in  the  Writings 
of  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  462  (in  an  appendix  of  materials  relating  to  the  battle  of 
Brandywine).  See  also  tbid.,  p.  60.  A  sketch  of  Borre  is  in  Appleton,  Cyclo.  of  Am 
Biog.;  also  m  Lossmg,  Field  Book  of  the  Am.  Rev.  Sullivan's  letters  concerning  his 
own  conduct  (Amory,  Life  of  Sullivan,  p.  44  et  seq.)   barely  mention  Borre. 

[641]!  George  C.  Thomas  Collection,  Philadelphia;  Thomas,  Autographs  and  Auto- 
graph Letters. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  2,  13.  Cf.  ibid.,  Nov.  7,  and  Feb.  4,  1778.  See  also 
nos.  648,  734,  post. 


494  Continental  Congress 

a  skilful  artillerist  will  be  sent  to  you  to  give  you  their  advice  and  assis- 
tance in  defending  our  towns  and  teaching  our  artillery.' .... 

642.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Philadelphia,  14  September,  1777. 
My  Dearest  Friend, 

You  will  learn,  from  the  newspapers,  before  this  reaches  you,  the  situa- 
tion of  things  here.  Mr.  Howe's  army  is  at  Chester,  about  fifteen  miles 
from  this  town.  General  Washington's  is  over  the  Schuylkill,  awaiting 
the  flank  of  Mr.  Howe's  army.  How  much  longer  Congress  will  stay 
is  uncertain.  I  hope  we  shall  not  move  until  the  last  necessity,  that  is, 
until  it  shall  be  rendered  certain  that  Mr.  Howe  will  get  the  city.  If  we 
.should  move,  it  will  be  to  Reading.  Lancaster,  York,  Easton,  or  Beth- 
lehem, some  town  in  this  State.  It  is  the  determination  not  to  leave  this 
State.^  Don't  be  anxious  about  me,  nor  about  our  great  and  sacred  cause. 
It  is  the  cause  of  truth  and  will  prevail.  If  Howe  gets  the  city,  it  will  cost 
him  all  his  force  to  keep  it.  and  so  he  can  get  nothing  else 

643.  Henry  Laurens  to  George  Galphin.^ 

i6th.  Septem.   1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

Although  from  Circumstances  of  our  affairs  'tis  impossible  for  me  to 
reply  so  fully  as  I  would  otherwise  have  done  to  your  favour  received  by 
the  hands  of  the  Reverend  Mr.  Holmes  yet  a  total  silence  would  be 
inexcusable. 

I  congratulate  w  ith  your  success  in  treating  v/ith  the  Creek  Indians. 
I  hold  the  States  of  S°  Carolina  and  Georgia  as  well  as  all  the  United 
States  much  indebted  to  your  unwearied  labours  for  the  present  good 
disposition  of  those  Savages  and  as  their  continuance  in  this  temper 
depends  much  upon  your  exertions  so  we  are  all  bound  to  pray  for  your 
life  and  health.^ 

3  If  this  was  the  result  of  action  on  the  part  of  Congress  the  resolution  is  not 
found  in  the  Journals.  Maryland  had  preferred  a  request,  Aug.  28  (see  the  Journals, 
p.  692),  for  "a  skilful  engineer  and  an  experienced  artillerist".  Congress  referred  the 
matter  to  Washington,  who  replied  Aug.  29  (read  in  Congress  Aug.  30),  that  he  could 
not  spare  the  officers  at  that  time.  This  was  reported  to  Governor  Johnson  by  Chase, 
in  a  letter  of  Aug.  30  (N.  Y.  Pub.  Library,  Emmet  Collection,  no.  1619).  Probably  Le 
Brun  and  Pierre  were  sent  by  Washington  in  accordance  with  the  request  of  Aug.  28. 
[642]^  FamtVtar  Letters,  p.  307. 

2  Cf.  no.  637,  note  2,  ante.     "  Altho'  the  Enemy's  Army  are  so  very  near  this 
city.  Congress  have  not  determined  to  remove  neither  will  they  unless  they  are  forced." 
Cornelius  Harnett  to  Governor  Caswell,  Sept.  13,  N.  C.  State  Records.  XL  762. 
[643]  1  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  169. 

-  Cf.  the  Journals,  Apr.  4,  Oct.  20,  1777.  See  also  ibid..  Aug.  19,  1776.  George 
Galphin  was  an  Indian  trader,  whose  residence,  "  Silver  Bluff ",  was  on  the  South 
Carolina  side  of  the  Savannah  River.  For  a  number  of  years  he  had  an  important  part 
in  affairs  pertaining  to  the  Georgia  Indians.  Galphin  died  in  1780;  but  a  claim  of  his, 
growing  out  of  the  treat>'  of  Augusta,  1773.  with  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  was  prose- 
cuted by  his  family  against  the  state  of  Georgia,  against  the  British  government,  and 
finally  against  the  United  States.  The  claim  was  allowed  by  the  United  States  in  1848. 
The  Galphin  claim  came  into  passing  political  notoriety  because  of  the  fact  that  it 


September,  lyjy  495 

I  had  intended  to  have  presented  the  Indian  Talk  to  Congress  and  to 
have  made  a  proper  representation  of  your  merits,  but  from  the  day  of 
Mr.  Holmes  arrival  to  the  present  moment  we  have  been  engaged  in 
attentions  to  the  attempts  of  baptized  Savages  at  our  very  door  to  murder 
Burn  and  imprison  in  different  classes  every  one  in  this  quarter  who  have 
virtue  enough  to  refuse  their  proffered  pardons  for  doing  their  duty  in 
the  Cause  in  which  you  are  also  engaged.* .... 

Congress  in  the  present  Situation  of  affairs  think  it  necessary  to  prepare 
for  adjourning  to  Lancaster  about  66  Aliles  West,  perhaps  before  sun- 
rise tomorrow  I  shall  be  on  my  journey  some  of  us  are  already  gone. 
I  will  continue  here  as  long  as  most  of  the  Company,  but  as  I  have  ever 
loved  free  air  and  exercise  and  hate  to  be  confined  to  a  small  room,  I  will 
not  stay  the  very  last  man.*  when  we  are  restored  to  tranquility  whether 
here  or  else  where  you  shall  hear  again  from  etc. 

644.   Henry  Marchant  to  the  Rhode  Island  Assembly.^ 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  17th,  1777 
Gentlemen, 

....  Our  accounts  from  the  Northward  are  very  favourable.  By 
the  Blessing  of  Heaven  (and  I  most  sincerely  wish  we  more  deserved  it) 
We  have  Reason  to  expect  a  happy  Issue  to  this  Campaign.  We  had 
Intelligence  that  all  the  British  troops  had  left  Rhode  Island,  but  I  doubt 
it,  Congress  have  requested  if  the  Fact  be  true  that  one  of  your  State 
Battalions  may  be  forwarded  to  Peekskill,  that  we  may  be  able  to  draw 
the  Continental  Force  from  thence  as  circumstances  may  Require.^  A 
Requisition  of  the  like  kind  is  gone  to  Connecticut,  and  will,  I  presume, 
to  Mass^^ 

645.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  17,  1777. 
My  dear  c>tr, 

....  As  to  the  affair  at  Brandywine,  last  Thursday,  I  doubt  whether 
you  will  ever  accurately  know  whether  Fortune  alone  is  to  be  blamed,  or 
whether  Sullivan  and  the  Chief  should  not  share  with  her  in  the  Slander- 
ing murmurs.  Knowledge  of  the  Enemy's  intentions  on  the  Right  Wing 
of  our  Army  was  certainly  wanting.  Genl.  Washington  and  some  good 
military  men,  especially  the  highest  officers,  do  not  charge  the  want  to 

was  pushed  to  a  successful  conclusion  through  the  agency  of  William  H.  Crawford. 
See  Milledge  Galphin  Memorial  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Georgia  (1817): 
White,  Htstortcal  Collections  of  Georgia^  p.  246;  Knight,  Georgia  and  Georgians,  I. 
242;and3i  Cong.,  I.  sess., //oMj^iK!^/.^,  no.334.  y        >     - 

3  Laurens  is  alluding  to  the  activities  of  Congress   consequent  upon   Howe's 
approach  to  Philadelphia. 

it  S^"t"°a'  ^^'^'  ^^^'  ^^7'  ^'  '"*'^'  *^46,  649.  note  2,  post. 

r}^n!..\l'  '       "^"  *°  *^^  Governors,  1777-177^,  p.  27;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cant. 

\^ong.,  p.  150. 

2  The  intelligence  turned  out  to  be  incorrect.    See  the  Journals,  Sept.  14,  p.  742 
r^-     11  n  '■^^"'•^'t'O"  to  Connecticut  does  not  appear  in  the  Journals. 
[645Pi'a.  Mag    of  Hist.  and  Biog.,  XXII.  383;  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans 
Whipple,  p.  41 1 ;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Langdon-Elwyn  Papers  (copy) 


496  Continental  Congress 

Sullivan.  But  as  he  was  under  the  Order  of  Congress  for  a  Court  of 
Enquiry  as  to  Staten  Island,  the  Maryland  officers  in  his  Division,  the 
Delci^^ates  of  that  State,  the  great  Rurk,^  the  Friend  of  St.  Clair,  and  the 
connexion  of  Schuyler  accomplished  to  cast  such  Reflections  upon  his 
want  of  capacity  to  direct  a  Wing  of  our  Army  in  this  critical  Day,  that 
a  Majority  after  demolishing  old  DeBowe  [de  Borre],  effected  the 
Resolve  to  recall  Sullivan  till  his  Conduct  should  be  enquired  as  per 
former  orders.'  Agreeable  to  the  Prophecy  of  the  minority,  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  has  written  in  the  most  pressing  manner  for  a  suspension 

of  the  Order  of  Recall  which  being  carried,  Ch e  *  moved  that  a 

Direction  might  go  to  put  the  Maryland  Troops  under  some  other  M.  GI. 

which  would  have  been  in  effect  throwing  out  S n,  for  the  soldiers  of 

other  Divisions  would  be  unwilling  to  serve  under  a  Man  discarded  by 

the  Marylanders  if  the  Generals  would  consent  to  exchange.     R d  " 

joined  and  had  the  Delaware  inserted  with  Maryland.  But  those  States 
were  the  only  yeas,  which  agreeable  to  modern  petty  Practice  were  booked 
with  the  Nays  by  the  request  of  M d.® .... 

646.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

Pheladel.,  17  Sepr  1777  Wed.  Morn 
[Ho]n'^  Sir 

....  Congress  remain,  here,  but  begin  to  talk  and  have  indeed  voted 
to  move  to  Lancas[ter],  if  they  are  obliged  to  remove,  it  is  about  60  miles 
west  of  this :  'tis  sorely  against  my  Will  to  move  that  Way.^ .... 

647.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 


Dr.  Sir: 


Philadelphia,  Sept.  17th,  1777. 


....  This  unfortunate  General  [Sullivan]^  has  ever  been  the  Marplot 
of  our  Army,  and  his  miscarriages  are  I  am  persuaded  owing  to  a  total 
want  of  military  Genius,  and  to  one  of  that  sort  of  understandings  which 
is  unable  to  take  a  full  comprehensive  view  of  an  object,  but  employs  its 
activity  in  subtle  senseless  refinement.  Thus  persuaded  I  thought  it  my 
duty  to  endeavour  to  have  him  removed  from  his  command,  and  I  suc- 

2  Thomas  Burke,  see  his  letter  to  Caswell  Sept.  17  (no.  647,  post),  and  that  to 
Sullivan  Oct.  12  (no.  686,  post). 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  14;  cf.  ibid.,  Sept.  10  (p.  727,  note). 
*  Samuel  Chase.     See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16. 

s  George  Read. 

6  See  the  Journals,  Sept  14,  16.  For  the  outcome  of  the  inquiry  concerning  the 
Staten  Island  affair  see  the  Journals,  Oct.  16  and  20.  See  also  nos.  681,  684,  702,  post. 
Cf.  Amory',  Life  of  Sullivan,  p.  38  et  seq. 

[646]^  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1568,  Declaration  of  Independence. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  14,  and  nos.  637,  642,  643,  ante,  and  no.  649,  note  2,  post. 
[6^7]^  N.C.  State  Recs.,YA.  620. 

2  Burke  had  been  describing  the  battle  of  Brandywine  (which  in  part  he  had 
witnessed),  criticising  in  particular  Sullivan's  action  therein.  A  more  specific  criticism 
is  found  in  his  letter  to  SuUivan  Oct.  12  (no.  686,  post).    See  also  nos.  681,  684,  702,  post. 


September,  z///  497 

ceeded  so  far  as  to  have  a  resolution  passed  for  recalling  him,  but  General 
Washington  remonstrated  against  it  at  so  critical  a  time,  and  the  execution 
is  now  left  to  his  discretion.'  .... 

648.  John  Adams,  Diary.^ 

[September  18,  1777.] 

18.  Thursday.  The  violent  north-east  storm,  which  began  the  day 
before  yesterday,  continues.  We  are  yet  in  Philadelphia,  that  mass  of 
cowardice  and  Toryism.  Yesterday,  was  buried  Monsieur  Du  Coudray, 
a  French  officer  of  artillery,  who  was  lately  made  an  Inspector-General 
of  artillery  and  military  manufactures,  with  the  rank  of  Major-General. 
He  was  drowned  in  the  Schuylkill,  in  a  strange  manner.  He  rode  into 
the  ferry-boat,  and  rode  out  at  the  other  end  into  the  river,  and  was 
drowned.  His  horse  took  fright.  He  was  reputed  the  most  learned  and 
promising  officer  in  France.  He  was  carried  into  the  Romish  Chapel,  and 
buried  in  the  yard  of  that  church.  This  dispensation  will  save  us  much 
altercation.^ 

649.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.^ 

i8th.  September  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  All  our  affairs  are  undoubtedly  in  a  better  appearance  than  they 
were  three  days  ago,  but  fright  has  driven  some  great  Men  to  do  pre- 
cipitantly  what  I  strongly  urged  as  necessary  to  do  cooly  and  deliberately 
as  soon  as  we  learned  of  Mr.  Howe's  landing  at  Elk,  but  I  suffer  the  fate 
of  all  wise  Men,  my  counsel  is  not  always  attended  to.  no  wise  man 
however  can  suffer  with  more  patience  and  indifference.  Some  who 
smiled  at  the  proposition  are  gone  in  a  hurry,  embarrassed — others  are 
now  on  the  wing,  we  keep  enough  to  make  a  Congress  and  thats  all. 
I  shall  remain  as  long  as  any.  I  sent  my  baggage  forward  some  days 
ago  and  can  easily  transport  my  self,  but  I  am  really  in  a  comfortable 
State  of  confidence  that  General  Washington  will  be  victorious  in  the  next 
engagement  which  will  probably  happen  this  Evening  or  tomorrow,  be 
that  as  it  may  I  am  ready  to  go  or  to  remain  and  may  do  either  with  a 
good  face,  my  advise  was  not  to  go,  but  to  prepare  for  going,  that  we 
might  not  be  endangered  to  have  our  last  moments  which  ought  [to]  be 
spent  in  the  most  Serious  and  Solemn  deliberations  and  orders,  perplexed 
by  a  thousand  different  opinions  and  reflextions  how  to  dispose  of  our 
bodies  and  worldly  Estate.^    we  spent  lately  upwards  of  4  hours  in  that  sort 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  14  and  16;  cf.  no.  645,  ante. 
[648]!  Works,  II.  437- 

2  Du  Coudray's  death  occurred  Sept.  15.  On  that  day  Congress  had  accepted 
the  offer  of  Du  Coudray  and  a  number  of  French  officers  who  had  accompanied  him 
to  serve  as  volunteers.  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  15  and  17.  Cf.  nos.  559,  581,  586,  641, 
ante,  and  no.  734,  post. 

[649]  1  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  170. 

2  Cf.  nos.  627,  643,  ante.    See  also  nos.  650-653,  636-661,  698,  post. 


498  Continental  Congress 

of  confusion  and  considered  and  reconsidered  4  times,  and  what  was  then 
determined  I  believe  by  a  reconsideration  is  now  undoing^ '  I  came  out 
of  the  House  to  forward  barely  two  lines  to  you  and  I  find  I  have  scribled 
above  twenty — the  effect  of  beinj::^  at  leisure  in  mind  (though  hurried  by 
the  party  who  is  to  be  bearer),  my  baggage  is  a  head,  my  Horse  is  ready, 
before  the  enemy  can  cross  Schuylkill,  which  I  hope  he  will  never  do  in 
any  character  but  prisoner,  I  may  be  15  or  20  miles  on  Bristol  Road  and 
Strike  off  into  the  interior  country.  Wherever  I  am  T  shall  endeavor  to 
let  you  hear  from  me  and  will  always  be  wishing  the  happiness  of  you 
and  yours,  this  moment  I  got  here,  a  friend  comes  in  to  dine  with  me 
tis  \  past  three,  and  in  a  burst  of  Laugh  tells  me  we  are  to  meet  at 
6  oClock  this  evening  and  to  morrow  to  enter  upon  the  weighty  business 
of  the  Confederation.*  fright  sometimes  works  Lunacy,  this  does  not 
imply  that  Congress  is  frighted  or  Lunatic  but  there  may  be  some  men 
between  this  and  Schuylkill  who  may  be  much  one  and  a  little  of  the 
other.     Dinner  and  the  messenger  for  this  waits. 

650.  John  Adams,  Diary.^ 

[September  19,  1777.] 

ig.  Friday.  At  three,  this  morning,  was  waked  by  Mr.  Lovel,  and  told 
that  the  members  of  Congress  were  gone,  some  of  them,  a  little  after 
midnight ;  that  there  was  a  letter  from  Mr.  Hamilton,  aid-de-camp  to  the 
General,  informing  that  the  enemy  were  in  possession  of  the  ford  and  the 
boats,  and  had  it  in  their  power  to  be  in  Philadelphia  before  morning,  and 
that,  if  Congress  was  not  removed,  they  had  not  a  moment  to  lose.^  Mr. 
Marchant  and  myself  arose,  sent  for  our  horses,  and,  after  collecting  our 
things,  rode  off  after  the  others.  Breakfasted  at  Bristol,  where  were 
many  members  determined  to  go  the  Newtown  road  to  Reading.  We 
rode  to  Trenton,  where  we  dined.  Colonel  Harrison,  Dr.  Witherspoon, 
all  the  delegates  from  New  York  and  New  England,  except  Gerry  and 
Lovel.  Drank  tea  at  Mr.  Spencer's;  lodged  at  Mr.  S.  Tucker's,  at  his 
kind  invitation.' 

651.  Thomas  Burke  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina.* 

Burlington  Sepr.  20th.  1777 
Dr  Sir 

....  The  Question  for  adjournment  from  Philadelphia  was  dayly 
agitated  in  Congress,  but  always  overruled.  On  the  Night  before  last  it 
received  a  compleat  decision.    Intelligence  was  received  from  the  General 

3  The  allusion  is  probablj-  to  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the  sick  and  wounded 
and  the  hospital  stores  from  Trenton.  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16,  17,  18.  Cf.  Carroll  to 
Washington,  Sept.  22,  post. 

*  See  no.  631,  ante,  and  no.  659,  post. 
[650]!  Works,  II.  438. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  18.  and  no.  649,  note  2,  ante.    Cf.  no.  661.  post. 
"  See  Adam's  Diary.  Sept.  20-2S,  in  Works,  II.  438-440. 
[651]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Myers  Coll.,  Burke;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  631. 


September,  lyyy  499 

Officer  Commanding-  on  Schuylkill  that  the  Enemy  were  then  attempting 
to  cross  and  that  they  could  not  be  prevented,  and  a  [d]  vising  the  Congress 
immediately  to  remove  from  the  City,  the  movement  was  made  not  by 
a  Vote  but  by  universal  Consent,  for  every  Member  Consulted  his  own 
particular  Safety.  I  was  wakened  by  a  Servant  about  two  o'clock,  and 
tho'  I  lost  no  time  in  preparing  to  depart,  yet  I  did  not  chuse  to  retreat 
with  precipitation.  I  was  not  indeed  fully  persuaded  of  the  Necessity  of 
the  Measure,  and  not  very  Apprehensive  for  my  personal  Safety,  about 
Sunrise  I  crossed  the  Deleware  and  made  my  retreat  hither  where  I  shall 
wait  the  Issue  of  a  Battle.^  It  is  now  well  known  that  the  Alarm  was 
groundless,  no  Enemy  has  yet  passed,  nor  does  it  appear  that  they  will 
be  able  to  pass.' 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be 

Sir  your  very  obet  Servt 

Thos  Burke 
Governor  Caswell 

652.  Charles  Carroll  of  Carrollton  to  George  Washington.^ 

Pott's  Groves  22d.  Septr.  1777.^ 
Dear  Sir, 

I  would  just  suggest  the  propriety  of  sending  Some  active  persons  to 
Bristol  and  Trenton  to  impress  Wagons  to  remove  what  continental 
stores  are  at  those  places  and  may  be  carried  thither  from  Pha.  in  conse- 
quence of  your  orders  to  Colo.  Hamilton.  This  measure  is  the  more 
necessary  as  the  order  of  Congress  for  removing  these  Stores  is  suspended 
till  their  meeting  at  Lancaster  wh  may  not  be  for  some  days.'  Mr.  Smith 
one  of  our  Delegates  being  returned  home  I  must  proceed  to  Congress  to 
keep  up  a  representation  from  our  State.  I  desire  my  compliments  to  the 
gentlemen  in  your  family  and  wish  your  Excellency  health  and  success 
against  our  common  enemy.    I  am  with  great  esteem 

Yr.  most  obdt.  hum''  Servt. 

Ch.  Carroll  of  Carrollton. 

2  Cf.  nos.  649,  note  2,  650,  ante. 

3  Cf.  John  Adams's  Diary,  Sept.  21,  Works,  II.  439;  also  no.  653,  post. 

[652]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVIII.  160;  Rowland,  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carrollton,  I.  217. 

2  On  this  day  a  number  of  the  delegates  arrived  at  Bethlehem,  in  their  progress 
toward  Lancaster.  See  the  Diary  of  John  Adams,  Sept.  22-25,  Works,  II.  439-440. 
The  following  document,  in  the  writing  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  with  the  signatures  of 
himself  and  fifteen  other  delegates,  is  preserved  jimong  the  archives  of  the  Moravian 
Congregation  at  Bethlehem.  It  is  printed  in  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Bal- 
lagh),  I.  324. 

"  Bethlehem  September  the  22d.  1777. 

"  Having  here  observed  a  humane  and  diligent  attention  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  and 
a  benevolent  desire  to  make  the  necessary  provision  for  the  relief  of  the  distressed,  as 
far  as  the  powers  of  the  Bretheren  enable  them.  We  desire  that  all  Continental  Officers 
may  refrain  from  disturbing  the  persons  or  property  of  the  Moravians  in  Bethlehem,  and 
particularly  that  they  do  not  disturb  or  molest  the  Houses  where  the  women  are 
assembled.    Given  under  our  hands  at  the  time  and  place  above  mentioned." 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  16,  17,  18.  Cf.  no.  649,  note  3,  ante.  Carroll  was  in 
attendance  at  Lancaster  Sept.  27.  See  his  letter  to  Washington,  Rowland.  Charles 
Carroll  of  Carrollton,  I.  217. 


500  Continental  Congress 

653.  James  Lovell  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

Philada.  23d  Sepr.  [1777.] 

My  dear  Sir 

You  will  have  licard  before  this  reaches  you  that  Congress  left  this 
City  at  3  oClock  in  the  Morninj:!:  of  the  19th  in  Consequence  of  Advice 
by  Express  from  Coll.  A.  Hamilton  Gen.  Washington's  Aid  de  Camp 
whose  Horse  was  shot  as  he  was  passing  the  Schuylkill  and  one  also  of 
his  Oarsmen  was  killed.  I  know  not  which  Way  Coll.  Dyer  and  Co. 
steered  after  they  crossed  into  the  Jersies.  I  was  averse  to  going  at  first 
and  after  breakfasting  at  Bristol,  Curiosity  and  some  Interest  brought 
me  back  here  to  dine  the  same  day.  It  is  said  that  4.000  of  the  Enemy 
have  now  actually  crossed  at  the  Sweeds  Ford.  I  shall  know  the  Truth 
before  the  Post  goes  off  Tomorrow.^ .... 

654.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  George  Washington.* 

Lancaster,  Sepr.  24th.  1777 

Sir 

In  Consequence  of  your  Letter  of  the  22d  directed  to  the  President  or 
any  Member  of  Congress,^  I  have  conferred  with  William  Henry  Esqr. 
of  this  Place  upon  the  most  expeditious  Method  of  collecting  the  arms 
and  accoutrements  in  the  Hands  of  the  Inhabitants  here,  and  he  is  of 
Opinion  that  it  may  be  accomplished  by  your  Warrant  to  him  grounded 
on  the  late  Resolution  of  Congress  for  that  and  other  Purposes.  As 
there  is  not  a  prospect  of  having  a  Congress  or  Board  of  War  for  several 

[653]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  See  nos.  649,  note  2,  650-652,  ante,  nos.  656-659,  661,  post.  Lovell  paid  dearly 
for  his  curiosity,  or  his  rashness.  He  relates  in  this  letter  to  Trumbull :  "  I  was  robbed 
of  my  Pocket  Book  in  the  twinkling  of  an  Eye  last  f  ryday  Even?,  at  the  Coflfea-House, 
containing  260  Dollrs  with  15  or  more  Lottery  Tickets  belonging  to  Col.  Whipple, 
and  some  Papers  of  my  own."  Sept.  24,  Lovell  wrote  to  Elbridge  Gerry  from  Phila- 
delphia (besides  relating  the  loss  of  his  pocket-book)  :    "  By  all  I  can  find  you  will  be 

so  sick  of  Lancaster  as  to  determine  upon  York  speedily Mr.  S.  A.  was  little 

inclined  to  go  to  Lancaster;  but  I  do  not  think  he  will  quit  before  the  Confedn.  is 
gone  through."  This  letter  was  among  the  Gerry  papers  at  one  time  in  the  possession 
of  W.  R.  Benjamin  of  New  York. 

[654]!  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  no.  49,  vol.  IL,  p.  319;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  I.  435. 

-  Such  a  letter  of  this  date  from  Washington  has  not  been  found,  neither  is 
there  mention  of  it  in  the  Journals.  A  letter  of  Sept.  23,  containing  a  passage  relative 
to  the  collection  of  shoes  and  blankets  in  Lancaster,  was  read  in  Congress  at  their 
meeting  in  Lancaster,  Sept.  27  (see  nos.  657,  660,  post).  This  letter  was  addressed  to 
"  Honble  Jno.  Hancock  Esq. ;  or  any  Member  of  Congress,  Lancaster  ",  and  the  opening 
sentence  says:  "I  have  not  had  the  honor  of  addressing  you  since  your  adjournment 
to  Lancaster";  nevertheless,  Gerry's  letter  of  Sept.  25  (no.  655,  post),  as  also  Washing- 
ton's letters  to  Gerry,  Sept.  26  and  27  (see  below,  and  no.  655,  post),  are  evidence  that 
the  letter  of  Sept.  22  is  not  identical  with  that  of  Sept.  23.  Replying  to  Gerry,  Sept. 
26,  Washington  says :  "  When  I  wrote  Congress,  I  was  informed,  that  there  were  several 
arms  in  Lancaster  belonging  to  the  public.  These  with  their  accoutrements,  I  wished 
to  be  collected  and  put  into  the  Hands  of  the  Militia  coming  from  Virginia.  But  I  did 
not  mean  that  any  the  property  of  Individuals,  should  be  taken,  because  I  did  not 

conceive  myself  authorised,  nor  do  I  at  this  time  to  order  such  a  measure The 

Army  is  much  distressed  for  blankets  and  shoes,  and  I  wish  the  most  vigorous  exertions 
could  be  pursued  to  make  a  collection,  the  speediest  possible,  in  the  neighborhood  where 
you  are."     (Library  of  Congress,  Washington  Papers.) 


September,  7777  501 

Days  to  give  him  authority,  and  the  Articles  are  immediately  wanted, 
he  has  consented  to  proceed  on  the  Business  without  Delay,  in  Expecta- 
tion that  on  the  Receipt  of  this  you  will  give  him  full  Powers  to  justify 
his  Conduct  and  date  them  the  22d,  that  the  Time  of  his  Transaction 
may  comport  with  his  Commission.'  With  wishes  of  Success  to  your 
Excellency  and  the  Cause  in  which  you  are  engaged  I  remain  Sir  very 
respectfully  your  most  hum.  Serv. 

E.  Gerry. 

655.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  George  Washington.^ 

Lancaster  Sepr  25th  1777  3  oClock  P  M 
Sir 

I  wrote  You  a  Line  Yesterday,  desiring  You  to  impower  Mr.  Henry 
of  this  Place  to  collect  the  Fire  Arms  wanted  for  the  Virginia  Troops  on 
their  March  to  the  Camp,  since  wch.  Your  Letter  of  the  23d  is  received, 
desiring  that  a  Number  of  Blankets  and  Shoes  may  be  also  collected.* 

•      •      •      • 

Colo  R  H  Lee  is  present,  and  has  just  directed  a  Letter  to  the  Com- 
mand^ Officer  of  the  Militia  at  Frederick  Town  in  Maryland  ordering 
on  all  the  Militia  that  are  arrived  and  500  of  those  that  are  unarmed 
to  be  supplyed  in  this  Place. 

656.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  William  Wilkinson.^ 

Lancaster  25  Sepr.  1777 
Dr  Sir 

Congress  have  been  Obliged  to  leave  Philadelphia  and  it  is  supposed 
Genl.  Howe  is  now  in  possession  of  it,  altho'  every  effort  in  Genl.  Wash- 

ingtons  Power  has  been  made  use  of  to  prevent  it The  Congress 

are  not  yet  met  here  several  of  the  Members  not  being  arrived,  as  soon  as 
they  do  meet,  and  an  oppertunity  offers  I  shall  write  you  again  more 
fully.^  .  .  . 

3  The  resolution  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  Sept.  17  (p.  752).  Cf.  the  resolu- 
tions of  Sept.  14,  16,  embod)dng  recommendations  to  the  Pennsylvania  council,  the 
council's  letters  to  Congress,  Sept.  15,  17,  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  626,  630,  and 
Hancock's  letter  to  the  council,  Sept.  16,  ibid.,  V.  627.  The  original  of  Hancock's  letter 
is  in  Haver  ford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  722.  William  Henry  was  one  of  the  justices  of 
Lancaster  County.  See  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  634,  635.  The  authority  conferred  on 
Washington,  Sept.  17,  to  impress  articles  needed  for  the  army  (see  also  the  resolves  of 
Oct.  8),  was  extended  Nov.  14,  and  still  further  amplified  Dec.  10.  See  the  Journals, 
Sept.  27,  Oct.  13  (orders  to  the  board  of  war),  and  Oct.  16;  also  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V. 
675,  681,  683,  686,  691,  738,  751. 

[655]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVHI.  163. 

2  See  no.  654,  note  2,  ante.  Cf.  Washington  to  Hamilton,  Sept.  22,  Writings  (ed. 
Ford),  VL  78.  Washington  replied  to  Gerry  Sept.  27:  "  I  am  favd.  with  yours  of  the 
25th.  I  yesterday  wrote  you  that  I  did  not  think  myself  authorised  to  seize  upon  any 
Arms  the  property  of  private  persons  but  if  they  can  be  collected  and  the  owners  satis- 
fied for  them  it  would  be  of  very  essential  Service  as  great  Numbers  of  Militia  would 
i"oin  the  Army  could  they  be  furnished  with  Arms."  (Library  of  Congress,  Washington 
■*apers.) 

[656]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.,  Members  of  the  Old  Congress,  H.  67. 
^^  2  Cf.  nos.  658,  659,  post.     Samuel  Chase  wrote  to  Governor  Johnson  Sept.  25 : 

I  expect  we  shall  make  up  a  Congress  before  Sunday  and  then  I  expect  a  regular 
Conveyance  will  be  established  weekly  to  Baltimore."     (Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Etting  Coll.) 


502  Continental  Congress 

657.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)   to 

George  Washington.^ 

Lancaster  26  Septenir.  1777. 

Sir 

I  arriv'd  last  Even^  at  this  place,  where  I  was  honour'd  with  your 
Letter  of  23CI  Inst,  which  I  shall  lay  before  Congress  as  soon  as  the  whole 
of  the  Members  arrive  here  which  I  Expect  will  be  this  Day.^  .... 

658.   Cornelius  Harnett  to  the  Governor  of  North   Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

Lancaster  Sepr.  27,  1777 
Sir 

I  did  myself  the  Honor  of  writing-  Your  Excellency  a  few  days  ago 
from  Philadelphia.^  since  which  Congress  have  been  obliged  to  Decamp, 
Genl  How  having  by  many  different  Maneouvers  got  between  Our  Army 
and  the  City,  and  can  when  he  pleases  take  possession  of  it.  But  it  seems 
his  intention  is  to  Come  to  another  Battle  with  Our  Army  first. 

....  Congress  intends  to  proceed  to  business  this  day.  I  can  send 
Your  Excellency  no  Newspapers  as  yet.  Messrs.  Burke  and  Penn  are 
neither  of  them  Arrived  I  expect  them  to-day.* 

659.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

Lancaster  Septr.  the  28th  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  and  ^  by  an  express  who  came  into  the  City  about  one  o'Clock 
in  the  morning  of  fryday  the  19th  Instant  Informing  the  Enemy  had 
passed  the  Schuylkill  and  was  then  on  their  full  March  for  the  City, 
noticing  the  Congress  Members  Immediately  to  leave  the  City,  and  that 
they  had  not  a  minute  to  spare  tho  this  proved  a  mistake.  You  may 
depend  upon  it  w'e  were  soon  on  the  wing  and  made  our  flight  with  all 
speed  to  Trenton  where  we  arrived  early  that  day.  from  Thence  we 
Journeyd  to  Bethlem  and  through  Reading  to  Lancaster  to  which  place 
we  had  agreed  to  adjourn  Congress  when  there  should  be  Need,  but  we 
only  met  there  to  adjourn  to  this  place  where  w^e  Open  Congress  this  day.' 
we  thought  it  not  best  at  this  time  to  remove  out  of  this  State  least  in  this 

[657]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XVIIL  169. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  27 ;  cf.  nos.  654,  655,  ante,  no.  660,  post. 
[658]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  1167;  A^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  636. 

2  A  letter  to  Governor  Caswell  from  Burke,  Penn,  and  Harnett,  Sept.  17,  is  in 
N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  625. 

3  Sept.  30,  Harnett  again  wrote  to  Governor  Caswell :  "  Messrs.  Burke  and 
Penn  are  not  yet  arrived,  but  I  expect  them  every  hour."  A^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  638. 
See  no.  651,  ante. 

[659]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  There  is  no  apparent  grammatical  connection  between  this  sentence  and  that 
which  precedes.  Dyer  had  spoken  of  Washington's  withdrawal  before  Howe,  to 
replenish  his  supply  of  ammunition,  which  had  been  spoiled  by  the  rain. 

3  In  the  margin  is  written:  "York  Town:  October  ist."  The  precise  division 
between  that  which  was  written  at  Lancaster  and  that  written  at  York  is  not  apparent. 
See  no.  660,  post. 


September,  j///  503 

Critical  Situation  of  affairs  there  should  be  a  total  defection  of  this  State 
the  Enemy  are  now  in  possession  of  their  Capital  which  they  entered  on 
fryday  last  with  a  party  of  about  15  hundred  and  with  their  main  body 
are  fortifymg  on  the  heights  near  German  Town 

[P.  S.].  .  .  .  we  shall  Immediately  enter  upon  the  Confederation, 
taxation  and  if  possible  to  retrieve  the  sinking  State  of  our  Currency 
Congress  have  resolved  that  the  Intrest  on  the  loan  office  Certificates  past 
and  future  to  be  paid  by  bills  of  Excge  drawn  on  Our  Commisrs  in  France 
at6prCt*.  .  .  . 

660.   The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

York-Town  in  Pennsylvania  Sepr.  30th.  1777. 
Sir, 

Since  my  departure  from  Philadelphia,  I  have  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  favrs.  to  the  23d.  Inst.  I  met  the  Congress  on  Saturday 
last  at  Lancaster,  and  upon  consultation  it  was  judged  most  prudent  to 
adjourn  to  this  place,  where  we  now  are,  and  where  we  can  deliberate  and 
prosecute  business  without  interruptions  and  where  your  despatches  will 
meet  us.^ 

I  have  just  now  receiv'd  by  general  Gates'  Aid  de  Camp,  (Major 
Troup)  sundry  letters,  copies  of  which  I  have  the  honour  to  enclose  to 
you,  by  which  it  appears  that  our  affairs  in  the  northern  department  wear 
a  favourable  aspect,  and  I  hope  soon  to  transmit  you  an  account  of  an 
issue  to  the  contest  in  that  quarter.^ 

_  I  wish  soon  to  receive  the  most  pleasing  accounts  from  you.  we  are 
m  daily  expectation  of  agreeable  tidings,  and  that  genl.  Howe  is  totally 
reduced.  ^ 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  inclosed  papers,  and  am  with  the  utmost 
respect  and  esteem  Sir, 

Your  most  obedt  and  very  hble.  Servt. 
rp  g  -J  John  Hancock  Presidt. 

*See  the  Journals,  Sept.  9,  10,  and  nos.  627,  631,  636   ante     Cf   nos    66,0   67t 
'nol  InMT^  '"  *'^  "-'''''''  °^  Confedektio'n:  s^'  nol! -e.e^TeTora'Jtll 

(ed^SpLkltT436.^°"^'''''  ^"'"  *"*  Washington,  XQ.  45;  Letters  to  Washington. 

2  Cf.  nos.  654,  note  2,  657,  ante,  no.  666,  post. 

nlJ.r7^ir^"''^"^'^''°K  *°  John  Laurens,  Sept.  30:  "Congress  have  been  hurried  from 
place  to  place  and  no  business  done  for  many  days  past.  I  hope  we  shall  begin  anew 
tomorrow  and  be  permitted  to  deliberate  without  further  interruption,  h  [ope]  founded 
on  the  anticipated  success  of  General  Washington."  (Long  Island  H  st.  Soc,  Laurens 
Papers.)     Cf.  nos.  649,  659,  ante,  no.  698,  post.  '  ^^^^^^^ 

3  According  to  the  Journals  (Oct   i),  there  were  two  letters  of  Gates  dated  Sept 
22.     Only  one  such,  however,  has  been  found.     The  original  is  in  Papers  Con     Cong 
no.  154,  vol.  L    f.  2fe,  and  a  copy,  in  the  writing  of  Hancock,  is  in  the  Washineton 
Papers,  XCL  48.    Other  enclosures  were:    Lincoln  to  Gates,  Sept.  14;  CWtes  to  Sin 

c"£l'^''?^'V  ^T™^''  71""^^""  ""^  °??^^'  Sept.  17,'  LiScoInlo  Gates  Sept^^^^^^^^ 
Gates  to  Lincoln,  Sept  17;  John  Brown  to  Lincoln,  Sept.  18;  Gates  to  Lincoln  Sen/ 
19;  Lincoln  to  Gates.  Sept.  20.  Maj.  Robert  Troup,' who  brought  the  despatches  from 
Gates,  was  rewarded.  Oct.  4,  with  a  lieutenant-colonelcy.  See  nos.  662,  elTe?!,  po^ 
37 


504  Continental  Congress 

66i.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

York  Town,  Pennsylvania, 

Tuesday,  30  September,  1777. 
My  Best  Friend, 

It  is  now  a  long  time  since  I  had  an  opportunity  of  writing  to  you,  and 
I  fear  you  liave  suffered  unnecessary  anxiety  on  my  account.  In  the 
morning  of  tlie  19th  instant,  the  Congress  were  alarmed  in  their  beds  by 
a  letter  from  Mr.  Hamilton,  one  of  General  Washington's  family,  that  the 
enemy  was  in  possession  of  the  ford  over  the  Schuylkill  and  the  boats,  so 
that  they  had  it  in  their  power  to  be  in  Philadelphia  before  morning. 
The  papers  of  Congress  belonging  to  the  Secretary's  office,  the  War 
office,  the  Treasury  office  etc.,  were  before  sent  to  Bristol.  The  President, 
and  all  the  other  gentlemen  were  gone  that  road,  so  I  followed  with  my 
friend  Mr.  Marchant,  of  Rhode  Island,  to  Trenton,  in  the  Jerseys.  We 
stayed  at  Trenton  until  the  21st,  when  we  set  off  to  Easton,  upon  the 
forks  of  Delaware.  From  Easton  we  went  to  Bethlehem,  from  thence  to 
Reading,  from  thence  to  Lancaster,  and  from  thence  to  this  town,  which 
is  about  a  dozen  miles  over  the  Susquehannah  river.  Here  Congress  is 
to  sit.  In  order  to  convey  the  papers  with  safety,  which  are  of  more 
importance  than  all  the  members,  we  were  induced  to  take  this  circuit, 
which  is  near  a  hundred  and  eighty  miles,  whereas  this  town,  by  the 
direct  road,  is  not  more  than  eighty-eight  miles  from  Philadelphia.  This 
tour  has  given  me  an  opportunity  of  seeing  many  parts  of  this  country 
which  I  never  saw  before.^ 

This  morning  Major  Troup  arrived  here  with  a  large  packet  from 
General  Gates,  containing  very  agreeable  intelligence,  which  I  need  not 
repeat,  as  you  have  much  earlier  intelligence  from  that  part  than  we  have. 
I  wish  affairs  here  wore  as  pleasing  an  aspect.     But  alas,  they  do  not.^ 

I  shall  avoid  every  thing  like  history,  and  make  no  reflections.  How- 
ever, General  Washington  is  in  a  condition  tolerably  respectable,  and  the 
militia  are  now  turning  out  from  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  Pennsylvania 
in  small  numbers.  All  the  apology  that  can  be  made  for  this  part  of  the 
world  is,  that  Mr.  Howe's  march  from  Elk  to  Philadelphia,  was  through 
the  very  regions  of  passive  obedience.  The  whole  country  through  which 
he  passed  is  inhabited  by  Quakers.  There  is  not  such  another  body  of 
Quakers  in  all  America,  perhaps  not  in  all  the  world 

662.  W^illiam  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

York  30  Sepr.  1777 
Hon'^  Sir 

....  Majr.  Troup,  G  Gates's  Aid  De  Camp,  came  in  this  day  with 
Letters  from  him  etc.  which  seem  to  exhillerate  the  Spirits  of  Congress, 

[661]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  314. 

2  Cf.  nos.  650,  659,  ante. 

3  Cf.  no.  660,  ante.  no.  662,  post. 

1662]!  N   Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  2464. 


October,  lyjj  505 

quite  enow,  etc.  indeed  They  were  not  too  much  depresd  before,  strongly 
hoping  and  expecting  a  reverse." .... 

I  hope  a  heavy  Tax  will  tend  to  reduce  things  to  order,  which  Congress 
will  certainly  recommend  very  soon,  a  Com^^  had  been  appointed  to 
prepare,  apportion  etc  at  P.  but  we  were  obliged  to  decamp  before 
it  was  brot  in.  tho  nothing  but  success  against  our  Enemy,  will  effectually 
extricate  us  from  the  Distresses  respecting  our  Currency  etc.  into  which 
we  are  plunged.' .... 

663.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).^ 

York  Town,  Octr  i,  1777. 
Sir, 

General  Gates's  letter,  with  enclosures  to  Congress  per  express  this 
day  are  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Intelligence  for  publication  and 
v^ill  be  sent  this  afternoon  to  Lancaster  for  that  purpose,  therefore  tran- 
scripts are  less  necessary,  but  I  would  furnish  them  for  the  satisfaction 
of  Council,  if  I  was  not  very  unwell,  as  thereby  they  might  be  furnished 
with  the  news  a  few  hours  sooner." .... 

664.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

York  in  Pennsylvania,  Octr  2d  1777 
Dear  Sir 

I  reed  yours  of  the  i6th  Sepr.,  and  not  having  attended  the  Treasury 
of  late  from  the  Want  of  Health,  was  unacquainted  with  the  Order  of 
the  Board  before  the  rect.  of  your  Letter. 

I  think  that  your  Request  is  reasonable,  and  as  Philadelphia  is  now  in 
the  Hands  of  the  Enemy,  that  you  cannot  be  accommodated  in  any  other 
Place  where  Congress  shall  meet,  were  there  no  other  objections  to  the 
removal  of  the  Commiss. ;  but  of  these  there  are  undoubtedly  many,  and 
such  as  cannot  be  easily  answered,  when  the  Board  meets  I  shall  propose 
a  Reversal  of  the  order." 

The  Loss  of  Philadelphia  was  unexpected,  and  had  it  been  in  any  other 
State  than  Pennsylvania,  Delaware  or  Maryland,  I  question  whether  it 
would  have  happened,  but  as  General  Washington's  army  will  be  rein- 
forced in  a  Day  or  tw^o  with  3000  of  the  Virginia  Militia,  1500  Contin. 

2  Cf.  no.  660,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  lo,  Oct.  ii;  also  the  proceedings  on  the  letter  of 
Stephen  Hopkins,  etc.,  Aug.  i8,  Sept.  lo,  Oct.  27,  Nov.  13,  22 ;  cf.  also  the  proceedings  on 
the  ninth  article  of  the  Confederation,  Oct.  8,  9-1 1,  13,  14.  Cf.  no.  659,  ante,  nos.  671, 
701,  post. 

[663]^  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  639. 

2  See  no.  660,  note  3,  ante.  Gates's  letter  of  Sept.  22  was  referred,  Oct.  2,  to 
the  board  of  war,  but  the  Journals  do  not  mention  its  reference  to  the  committee  of 
intelligence,  for  publication. 

[664]  1  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  no.  73. 

2  The  order  referred  to  is  that  of  June  11,  requiring  the  commissary-general 
of  purchases  to  keep  his  office  in  the  place  where  Congress  shall  sit.  It  does  not  appear 
that  the  order  was  reversed.    Cf.  no.  676,  post. 


506  Continental  Congress 

Troops  from  peeks  Kill,  and  looo  of  the  Jersey  militia,  I  hope  it  will  be 
soon  recovered. 

The  new  Commissaries  do  not  appear  to  be  well  acquainted  with  their 
Business,  the  army  having  been  one  whole  Day  without  provisions.  I 
fear  the  Consequences  of  these  Alterations;  which  you  well  know  were 
contrar>'  to  my  repeated  Remonstrances.' 

I  congratulate  You  on  the  agreable  prospects  for  the  northern  Depart- 
ment and  am  with  much  Esteem  yours, 

Sincerely 

E  Gerry 

Colo  Trumbull. 

665.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Massachusetts  Council.* 

York  Town  :  Pennsylvania. 

Octr  3d.  1777. 
Gentlemen, 

Your  Favour  of  the  17th  ulto.  enclosing  a  Copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr 
Loring  Commissary  of  Prisoners,  relative  to  the  Exchange  of  Doctor 
Church  for  Doctr  McHenry,  was  duely  received  and  laid  before  Con- 
gress: In  Consequence  of  which  I  am  to  inform  you,  they  immediately 
and  in  the  strongest  Terms,  expressed  their  Disapprobation  of  the  Pro- 
posal, and  put  their  Negative  upon  it.^ 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  the  greatest  Respect  Gentlemen, 

Your  most  obed  and  very  hble  Servt 
John  Hancock  Presidt 

The  Honble  Council  of  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  Bay. 

666.  James  Duane  to  George  Clinton.* 

York  Town,  Penna  Oct  3d  1777 
Sir 

I  wrote  to  your  Excellency  from  Lancaster  covering  a  copy  of  Gen 
Washingtons  Letter  to  Congress  which  explains  the  causes  of  the  loss  of 
Philadelphia.  I  wish  those  dispatches  may  have  got  safe  to  hand.  Con- 
gress at  their  first  meeting  at  Lancaster  adjourned  to  York  town  22  miles 
farther  Southward,  and  10  from  the  Susquehanna.  Lancaster  they  found 
crowded  and  in  other  respects  exceptionable.  Here  we  are  at  least  sufh- 
cientlv  retired  and  can  deliberate  without  interruption.^ .... 

5  Cf.  nos.  726,  748,  757.  759.  post. 

[665]!  Mass.  Arch.,  CXC\'III.  196;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58, 

pt.  II.,  f.  279;  ibid.,  Mass.  Recs.,  Letters,  1777-1778. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  2  (p.  758). 

[666]  1  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks   MSS.,  XXIX.  443    (copy);  Jour.  N.   Y.  Prov. 

Cong.,  II.  489  (without  the  name  of  the  writer). 

2  Cf.  no.  660,  ante.     Samuel  Chase  wrote  to  Governor  Johnson  Oct.  3 :    "  Our 
Confederacy  is  to  be  resumed  this  day."    (Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Gilmor  Papers,  Div.  3.) 


October,  /;;/  507 

667.  John  Penn  to  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell)/ 

York,  Pa.,  October  5th,  1777 

Sir: 

Your  favor  of  the  2nd  September,  I  this  minute  received,  and  am  glad 
to  hear  that  the  money,  though  very  late,  was  arrived.  The  Congress 
left  Philadelphia  about  the  20th,  and  are  now  at  this  place  doing  business. 

•     •     •     • 

I  shall  apply  to  Congress  to  give  some  directions  relative  to  the  pork 
you  mention  to-morrow.^ 

Sunday  morning. 

668.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Robert  Morris.^ 

York  5  Octor.  1777. 

Dear  Sir  ^,  ,     ,    , 

The  Business  allotted  me  by  Congress  after  settmg  till  9  O  clock  last 
Evening,  prevents  me  the  honour  and  pleasure  of  waiting  on  you  agree- 
able to  your  kind  Invitation  and  my  wish.  I  have  Expresses  going  to 
Genl.  Gates  and  Genl.  Putnam  and  to  Head  Quarters,  which  makes  me 
very  busy.  The  Inclos'd  Letters  for  you  and  Colo.  Harrison  I  have  just 
Rec'd,  and  judging  it  would  be  agreeable  to  you  both  to  have  them  soon, 
I  therefore  dispatch  one  of  my  Expresses  with  them.  I  have  not  a  word 
of  news  to  Communicate.  No  Letters  since  you  left  us.  Nor  have  we  any 
Reports  to-day 

669.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

York  Town  5th.  Octr.  1777 

Dear  General 

....  General  St  Clair  is  neither  tried  nor  Arraigned.  How  can  it  be 
expected  in  the  critical  Situation  of  our  Affairs :  and  when  his  Hearing 
is  to  be  preceeded  by  the  Report  of  a  Committee  who  are  to  collect 
Materials  from  A  Variety  of  distant  Sources  for  the  purpose?  ^_  With 
respect  to  yourself  I  think  you  have  determined  wisely:  I  advise  you 
however  to  write  a  civil  Letter  to  Congress  requesting  them  to  give  you 
a  Copy  of  your  Charge  and  assign  a  day  for  the  Hearing,  hinting  that  a 

[667]!  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XXII.  972,  XI.  641.  ^^  ^        ^t.       • 

2  See  Caswell's  letter  to  Penn,  Sept.  2,  in  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  602.  There  is  no 
mention  of  the  matter  in  the  Journals,  but  Penn  did  bring  it  to  the  attention  of  rtie 
commissary-general  of  purchases.  See  Penn  to  Caswell,  Oct.  10,  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI. 
649,  and  William  Buchanan  to  Governor  Caswell,  Oct.  17,  ibid.,  XI.  656. 

[668]  1  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia;  Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  14;  N.  Y.  Hist.  See.,  Collecttons: 
Revolutionary  Papers,  I.  431. 

[669]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  546. 

2  In  regard  to  St.  Clair,  see  the  Journals,  July  30,  also,  under  Sept  9  (P-  727, 
note  i)  ;  cf.  no.  570,  note  2,  ante.  Concerning  the  committee  of  inquiry,  see  the  Journals, 
Aug.  27,  28,  and  nos.  602,  617,  619,  625,  ante,  nos.  677,  781,  Post. 


508  Continental  Congress 

delay  in  your  painful  Situation  is  a  Severity  which  you  neither  merit  from 
your  Country,  nor  have  any  Reason  to  expect  from  Congress.* 

Give  my  Compls.  to  Maj.  H.  B.  Livingston  and  tell  him  he  is  promoted 
to  the  Rank  of  Lieut.  Colonel ;  as  is  Col.  Troup  for  the  News  from  the 
Northern  Army.  I  shoud  first  have  said  that  a  Monument  is  ordered  to 
be  erected  in  Honour  of  the  Memory  of  Genl  Herkimer,  Genl  Stark 
advancd  to  the  Rank  of  Brig-Genl.  in  the  Continental  Service,  Gansevoort 
has  the  Thanks  of  Congress;  and  is  appointed  Col.  Comma [njdant  of 
Fort  Schuyler,  Willet  the  Thanks  of  Congress  and  a  Sword.*  .... 

670.  James  Duane  to  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.^ 

York  Town  5th.  Octobr.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Your  Letter  to  Congress  has  been  reced  and  refered  to  the  Board  of 
Treasury.  I  could  not  however  loose  a  moment  in  assuring  you  that  you 
have  reced.  a  very  wrong  Impression  from  the  Report  to  which  you  refer: 
There  is  no  officer  in  the  Continental  Service  who  stands  higher  than 
yourself  in  the  esteem  of  the  Board  of  Treasury  and  of  Congress  in  gen- 
eral ;  and  the  Board  will  at  all  times  be  pleased  to  give  you  every  honour* 
Testimonial  in  Justification  of  your  Conduct.  To  me  be  assurd  it  will  be 
a  singular  pleasure,  you  will  have  something  more  formal  on  this  Sub- 
ject soon.^ 

In  the  mean  believe  that  I  am,  with  very  great  Respect,  Dear  Sir 

Your  most  Obedt  hum^  Sert 

Jas.  Duane. 
Jon^  Trumbull  Junr.  Esqr. 

671.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

York  Town  Octr.  5th.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  The  Flight  to  Baltimore  was  a  Trifle  compared  with  the  present 
Jaunt  and  Situation 

The  Congress  left  Philada.  the  19th.  at  2  oClock  A.  M.  I  returned  from 
Bristol  to  the  Capital  to  dine,  and  tarried  till  the  25th;  when,  the  Enemy 
being  within  a  mile  and  without  any  opposing  Troops  in  the  City,  I  slipt 
into  the  Jersies.  It  was  lucky  that  I  had  a  young  Lady  to  gallant  thither ; 
for  3  or  4  Officers  who  left  Philada.  before  me  were  taken  in  the  Franck- 
fort  Road.' .... 

3  See  no.  6ii,  ante.  A  letter  from  Schuyler  dated  Sept.  27,  requesting  a 
copy  of  the  accusation  against  him,  was  read  in  Congress  Oct,  8.  See  also  the  Journals, 
Oct.  9,  and  nos.  677,  781,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  4,  and  no.  671,  post. 
[670]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  vol.  II.,  no.  107. 

-  Trumbull's  letter,  dated  Sept.  20,  was  read  in  Congress  Oct.  2,  but  the  Journals 
appear  to  contain  no  record  of  action  upon  it.  The  letter  protests  against  certain  expres- 
sions in  the  proceedings  of  Congress  Sept.  6  (Journals,  p.  716),  concerning  the  action  of 
the  deputy  paymaster-general,  and  explains  the  letter  of  General  Gates  of  Aug.  28,  upon 
which  the  action  w^as  based. 

[671]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  X. 

2  Cf.  no.  653,  ante. 


October,  lyy/  509 

Upon  the  present  ill  Aspect,  some  People  in  Congress  seem  to  intend 
to  reform  their  mode  of  doing-  or  rather  no^-doing  Business,  and  I 
believe  we  shall  be  able  to  get  speedily  thro'  the  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion, and  shall  sit  faithfully  about  the  means  of  keeping  our  Currency 
in  some  sort  of  Credit :  I  know  nothing  radical  for  the  Purpose  but  Taxa- 
tion, high  and  payable  at  short  Periods.  Every  Thing  else  is  only  a 
Palliative.* .... 

The  Gentleman  who  delivers  this  has  received  an  Advantage  from  yr. 
Recommendation ;  *  but  as  there  was  an  old  Resolution  upon  the  Journals 
.that  "Congress  would  take  an  early  Opportunity  to  promote  Majr. 
Livingston  ",  which  was  not  recollected,  when  a  Motion  in  his  favour  was 
made  upon  his  coming  to  tell  from  Genl.  Schuyler  what  Genl.  Lincoln 
had  written  about  Brigadr.  Stark's  Fighting,  this  Opportunity  when  Mr. 
Throop  came  properly  from  a  Battle  was  taken  to  bring  into  Effect  the 
mentioned  Record.  Thus  both  the  Young  Gentlemen  are  promoted.^ 
I  hope  Stark  will  not  make  the  same  Puzzle  as  another  Officer  has  made 
about  the  Date  of  his  new  Rank ;  ®  For  I  think  it  impossible  that  in  one 
Case  or  the  other  Congress  should  antedate  without  the  greatest  Confu- 
sion. One  Case  had  been  absolutely  determined  before  any  Knowledge 
of  the  Anecdote  which  I  have  before  hinted  at,  which  would  have  fixed 
me  if  I  had  not  been  fixed  before.'' .... 

I  hope  one  or  two  late  Alterations  with  the  Power  of  filling  Places  will 
make  the  Commissary  and  Quartermasters  Department  of  some  better  use 
to  you  than  they  have  been  lately.* 

I  will  not  urge  you  to  be  particular  to  me  till  you  have  more  Leisure 
than  you  had  when  Mr.  Throop  left  you ;  but  be  assured  that  I  am.  Sir, 

Your  Friend  and  Most  humb  Servt. 

James  Lovell 

672.  The  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs  to  the  Commissioners  in 

Paris.^ 

YoRKTOWN,  October  6,  1777. 
Gentlemen: 

We  shall  follow  your  example  in  confining  this  letter  entirely  to  yours 
of  May  26,  respecting  the  loan  and  the  mode  of  raising  it  by  appropria- 

3  Cf.  nos.  627,  631,  636,  659,  662,  ante,  nos.  672,  701,  post. 

4  Robert  Troup  (Lovell  here  spells  the  name  "Throop").  See  note  5,  below; 
also  nos.  660,  662,  ante. 

5  The  promotions  of  Robert  Troup  and  Henry  Brockholst  Livingston  were 
made  Oct.  4.  Cf.  no.  669,  ante.  For  the  earlier  action  concerning  Livingston,  see  the 
Journals,  Sept.  25,  1776,  and  Aug.  22,  1777  (erased  entry).  It  is  difficult  to  escape  the 
impression  that  Congress  was  more  zealous  in  promoting  the  persons  who  brought  good 
news  than  those  who  performed  good  services.  The  promotion  of  James  Wilkinson  for 
bringing  Gates's  despatches  concerning  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne  is  one  of  the  most 
extraordinary.     See  the  Journals,  Oct.  31,  Nov.  6,  and  no.  728,  note  2,  post. 

6  The  allusion  is  probably  to  the  case  of  Benedict  Arnold.     See  the  Journals 
Aug.  8,  Nov.  29,  and  nos.  582,  583,  585,  586,  607,  ante. 

■^  The  anecdote  was  probably  that  related  to  Gates  in  a  letter  of  Nov.  17  (Gates 
Papers,  XL),  involving  a  criticism  of  Washington. 
8  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  4. 
[672]!  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  400;  Sparks,  Dipt.  Corr.  Rev.,  I.  330. 


510  Continental  Congress 


a 


tion  of  vacant  land.*  It  remains  doubtful  yet  whether  there  is  any  vacant 
land  not  included  within  the  charter  limits  of  some  one  of  the  thirteen 
States,  and  it  is  an  undetermined  (|uestion  of  j^reat  maj^nitude  whether 
such  land  is  to  be  considered  as  common  stock,  or  the  exclusive  property 
of  the  State  within  whose  charter  bounds  it  may  be  found.* 

Until  this  business  has  been  determined  in  Congress  and  approved  by 
the  States  you  will  readily  discover  the  difficulty  of  doing  anything  in 
the  way  of  raising  money  by  appropriation  of  vacant  land.  We  consider 
your  proposal  on  this  subject  as  of  very  great  importance,  and  we  shall 
not  fail  to  solicit  the  attention  of  Congress  thereto  whenever  the  pressing 
business  of  the  campaign  will  permit. 

In  the  mean  time  we  see  no  reason  that  should  prevent  the  young 
nobleman  of  Irish  extract  from  coming  to  America,  because  the  sus- 
pension of  the  question  concerning  vacant  lands  will  not  obstruct  his 
views  of  getting  the  quantity  he  may  want,  either  by  original  entry  or 
by  purchase  on  the  most  reasonable  terms,  upon  the  frontiers  of  those 
States  where  vacant  lands  are  in  abundance  to  be  met  with.  We  are 
warranted  to  say  that  such  rank  as  that  nobleman  may  have  when  he 
leaves  service  in  Europe  will  be  granted  to  him  here.  Congress  clearly 
discern  with  you,  gentlemen,  the  all-important  concern  of  supporting  the 
credit  of  the  continental  money,  and  with  this  view  have  proposed,  as 
you  will  see  by  the  inclosed  resolves,  to  pay  the  interest  of  twenty  millions 
of  dollars  by  bills  drawn  on  you. 

This  we  hope  will  in  time  replenish  the  loan  offices  so  effectually  as, 
with  the  aid  of  taxation  now  generally  taking  place,  to  prevent  the 
necessity  of  future  emissions.  By  your  letters  of  the  25th  of  May  we  have 
no  doubt  but  these  interest  bills  will  be  paid  with  all  due  punctuality. 
About  five  millions  only  of  the  twenty  voted  are  yet  borrowed,  and  the 
interest  on  those  five  will  not  be  drawn  for  in  bills  till  near  a  twelve- 
month.* 

We  are,  etc., 

B.  Harrison. 
R.  H.  Lee. 

J.     WiTHERSPOON. 
J.   LOVELL. 

2  The  letter  referred  to  seems  to  be  missing.  In  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr., 
II.  325,  is  a  letter  from  Franklin  and  Deane,  dated  May  26,  but  it  does  not  discuss  the 
question  of  defraying  the  cost  of  the  war  by  the  sale  of  vacant  lands.  Such  a  scheme 
was,  however,  proposed  by  Deane  in  a  letter  dated  Dec.  i,  1776.  None  of  the  existing 
letters  of  the  commissioners  mention  "  the  young  nobleman  of  Irish  extract ".  This 
was  probably  Count  Arthur  Dillon.    A  sketch  of  him  is  in  Appleton,  Cyclo.  Am.  Biog. 

3  The  problem  of  the  western  territory  had  already  been  agitated  in  connection 
with  the  Articles  of  Confederation.  See  no.  616,  ante.  Maryland  put  the  question  to 
test  Oct.  15.    See  the  votes  in  the  Journals  (pp.  806-807). 

*  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  10,  and  no.  671,  note  3,  ante.  The  letter  of  May  25  from 
the  commissioners  in  Paris  is  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  322. 


October,  i^jy  511 

dyiy.   The  President  of  Congress  to  John  Nixon.* 

York  Town;  Pennsylvania, 
October  6th.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  have  recieved  your  Favour  wherein  you  request  Leave  to  resign  on 
Account  of  Indisposition,  and  immediately  laid  it  before  Congress :  In 
Consequence  of  which  I  have  it  in  Charge  to  inform  you,  that  they  have 
at  present,  in  Consideration  of  the  Services  you  have  rendered  the  Cause 
of  Freedom  and  your  Country,  declined  accepting  your  Resignation.  It 
is  their  Wish  that  you  would  spend  some  Time  in  travelling  thro  New 
England,  or  any  other  Part  of  America  that  may  be  most  agreeable. 
Should  you  after  this  Excursion,  find  your  Health  no  better,  the  Congress 
will  in  that  Case  tho  with  Reluctance,  consent  to  your  retiring  from  the 
Army,^ 

With  the  warmest  Wishes  for  a  Restoration  of  your  Health,  that  you 
may  be  thereby  enabled  to  render  still  further  Services  to  your  Country, 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be, 

with  great  Respect,  Sir 

your  most  obed  Ser. 

J.  H.  Presid. 

Honble  Brigad  Genl  Nixon 
By  Mr  Troup 


674.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia 

(Patrick  Henry ),^ 

York  8th  Oct.  1777. 
My  dear  Sir, 

.  ,  .  .  I  have  a  very  good  opinion  of  Col  Carrington,  and  would  will- 
ingly serve  him,  but  I  much  doubt  whether  the  erasure  of  the  Journal 
you  propose  can  be  obtained,  but  I  will  try.^  .  ,  .  . 

[673]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Hancock  Letter-Book,  VI.  293;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  IL,  f.  287. 

2  The  Journals  contain  no  mention  of  Nixon's  offer  to  resign,  or  of  the  action  of 
Congress  thereon. 

[674]!  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  IH.  loo;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh), 
I-  325. 

2  The  entry  in  the  Journals  here  referred  to  is  under  Aug.  19.  The  action  was 
taken  in  consequence  of  a  letter  of  Aug.  8,  from  Governor  Henry  to  the  Virginia 
delegates,  read  in  Congress  Aug.  18.  The  letter  is  in  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  with  date 
Aug.  6,  and  in  Pa.  Arch.,  second  ser.,  HL  loi.  Henry's  suggestion  that  the  censure  of 
Carrington  be  erased  is  found  in  a  postscript  to  a  letter  to  Richard  Henry  Lee,  Sept.  12, 
in  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  111.  94.  The  resolution  was  not  erased,  but  on  May  23,  1778, 
Congress  removed  the  censure.    See  the  Journals  of  that  date. 


512  Continental  Con<^rcss 

675.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to  the 

Massachusetts  Council/ 

Congress  Chambers  York  Town  in  Pennsylva 

October  8th  1777 

Honhlc  gentlemen, 

Before  this  reaches  you,  the  particular  Circumstances  and  Reasons  of 
the  Departure  of  Congress  from  the  City  of  Philadelphia  must  have  come 
to  vour  Knowledge.  I  shall  therefore  wave  the  Subject,  and  only  say 
that  the  Congress  is  tolerably  well  accommodated  in  this  place,  and  are 
now  Conducting  the  Publick  Business  here 

P.  S.  I  have  it  in  Charge  from  Congress  to  Request,  that  you  will  be 
pleas'd  to  Enlarge  Lieut.  Colonel  Campbell  on  giving  the  same  Parole 
that  you  have  other  of^cers  under  it.* 

Honl  Council  of  jMassachus^  Bay  and  Assembly 

676.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York  Town,  Octobr  8th  1777 

Dear  Sir 

....  I  find  to  my  surprise  that  the  Commisrs  for  setling  accounts  are 
ordered  from  Hertford  to  this  Country,  it  is  moved  to  be  taken  up 
again  as  the  Inconveniencies  you  mention  beside  the  danger  in  removing 
Your  papers  at  so  great  a  distance  is  readily  seen  by  every  one.'  .... 

677.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

York  Town  9th.  Octobr.  1777 
My  dear  General 

....  Your  Letter,  my  dear  Sir,  is  referred  to  a  Committee.'  They 
will  be  in  no  hurry  to  make  out  your  Charge :  and  I  think  the  Line  you 
have  drawn  for  your  Attendance  is  Justifiable  and  proper.  I  shall  how- 
ever press  to  bring  your  Afifair  to  a  Hearing  when  Circumstances  will 
admit.  General  Washington  most  certainly  has  no  Leisure  at  present. 
This  last  AfTair  '  has  rais'd  his  Reputation  very  much  indeed ;  and  I  think 
very  deservedly 

[675]^  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVIII.  212;  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Mass.  Recs., 
Letters,  1777. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  19;  cf.  ibid.,  Jan.  6,  Feb.  20,  Mar.  14,  June  2,  6,  July  22, 
Aug.  7.  Lieut-Col.  Archibald  Campbell,  with  two  transports  of  Highlanders,  sailed  into 
Boston  Harbor  June  17,  1776,  and  was  taken  prisoner.  A  letter  from  him  to  General 
Howe,  giving  an  account  of  the  affair,  is  in  Force,  Am.  Arch.,  fourth  ser.,  VI.  981.  See 
the  Journals,  July  2,  1776.     A  biographical  sketch  of  Campbell  is  in  Diet.  Nat.  Biog., 

in.  794. 

[676]  1  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Cf.  no.  664,  ante. 
[677]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuyler  Papers,  no.  547- 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8,  9.  In  the  entry  of  Oct.  9,  the  date  of  Schuyler's 
letter  is  given  as  27th  February  instead  of  27th  September.     See  no.  669,  ante. 

3  The  battle  of  Germantown.     See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8. 


October,  i/y/  513 

678.   Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais/ 

York  9th.  October  1777 
Dear  Sir 

this  will  probably  be  delivered  to  you  by  the  Baron  Kalb  a  Gentleman 
who  has  been  long  attending-  Congress  with  tenders  of  his  Service  in  the 
Army,  and  who  was  a  few  days  before  we  left  Philadelphia  actually  voted 
a  Major  General  to  be  Commissioned  one  day  antecedent  to  the  Marquis 
delafayette.  this  shows  you  the  high  estimation  which  Congress  had 
made  of  the  abilities  and  merits  of  the  Baron,  nevertheless  from  certain 
delicacies  respecting  rank  on  his  part  and  other  circumstances  which  are 
unnecessary  to  recapitulate  the  business  which  Congress  had  so  much  at 
heart  became  stagnant,  and  the  Baron  I  believe  is  determined  to  return 
to  France  by  way  of  Charles  Town.^ .... 


679.  Samuel  Chase  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland 
(Thomas  Johnson,  jr.).^ 

York  Town,  October  loth.  1777 
Fryday  Evening. 
My  Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  to  you  this  Morning  the  best  Accounts  I  could  obtain  of  the 
Battle  of  the  4th.  Inst.^  I  sent  My  Letter  by  Major  Tarling  Deputy 
Quarter  Master  of  Georgia,  this  afternoon  I  was  honoured  with  your 
favor  of  the  8th  Ulto.  inclosing  the  Petition  of  Brothers  and  Doffler,  and 
inclosed  is  the  Determination  of  Congress,  my  motion  being  granted  a 
similar  one  was  prayed  by  Dr.  Wetherspoone  for  some  Damage  Done  by 
Colonel  Stones  Regiment,  this  produced  an  universal  Complaint  against 
our  Troops,  it  is  referred  to  the  Board  of  War  to  consider  of  some 
general  Regulation.* .... 

The  Confederacy  will  be,  I  believe,  finished  before  Monday  Week.*  I 
will  attend  my  Duty  in  the  House  of  Delegates.  Mr.  Rumsey  came  here 
a  few  Days  ago,  on  Business,  and  promised  to  relieve  Me  when  the 
Assembly  should  sit.  I  wish  notice  could  be  given  to  him  of  the  Day  of 
the  Meeting  of  the  Assembly. 

[678]  1  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  17. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Mar.  19,  Aug.  13,  Sept.  8,  15,  Oct.  3,  4.  The  statement  that 
Kalb  was  to  be  commissioned  one  day  antecedent  to  Lafayette  is  an  error.  Such  a  resolu- 
tion was  passed  Sept.  15,  but  was  reversed  by  a  resolution  of  Oct.  4  that  the  two  com- 
missions bear  the  same  date.  Concerning  Kalb,  see  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  I. 
393-396,  416-421,  and  Kapp,  Life  of  Kalb. 

[679]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  IV.  90;  Arch,  of  Md.,  XVI.  395. 

2  The  battle  of  Germantown.  Some  further  details  of  the  battle  are  given  in  an 
omitted  passage  of  this  letter. 

3  The  reference  is  to  the  resolution,  Oct.  10,  relative  to  irregularities  of  the 
Fourth  Georgia  battalion  during  its  march  through  Maryland.  See  also  the  Journals, 
Oct.  8. 

4  See  nos.  659,  671,  ante,  nos.  680,  681,  683,  687,  701,  704,  712,  722,  723,  725,  731, 
7Zi,  735,  738-740,  746,  749,  753,  754,  760,  765,  766,  post. 


514  CoHtinental  Congress 

C8o.   Cornelius  Harnett  to  the  Governor  of  North   Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell).^ 

York  Town  Pennsylvania  Oct.  loth,  1777.^ 
Sir:— 

....  Congress  have  once  more  begun  to  tliink  of  confederation.  I 
could  wish  to  know  tlie  sentiments  of  our  General  Assembly  upon  some 
Capital  points.  The  method  of  voting  by  States  was  yesterday  deter- 
mined, viz,  that  each  State  should  have  one  vote,  no  colony  against  it  but 
Virginia.  The  grand  point  of  settling  the  Quota  of  Taxes  each  State  is 
to  pay,  comes  on  this  afternoon.  Three  proposals  have  been  made,  one 
to  tax  by  the  Poll,  another  to  assess  the  value  of  the  Lands,  and  the  other 
to  assess  property  in  general.  The  latter  at  present  I  think  most  equitable, 
should  the  Confederation  be  agreed  upon  Mr.  Penn  and  myself  will 
embrace  the  earliest  opportunity  of  transmitting  it  to  your  Excellency, 
to  be  laid  before  the  General  Assembly.  The  Delegates  of  the  several 
States  are  exceedingly  anxious  to  finish  this  business,  many  assert  that 
the  very  Salvation  of  these  States  depend  upon  it;  and  that  none  of  the 
European  powers  will  publicly  acknowledge  them  free  and  independent, 
until  they  are  confederated.^  The  time  of  Congress  ever  since  my  arrival 
has  been  chiefly  taken  up  with  army  matters. 

We  have  as  yet  no  printing  press,  or  Post  Oflfice  established  here,  this 
will  be  done  in  a  few  days.'  I  shall  then  have  it  more  in  my  power  to 
communicate  to  your  Excellency  every  piece  of  interesting  intelligence 
which  comes  to  hand,  at  present  I  can  hardly  find  time  to  write  a  letter. 
Congress  sits  from  morning  'till  night,  and  Committees  'till  10  and  1 1 
o'clock.  In  fact  I  am  almost  tired  of  my  troublesome  ofifice,  and  heartily 
wish  to  be  with  my  family.  I  have  not  time  to  enlarge,  but  have  the  honor 
to  be  with  respect  your  Excellency's  most  obdt  and  very  huml  Servant, 

Corn'l  Harnett. 

I  beg  your  Excellency  will  remember  me  most  respectfully  to  your 
Council. 

681.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Laurens.^ 

York  Tov^n  loth.  October  1777. 
My  Dear  Son, 

....  w^e  yesterday  received  a  long  Chatechistical  Letter  from  Gen 
Sullivan  the  sequel  of  which  is  a  desire  to  withdraw  himself  from  the 

[68o]i  A'.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  647;  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XXXVI.  475- 

2  See  no.  679,  note  4,  ante.  Some  statements  in  this  letter  indicate  that  the 
date  should  probably  be  Oct.  8.  Harnett  says :  "  The  method  of  voting  by  States  was 
yesterday  determined."  That  point  was  decided  Oct.  7.  He  further  says :  "  The 
grand  point  of  settling  the  Quota  of  Taxes  each  State  is  to  pay,  comes  on  this  after- 
noon." This  suggests  that  the  discussion  of  Oct.  9  had  not  yet  taken  place.  The 
resolution  of  the  afternoon  of  Oct.  8  may,  however,  be  the  first  determination  of  a  date 
for  the  discussion  of  article  IX.,  and  not  a  postponement.  It  may  be  remarked,  further, 
that  in  the  opening  of  the  letter  Harnett  mentions  that  he.  had  received  Caswell's 
letter  of  Sept.  2  two  days  ago.  John  Penn,  in  a  letter  to  Caswell,  Oct.  5,  says  that  he 
had  just  received  Caswell's  letter  of  Sept.  2,  to  him.  These  letters  from  Caswell  must 
have  arrived  at  the  same  time.     Cf.  nos.  681,  683,  701,  712,  723,  733,  747,  749,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  17. 
[68i]i  L.  I.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Papers. 


October,  1777  515 

Army,  which  gave  me  an  opportunity  of  turning-  to  a  Gentleman,  "  did 
not  I  tell  you  this  would  be  the  effect  of  stigmatizing  an  Officer  upon  the 
vague  opinion  and  report  of  a  Member  of  Congress."  what  do  you  think 
*  though  a  very  sensible  Man  was  his  answer.  Why  did  they  then  use  my 
friend  Schuyler  so  ?  the  Cases  are  by  no  means  parrallel  but  admit  they 
are,  would  you  complete  the  ruin  of  the  13  United  States  because  a  Man 
in  a  party  opposite  to  yours  has  done  them  an  injury.^ .... 

We  are  now  upon  the  Confederation  have  surmounted  one  vast  point — 
the  Votes  are  to  be  by  States  and  not  by  Voices.'  the  present  question  is 
the  mode  of  Taxation  two  days  have  been  amused  in  conning  it,  some 
sensible  things  have  been  said,  and  as  much  nonsense  as  ever  I  heard  in  so 
short  a  space.  I  have  not  contributed  to  either  I  mean  to  expose  my 
inabilities  this  Morning  in  a  very  few  words  because  I  think  very  few  are 
necessary  and  very  few  would  be  made  if  we  were  about  to  Tax  one  State 
in  which  all  were  equally  Interested.  Candour  and  genuine  honesty 
ought  then  to  be  our  guides 

2  Sullivan's  letter,  dated  Sept.  27,  was  read  in  Congress  Oct.  10.  See  nos.  645,  647, 
ante,  and  nos.  684,  686,  702,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  7,  and  no.  680,  ante,  no.  683,  post.  The  incident  men- 
tioned in  the  following  correspondence  between  John  Adams  and  Henry  Marchant,  of 
Rhode  Island,  in  1789,  probably  relates  to  the  proceedings  of  Oct.  7,  upon  the  method 
of  voting  under  the  Confederation.    In  a  letter  to  Marchant,  Aug.  18,  1789,  Adams  says: 

"  The  solemn  declaration,  which  you  call  prophetic,  and  say  has  come  to  pass,  made 
on  the  floor  of  Congress,  respecting  the  late  confederation,  just  as  we  had  closed  it, 
I  do  not  distinctly  recollect.  I  should  be  much  obliged  to  you  if  you  would  write  me  as 
particular  an  account  of  it  as  you  can  recollect."     {Works,  IX.  559.) 

Marchant  responded : 

"When  my  friend  has  all  his  feelings  wound  up  upon  an  important  subject,  and  vent 
must  be  given,  he  has  a  manner  of  expression  so  peculiar  to  himself,  and  so  striking  to 
his  hearers,  that  the  impression,  as  from  a  stroke  of  lightening,  is  left  behind,  while  the 
flash  and  sound,  the  mode  of  expression,  is  lost  or  forgotten.  His  words  I  will  not 
engage  to  recollect  with  exactness. 

"  The  articles  of  confederation  being  completed,  the  members  by  rotation  were 
called  to  place  their  signatures  to  them.  This  being  concluded,  a  pause  and  perfect 
calm  succeeded.  He  sat  and  appeared  full  of  thought.  He  rose.  '  Mr.  President.' 
His  cane  slipped  through  his  thumb  and  forefinger,  with  a  quick  tap  upon  the  floor; 
his  eyes  rolled  upwards;  his  brows  were  raised  to  their  full  arch. 

" '  This  business,  sir,  that  has  taken  up  so  much  of  our  time  seems  to  be  finished. 
But,  sir,  I  now,  upon  this  floor,  venture  to  predict  that,  before  ten  years  this  confedera- 
tion, like  a  rope  of  sand,  will  be  found  inadequate  to  the  purpose,  and  its  dissolution  will 
take  place.  Heaven  grant  that  wisdom  and  experience  may  then  avert  what  we  have 
most  to  fear ! ' 

"  I  never  knew  a  greater  solemnity  upon  the  minds  of  the  members.  It  was  near  the 
usual  time  of  adjournment.     Congress  was  adjourned." 

Adams  replied :  "  Your  account  of  the  prophecy  is  humorous  enough,  but  you  must 
be  mistaken  in  the  point  of  time.  I  left  Congress  on  the  nth  of  November,  1777,  that 
year  which  the  Tories  said,  had  three  gallowses  in  it,  meaning  the  three  sevens,  just 
as  Congress  had  gone  through  the  confederation,  but  before  it  was  signed.  My  name 
is  not  to  that  confederation ;  so  that  the  prediction  must  have  been  uttered  either  at 
Yorktown,  a  day  or  two  before  I  left  it,  or  before,  at  Philadelphia. 

"  I  recollect  some  expressions  of  that  sort,  on  the  floor  of  Congress,  in  Philadelphia, 
immediately  after  the  determination  that  the  votes  should  be  by  States,  and  not  by 
numbers,  a  point  which  Wilson  and  I  labored  with  great  zeal.  After  that  determination 
and  some  others,  I  own  I  gave  up  that  confederation  in  despair  of  its  efficacy  or  long 
utility."  (Works,  III.  70,  note.)  If  Adams  is  correct  in  assigning  this  incident  to  the 
occasion  of  the  determination  of  the  method  of  voting,  he  is  of  course  in  error  in  stating 
that  it  took  place  in  Philadelphia. 


516  Continental  Congress 

682.  Daniel  Roberoeau  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  jr.)-^ 

York  Town,  Octr  loth,  1777. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  honored  with  your  favor  of  this  date,  and  with  concern  I  find  the 
alarm  taken  by  the  State  at  tlie  hint  thrown  out  respecting  the  calhng  of 
the  Convention  in  a  few  hasty  hues,  the  production  of  a  very  few  minutes 
wliile  the  Express  waited.^  As  my  time  is  too  much  engross'd  to  take 
Copies  of  my  Letters  I  cannot  recur  to  what  I  wrote,  but  I  meant  only  to 
convey  this  Idea  that  some  real  Friends  of  our  State  Members  of  Congress 
were  of  Opinion  that  the  salvation  of  the  State  depended  on  calling  of 
a  Convention,  which  was  construed  by  Council  and  Assembly,  as  appears 
from  a  Letter  I  am  honored  with  from  the  Speaker,  confirmed  by  the 
Attorney  General,  into  a  serious  Intention  in  Congress  of  interfering  in 
the  internal  Police  of  our  State,  so  far  at  least  as  to  influence  into  the 
measures  in  Question,  whereas  it  arose  in  a  tete  a-tete  betwixt  some,  as  I 
have  already  said,  real  Friends  and  myself,  nor  will  you  be  surprised  with 
the  sentiment  when  you  are  acquainted  with  the  motives.  It  was  publickly 
and  confidently  said  in  and  out  of  Congress,  that  a  Quorum  of  the  Legis- 
lature could  not  be  got  together.  And  as  the  necessity  of  the  times 
required  the  most  vigorous  measures,  and  the  season  for  taking  the  sense 
of  the  people  for  or  against  a  Convention  was  at  hand,  their  voice  in 
Convention  to  lay  down  a  system  to  be  executed  by  Committees  of  that 
Body,  dispers'd  thro'  the  State,  was  thought  the  best  succedaneum  for  the 
want  of  an  established  Legislature,  and  such  Laws  competent  to  the 
emergency  of  the  times,  which  were  not  provided.  That  these  Exertions 
were  necessary  to  the  Salvation  of  the  State,  and  its  safety  and  liberty 
would  be  provided  for  better  than  by  the  interference  of  Congress,  until 
such  Convention  had  appointed  a  Legislative  Body.  This  was  thought 
the  best  Expedient  for  these  Reasons,  and  might  prove  a  healing  measure 
to  our  unhappy  Divisions.  A  mistake  of  the  day  of  Election  and  that  the 
Constitution  had  appointed  the  first  Tuesday  of  this  present  month,  v^^hich 
I  could  not  contradict  (as  in  the  hurry  of  removing  my  Copy  containing 
the  Constitution,  was  mislaid)  influenced  to  the  hint  offered  you  as  above, 
for  in  this  place  there  was  not  the  least  appearance  of  an  Election,  from 
whence  it  was  judged  that  the  people  were  in  such  a  maze  that  the  day 
of  Election  had  throughout  the  State  elapsed  irrevocably  (nor  could  I 
satisfy  Enquirers  on  this  head),  or  at  best,  that  a  partial  election  would 
obtain,  and  our  Country  continue  to  suffer  through  want  of  exertion. 
Thus  was  I  distracted  until  Dr.  Ewing  informed  me  that  the  Assembly 
and  Council  were  preparing  the  most  salutary  laws,  of  which  I  am  more 
fully  convinced  by  the  specimen  of  one  put  into  my  hands  by  Mr. 
Sergeant,  which  rejoiced  my  heart,  and  is  a  full  proof  that  under  my 
apprehensions,  there  was  no  other  way  of  supplying  the  very  powers  given 
but  by  a  Convention.    I  heartily  congratulate  you  on  the  concurring  pro- 

L682]iPa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  658. 

-  The  letters  referred  to  have  not  been  found. 


October,  lyjy  517 

vidences   which   enliven   the   prospects  of   publick   affairs.      I   am   very 
respectfully, 

Dr  Sir,  yr  most  obt 

and  very  hum^  servt, 

Daniel  Roberdeau. 

683.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull)/ 

York  Town  Octo.  nth,  1777 
Hoyi^  Sir 

....  Congress  have  been  some  Days  engaged  on  the  Confederation 
Plan,  and  have  decided  the  great  Question  in  favor  of  each  States  having 
one  Vote  tho  greatly  opposed  by  a  number,  and  to  the  great  dissatisfac- 
tion of  Virginnia,^  and  are  now  upon  the  mode  and  proportion  of  contribu- 
tion, sundry  plans  are  proposed,  that  of  numbers  is  very  strongly  and 
forceably  opposed,  and  the  appearance  is  at  present  against  it  but  I  do  not 
much  expect  we  shall  be  able  to  find  one  attended  with  so  few  Exceptions 
or  more  equitable,  tho  I  am  certain  this  is  far  from  perfect.^ .... 

684.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  John  Sullivan.^ 

York  Town,  Octobr  nth  1777 
Sir 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  your  letter  read  in  Congress  yesterday 
I  was  pleased  with  your  manly  Justification  and  Appeal,  but  as  I  had 
often  rise[n]  in  Congress  for  your  Vindication  against  the  Unjust  and 
Malign  Calumny  of  your  Enemies,  (which  every  good  brave  spirited 
and  Virtuous  man  will  have)  I  could  not  bare  after  you  had  often  braved 
and  defyed  every  danger  from  the  Enemies  of  your  Country  you  should 
prove  a  Coward  when  attacked  by  your  personal  ones  of  your  own 
Country;  sink  under  unjust  reproach,  and  submit  to  the  servile  humiliat- 
ing Terms  of  your  Cruel  foes,  who  have  Attackd  you  with  the  poisonous 
darts  of  Calumny  in  order  to  effect  the  very  purpose  of  your  quitting  the 
Army  which  in  the  Close  of  your  letter  you  tamely  yield  to  them.  Sir, 
you  that  have  braved  every  danger  for  the  sake  of  your  Country :  are  you 
afraid  of  the  reproach  of  your  dastardly  foes  who  by  and  by  if  you  boldly 
attack  them  and  maintain  your  ground  which  you  are  well  able  to  do 
must  servilely  hide  themselves  behind  the  Curtain  and  sink  under  your 
Superior  Merit.  Sir  you  are  not  alone,  you  have  friends  enough  in 
Congress  and  among  your  Countrymen  who  dare,  and  will  support  you 
against  all  their  Malice  and  Envy  which  has  allready  recoild  in  a  great 
measure  on  their  own  heads  and  must  soon  terminate  I  dare  say  in  their 
own  Confusion,  if  you  will  only  maintain  your  ground  and  boldly  dis- 
dain to  leave  the  field  to  the  Triumph  of  your  Enemies,  all  their  Attacks 

[683]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Conarroe  Coll..  I.   15. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  7,  and  nos.  680,  681,  ante. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8-1 1,  13,  14;  cf.  nos.  680,  681,  ante,  and  nos.  701,  712,  723, 
749,  post. 

[684]!  Haver  ford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  722. 


618  Continental  Coni^rcss 

will  only  tend  to  Illustrate  your  carracter  and  make  your  Virtues  displayd 
in  the  Cause  of  your  Country  more  and  more  Conspicuous,  if  I  had  time 
and  it  was  proper  in  the  way  of  a  letter  I  could  ^ive  you  a  satisfactory 
account  how  your  Enemies  prevailed  to  Induce  Congress  to  come  into 
those  hasty  resolves  which  touch  you  so  terribly  I  know  you  must  feel 
them  and  you  ought  to  some  of  your  friends  I  think  yeilded  too  much 
and  believe  they  thot  for  the  publick  good.     Sch — ler  and  St — C — r* 

were  continually  brot  on  the  stage,  and  no  one  but  a  N  E d '  man 

could  satisfye  their  resentments,  and  to  have  taken  one  of  a  low  Carrac- 
ter, would  not  answer  their  purpose.  Wherefore  as  they  were  to  be  brot 
io  a  Court  of  Enquiry  so  must  you,  as  they  must  be  recalled  till  an 
Enquiry  could  be  had,  so  must  you  or  our  Conduct  must  be  deemed 
partial,  this  had  an  unhappy  effect  on  some  unwarry,  and  incautious  the 
bate  took,  it  catched  in  an  unlucky  hour,  or  I  may  say  moment,  and  was 
as  soon  repented  of  by  some,  they  were  brot  to  their  senses  before  the 
Genii  letter  come  but  that  put  it  in  their  power  to  reverse  the  sudden 
decree  *  a  Court  of  Enquiry  I  dare  say  will  Terminate  much  more  to  your 
honor  than  if  your  friend  could  have  avoided  it.  but  Sir  Never  Yield 
to  the  Enemies  of  your  Country  nor  to  the  Malignity  of  your  personal 
foes  till,  Providence,  which  I  trust  if  you  Continue  and  persevere  in 
Virtue  and  the  glorious  cause  in  which  your  Engaged  will  give  you  a 
Compleat  Victory  over  both,  or  if  you  must  dye  boldly  die  a  martyr  and 
not  with  the  reproach  of  a  suicide 

Am  as  ever  have  been  your  sincere  friend  and  with  much  esteem 

Yr  Very  H"^  Servt 

Elipht  Dyer 

[P.  S.]    they  begin  to  repent.    Persevere. 

a  short  line  from  you  would  be  very  acceptable  and  gratefully  recievd. 

Majr  Genii  Sullivan 

685.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

York  Town  :  Pennsylvania 

October  12th.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  The  Information  that  the  Enemy  have  at  different  Times  com- 
pelled our  Troops  who  are  Prisoners  with  them  to  labour,  and  that  a 
Number  are  at  this  Time  actually  engaged  in  throwing  up  some  Works 
at  and  near  Kengsington.  is  of  such  a  Nature  that  Congress  think  it 
incumbent  on  them  to  enquire  into  the  Truth  of  it.    They  have  therefore 

2  Schuyler  and  St.  Qair. 

3  New  England. 

4  Dyer  begins  with  a  reference  to  the  proceedings,  Oct.  10,  upon  Sullivan's 
letter  of  Sept.  27,  but  the  latter  part  of  his  letter  relates  to  earlier  stages  of  the  attack 
on  Sullivan.  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  9  (p.  727  n.),  10,  14,  16,  Oct.  10,  16,  20,  and  nos. 
645,  647,  681,  ante,  686,  702,  post.  . 

[685]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCL  77;  Letters  to  Washington 

(ed.  Sparks),  IL  3. 


October,  lyyy  519 

directed  that  a  Flag  be  immediately  dispatched  to  Genl.  Howe  to  know 
whether  there  is  any  Foundation  for  the  Report ;  and  I  am  to  request  you 
will  send  a  Flag  for  this  Purpose  as  soon  as  you  conveniently  can.^  .... 

686.  Thomas  Burke  to  John  Sullivan.^ 

York  Oct.  12,  1777. 

Sir, 

I  was  present  at  the  action  of  Brandywine  and  saw  and  heard  enough 
to  convince  me  that  the  fortune  of  the  day  was  injured  by  miscarriages 
where  you  commanded  ^ 

I  understood  you  were  several  days  posted  with  the  command  on  the 
right  wing;  that  you  were  cautioned  by  the  Commander  in  Chief  early 
in  the  day  to  be  particularly  attentive  to  the  enemy's  motions,  who,  he 
supposed  would  attempt  to  cross  higher  up  the  creek  and  attack  your 
flank;  that  you  were  furnished  with  proper  troops  for  reconnoitering, 
and  yet  you  were  so  ill  informed  of  the  enemy's  motions,  that  they  came 
up  at  a  time  and  by  a  route  which  you  did  not  expect ;  that  you  conveyed 
intelligence  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  which  occasioned  his  counter- 
manding the  dispositions  he  had  made  for  encountering  them  on  the  rout 
by  which  it  afterwards  appeared  they  were  actually  advancing:  That 
when  at  length  the  mistake  was  discovered  you  brought  up  your  own 
Division  by  an  unnecessary  circuit  of  two  miles,  and  in  the  greatest  dis- 
order, from  which  they  never  recovered,  but  fled  from  the  fire  of  the 
enemy  without  resistance.  That  the  miscarriages  on  that  wing  made  it 
necessary  to  draw  off  a  great  part  of  the  strength  from  the  centre,  which 
exposed  Gen.  Wayne  to  the  superiority  of  the  enemy. 

I  heard  officers  in  the  field  lamenting  in  the  bitterest  terms  that  they 
were  cursed  with  such  a  commander ;  and  I  overheard  numbers  during  the 
retreat  complain  of  you  as  an  officer  whose  evil  conduct  was  forever 
productive  of  misfortunes  to  the  army.  From  these  facts  I  concluded 
that  your  duty  as  a  General  was  not  well  performed,  otherwise  the  enemy's 
motions  on  the  wing  where  you  commanded  would  not  have  been  un- 
known to  you  during  a  great  part  of  the  day  of  action;  nor  could  they 
have  advanced  by  an  unknown  and  unexpected  rout,  for  you  ought  to 
have  made  yourself  wtII  acquainted  with  the  ground.  Nor  would  you 
have  brought  up  your  troops  by  an  unnecessary  circuit  and  in  disorder, 
w^hich  exposed  them  to  be  surprised  and  broken. 

I  also  concluded  that  the  troops  under  your  command  had  no  confidence 
in  your  conduct,  and  from  the  many  accounts  I  had  officially  received  of 
your  miscarriages  I  conceived  and  am  still  possessed  of  an  opinion  that 
you  have  not  sufficient  talents  for  your  rank  and  office,  tho'  I  believe  you 

2  The  resolve  referred  to,  passed  Oct.  ii,  stands  erased  in  the  Journals  and  is 
marked  "  false  intelligence  ". 

[686]i  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Sullivan  Papers,  p.  183;  Harvard  Univ. 
Lib.,  Sparks  MSS.,  XX.  338. 

2  See  nos.  645,  647,  681,  684,  ante,  and  no.  702,  post. 

38 


520  Continental  Congress 

have  strong;  dispositions  to  dischargee  your  duty  well.  I  consider  it  as 
one  essential  part  of  my  duty  to  attend  to  the  appointments  of  the  army 
and  where  I  perceive  that  any  person  so  unqualified  as  I  deem  you  to  be, 
has  gfot  into  a  command  where  incomj^etence  may  be  productive  of  dis- 
asters and  disg^race,  it  is  my  duty  to  endeavour  at  removing  him.  In 
discharge  of  this  I  gave  to  Congress  all  the  information  I  was  able,  care- 
fully distinguishing  what  I  saw,  what  I  heard,  and  from  whom  as  far  as 
I  was  acquainted  with  persons  I  urged  your  recal  with  all  the  force  I 
could,  and  thought  it  and  still  do  think  it  necessary  for  the  public  good : 
because  in  all  your  enterprises  and  in  every  part  of  your  conduct,  even  as 
represented  by  yourself,  you  seem  to  be  void  of  judgment  and  foresight 
in  concerting,  of  deliberate  vigour  in  executing,  and  of  presence  of  mind 
under  accidents  and  emergences;  and  from  these  defects  seem  to  me  to 
arise  your  repeated  ill  success.  These  seem  to  me  to  form  the  great 
essentials  of  a  military  character.  Nor  do  I  think  you  the  only  officer 
in  our  army  who  is  deficient  in  them.  Nor  were  my  endeavours  to  free 
the  army  from  insufficient  officers  intended  to  be  confined  to  you.  I 
scarcely  know  your  person,  and  was  not  conscious  of  any  injury  from  you. 
For  a  particular  reason  I  should  have  had  great  pleasure  in  justly  forming 
a  better  opinion  of  you ;  but  no  reason  can  induce  me  to  overlook  the 
defects  of  officers  on  whom  so  much  depends.  Nor  will  any  thing  deter 
me  from  pursuing  the  measures  suggested  by  my  own  judgment.  I  have 
now  related  every  thing  which  I  acted,  with  relation  to  you  in  Congress, 
together  w-ith  my  motives.  I  have  set  down  every  intelligence,  and  the 
opinion  I  gave  concerning  you.  What  hills  you  struggled  for,  what  fires 
you  sustained,  I  neither  saw  or  heard  of.  Your  personal  courage  I  med- 
dled not  with.  I  had  no  knowledge  of  it  and  I  was  cautious  to  say 
nothing  unjust  or  unnecessary.  My  objection  to  you  is.  want  of  sufficient 
talents,  and  I  consider  it  as  your  misfortune,  not  fault.  It  is  my  duty 
as  far  as  I  can,  to  prevent  its  being  the  misfortune  of  my  country. 

The  purpose  of  this  information  is  that  you  may  indubitably  know  I 
gave  Congress  all  the  intelligence  and  opinions  concerning  you  here  set 
down ;  and  then  to  ask  you  in  direct  terms  if  you  meant  the  disrespectful 
expressions  in  your  late  letter  to  Congress  on  the  subject  of  your  conduct 
at  Brandywine,  to  be  applied  to  me?  If  you  did  sir,  I  must  inform  you, 
you  are  mistaken  in  the  matter  contained  in  those  expressions.  My 
demeanour  was  entirely  devoid  of  parade  and  ostentation  and  entirely 
simple  and  attentive.  I  did  not  gallop  my  horse  at  all  but  when  t 
attempted  to  rally  some  of  your  flying  troops.  The  manner  of  those 
expressions,  which  I  suppose  you  meant  for  wit  and  sarcasm,  is  as  unbe- 
coming the  soldier  as  the  gentleman,  and  inconsistent  with  that  plain 
and  dignified  simplicity  which  ought  to  be  the  stile  of  persons  in  either 
rank.  Were  quaint  witticisms  my  talent  I  should  not  [remainder  miss- 
ingy 

3  Sullivan's  reply  is  in  the  Sparks  MSS.,  XX.  342,  and  in  Force  Transcripts, 
Sullivan  Papers,  p.  185.    See  also  McDougall  to  Sullivan,  May  22,  1781,  ibid.,  p.  248. 


October,  lyj^  521 

687.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).^ 

York  Town  Octr.  14th.  1777 
Dr.  Sir. 

Your  Letter  for  Genl.  Gates  waits  an  Express  which  I  expect  will  go 

for  the  Northern  Department  in  a  day  or  two I  forgot  to  mention 

that  Indian  Affairs  both  North  and  South,  are  in  the  most  promising 
train,  and  Colo.  Morgans  account  now  here,  is  no  ways  discouraging  to 
the  westward.^  Thro  the  medium  of  Congress  a  Rattletrap  and  Turkeys 
Tail  was  sent  by  numerous  tribes  at  the  Southward  to  their  Brethren  to 
the  Northward,  and  Genl.  Schyler  informs  that  140  had  joined  our  Army 
and  that  many  more  were  expected  and  what  is  more  flattering  that  a 
number  of  the  Tribe  of  St  Francis  had  desired  protection  to  their  families, 
and  liberty  to  remove  to  Connecticut.  Some  of  the  principle  Articles  of 
Confederation  have  passed,  and  I  expect  it  will  be  finished  in  a  few  days, 
knowing  this  also  is  necessary  to  our  Salvation.^ .... 

688.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

York  Town  :  Pennsylvania 

October  14th.  1777. 
Sir, 

....  I  have  ordered  one  Thousand  Copies  of  the  Resolves  relative 
to  putting  a  Stop  to  any  Intercourse  between  the  Enemy  in  Philada.  and 
the  disaffected  among  us,  to  be  printed  at  Lancaster,  and  to  be  forwarded 
thence  to  you  for  the  Use  of  the  Army.^ .... 

689.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Laurens.* 

York  Town  16  October  1777 
My  Dear  Son 

....  I  am  writing  in  Congress  and  in  the  midst  of  much  talk  (not 
regular  Congress)     buz!^    says  one 

"  I  would  if  I  had  been  Comm""  of  that  Army  with  such  powers  have 
procured  all  the  necessaries  which  are  said  to  be  wanted  without  such 
whining  Complaints." 

"  I  would  says  2d.  have  prevented  the  amazing  desertions  which  have 
happened  it  only  wants  proper  attentions  at  fountain  head  "  3d.  It  is 
very  easy  too  to  prevent  intercourses  between  the  Army  and  the  Enemy 
and  as  easy  to  gain  Intelligence  but  we  never  mind  who  comes  in  and 
who  goes  out  of  our  Camp." 

[687]  1  Haverford  College,  Roberts  Coll.,  724;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  670. 

2  A  letter  from  Morgan  was  read  in  Congress  Oct.  14. 

3  See  no.  679,  note  4,  ante. 

[688]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCL  82. 

2  The  resolves  were  passed  Oct.  8. 
[689]^  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  John  Laurens  Papers. 

2  The  word  is  probably  used  to  indicate  the  general  buzz  of  conversation.     It 
may,  however,  be  the  interjection  buss!,  coming  from  the  mouth  of  speaker  number  one. 


522  Continental  Congress 

"  In  short  4th.  our  Army  is  under  no  rcgfulations  nor  discipline  "  etc 
etc  etc. 

You  know  I  abhor  teHtalc^  l)ut  sounds  hurt  nie  exceedingly.  I  know 
the  effects  of  loose  Tongues,  I  knmv  the  cruelty  of  tongues  speaking  the 
feelings  of  designing  hearts,  nevertheless  I  am  afraid  there  may  be  some 
ground  for  some  of  these  remarks,  a  good  Heart  may  be  too  diffident, 
too  apprehensive  of  doing  right  rightious  proper  Acts,  lest  such  should 
be  interpreted  arbitrary — but  good  God,  shall  we  [save?]^  five  Hundred 

and  destroy  five  Millions 

Adieu  my  Dear  Son 

Henry  Laurens. 
Colonel  John  Laurens 

at  General  Washington's 

Head  Quarters. 

690.  Henry  Laurens  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).^ 

York  i6th.  October  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  In  Obedience  to  the  Order  of  Congress  and  in  absence  of  other 
Members  of  the  Committee  of  Commerce,  I  take  the  Liberty  of  inclosing 
a  Resolution  of  Yesterday  which  is  thought  to  be  of  importance.  I 
request  Your  Excellency  will  order  the  publication  to  be  made  in  the 
Gazettes  at  Charles  Town  to  be  continued  at  least  Six  Months  and  Copies 
to  be  sent  to  France  and  the  French  West  Indies  and  as  many  as  possible 
to  be  distributed  among  the  Seamen  belonging  to  England  which  may 
be  done  by  means  of  our  Friends  in  France." 

691.   Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.* 

York  16.  October  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  Our  President  gave  notice  yesterday  of  his  purpose  to  quit  the 
Chair  and  Congress  next  Week  I  moved  the  House  to  intreat  and  solicit 
his  continuance,  to  my  surprise  I  was  seconded  and  no  more  ^ 

3  The  manuscript  is  torn  here. 

[690]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  188. 

2  The  resolution  referred  to  is  that  of  Oct.  14  relative  to  making  prize  of  British 
vessels.    The  order  to  publish  was  passed  Oct.  15.    See  no.  789,  post. 

It  is  convenient  to  note  here  that  the  resolutions  of  Oct.  6  relative  to  prisoners  from 
British  merchant  vessels,  and  also  that  relative  to  the  destruction  of  magazines  of 
provisions,  etc.,  were  in  like  manner  ordered  to  be  published,  although  the  Journals 
make  no  record  of  the  order.  Appended  to  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  in  the  Maryland 
Historical  Society  (Red  Book,  VL  39)  is  the  following  statement  by  Charles  Thomson: 

"  All  printers  are  desired  to  insert  and  continue  the  foregoing  resolutions  in  their 
public  newspapers  at  least  six  months.     C.  T." 

Thomson's  note  is  also  appended  to  a  copy  of  the  resolutions  found  in  Pa.  Arrh., 
first  ser.,  V.  647. 

[691]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,   1776-1778,  P-  187;   Moore,  Materials 

tor  History,  p.  55.  _  .  r    ,  •         •         u     tt  1  c  .u 

2  The  Journals  contam  no  mention  of  the  notice  given  by  Hancock,  or  of  the 
motion  of  Laurens,  recording  only  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  report  upon  the 
President's  allowance  for  extraordinary  expenses.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Oct. 
29,  31.     Cf.  nos.  693-695.  709,  710,  715.  716,  post. 


October,  lyyy  523 

Several  other  Members  are  about  leaving  us.  I  regret  the  apparent 
defection,  our  House  will  be  reduced  in  a  few  days  to  barely  twenty 
or  twenty  one  Members 

692.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Hall  and  Sellers.* 

Oct  17th  1777. 
Messrs  Hall  and  Sellers  ^ 

Gentle'inen 

Congress  having  authorized  their  Committee  of  intelligence  to  get  a 
Press  fixed  in  this  Town,^  I  am,  as  Chairman  of  that  Committee,  to  pro- 
pose to  you  that  your  Press  be  immediately  brought  here  and  sett  up  that 
the  expence  of  bringing  the  Press  shall  be  defrayed  by  Congress,  that 
you  shall  be  employ'd  in  publishing  for  Congress,  and  paid  a  liberal  price 
for  so  doing.  The  Committee  hope  this  will  be  a  sufficient  inducement, 
when  you  consider  that  a  Newspaper  published  by  you  here,  containing 
Congress  intelligence,  will  be  of  extensive  sale  and  very  profitable,  at  all 
events,  you  will  be  pleased  to  give  me  an  immediate  answer,  and  deliver 
your  Letter  to  General  Mifflin,  or  the  Quarter  Master  who  may  be  in 
Reading  in  order  that  an  express  may  bring  it  without  delay  to  this  place. 
I  am  Gentlemen  Your  Most  Obedient  Servant, 

Richard  Henry  Lee. 

693.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

York  Town  October  17th  1777.* 

It  is  now  above  Two  years  since  I  have  had  the  Honour  of  Presiding 
in  Congress,  and  I  should  Esteem  myself  happy  to  have  it  in  my  Power 
to  render  further  Service  to  my  Country  in  that  Department;  but  the 
declme  of  Health  occasion'd  by  so  long  and  unremitting  an  Application 

/  ^^^i?1^i^u'7-t'^^-  ^'^•'  ^^^   ^^P^"    *^^°Py'  L.  S.);  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee 
(ed.  Ballagh),  I.  333.  -^ 

2  A  firm  of  printers  in  Philadelphia.  David  Hall,  the  senior  member,  had  been 
associated  m  the  prmtmg  busmess  with  Franklin,  and  when  that  partnership  was  dis- 
solved, m  1766^  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William  Sellers.  In  the  sketch  of  Hall 
m  Appleton,  Cyc/o.  Am.  Biog.,  the  latter  name  appears  as  "Sellen",  and  the  same 
error  recurs  m  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh). 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  17.  Lee  wrote  to  George  Wythe,  Oct.  19:  "The  want 
of  a  i^ress  here  obliges  us  to  furnish  manuscript  accounts  of  military  events,  and  this 
is  attended  with  great  difficulty  amidst  pressure  of  much  business."  {Letters  I  334.) 
More  than  a  month  later   (Nov.  19)   Cornelius  Harnett  wrote  to  William  Wilkinson- 

We  have  neither  Post,  or  Press  here."    {N.  C.  State  Recs.  XI.  807.)     See  no  772  post 
[693]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIX.  11;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  II.  8. 

^J7    1--  "^"^'ther   letter   of   Hancock,   bearing   the   same   date    (Library  of    Congress 
Washington  Papers),  contains  the  following  postscript:    "I  have  this  moment  Rec'd 

^?T^^J^'''^-  °^   ^*^*  ^^'^'^^  ^  ^^^^^  '^y  before  Congress  on  Monday."     This  letter  of 
Washington  enclosed  to  Congress  the  famous  letter  of  the  ReA^  Jacob  Duche.    Washing- 
ton s  letter  must  have  arrived  Saturday  evening,  after  the  adjournment  of  Congress   or 
on  Sunday.    The  letter  was  read  in  Congress  Monday,  Oct.  20  (see  nos.  698,  609   708 
718,  post).  '    ^y.  /     . 


524  Continental  Congress 

to  the  Duties  of  my  Office,  both  in  Conp^ress  and  out  of  Congress,  join'd 
to  tlie  Scituation  of  my  own  private  Affairs,  have  at  length  taught  me  to 
tliink  of  Retiring  for  two  or  three  Months,  and  I  have  determined  to  take 
my  Leave  the  ensuing  week,  and  set  out  immediately  for  Boston  after 
this  Express  returns.* .... 

694.  John  Harvie  to  Thomas  Jefferson.* 

York  Septr  [October]  17th.  1777 
Thos.  Jefferson  Esqr 

Dear  Sir 

This  morning  the  Inclosed  Interesting  Intelligence  was  received  by 
Congress  from  General  Gates.^ ....  Our  Worthy  president  withdraws 
from  Congress  in  abt.  10  days.'  will  you  be  Surprized  if  F.  L.  Lee  Esqr. 
Succeeds  him  that  he  will  is  the  Genl.  Opinion  at  present  I  wish  in  a 
publick  Assembly  no  Gent,  was  found  [fond]  of  high  Offices 

695.  John  Hancock  to  Mrs.  Hancock.* 

York  Town,  October  18,  1777. 
My  Dear  Dolly: 

....  I  am  now  to  inform  you  that  I  have  come  to  a  fixed  Determina- 
tion to  Return  to  Boston  for  a  short  time  and  I  have  notified  Congress  in 
form  of  my  Intentions 

My  present  Intention  is  to  leave  Congress  in  eight  days,^  but  more 
particulars  in  my  next 

696.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.* 

York  i8th.  October  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  I  will  say  nothing  about  public  faith  and  public  Credit  in  obser- 
vation upon  the  intended  Lottery,  save  this — Congress  finding  the  Tickets 

3  Cf.  no.  691,  ante,  and  nos.  694,  695,  709,  710,  715,  716,  724,  post.  Hancock  took 
his  leave  Oct.  29,  and  his  speech  on  the  occasion  is  in  the  Journals,  Oct.  31.  The 
remainder  of  this  letter  is  an  expression  concerning  his  conduct  of  the  chair,  and  a 
request  for  an  escort  of  horse.  On  the  same  day  he  wrote  to  the  Massachusetts  assembly : 
"  I  hope  in  a  few  days  after  this  Reaches  you  to  pay  my  respects  to  you  in  person ; 
having  notified  Congress  in  form  of  my  Intentions  of  Setting  out  for  Boston  in  the 
course  of  next  week."  (Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVIII.  230;  Library  of  Congress,  Papers 
Cont.  Cong.,  no.  58,  pt.  II.,  f.  295.) 

[694]^  Library  of  Congress,  Jefferson  Papers,  second  sen,  XL.  84. 

2  This  presumably  refers  to  Gates's  letter  of  October  12,  read  in  Congress  Oct. 
18.  John  Perm  wrote  to  Governor  Caswell  Oct.  16:  "  We  are  this  minute  informed  of  a 
victory  obtained  by  Genl  Gates  over  Genl  Burgoyne."  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  654.  In 
the  letter  of  Penn  and  Harnett,  Oct.  20  (no.  699),  it  is  said :  "  The  account  we  had  from 
Col  Trumble  several  days  ago  differed  a  little  from  Genl  Gates'  letter."  A  letter  from 
Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  dated  Oct  10,  read  in  Congress  Oct.  16,  has  not  been  found; 
but  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  657,  is  an  account  of  the  action  (Oct.  7),  stated  to  have 
been  written  by  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  to  a  member  of  Congress.  It  is  dated  Oct. 
9,  with  a  postscript  of  Oct.  10. 

3  See  no.  693,  note  3,  ante,  and  no.  695,  post. 

[695]^  Sears,  John  Hancock,  p.  223;  New  Eng.  Hist,  and  Geneal.  Reg.,  XII.  106. 

2  See  nos.  691,  693,  694,  ante,  nos.  709,  710,  715,  716,  post. 
[696]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  177. 


October,  z///  525 

had  not  sold  equal  to  their  expectations  had  given  orders  some  time  before 
the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia  for  drawing,  but  that  circumstance  is  and 
must  for  a  time  continue  to  be  a  further  obstruction.^  .... 

697  Henry  Laurens  to  the  President  of  South  Carolina 

(John  Rutledge).^ 

York  19th.  October  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  the  Board  of  War  have  entered  into  Resolves  by  which  'tis 
intended  to  take  General  Howe  out  of  the  Brigadiers  List  and  to  call  him 
to  Genl.  Washington's  head  Quarters,  this  arrangement  will  probably 
afford  Satisfaction  to  the  General  and  at  the  same  time  remove  from  our 
State  a  bone  of  contention,  every  body  here  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to 
learn  are  surprised  his  Command  in  South  Carolina  has  given  offence 
to  any  one.  In  the  Same  paper  your  Excellency  will  see  that  Mr.  Massey 
is  recommended  for  Dep :  Muster  Master  General  for  So  Carolina  and 
Georgia.  The  Resolves  are  to  be  reported  to  Congress  to  morrow  and 
I  have  no  doubt  of  their  being  confirmed  without  debate.^ .... 

698.  Henry  Laurens  to  Robert  Howe.^ 

York  20th.  October  1777. 
Dear  General 

....  Your  favour  of  the  28th.  August  reached  me  the  very  Evening 
of  the  people's  flight  from  Philadelphia^ — I  fled  not,  having  foreseen 
from  amazing  remissness  where  there  ought  to  have  been  the  utmost 
attention  and  vigilance  I  had  sent  forward  my  Baggage  followed  it  that 
Evening  and  next  Morning  after  many  thousands  had  passed  by  me  I 
made  my  breakfast  filled  my  Pipe  and  Soberly  entered  my  Carriage  drove 
gently  on  to  Bristol  took  in  the  wounded  Marquis  delafayette  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Bethleham,  thence  to  Reading  and  Lancaster,  here  Congress 
were  soon  convened  but  hearts  were  still  fluttering  in  some  bosoms  and  a 
motion  made  for  adjourning  to  this  Town.'  we  have  been  here  about 
twenty  days  within  this  time  frequent  opportunities  have  offered  but  I 
chose  to  defer  paying  my  respects  to  you  till  I  could  say  something  to  the 
purpose  and  fortune  has  now  thrown  much  in  my  way.  I  refer  you  to  the 
papers  which  will  accompany  this. 

As  I  have  no  doubt  the  report  of  the  Board  of  War  will  be  this  Morning 
confirmed  I  will  take  it  for  granted,  and  with  great  pleasure  congratulate 
with  you  on  your  promotion 

2  See  the  Journals,  Aug.  6,  Oct.  6. 
[697]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  iy76-i7y2>,  pp.  179,  184. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  20;  also  no.  698,  post. 
[698]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  185;  ibid.,  Letters.  1776- 
1779,  no.  20. 

2  Five  letters  of  Howe  to  Congress,  which  doubtless  came  by  the  same  con- 
veyance, were  read  in  Congress,  Oct.  i.     See  also  the  Journals,  Oct.  2. 
*  Cf.  nos.  649-653,  656-661,  ante. 


526  Continental  Congress 

I  am  writingf  in  Congress,  this  moment  came  to  liand  a  Ix;tter  from 
Gen.  Wasliing^ton  inclosinp:  a  very  lonpc  apolog^etic  cxpostulatory  Cen- 
sorious, Rascally  epistle  from  the  Ir-Revd.  Jacob  Duche  take  what 
follows  from  memory.* .... 

This  Moment  is  reading-  the  Report  of  the  Board  of  War  if  I  do  not 
contradict  it,  depend  upon  it  you  are  Major  General,  depend  upon  it  also 
I  am  with  great  esteem  and  respect, 

P.  S.  I  saw  good  Reasons  while  the  Report  was  in  debate  for  altering 
my  opinion  and  therefore  combated  my  own  Recommendation  to  call  you 
from  So  Carolina  °  your  promotion  and  the  Resolution  of  Congress  I 
sent  to  you  by  Mr.  Middleton  will  remove  all  jealousy  of  your  Command." 
I  hope  you  will  approve  of  this  Stay  among  us  continue  to  live  a  Life  of 
temperance  and  Chastity  and  acquire  greater  Glory,  the  Commanding 
Officer  of  So  Carolina  and  Georgia  is  moving  in  a  Sphere  preferable  to 
Major  General  without  a  particular  Command. 

699.  The  North  Carolina  Delegates  to  the  Governor  of 
North  Carolina  (Richard  Caswell).^ 

Pennsylvania  York  Oct.  20th  1777. 
Sir: 

....  We  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  the  great  and  important 
success  of  the  army  under  the  command  of  Genl  Gates.  The  account  we 
had  from  Col  Trumble  several  days  ago  differed  a  little  from  Genl  Gates' 
letter,  that  with  others  from  him,  and  Genl  Burgoyne's  we  enclose  for 
your  amusement." 

Yesterday  we  were  informed  by  a  letter  from  the  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  at  Albany  directed  to  a  friend  of  his  in  New  York,  that 
Burgoyne  and  his  whole  army  had  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of 
war.  It  is  generally  believed  here,  indeed  it  is  nothing  more  than  what 
we  expected,  as  that  army  had  very  little  provision,  and  were  few  in 
number,  compared  to  ours.^ 

*  Washington's  letter  (Oct.  i6)  transmitting  the  Duche  letter  is  in  Writings 
(ed.  Ford),  VI.  114,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  93.  The  letter  probably  reached  President  Han- 
cock's hands  Saturday  or  Sunday,  Oct.  18  or  19.  See  no.  693,  note  2,  ante.  Duche's 
letter  is  in  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  I.  448.    Cf.  nos.  699,  708,  718,  post. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  20.    Cf.  no.  697,  ante. 

®  Probably  the  resolution  of  Aug.  5,  ordering  General  Mcintosh  to  headquarters. 
See  nos.  583,  584,  ante. 

1699]!  iV.  C.  State  Recs,,  XL  659. 

2  See  no.  694,  note  2,  ante. 

3  "  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  your  Excellency  an  account  of  the  surrender 
of  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  his  whole  army  on  the  14th  Instant,  the  particulars  are  not  yet 
come  to  hand,  but  this  account  is  so  well  authenticated,  that  Gen.  Washington  on  receiv- 
ing the  intelligence  ordered  13  Cannon  to  be  fired,  and  the  Bells  in  this  Town  rang  for 
hours."  Harnett  to  Caswell,  Oct.  20,  A''.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  657.  The  letter  of  the 
chairm.an  of  the  committee  of  Albany  to  the  president  of  the  New  York  council  of 
safety,  Oct.  15,  announcing  the  capitulation,  was  despatched  by  Qinton,  on  the  night 
of  the  15th,  to  General  Putnam,  by  Putnam  to  Washington,  Oct.  16,  and  by  Washington 
to  Congress,  Oct.  18.  {Writings,  ed.  Ford,  VI.  125.)  Although  these  letters  were 
received  by  Congress  Sunday,  Oct.  19  (see  also  John  Adams  to  his  wife,  Oct.  24,  no. 
703,  post),  they  are  not  mentioned  in  the  Journals  until  Tuesday,  Oct.  21.     Clinton's 


October,  1777  527 

The  Rev.  Air  Dnche  *  has  acted  such  a  part  as  will  ever  disgrace  him, 
in  short  he  may  be  said  to  be  the  first  of  villains,  we  cannot  help  suspect- 
ing that  the  letter  he  wrote  to  our  w^orthy  Genl.  must  have  been  dictated 
by  a  Howe,  the  design  of  the  letter  was  to  prevail  on  the  Genl  to  negotiate 
Terms  for  himself  and  army.°  You  know  Administration  have  tried 
bribery  and  corruption,  nothing  is  too  dirty  or  mean  for  the  British  Court, 
and  those  that  are  employed  against  us,  however  we  trust  that  the  day  is 
not  far  off  w^hen  we  shall  all  be  free  and  happy.  The  confusion  the 
different  Clerks  have  been  in  for  some  time,  with  regard  to  their  books 
etc.  has  prevented  our  getting  a  copy  of  the  amount  of  such  sums  of 
money  as  has  been  received  by  direction  of  our  State,  we  will  enclose  it, 
as  soon  as  we  can  possibly  get  it,  to  your  Excellency. 

Doctor  Burke  left  us  last  week  when  he  set  out  for  North  Carolina. 
We  are  with  due  respect,  Sir,  your  obdt  Servts. 

J.  Penn 

Corn'l  Harnett. 

P.  S.  Mr  Duche  remained  in  Philadelphia,  and  of  course  fell  into  the 
Enemy's  hands. 

25th.    Burgoyne  and  his  whole  army  are  prisoners,  I  have  seen  Gov'r 

Clinton's  letter  this  morning  giving  an  account  of  the  matter 

John  Penn 


700.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington.^ 

York  the  20th.  October  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  favor  of  the  i6th  ^  I  received  yesterday,  and  was  a  good  deal 
surprised  to  find  you  had  been  told  that  Congress  had  appointed  General 
Conway  a  Major  General.    No  such  appointment  has  been  made,  nor  do 

letter  with  its  enclosure  is  found  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  676.  Putnam's  letter  to 
Washington,  Oct.  16,  is  in  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  II.  5.  In  N.  C.  Stale 
Recs.,  XI.  653,  Clinton's  letter  covering  the  Albany  letter  appears  without  his  signature, 
the  whole  covered  by  a  note  of  Hugh  Smith,  postmaster  at  headquarters  of  the  Northern 
army  (see  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  703).  This  is  no  doubt  the  enclosure  mentioned  in 
Harnett's  letter  to  Governor  Caswell,  Oct.  20,  quoted  above.  Cf.  nos.  700,  703,  704,  708, 
711,  713,  714,  719,  72y-72>o,  post.  The  announcement  of  the  surrender  was  premature. 
Burgoyne's  offer  of  surrender  was  made  on  the  14th,  the  convention  was  signed  on  the 
i6th,  and  the  actual  surrender  took  place  on  the  17th.  The  articles  of  convention  are 
in  the  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  and  are  found  both  in  print  and  in  facsimile  in 
the  society's  Bulletin,  vol.  III.,  no.  3,  p.  89  (October,  1919).  Gates's  letter  of  Oct.  18 
announcing  the  capitulation  was  not  received  by  Congress  until  Oct.  31.  This  letter,  that 
of  Oct.  20,  and  an  enclosure  of  the  19th  (see  the  Journals,  Oct.  31)  are  found  in  Pa. 
Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  687-688. 

*  In  N.  C.  State  Recs.  the  name  is  printed  "  Drake  ". 

5  Cf.  no.  689,  ante,  nos.  708,  718,  post. 
[700]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIX.  21;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  II.  10;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  337. 

2  Washington's  letter  to  Richard  Henry  Lee  here  referred  to  is  evidently  that 
dated  Oct.  17,  found  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  120,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  97.  The  original 
has  not  been  found,  but  the  Varick  transcript  in  the  Library  of  Congress,  from  which 
the  texts  were  doubtless  printed,  is  dated  Oct.  17. 


528  Continental  Congress 

I  believe  it  will,  whilst  it  is  likely  to  produce  the  evil  consequences  you 
suj^f^est.  It  is  very  true,  that  both  within  and  without  doors,  their  have 
been  Advocates  for  the  measure,  and  it  has  been  affirmed  that  it  would 
be  very  aj^reeable  to  the  army,  whose  favorite  Mr.  Conway  was  asserted 
to  be.  My  judgement  on  this  business  was  not  formed  until  I  received 
your  letter.  I  am  very  sure  Congress  would  not  take  any  step  that  might 
injure  the  Army,  or  even  have  a  tendency  that  way;  and  I  verily  believe 
they  wish  to  lessen  your  difficulties  by  every  means  in  their  power,  from 
an  entire  conviction  that  the  purest  motives  of  public  good  direct  your 
actions.' 

The  business  of  a  Board  of  War  is  so  extensive,  so  important,  and 
demanding  such  constant  attention,  that  Congress  see  clearly  the  necessity 
of  constituting  a  new  Board  out  of  Congress,  whose  time  shall  be  entirely 
devoted  to  that  essential  department.* 

It  is  by  some  warmly  proposed  that  this  board  shall  be  filled  by  the 
three  following  gentlemen,  Colo.  Read,^  Colo.  Pickering  the  present 
Adjutant  General,  and  Colo.  Harrison  your  Secretary.  And  that  Gen. 
Conway  be  appointed  A.  G.  in  the  room  of  Colo.  Pickering.  It  is  my 
wish,  and  I  am  sure  it  is  so  of  many  others,  to  know  your  full  and  candid 
sentiments  on  this  subject.  For  my  own  part,  I  cannot  be  satisfied  with 
giving  any  opinion  on  the  point  until  I  am  favored  with  your  sentiments, 
which  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you  for  Sir  as  soon  as  your  time  will 
permit.  It  has  been  affirmed  that  Gen.  Conway  would  quit  the  service 
if  he  were  not  made  a  M.  General.  But  I  have  been  told,  in  confidence, 
that  he  would  leave  it  at  the  end  of  this  Campaign  if  he  was  appointed, 
unless  his  word  of  honor  were  taken  to  continue  for  any  fixed  time. 
And  it  is  a  question  with  me  whether  the  Advocates  for  Gen.  Conway 
will  not  miss  their  aim  if  he  should  be  appointed  A.  General,  unless  he  has 
the  rank  of  Maj.  General  also.  My  reason  for  thinking  so,  is,  that  I  have 
been  informed  Gen.  Conway  desires  to  retire  to  his  family,  provided  he 
can  carry  from  this  country  home  with  him,  a  rank  that  will  raise  him 
in  France. 

It  is  very  certain  that  the  public  good  demands  a  speedy  erecting  and 
judicious  fining  of  the  new  Board  of  War;  and  I  sincerely  wish  it  may 
be  done  in  the  most  proper  manner.  I  do  not  imagine  Congress  would 
appoint  Colo.  Harrison  without  first  knowing  whether  you  could  spare 
him,  nor  do  I  think  that  so  important  an  office  as  that  of  A.  G.  should  be 
touched  without  maturest  consideration. 

3  Conway  had  been  made  a  brigadier-general  May  13.  See  also  the  Journals, 
May  12,  no.  501,  ante,  and  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  202.  Dec.  13  Conway  was 
appointed  inspector-general.  See  also  the  Journals,  Oct.  3,  Nov.  24.  Concerning  the 
"  Conway  Cabal "  see  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters.    Cf.  no.  756,  note  3,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  July  18,  22,  Oct.  16,  17.  The  members  of  the  new  board 
were  elected  Nov.  7.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Nov.  17,  19,  21,  22,  24,  27;  also  nos. 
720,  743,  748,  7h7-7^^,  post.  This  reorganization  of  the  War  Department  was  one  result 
of  the  effort  initiated  nearly  a  year  before  toward  conducting  the  executive  business 
through  boards  not  composed  of  members  of  Congress.    See  no.  298,  note  7,  ante. 

5  Joseph  Reed.     See  no.  769,  post. 


October,  1777  529 

We  every  moment  expect  the  Express  with  an  account  that  will  enable 
us  to  congratulate  you  on  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Burgoyne,  and  the 
remains  of  his  shattered  army.     This  will  be  one  of  the  Prussian  sixes, 
and  I  augur  that  the  other  will  soon  cast  up  upon  the  Delaware." 
I  am,  with  sincerest  wishes  for  your  health  and  success,  dear  Sir 

Your  most  affectionate  and  obedient  Servant 

Richard  Henry  Lee 


N'     1 


701.  William  Williams  to  Jabez  Huntington.' 

York,  Oct.  22,  1777 

Dear  Sir. 

Your  Favor  of  the  14th  Sept  by  Mr.  Brown,  and  [  ]  some 

time  before.     [  ] 

[It]  was  not  possible  to  acknowledge  the  same  [sooner,  and]  am  now 
stealing  time  from  public  Business  [to]  thank  you  for  your  Favors,  and 
am  sorry  I  have  [none]  to  return  you.  a  multitude  of  incidental  [mat- 
ters] which  I  cant  well  describe  and  which  cant  [pos]sibly  be  dispensed 
with  swallows  up  great  part  [of]  the  Time  of  Congress.  Provisions  and 
Regulations  [of  many]  kinds  and  of  great  importance  in  [conducting] 
the  affairs  of  such  vast  Extent  and  magnitude  you  can  easily  conceive  are 
necessary  and  have  [been]  in  [no]  inconsiderable  Degree  realized  in  our 
Council  of  safe[ty]  and  other  Departments. 

[We]  are  really  much  bent  and  engaged  to  get  thro  [the]  Confedera- 
tion ^  and  Devote  as  much  Time  as  [poss]ible  to  it,  two  or  three  Articles 
are  pasd  upon  [of  which]  I  wrote  the  Gov*""  (which  I  hope  has  [reached] 
him)  but  of  less  importance  than  those,  the  plan  of  a  large  Taxation 
seems  also  fully  adopted,  but  they  conceive  it  will  go  out  with  much  more 
weight  with  or  after  the  Confederation,  there  are  reasons  for  this,  tho  I 
am  not  satisfied  it  is  best  to  [wait  for  that]  so  long  as  this  will  necessarily 
carry  it.  [The  ex]orbitant  rise  of  every  article  etc.  as  [well  as]  depre- 
ciation [of  the  currency]  is  greatly  alarming  the  States  [and  the  device] 
of  coercive  [measures  and]  of  regulating  [prices  they  find]  it  impossible 
to  execute  and  Congress  [have]  no  practicable  way  to  remedy  the  great 
and  growing  [evil]  but  a  firm  Union  to  establish  the  Credit  of  the  [cur- 
rency] which  the  Tribe  of  Speculators  and  other  [gentry]  begin  to  pick 
Flaws  in  etc.,  to  [limit  the  quantity]  but  if  possible  to  reduce  it,  before 
[  and  to  meet]   future  expenses  by  Taxation,     these  [measures 

will]  certainly  relieve  us,  if  soon  accomplished  [and  ch]earfully  born, 
and  if  it  please  God,  to  grant  [us]  success  against  our  [enemies]  and 
[  ]  we  hope  it  will  crown  the  attempt  with  [success.]^ .... 

Hon®.  Maj.  Gen.  Huntington. 

6  See  no.  699,  ante,  and  nos.  703,  704,  708,  711,  713,  714,  719.  727,  728,  posi.    The 
phrase  "  Prussian  sixes  "  is  drawn  from  thegame  of  dice. 

[701]^  Furnished  by  courtesy  of  C.  F.  Libbie  and  Company  of  Boston. 

2  See  no.  683,  ante,  and  no.  712,  post, 

3  Cj.  nos.  659,  662,  671,  ante. 


530  Continental  Congress 

yo2.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  John  Sullivan.* 

York  Town  Octobr.  23d.  1777 
Dear  Genl 

....  The  Gentn.  from  N —  H re  you  mention,'  am  well  per- 
suaded has  no  very  Cordial  friendship  for  you.  You  know  him  and  I 
need  say  no  more,  but  in  Justice  to  him  i  can  say  that  on  every  Occasion 
wherein  you  have  been  Attacked  in  Congress  he  has  thrown  in  his  mite 
in  your  favour  and  given  his  Vote  against  every  measure  which  has  been 
proposed  against  you.  but  to  Conclude  you  may  rest  Satisfied  that  you 
have  obtained  a  Compleat  Victory  and  Conquest  over  your  Enemies  in 
Congress  (and  those  who  have  attacked  you  without)  they  now  ware 
long  faces,  they  hang  their  heads,  they  are  mute,  you  will  hear  no  farther 
from  them ;  every  attack  that  has  been  made  upon  you  is  now  despised. 
Your  friends  not  only  rejoice  but  Triumph,  all  the  malice  of  your  Enemies 
is  disarmed  of  its  Sting,  and  Venome  therefore  I  trust  you  will  pay  no 
more  regard  to  the  barking  tribe  but  shine  on;  every  attempt  of  detrac- 
tion, instead  of  effecting  its  purpose,  and  design,  has  had  a  Contrary 
effect,  and  placed  your  merit  in  a  more  Conspicuous  light,  than  if  no 
attack  had  been  made  upon  you." .... 

703.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

YoRKTOWN,  24  October,  1777. 

....  From  last  Sunday  to  this  moment,  Friday  afternoon,  four 
o'clock,  we  have  been  in  a  state  of  tormenting  uncertainty  concerning 
our  affairs  at  the  northward.  On  Sunday,  we  had  news  from  the  com- 
mittee of  Albany  through  Governor  Clinton  and  General  Washington 
of  a  capitulation  of  Burgoyne  and  his  whole  army.  To  this  moment  we 
have  no  express  from  Gates  nor  any  authentic  confirmation.' 

Howe  has  drawn  his  army  into  the  city,  and  Washington  is  at  German- 
town.     Supplies  will  be  cut  off  from  the  British  army  in  a  great  measure. 

[P.  S.]     We  shall  finish  a  plan  of  confederation  in  a  few  days.^ 

[702]  1  Me.  Hist.  Soc,  Revolution,  no.  2. 

2  Nathaniel  Folsom  was  at  this  time  the  only  delegate  from  New  Hampshire. 

3  See  nos.  681,  684,  686,  ante,  and  the  Journals.  Oct.  16,  20.  See  also  Washington 
to  Sullivan,  Oct.  24,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  134. 

["jo^Y  Familiar  Letters,  p.  319. 

2  On  the  same  day  Adams  wrote  in  a  similar  manner  to  James  Warren,  adding : 
"  We  have  had  Rumours,  which  lifted  us  up  to  the  Stars."  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I. 
373.  October  23,  Cornelius  Harnett  wrote  to  William  Wilkinson,  of  North  Carolina : 
"A  Gentleman  is  just  arrived  in  Town  who  has  been  Lately  in  Genl.  Gates  Camp  and 
says  he  saw  Gen.  Burgoyne  with  our  General.  The  account  he  brings  of  the  Sur- 
render of  the  British  is  as  follows It  is  however  surprising  that  Congress  has 

received  not  a  Line  from  Genl.  Gates  on  this  important  matter."  iV.  C.  State  Recs., 
XI.  785.  Gates's  despatches  did  not  reach  Congress  until  Oct.  31.  See  nos.  699,  700, 
ante,  nos.  704,  708,  711,  713,  714-  719-  72/.  728,  post:  also  a  letter  of  James  Wilkinson  to 
VVashington,  written  from  Easton,  Pa.,  Oct.  24   {Letters  to   Washington,  ed.  Sparks, 

n.  13). 

3  To  James  \\  arren,  in  the  letter  cited  above  (note  2),  he  wrote:  "I  really 
expect  it  will  be  finished  by  the  Middle  of  next  Week We  shall  consider  imme- 
diately a  Plan  of  Taxes  for  all  the  States.    This  is  our  Resource." 


October,  7777  531 

704.  Henry  Marchant  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke)/ 

York,  Oct.  24th,  1777. 
Honored  Sir: 

The  inclosiires  will  show  you  how  solicitous  Congress  are  to  have  the 
Continental  battalions  filled  up  and  deserters  apprehended.  The  extracts 
from  Gen.  Washington's  letter  discovers  his  anxiety  upon  the  subject, 
and  that  although  he  has  wrote  to  the  states  upon  the  subject,  he  has 
received  information  but  from  one  or  two.^ .... 

We,  last  Sabbath  week,  had  accounts  very  direct  from  Albany  that 
Gen.  Burgoyne  had  surrendered  himself  and  his  whole  army  to  Gen. 
Gates,  but  to  this  hour  Congress  has  not  a  word  further  from  that  quarter. 
This  raised  doubts  with  us,  but  before  this,  if  it  be  true,  you  are  well 
informed.^ .... 

I  have  daily  expected  to  see  William  Ellery.  If  any  accident  happens  to 
prevent  his  coming,  I  hope  another  gentleman  will  be  appointed.  Indeed, 
that  was  to  have  been  done  long  since ;  I  informed  the  House  at  my  first 
choice,  I  would  by  no  means  be  absent  more  than  six  months.  My 
affairs  at  home  will  not  permit  it,  nor  did  I  prepare  myself  for  a  later 
reason,  so  that  I  must  return  next  month.  By  that  time,  however,  I  hope 
we  shall  have  finished  the  long  wished  for  Confederation,  which  we  have 
at  times  been  upon  ever  since  I  came,  but  lately  taken  up  with  more 
earnestness.*  My  presence,  I  presume,  may  be  necessary  when  this  comes 
before  the  General  Assembly  for  their  approbation,  that  they  may  be  more 
particularly  acquainted  with  the  subject  than  they  would  be  from  a  mere 
view  of  the  articles  of  it. 


705.  Committee  of  Congress  to  Jasper  Yeates.^ 

York  Town  Pennsilvania,  24th  Octr.  1777 
Sir 

The  enclosed  Resolve  of  Congress  will  explain  to  you  the  design  of 
our  appointment.^    Having  acted  in  quality  of  Commissioner  for  Indian 

[704]  1  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  p.  162. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  17.  The  proclamation  issued  by  Washington,  Oct.  24, 
is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  139,  note,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  133,  note,  and  Pa.  Arch., 
first  ser.,  V.  700.  Washington  enclosed  the  proclamation  in  a  letter  to  Hancock,  Nov. 
2,  requesting  him  to  put  it  into  "  some  safe  channel  of  conveyance  to  the  printers " 
{Writings,  ed.  Sparks,  V.  133,  ed.  Ford,  VI.  133,  note).  Hancock  was  then  on  his 
way  to  Boston.     See  no.  709,  post. 

3  Cf.  no.  703,  ante. 
*  See  no.  712,  post. 

[705]  1  Collection  of  the  late  David  McN.  Stauffer  of  Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

2  The  committee  was  appointed  Oct.  22,  to  enquire  into  the  conduct  of  Col. 
George  Morgan.  See  also  nos.  706,  707,  717,  post.  A  letter  from  the  committee  to 
Morgan,  Oct.  30,  enclosing  the  resolution  of  Oct.  22  and  asking  him  to  give  attendance 
accordingly,  is  printed  in  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  346.  The 
original  is  in  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Collection,  American  Soldiers,  vol.  III.,  where 
may  also  be  found  Morgan's  reply,  Nov.  11,  and  a  letter  from  him  to  Governor  Hamilton 
of  Detroit,  May  31,  1776.  On  Nov.  20  a  commission  was  appointed  to  go  to  Fort  Pitt 
for  various  purposes  (see  no.  746,  post),  and  thereupon  Congress  assigned  the  enquiry 


532  Continental  Congress 

affairs  in  tliat  quarter  where  Colonel  Morj^^an's  scene  of  action  has  been 
as  Agent  under  the  United  States,  we  have  reason  to  think  you  may 
ilhicidate  the  subject  of  our  inquiry.  We  desire  particularly  to  be  in- 
formed bv  you  concerning  a  letter  written  to  Col.  Morgan  by  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton Governor  of  Detroit.^    We  are  Sir 

Yr.  most  Obt.  and  very  hum*  Servts. 

Richard  Henry  Lee 


Daniel  Roberdeau 
RiCHD.  Law 


Jasper  Yates  Esqr.* 


706.  Committee  of  Congress  to  Edward  Hand.^ 

York  Town  Octr.  24th.  1777 
Sir 

We  enclose  you  herewith  a  resolve  of  Congress  appointing  us  a  Com- 
mittee for  the  purpose  described  in  the  resolution,  and  we  apply  to  you 
Sir  as  a  Friend  to  the  cause  of  America,  and  as  an  Officer  high  in  rank 
in  the  United  States,  to  give  us  the  most  full  and  perticular  assistance  in 
vour  power,  for  the  better  accomplishing  the  end  of  our  appointment. 
We  understand  that  Coll.  Morgan  has  lately  been  confined  on  suspicion 
of  disaffection  to  the  interest  of  the  United  States  We  wish  to  know  the 
truth  of  this,  and  if  true,  the  cause  of  it.  Whether  any  and  what  inquiry 
was  made  into  the  affair,  and  on  what  principles  an  acquittal  was  founded. 
We  rely  upon  your  best  aid  in  all  things,  that  may  contribute  to  the  right 
discharge  of  our  duty  in  this  business,  as  it  must  be  obvious  of  how  great 
consiquence  it  is,  that  the  Agents  for  Indian  Affairs  should  be  of  unques- 
tioned attachment  to  the  United  States,  and  your  residence  for  some  time 
in  that  part  of  the  Country,  which  has  been  Colonel  Morgan's  Scene  of 
action,  may  furnish  you  with  knowledge  on  this  Subject,  that  distance 
denies  to  us."  We  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  friendship 
and  alliance  of  the  Northern  and  Southern  Indians  comes  well  authen- 
ticated to  Congress.  It  will  be  very  hard  and  unaccountable  that  those 
in  the  middle  district  should  alone  be  our  Enemies.    We  are  Sir 

Yr.  most  obt.  and  most  hum^  Servts 

Richard  Henry  Lee 
Rich.  Law 
Daniel  Roberdeau 
Genl.  Hand. 

into  Morgan's  case  to  that  commission.  A  certificate  from  that  commission,  entirely 
exonerating  Morgan,  is  entered  upon  the  Journals,  Apr.  7,  1778.  A  brief  sketch  of  Col. 
George  Morgan  may  be  found  in  Alvord,  Kaskaskia  Records,  p.  3.  See  also  James, 
George  Rogers  Clark  Papers  (index). 

2  Henry  Hamilton,  lieutenant  governor  of  Detroit.    Nothing  has  been  discovered 
concerning  the  letter  to  Morgan. 

*  Addressed  to  him  at  Lancaster. 
[7o6]iN.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  892;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee   (ed. 
Ballagh),  L  340. 

2  See  no.  705,  ante,  and  nos.  707,  717,  post.    Hand's  reply  to  this  letter  is  in  Penn. 
Mag.  of  Hist,  and  Biog.,  XLHL  280.     It  is  dated,  "Fort  Pitt  21st  deer.  1777". 


October,  lyyy  533 

707.   Committee  of  Congress  to   [  ]/ 

York  Town  in  Pena.  24th  Octr.  1777 
Sir, 

The  inclosed  resolve  will  explain  to  you  the  design  of  our  appointment, 
and  the  reason  of  our  present  application.^  As  a  friend  to  the  cause  of 
America,  and  as  a  Gentleman  living  on  the  spot  which  has  been  Colo. 
Morgans  scene  of  action  since  his  appointment  under  the  United  States, 
we  are  to  request  of  you  Sir  your  candid  sentiments  on  the  subject  of 
charge  against  Colo  Morgan  and  you  will  further  oblige  us  by  obtaining 
the  fair  and  uninfluenced  testimony  of  disinterested  persons  on  the  same 
point.  We  wish  to  be  well  informed  touching  the  political  character  of 
Mr.  McGee,*  whether  he  is  considered  as  an  Agent  or  Friend,  of  G.  B. 
and  whether  he  does  not  profess  himself  a  Subject  of  the  British  King. 
Whether  Colo  Morgan  has  much  intimacy  with  Mr.  McGee  and  whether 
the  latter  was  not  carried  by  the  former  along  with  him  on  a  visit  to  some 
of  the  Indian  nations,  and  whether  it  was  by  Colo  Morgans  influence  that 
the  Indians  were  induced  to  insist  on  Mr.  McGees  continuing  to  reside 
where  he  now  does.  Whether  any  letter  has  been  seen  from  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton the  Governor  of  Detroit  to  Colo.  Morgan,  and  what  were  the  contents 
of  such  letter.  We  are  satisfied  that  you  will  excuse  the  trouble  we  have 
here  given  you,  when  you  reflect  how  important  a  thing  it  is  that  the 
department  of  Agent  for  Indian  Affairs  should  be  filled  by  a  person  of 
clear  and  unquestioned  attachments  to  the  United  States,  and  the  impos- 
si[bility,  fro]m  our  remoteness,  of  rightly  answering  the  end  of  our 
[appointme]nt,  unless  by  the  mediation  of  American  friends  in  [that 
part  o]f  the  Country.    We  are  Sir  your  most  obedient  Servants 

R.  H.  Lee  for  the 
Committee  of  Congress 

[Endorsed :] 

"  Copy  of  Letter  to  Fort  Pitt  concerning  accusations  agst  Colo.  George 
Morgan." 

708.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

YoRKTOWN,  25  October,  1777 
My  Best  Friend, 

....  Congress  have  appointed  two  chaplains,  Mr.  White  and  Mr. 
Duffield,  the  former  of  whom,  an  Episcopalian,  is  arrived,  and  opens  Con- 
gress with  prayers  every  day.^    The  latter  is  expected  every  hour.     Mr. 

[707]!  Am.  Phil.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  vol,  II.,  p.  7,  no.  3  (copy)  ;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry 
Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  341.    The  letter  was  possibly  to  a  Mr,  Irvine.    See  no.  717,  post. 

2  See  nos.  705,  706,  ante. 

8  Probably  Alexander  McKee.  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  25,  29,  1776  (where  the 
name  appears  as  McGee),  and  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  445.  For  some  correspondence 
of  Alexander  McKee,  who  was  for  many  years  British  deputy  superintendent  of  Indian 
affairs,  see  Parker,  Guide  to  the  Materials  for  United  States  History  in  Canadian 
Archives  (index). 

[708]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  320. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  i,  20,  21,  Nov.  10. 


534  Continental  Congress 

Duclie.  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you,  has  turned  out  an  apostate  and  a  traitor. 
Poor  man  !    I  pity  his  weakness  and  detest  his  wickedness.'' 

As  to  news  we  are  yet  in  a  painful  suspense  about  affairs  at  the  north- 
ward, but  from  Philadelphia,  we  have  accounts  that  are  very  pleasing.* 


709.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

York  Town  Pennsylvania 

October  25th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  was  duely  honoured  with  your  Favour  of  the  22d.  and  am  much 
obliged  by  the  Expressions  of  Politeness  and  Friendship  which  it  con- 
tains.^ .... 


As  I  propose  setting  out  on  Monday  and  shall  go  thro'  Bethlehem,  I 
must  request  that  the  Escort  of  Horse  you  so  politely  offered  to  attend 
me.  may  meet  me  there.  Should  I  reach  Bethlehem  before  them,  I  shall 
wait  their  Arrival.  In  the  present  critical  State  of  our  Affairs,  I  believe 
I  should  decline  setting  out  for  a  few  Days;  but,  having  wrote  to  Mrs. 
Hancock  to  meet  me  at  some  Distance  from  Boston,  I  am  under  a  Neces- 
sity of  beginning  my  Journey  on  Monday  Morning.^ 

710.  The  President  of  Congress  (John  Hancock)  to 

Thomas  Jefferson.^ 

York  Town  Pennsylva.  Octor.  25th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

....  My  constant  application  to  Publick  Business  both  in  and  out  of 
Congress,  has  so  impaired  my  Health,  that  some  Relaxation  has  become 
absolutely  necessary,  and  to  morrow  morning  ^  I  set  out  for  Boston  with 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  20,  nos.  698,  699,  ante,  no.  718,  post. 

*Cf.  nos.  703,  704,  ante,  nos.  711,  713,  714,  719,  727,  728,  post.  The  news  from 
Philadelphia  was  of  the  successful  defense  of  the  Delaware  River  against  British  attacks 
at  forts  Mifflin  and  Red  Bank.  Samuel  Adams  sent  to  James  Warren,  Oct.  26,  a  copy 
of  a  letter  from  Col.  Jonathan  Mifflin  to  Gen.  Thomas  Mifflin,  dated  Oct.  25,  giving  an 
account  of  this  affair  {Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  374).  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  27, 
Nov.  4.  In  this  letter  Adams  also  said:  "We  have  just  now  received  a  satisfactory 
Account  of  the  great  Success  of  our  Arms  on  the  14th  Inst,  under  General  Gates.    The 

Express  is  expected  every  Hour Congress  will,  I  suppose  recommend  the  setting 

apart  one  Day  of  publick  Thanksgiving  to  be  observed  throughout  the  united  States." 
See  the  Journals,  Oct.  31,  Nov.  i,  7. 

[709]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XIX.  S4;  Letters  to  Washington 
(ed.  Sparks),  IL  18. 

2  See  no.  693,  ante.  Washington's  letter  of  Oct.  22  is  in  Writings  (ed.  Ford), 
VL  132,  (ed.  Sparks),  V.  106. 

3  Cf.  no.  710,  post.  He  did  not,  in  fact,  take  leave  of  Congress  until  Wednesday 
Oct.  29,  and  probably  set  out  on  his  journey  Oct.  30.  See  nos.  716,  718,  post.  Wash- 
ington's reply  to  this  letter  is  dated  Nov.  2.    See  no.  704,  note  2,  ante. 

[710]!  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Autographs,  p.  i. 

2  In  the  letter  to  Washington,  Oct.  25  (no.  709,  ante),  Hancock  states  his  pur- 
pose of  taking  his  departure  on  Monday,  Oct.  27.  It  is  probable  that  this  paragraph  of 
the  letter  to  Jefferson  was  written  later  than  the  25th,  possibly  the  29th. 


October,  1777  535 

the  Leave  of  Congress  to  be  absent  two  Months,  and  I  should  be  happy  to 
have  it  in  my  power  to  Render  you  or  yo""  Friends  any  Services  during  my 
Stay  at  Boston 

Hon'  Thomas  Jefferson  Esq. 

711.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia 

(Patrick  Henry). ^ 

York,  Penn.  25  Octo.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  slow  but  sure  moving  Gates  has  not  yet  sent  us  his  glorious  Inven- 
tory.^ However,  the  intelligence  of  Burgoyne's  surrender  comes  to  us 
through  such  good  channels  that  we  do  not  doubt  its  truth,  but  impute 
Genl.  Gates'  silence  to  his  necessary  attention  to  the  great  business  of 
disposing  properly  of  so  many  prisoners  etc.^ .... 

712.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  the  President  of  New  Hampshire 

(Meshech  Weare).^ 

York  Town,  27th  October,  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

....  Inclosed  I  send  you  a  Copy  of  the  Articles  of  confederation  as 
far  as  agreed  to  by  Congress.  The  9th  article  is,  "  That  the  pro- 
portion of  public  expense  incurred  by  the  United  States  for  their  common 
defense  and  general  welfare,  to  be  paid  by  each  State  into  the  Treasury, 
be  ascertained  by  the  value  of  all  lands  within  each  state  granted  to  or 
surveyed  for  any  person,  as  such  land  and  the  buildings  and  improve- 
ments thereon,  shall  be  estimated  according  to  such  mode  as  Congress 
shall  from  time  to  time  direct."  This  article  w^as  opposed  by  all  the  New 
England  Delegates  and  we  are  yet  in  hopes  of  having  it  re-considered.* 

•     •      •      • 

713.  John  Adams  to  Mrs.  Adams.^ 

Yorktown,  28  October,  1777. 
My  Dearest  Friend, 

We  have  been  three  days  soaking  and  poaching  in  the  heaviest  rain  that 
has  been  known  for  several  years,  and  w^hat  adds  to  the  gloom  is,  the 
uncertainty  in  which  we  remain  to  this  moment,  concerning  the  fate  of 
Gates  and  Burgoyne.  We  are  out  of  patience.  It  is  impossible  to  bear 
this  suspense  with  any  temper.^ 

[711]!  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  III.  107;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh), 
I.  342. 

2  In  a  draft  of  a  letter  to  William  Shippen,  jr.,  Oct.  22  {Letters,  I.  339),  Lee 
uses  nearly  the  same  sentence,  but  without  the  word  "glorious".  The  word  is  used, 
however,  in  what  appears  to  be  an  amended  draft  of  the  same  letter  {ibid.,  p.  340). 

3  Cf.  nos.  699,  700,  703,  704,  708,  ante,  nos.  713,  714,  719,  J^T-JZO,  post. 
[^12]^N.  H.  State  Papers,  VIII.  706. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  8-1 1,  13,  14.  Cf.  nos.  680,  681,  683,  701.  ante,  nos.  722, 
723,  733,  749,  765,  766,  post.  See  also  the  second  report  and  final  form  in  the  Journals, 
under  Nov.  15. 

[713]^  Familiar  Letters,  p.  323. 

2C/.  nos.  699,  700,  703,  704,  708,  711,  ante,  nos.  714,  719,  727-730,  Post. 

39 


536  Continental  Congress 

I  am  in  comfortable  lodp^ings,  wliich  is  a  felicity  that  has  fallen  to  the 
lot  of  a  very  few  of  our  meml)ers.  Yet  the  house  where  I  rim  is  so 
thronf^ed.  that  I  cannot  enjoy  such  accommodations  as  I  wish.  1  cannot 
have  a  room  as  I  used,  and  therefcMe  cannot  find  ojiportunities  to  write 
as  I  once  did 

714.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Patrick  Henry/ 

York  in  Pennsylva.  Octr.  28,  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

The  anxiety  at  Williamsburg  cannot  be  greater  than  it  is  here  to  have 
a  particular  account  of  our  late  glorious  success  in  the  North.  For  nine 
days  past,  we  have  hourly  expected  the  arrival  of  a  Messenger  with 
Gates's  magnificent  Inventory,  and  in  order  to  a  quick  transmission  of  it, 
we  have  detained,  and  still  keep  Colo.  Masons  Express.  We  now  learn 
that  Colo.  Wilkinson  D.  Adjutant  Gen.  is  on  his  way  with  this  long 
wisht  for  Capitulation  by  which  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  his  army  have  sur- 
rendered themselves  prisoners  of  war.^ .... 

715.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

York  Town,  Pennsylva.,  Oct.  29,  1777 

My  dear  Sir^ 

....  Congress  have  applyd  with  Diligence  to  Confederation.  Most 
of  the  important  Articles  are  agreed  to.  Each  State  retains  its  Sov- 
ereignty and  Independence  with  every  Power,  Jurisdiction,  and  Right, 
which  is  not  by  the  Confederation  expressly  delegated  to  the  United 
States  in  Congress  assembled. 

Each  State  is  to  have  one  Vote  in  Congress ;  but  there  must  be  a  Con- 
currence of  Nine  States  in  all  Matters  of  Importance. 

The  Proportion  of  the  publick  Expence  to  be  paid  by  Each  State  to 
be  ascertaind  by  the  Value  of  all  the  Lands  granted  to  or  surveyd  for  any 
Person,  to  be  estimated  according  to  such  Mode  as  Congress  shall  from 
time  to  time  direct. 

All  Disputes  about  Boundaries  are  to  be  decided  by  Judges  appointed 
in  the  following  Mode :  The  Representatives  of  Each  State  in  Congress 
to  be  nominated,  the  contending  States  to  strike  ofif  13  each,  and  out  of 
the  remaining  13  not  more  than  9  nor  less  than  7  shall  be  drawn  out  by 
Lot,  any  five  of  them  to  hear  and  determine  the  Matter. 

I  hope  we  shall  finish  the  Confederation  in  a  few  days  when  I  intend 
to  renew  my  Request  for  the  Leave  of  Absence,  and  return  home." .... 

[714]!  Me.  Hist.  Soc,  Fogg  Coll.;  Henry,  Patrick  Henry,  III.  109;  Letters  of 
Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  343. 

2  C/.  nos.  699,  700,  703,  704,  708,  711,  713.  anie,  nos.  719,  727-72,0,  post.  The 
despatches  from  Gates  reached  Congress  Oct.  31.  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  31,  Nov.  3, 
and  nos.  727-72,1,  post;  also  Washington  to  Gates,  Oct.  30,  Writings  (ed.  Ford),  VI.  154. 
At  the  close  of  this  letter,  which  is  of  some  length,  is  the  date  "  Octr.  30th  1777. 
10  oclock  in  the  morning  ". 
[715]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  375. 

2  See  no.  712,  ante,  and  nos.  722,  723,  725,  731,  733,  738,  post. 


October,  1777  537 

This  will  be  deliverd  to  you  by  Mr.  Hancock,  who  has  Leave  of  Ab- 
sence till  the  first  of  January  next.^ .... 

716.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.* 

York  Town,  Octob.  30,  1777 
My  dear  Sir, 

I  have  just  receivd  your  agreeable  Letter  of  the  8th  by  the  Post,  for 
which  please  to  accept  my  hearty  thanks.  I  had  written  and  seald  the 
inclosd  Letter,^  before  yours  came  to  my  Hand.  Yesterday  Morning  Mr. 
H[ancock],  who  had  several  times  before  given  Notice  to  Congress  of 
his  Intention  to  return  to  Boston  agreeable  to  Leave  he  had  obtaind  at 
Philadelphia,  made  a  formal  Speech  to  Congress  in  which  he  reminded 
them  of  his  having  served  them  as  President  more  than  two  years; 
whether  he  had  conducted  to  their  Approbation  or  not,  was  left  to  them ; 
but  he  had  the  Testimony  of  his  own  Mind  that  he  had  done  it  to  the  best 
of  his  Ability.  He  thanked  them  for  the  Civility  they  had  shown  him, 
and  if  in  the  Course  of  Business  he  had  faild  in  due  Respect  to  any  Mem- 
ber, as  it  was  not  intentional,  he  hoped  it  would  be  overlooked.  It  is 
likely  as  I  have  taken  it  from  Memory  upon  hearing  it  once  read,  that  I 
have  not  done  it  Justice  in  point  of  Expression.  But  it  is  not  improbable 
that  you  may  have  a  Copy  of  it;  for  a  Motion  was  made  in  the  Afternoon 

by  Mr.  D of  N.  Y.^  that  a  Copy  should  be  requested,  and  Thanks 

returnd  for  his  great  Services,  and  a  Request  that  he  would  return  and 
take  the  Chair.  This  Motion  was  opposd  by  several  Members,  but  it 
obtaind  so  far  as  to  request  the  Copy,  and  this  Day  the  latter  Part  of  the 
Motion  will  be  considerd.* 

I  have  given  you  this  merely  as  a  Peice  of  News,  leaving  you  to  judge 
of  the  Tendency  and  probable  Effect  of  the  Speech  and  Motion.  We  have 
had  two  Presidents  before,  Neither  of  whom  made  a  parting  Speech  or 
receivd  the  Thanks  of  Congress. 

717.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Edward  Hand.* 

York  Town  Pennsilvania  Octr.  30th.  1777 
Dr  General 

....  I  wrote  you  the  24th.  in  company  with  Coll.  Lee  and  Mr.  Law 
a  committee  with  myself  to  enquire  into  Coll.  Morgan's  conduct,  concern- 
ing whom  much  is  said,  for  which  we  cannot  account,  particularly  your 

3  See  no.  716,  post. 
[716]!  Warren- Adams  Letters,  I.  S/7. 

2  The  letter  of  Oct.  29  (no.  715),  ante.  Warren's  letter  to  Adams  of  Oct.  8 
is  not  found  in  Warren-Adams  Letters. 

3  Duane  and  Duer  both  appear  to  have  been  present  at  the  time ;  accordingly 
it  is  uncertain  which  of  them  made  the  motion.    This  was  in  the  afternoon  of  Oct.  29. 

*  According  to  the  Journals,  the  question  was  not  resumed  the  next  day,  but  in 
the  afternoon  of  Oct.  31.  See  no.  724,  post.  Cf.  nos.  691,  693-695,  709,  710.  715,  ante. 
In  regard  to  Hancock's  arrival  in  Boston,  see  Samuel  Adams  to  John  Adams,  Dec.  8, 
in  Writings  (ed.  Gushing),  III.  416. 

[717]!  Copied  from  the  original  then  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of 
Philadelphia.     Addressed  to  "  The  Honorable  Brigadier  Genl.  Hand,  Pittsbourgh ". 


638  Continental  Congress 

having  put  him  under  arrest.*  By  the  return  of  the  Express  please  to 
give  Mr.  Irvine  '  an  Opportunity  to  write  and  the  same  favr.  from  you 
will  further  oblige. 

P.  S 

718.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  Josiah  Rartlett.' 

York  Town  Octr.  the  30th.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

yesterday  I  inclosed  and  diracted  to  your  President  all  the  news  I 
Could  Pick  up  In  this  Quarter,  which  you  will  have  the  Redeing  off  as 
Soone  as  it  Comes  to  hand  I  inclose  you  a  Coppey  of  a  letter  from  the 
Revt.  mr.  Ducha  to  general  Washington  that  you  may  See  what  a  Judas 
wase  a  Chaplin  to  Congress,  wood  not  have  you  make  it  Publick  unless 
it  be  by  advice  of  Councile.  as  Congress  have  not  thought  fit  to  Publish  it 
here,  t'ho  it  is  Publick  anough  in  everybodeys  mouth  In  the  Streets." 

my  Duty  is  Very  hard,  and  if  you  have  any  Comepashon  left  for  me 
hope  you  will  Joyne  Congress  Soone,  as  the  buisiness  is  too  much  for  one 
to  live  [under,  Ou]r  President  leves  Congress  this  morning  and  I  beleve 
Coll.  Larance  of  South  caralinah  will  be  appinted  in  his  Place '  I  am 
Sr.  with  grate  Respect  your  most  obedent 


HumK  Sert. 

Nath^'  Folsom 


P.  S.    my  Complements  to  the  Hon'^  Board. 
To  the  Hon'*.  Josiah  Bartlet  Esqr. 


719.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Timothy  Matlack.^ 

York  Town,  Nov.  ist,  1777. 
Dr  Sir, 

Yesterday  the  confirmation  of  the  northern  affair  arrived,  the  Con- 
vention at  Saratoga  was  immediately  forwarded  to  Council,  and  this  day 
Genl  Gates'  two  letters,  one  to  Congress  the  other  to  Genl  Vaughan," 
with  an  exact  return  of  prisoners  and  stores  surrendered.    All  these  dis- 

2  See  nos.  705-707,  a>ite.  and  no.  746,  post. 

3  Mr,  Irvine  was  probably  the  person  to  whom  the  committee's  letter  of  Oct. 
24  (no.  707,  ante)  was  addressed. 

[718]^  Dartmouth  College  Lib.,  Bartlett  Corr.,  vol.  L,  1774-1778. 

2  See  nos.  698,  699,  708,  ante. 

3  See  no.  716,  ante.     Henry  Laurens  was  elected  President  Nov.  i. 

[719]  1  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Generals  of  the  American  Revolution;  Pa. 
Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  735.  Timothy  Matlack  was  secretary  to  the  supreme  executive 
council  of  Pennsylvania. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  31.  Gates's  letters  of  Oct.  18  and  20,  together  with  his 
letter  to  Maj.-Gen.  John  Vaughan,  dated  Oct.  19,  are  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  687-689. 
The  convention  of  Saratoga  and  returns  of  Burgoyne's  forces  and  ordnance  stores,  accom- 
panied by  a  note  of  transmittal  from  Roberdeau  dated  Oct.  31,  are  ibid.,  V.  726-730. 
By  the  "  slovenly  manner  "  in  which  the  despatches  were  sent,  Roberdeau  probably  means 
the  exasperating  delay  in  their  arrival  (see  nos.  699,  700,  703,  704,  708,  711,  7i3>  7^4, 
ante),  but  he  may  also  allude  to  the  further  delay  requested  by  Wilkinson  until  he  could 
"  digest  and  arrange  "  the  papers.    Cf.  nos.  727,  728,  post. 


November,  JJJJ  539 

patches  have  been  sent  in  the  most  slovenly  manner,  but  it  is  impossible 
for  me  in  the  midst  of  publick  Business,  without  assistance,  to  be  more 
correct,  therefore,  I  hope  I  have  the  excuse  of  Council.  Mr.  Cling-hem 
this  day  took  his  seat,  pray,  where  are  the  other  Dellegates?  Henry 
Laurens,  Vice  President  of  So  Carolina,  a  worthy,  sensible,  indefatigable 
Gentleman,  was  this  day  chosen  by  a  unanimous  vote,  except  his  own, 
President  of  Congress. 

I  am  obliged  to  you  for  the  paper  and  the  several  printed  publications. 
Pray  keep  me  advised. 

I  am,  Dr  Sir 

Yr  most  obt  hum^  Servt, 

Daniel  Roberdeau. 

720.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Thomas  Mifflin.* 

York  Novr.  2,  1777 
My  dear  General 

I  thank  you  for  your  obliging  favor  of  the  28th.  past  and  the  inclosures 
accompanying  it.  I  assure  you  Sir  that  having  received  such  original 
impressions  of  your  firm  attachment  to  the  cause  of  America,  I  have  ever 
placed  you  among  the  first,  and  most  valuable  friends.  Trusting  there- 
fore to  your  patriotism,  and  my  hopes  of  your  returning  health,  I  had 
ventured  to  mention  your  name  for  one  of  the  three  Commissioners  of 
the  new  board  of  war — A  most  important  department,  on  which  our 
righteous  warfare  eminently  depends.  Some  Gentlemen  supposed  yr. 
health  would  hinder  others  observed  that  the  Continental  policy  forbid 
the  union  of  two  offices  in  the  same  person,  supposing  that  you  might  be 
prevailed  on  to  retain  your  commission  of  M.  General  would  your  health 
permitted  \_sic\  action.  The  spirit  of  the  Continental  policy  does  forbid 
double  salaries,  but  the  Generalship  might  be  continued  with  the  Board 
of  war  Salary.  Indeed,  the  nature  of  the  latter  business  renders  rank  and 
knowledge  in  War  necessary.^ .... 

721.  The  Board  of  War  to  Horatio  Gates.* 

War  Office  Novr  2d  1777 
Dr  Sir 

I  am  directed  to  inform  you  that  an  Idea  has  been  suggested  to  the 
Board  of  raising  a  Battallion  of  the  Canadian  Prisoners  lately  fallen  into 
our  Hands  many  of  those  Persons  having  been  represented  as  Friends  to 
the  United  States  altho'  they  have  by  Compulsion  borne  Arms  against 

[720]!  Univ.  Va.  Lib,,  Lee  Papers,  no.  191;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed. 
Ballagh),  L  347- 

2  In  a  letter  dated  Oct.  8  Mifflin  had  asked  leave  on  account  of  ill  health  to  resign 
his  commissions  of  major-general  and  quartermaster-general.  Nov.  7  Congress  accepted 
his  resignation  of  the  office  of  quartermaster-general,  and  appointed  him  to  the  board 
of  war,  permitting  him  to  retain  the  rank  and  commission  of  major-general  without  the 
salary  attached  thereto.  See,  further,  the  Journals,  Nov.  18,  19,  24.  See  also  no.  700, 
ante,  and  nos.  743,  748,  757-/61,  post. 

[721]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL 


540  Continental  Con^^rcss 

us.  As  this  Rattallioii  will  in  all  Probability  be  ofticered  by  French 
Officers  you  will  be  pleased  to  p^ive  your  Opinion  on  the  Measure  and 
mention  such  OtTicers  as  you  think  worthy  Appointments  in  such  a  Corps 
should  it  be  determined  by  Congress  to  raise  it." 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be,  with  great  Regard 

your  very  obed  Servt 

Richard  Peters  Secy 

Honble  Gcnl  Gates 

722.  James  Lovell  to  William  Whipple.^ 

Novr  3d  York  Town  [1777.] 
My  Dear  Sir, 

....  Confederation  has  gone  on  pretty  well  lately.^  I  suppose  the 
Council  of  State  will  be  thrown  out  and  a  Committee  of  Congress  be  left 
in  recesses  to  transact  prudentials.' .... 

In  addition  to  Deanes  folly,  our  sister,  Georgia  has  sent  blank  Conti- 
nental Commissions  to  France  for  officers  to  raise  men.  Bingham  gave 
us  the  first  account.  We  have  rapped  Miss  over  the  knuckles  and  sent  a 
copy  of  the  protest-like  Resolve  to  our  Commissioners.* 

i 

723.  Roger  Sherman  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.^ 

Hartford,  Novr.  3.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

....  The  low  credit  of  our  paper  currency,  occasioned  partly  by 
inimical  persons  and  partly  by  aviritious  ones,  is  our  greatest  embaress- 
ment,  and  I  think  that  might  be  soon  remedied,  if  Congress  w^ould  recom- 
mend to  all  the  States  to  sink  their  owai  Bills  and  tax  themselves  to  a 
certain  and  sufficient  amount  for  carrying  on  the  war  and  draw  in  as 
much  as  may  be  by  the  loan  offices,  and  collect  the  Taxes  frequently 
appropriate  about  3  million  dollars  annually  to  be  burnt  to  lessen  the 
quantity  in  circulation  until  the  whole  be  sunk  which  would  be  in  less 
than  twelve  years  such  provision  being  made  and  published  would  have 
an  immediate  effect  to  give  credit  and  stability  to  the  currency.  Care 
should  be  taken  that  the  two  first  emissions  should  be  stopt  in  the  loan 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  29,  Dec.  2,  19. 
[722]!  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  435;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Ban- 
croft Coll.,  Langdon-Elwyn  Papers  (copy  of  part). 

2  "  We  hope  to  get  over  confederation  in  a  fortnight."  John  Penn  and  Cornelius 
Harnett  to  Governor  Caswell,  Nov.  2,  1777  {N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  667).  See  no.  712, 
ante,  and  nos.  723,  725.  731,  72,2,,  735,  738-740,  746,  749,  753,  754,  760,  post. 

3  See  the  draft  of  the  Articles  of  Confederation  as  reported  by  the  com- 
mittee July  12,  1776  {Journals,  V.  553),  and  the  Articles  as  reported  by  the  committee 
of  the  whole  Aug.  20,  1776  {ibid.,  V.  686)  ;  also  the  proceedings,  Oct.  30,  Nov.  7,  1777, 
{Journals,  IX.  848,  879),  and  the  forms  printed  under  Nov.  15  {ibid.,  IX.  919,  923). 
For  an  account  of  the  committee  of  the  states  under  the  Confederation,  see  E.  C.  Burnett, 
"  The  Committee  of  the  States '',  in  Am.  Hist.  Assoc,  Annual  Report,  1913,  vol.  I., 
pp.  139-158. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  18.     Cf.  no.  770,  post. 
[723]!  Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Papers,  I.  47. 


November,  ITJJ  541 

offices  and  not  reinforced  for  it  will  be  difikuit  to  get  Silver  or  Gold  to 
redeem  them  when  the  fixed  periods  arrive.'  The  mode  adopted  by  Con- 
gress for  proportioning  the  Quotas  of  the  several  States  according  to  the 
value  of  their  lands  I  think  impracticable.  The  number  of  the  Inhabitants 
I  think  will  be  the  best  that  can  be  devised,  the  wealth  of  a  people  I 
believe  will  generally  be  found  to  be  nearly  in  proportion  to  the  numbers 
that  can  be  supported  in  a  State,  and  wealth  principally  arises  from  the 
labour  of  men.  as  to  the  negros  I  should  be  willing  to  do  what  appears 
equitable.  If  for  the  present  it  should  be  agreed  to  exclude  all  under  ten 
years  old  or  any  other  age  that  may  be  agreed  on  and  include  the  rest 
until  a  more  equitable  value  can  be  devised,  and  not  make  a  perpetual  rule 
at  present  would  it  not  answer  better  than  to  have  confederation  delayed, 
for  I  am  persuaded  that  the  States  can  neither  agree  to  nor  practise  the 
mode  voted  by  Congress,  and  nothing  effectual  can  be  done  to  fix  the 
credit  of  the  currency  or  to  raise  necessary  supplies  until  some  rule  of 
proportion  is  adopted.  I  doubt  not  of  your  readiness  to  do  whatever  you 
shall  Judge  may  conduce  to  the  general  good  and  I  am  sure  your  influence 
will  have  great  weight  in  this  affair.^ .... 

I  am 

With  great  truth  and  Regard 

Your  Friend  and  humble  servant 

Roger  Sherman 

Hon.  R.  H.  Lee  Esqr. 

724.  Samuel  Adams  to  James  Warren.^ 

York  Town,  Pennsilva.,  Novr.  4,  jj 

My  dear  Sir, 

I  wrote  to  you  last  Week  by  Mr.  Hancock  ="  and  gave  you  a  curious 
Anecdote.  The  affair  was  brought  on— it  labord  a  whole  Afternoon. 
The  Principle  was  objected  to,  it  was  urged  to  be  unprecedented,  impoli- 
tick,  dangerous.  The  Question  was  then  put  of  the  Propriety  of  the 
Measure  in  any  Instance.  Passd  in  the  Affirmative  6  to  4.  The  original 
Question  was  then  put.  Passd  in  the  Afifve.,  the  same  Division.  The 
Yeas  and  Nays  were  called  for:  yeas,  C,  N.  Y.,  J,  V,  N.  C,  S.  C.  Nays, 
N.  H.,  M.  R.,  P.    Adieu.^ 

2  Sherman  evidently  has  in  mind  the  report  of  the  committee  on  the  proceedings 
of  the  committee  of  the  Eastern  states,  brought  in  Oct.  27  and  acted  upon  Nov.  22,  26, 
27.    See  no.  736,  post. 

3  Cf.  nos.  712,  722,  ante,  733,  749.  7^5,  766,  post. 
[724]!  Warren-Adams  Letters,  I.  378. 

2  The  letters  of  Oct.  29  and  30  (nos.  715,  7i6),  ante.  Adams  therefore  made 
Hancock  the  bearer  of  a  message  (the  letter  of  Oct.  30)  which  was  not  at  all  favorable 

to  the  bearer.  .  ,  .  1  ^l 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  31.  The  yeas  and  nays  here  set  down  are  those  on  the 
"first  motion"  (p.  854).  Maryland  is  not  included,  because,  having  but  one  member 
present,  the  state  was  "  imrepresented ".  Adams's  statement  that  the  vote  on  the 
general'  question  of  propriety  was  in  the  affirmative,  6  to  4,  does  not  accord  with  the 
Journals,  which  show  the  states  equally  divided.  The  Journals  do  record,  however, 
an  affirmative  vote  on  the  question  whether  the  sense  of  Congress  should  be  taken  on  a 
"  general  proposition  ". 


r)42  Continental  Con(^rcss 

725.  Thomas  Burke  to  tiik  Governor  of  North  Carolina 

(Richard  Caswell),* 

Tyaguin,  November  4th,  1777. 
Prar  Sir: 

I  left  York  town,  in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  13th  iilto.,  and  arrived  at 

home  on  the  26th.  after  our  retreat  from  Philadelphia While  I 

was  at  Reading  happened  the  battle  of  Chestnut  Hill  and  Germantown, 
wherein  we  unfortunately  lost  General  Nash,  one  of  the  best,  the  most 
respected  and  regretted  officers  in  the  Continental  army.  The  particulars 
of  this  battle  Mr.  Harnett  informed  me  he  wrote  you  before  my  arrival 
at  York,  and  I  will  not  trouble  you  with  a  repetition.  Upon  the  whole, 
it  appears  our  miscarriage  sprung  from  the  usual  source — want  of  abili- 
ties in  our  superior  officers  and  want  of  order  and  discipline  in  our  army. 
This,  sir,  is  an  evil  of  most  dangerous  tendency,  and  to  remedy  it  has 
been  long  the  object  of  my  thoughts  and  endeavors.  Indeed,  I  saw  very 
little  propect  of  success  until  very  lately.  But  just  before  I  left  Congress 
I  had  the  pleasure  to  find  that  every  gentleman  was  equally  sensible  of 
the  necessity  of  applying  a  proper  remedy.  The  great  difficulty  will  be 
to  get  over  particular  connections  and  personal  regards,  but  it  must  be 
effectually  remedied  or  all  our  efforts  are  in  vain.^ .... 

Very  little  of  consequence  has  been  lately  determined  in  Congress. 
The  Confederation  was  the  subject  of  daily  consideration  when  I  came 
away.  But  as  I  consider  the  plan  now  in  embryo  as  what  can  never  be 
suited  to  the  States,  I  think  nothing  decided  on  it  is  of  consequence.  I 
fear  I  differ  very  widely  on  this  subject  with  a  majority  in  Congress.  I 
deem  a  time  of  peace  and  tranquilty  the  proper  time  for  agitating  so  im- 
portant a  concern ;  but  some,  and  not  a  few,  are  of  opinion  that  advantage 
should  be  taken  of  the  present  circumstances  of  the  States,  which  are 
supposed  favorable  for  pressing  them  to  a  very  close  connection.  But 
more,  sir,  of  this  when  we  meet.^ .... 


726.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York  Town,  4  Nov.  1777 

Dear  Sir: 

I  have  not  time  to  say  any  thing  of  Politics  or  News,  if  We  had  any. 
Congress  seem'd  surprized  that  you  sho*^  be  at  a  Loss  about  delivering 
over  Stores,  as  it  is  most  explicitly  mentioned  in  the  new,  (Confounding) 
Comissa.  Plan,  that  all  stores  shall  be  delivered  over  to  the  Comis:  of 
Issues  his  Deputy,  or  Assistants  etc.  and  there  seems  no  doubt  by  any 
thing  you  or  any  Body  writes,  but  that  there  is  such  officer  in  the  eastern 

[725]!  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XX.  973;  XI.  668. 

2  See  Burke's  letter  to  General  Sullivan,  Oct.  12   (no.  686,  ante). 

3  See  Burke's  Notes  on  the  Confederation  under  Nov.  15  (nos.  739,  740,  post). 
Cf.  nos.  488,  503,  ante,  nos.  73Z,  747>  post. 

[726]^^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 


November,  1777  543 

Department.^  A  Gent,  whisper'd  me  in  Congress  (not  knowing  I  sup- 
pose of  my  Connections)  that  He  vvish'd  some  body  wo'^  write  Mr. 
Trumbull,  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  all  unprejudiced  Persons,  that  He 
was  so  angry  and  chaafed,  at  being  out  of  the  office  tho  voluntary,  that 
He  was  contriving  by  every  way  and  mean  in  his  power  to  thwart  and 
hinder  the  Success  and  progress  of  the  Business  and  disconcert  their 
Affairs  etc.  it  will  make  you  mad,  as  it  did  me  while  I  utterly  disbelieve 
it,  and  think  you  incapable  of  such  baseness.^  Congress  some  time  since 
made  some  alteration  in  the  plan,  to  ease  Colt's  objections  etc.  which 
will  be  sent  by  the  Presidt.  They  have  also  impowered  the  Gov  and 
Council  to  appoint  a  D.  Corny :  Gen  of  Issues,  lest  there  sho'^  not  be  any 
to  receive  etc.* .... 


2  The  proceedings  in  Congress  to  which  Williams  alludes  were  probably  those 
of  Nov.  3  on  Governor  Trumbull's  letter  of  Oct.  20.  See  also  the  regulations  of  the 
commissary  department,  in  the  Journals,  June  10.  Cf.  no.  664,  ante,  and  nos.  748,  757, 
759.  post. 

3  See  nos.  yy^i,  77(>,  post. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  4,  Nov.  3.  Cf.  nos.  727,  77^,  post.  The  following  letter 
from  Jeremiah  Wadsworth  to  William  Williams  (Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Jeremiah  Wads- 
worth  Papers)  elucidates  the  matter  adverted  to  by  Williams : 

"  Hartford  Nov  26th  1777 
"Sir 

"  I  am  informed  that  some  members  of  Congress  and  many  other  Persons  are  made 
to  believe  that  the  Late  Commissy.  General  has  not  been  ready  to  deliver  over  the 
Stores  in  his  Possession  to  the  Persons  who  have  been  authorised  to  receive  them  and 
that  the  Publick  service  has  been  injured  by  his  delay.  I  have  from  his  first  being  in 
Office  been  acting  for  him  and  as  Many  of  the  Stores  were  in  my  hands  at  the  time  he 
left  the  Army  I  waited  on  him  at  Danbury  on  his  way  home  when  he  was  dismissed  and 
reed  his  Orders  to  deliver  over  all  the  Stores  in  my  hands  to  the  Issuing  Commsy. 
Generals  Order  agreeable  to  the  Resolves  of  Congress — and  after  waiting  an  unrea- 
sonable time  for  some  Person  to  apply  for  them  I  was  informed  the  Army  woud  be 
distressed  if  I  did  not  forward  the  Salted  Provisions — 'and  I  sent  forward  a  quantity 
after  which  Sam  Grey  Esq'r.  D  C  G  of  Issues  came  to  me  at  this  place  and  Asked  my 
Advise  and  Assistance  finding  himself  much  embarrassed  for  want  of  Particular  instruc- 
tions and  not  knowing  the  extent  of  his  district.  I  advised  him  to  Appoint  some  Person 
to  receive  the  Stores  from  me  and  to  Issue  Provisions  here.  He  replied  he  was  at  a  loss 
for  a  Proper  Person  and  desired  me  to  let  one  of  my  People  undertake  it.  I  agreed  that 
Mr  Hall  then  in  my  business  and  very  necessary  to  me — should  undertake  it.  Mr. 
Gray  gave  him  a  Warrant — and  orders  to  rec[e]ive  the  Salted  Provisions  and  flower 
only — which  I  immediately  delivered  and  supplied  teams  to  transport — and  before  any 
orders  came  to  him  to  receive  the  other  stores  Rum  was  call'd  for  of  which  I  sent  a 
moderate  supply — and  then  informed  Mr  Gray  that  no  more  wou'd  be  sent  unless  it 
was  first  delivered  over  according  to  the  resolutions  of  Congress — this  produced  his 
Order  to  Mr  Hall  to  receive  all  the  Stores  in  m}'  possession  which  I  imediately  began 
to  deliver  and  have  now  very  near  compleated  the  delivery  of  the  whole — if  after  this 
there  is  the  least  doubt  in  the  Minds  of  any  Members  of  Congress  or  other  Person 
who  has  a  right  to  be  satisfied  I  can  produce  the  fullest  proof  that  from  the  time  Col 
Trumbull  resigned  to  this  hour  the  Stores  have  been  ready  to  be  delivered  and  that 
constant  Attention  has  been  given,  where  the  Stores  were  lodged  for  that  purpose. 
I  cou'd  add  and  verify  that  had  Col  Trumbulls  Assistants  done  only  their  Duty  and 
waited  for  Application,  the  Stores  would  yet  have  been  in  the  Magazines  where  they 
were  deposited.  Peter  Colt  Esqr  D  C  G  of  Purchases  will  at  any  time  do  us  the  justice 
to  say  this  and  the  Variety  of  difficulties  he  has  to  encounter  will  make  him  more 
acquainted  with  the  disposition  of  Col  Trumbull  and  his  late  Assistants — without 
whose  Assistance  he  will  not  be  able  to  proceed  in  his  business — Tho  he  really  is  as 
well  quallified  for  the  Office  he  holds  as  any  Man  [in]  this  State — but  the  business  has 
been  so  long  delayed,  that  untill  he  has  the  Power  to  create  he  cannot  make  ample  if 
tollerable  supplies." 


544  Continental  Congress 

jzy.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.* 

York  Town  Novr  4th  1777 

Dear  Sir 

Your  favour  of  the  20th  Ultnio.  came  safe  to  hand  by  an  Express  sent 

by  Govr  Trumbull We  never  had  full  and  Ofiicial  Accounts  of 

the  Interesting  Event  at  the  Northward  till  the  arrival  of  Coll  Wilkison 
on  frvday  last  we  had  almost  began  to  despair,  but  at  length  our  joy 
was  full  on  recieving  a  Confirmation  of  the  whole.^  I  hope  the  most 
sincere  Gratitude  may  arise  to  Heaven  from  every  Quarter  on  this  most 
Signal  Interposition  of  Providence  in  our  favour.  I  find  our  Assembly 
are  Alarmd  at  the  Neglect  in  the  Commisy.  Department,  the  plan  you 
know  I  reprobate  as  do  more  than  half  of  Congress  and  many  more  now 
see  their  Error  they  have  mended  and  mended  in  several  Instances,  but 
it  cannot  wholly  relieve,  as  I  before  wrote  you  such  alterations  were 
made,  as  were  the  principal  Objections  pointed  out  by  Mr  Colt  to  Con- 
gress, of  which  they  advised  him  long  agoe  and  supposed  he  was  in  full 
action  and  exertion'in  the  business.'    but  now  fear  the  Express  has  fallen 

into  the  hands  of  the  Enemy Congress  Cannot  concieve  how  you 

and  Mr  Gray  *  should  be  of  Opinion  that  you  had  no  Authority  to  Deliver 
or  he  or  his  Assistants  to  recieve  the  provisions  and  stores  in  your  hands 
when  it  is  expressly  provided  in  the  6th  Article  for  you  or  your  Deputies 
to  Deliver  over  to  the  Commissy.  Genii,  or  his  Deputies  or  Assists,  all 
and  every  kind  of  Provision  etc.  in  the  Commissy.  department  etc.  Gray 
is  much  blamed  for  not  recieving  them  as  he  has  authority  Independt.  of 
the  Commisy.  Genii  and  has  a  right  to  Appoint  what  Subs  or  Assistants 
he  pleases,  but  that  there  be  no  further  delay  Govr  Trumbull  and  his 
Council  of  Safety  are  Impowerd  to  appoint  Commissys.  of  purchases  or 
Issues  as  they  find  Necessary  ^  it  will  be  a  Jumble  when  all  is  done  but 
we  must  make  the  best  of  it  we  are  about  appointing  a  board  of  C  over 
the  Commissy.  and  Ouartr  Master  Department  to  super  Intend  and 
regulate  from  time  etc.  you  are  in  Nomination  for  one  of  the  three 
I  suppose  they  will  have  good  Salaries  perhaps  2000  dolls  pr  annum.® 
my  regards  to  Coll  Wyllys  tell  him  I  will  let  him  hear  from  me  the 
moment  Congress  arrive  at  my  favorite  Wyoming  but  at  present  we  think 
we  are  tolerably  safe  while  we  are  beyond  that  Capital  River  respects  to 
all  friends  affectionate  regards  to  family  and  dear  Amelia  and  am  as 
usual  Yours 

Elipht  Dyer 

[P.  S.]     Congress  calls    cannot  review  my  letter    you  must  take  it  as 
it  comes,  have  heard  nothing  f"  Coll  Thos.  for  some  time.    E  D 

[727]!  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  See  the  Journals.  Oct.  31 ;  cf.  no.  719,  ante,  and  no.  728,  post. 

3  The  plan  of  the  commissary  department  was  adopted  June  10.  See  also  the 
Journals,  June  11,  16,  18.    For  criticisms  and  amendments,  see  ibid.,  July  11,  Aug.  4-6, 

Oct.  4,  Nov.  3. 

4  Samuel  Gray,  appointed  a  deputy  commissary  of  issues  for  the  Eastern  depart- 
ment Aug.  6,  1777.  See  also  Wadsworth  to  Williams,  Nov.  26  (no.  726,  note  4,  ante), 
and  no.  773,  post. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  4.  Nov.  3,  and  cf.  no.  726,  ante. 

6  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  22,  Nov.  24,  27.  The  "  board  of  C  "  doubtless  means 
board  of  Commissioners. 


November,  J///  545 

728.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

Horatio  Gates/ 

York  Town  Pennsylvania 
5th  Novem:  1777 
Sir 

On  the  1st.  Inst:  Colonel  Wilkinson  delivered  your  several  dispatches 
to  Congress  and  at  their  request  briefly  added  a  recital  of  circumstances 
attending  the  Convention  of  Saratoga,  he  has  since  laid  before  the 
House  all  the  Papers  relative  to  that  Contract  and  the  returns  of  both 
Armies.^  these  have  afforded  satisfaction  not  only  to  the  Representative 
body,  but  universally  to  the  good  people  here,  the  glorious  Intelligence 
is  now  extending  from  City  to  City  diffusing  Joy  in  the  heart  of  every 

Loyal  American  to  the  remotest  State  in  the  Union 

I  am  with  the  Most  perfect  Esteem  and  Regard  Sir 

Your  Most  Obedient  and  humble  servant 

Henry  Laurens, 
Presidt,  in  Cong ' 

Major  General  Gates 
Albany. 

[728] ^N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL;  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter- 
Book,  L  4. 

2  According  to  the  Journals  Wilkinson  delivered  Gates's  letter  and  a  copy  of 
the  convention  of  Saratoga  Friday,  Oct.  31,  instead  of  Nov.  i,  and  on  Monday,  Nov.  3, 
he  laid  the  articles  of  convention  and  other  papers  before  Congress.  Cf.  nos.  719,  727, 
ante.  John  Penn  and  Cornelius  Harnett  wrote  to  Governor  Caswell  Nov.  2 :  "  Yester- 
day Col.  Wilkinson  arrived  here"  {N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  667),  but  there  is  probably 
an  error  either  in  the  date  of  the  letter  or  in  the  "  yesterday ". 

Thomas  McKean  wrote  to  John  Adams,  Nov.  20,  1815:  "With  respect  to  General 
VVilkinson  I  recollect  an  Anecdote:  he  was  in  1777  an  Aid  to  General  Gates,  and  by 
him  sent  to  Congress  at  York-town  in  Pennsylvania  with  the  dispatches,  giving  an 
account  of  the  surrender  of  Sir  John  Burgoj^ne  and  the  British  army  to  the  Americans 
at_  Saratoga ;  on  the  way  he  spent  a  day  at  Reading,  about  fifty  miles  from  Yorktown, 
with  a  young  lady  from  Philadelphia,  whom  he  afterwards  married.  When  the 
dispatches  were  read  in  Congress,  propositions  were  made  for  paying  a  proper  compli- 
ment to  the  Favorite  of  General  Gates,  who  brought  us  such  pleasing  news.  Governor 
Samuel  Adams,  with  a  grave  and  solemn  face,  moved  Congress,  that  the  young  Gentle- 
man should  be  presented  with  '  a  pair  of  spurs '."  ....  (Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  McKean 
Papers,  IV.  48.)  To  this  Adams  replied,  Nov.  26:  "I  remember  a  jocular  suggestion 
thrown  out  in  a  private  Conversation  in  which  Mr  Samuel  Adams  and  Mr  Hancock 
were  present  on  the  morning  after  Wilkinson's  Arrival,  and  before  Congress  met: 
that  it  would  be  proper  to  present  the  Courier  with  a  horsewhip  and  a  pair  of  Spurrs: 
but  I  never  before  heard  that  a  Motion  was  actually  made  in  Congress,  in  jest  or  in 
earnest  to  that  purpose.  I  must  have  been  absent  at  that  moment  upon  some  Committee." 
Ibid.,  IV.  4?. 

For  Wilkinson's  promotion  see  the  Journals,  Nov.  6.  In  his  letter  of  Oct.  18,  delivered 
to  Congress  by  Wilkinson,  Gates  warmly  recommended  Wilkinson  for  promotion : 
"I  desire  to  be  permitted  to  recommend  this  gallant  officer  in  the  warmest  manner  to 
Congress,  and  intreat  that  he  may  be  continued  in  his  present  place  with  the  Brivet 
of  a  Brigadier  General.  The  Honble  Congress  will  believe  me  when  I  assure  them  that 
from  the  beginning  of  this  war,  I  have  not  met  with  a  more  promising  Military  Genius 
than  Colonel  Wilkinson,  and  whose  services  have  been  of  the  greatest  benefit  to  the 
Army."  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  687.  For  Wilkinson's  own  account  of  his  journey  with 
the  despatches  and  his  audience  with  Congress,  see  his  Memoirs,  I.  323  et  seq. 

3  This  mode  of  official  designation  was  adopted  by  Laurens  immediately  upon 
his  election  to  the  presidency.  See,  for  instance,  the  circular  letter  of  Nov.  i,  in  Pa. 
Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  735.    He  did  not,  however,  persevere  therein. 


54G  Continental  Congress 


&' 


729.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Horatio  Gates/ 

York-Town  Novembr  5th  1777 
Sir 

I  most  sincerely  Congratulate  you  on  the  glorious  Success  with  which 
the  Almig-hty  has  Crowned  your  most  faithfull  Indeavours  in  the  cause  of 
your  Country,  against  a  late  triumphant  Enemy ;  and  that  He  hath  made 
you  the  happy  Instrument  in  bringing  down  the  lofty  pride  and  haughty 
Insolence  of  a  vain  glorious  Bxirgoyne,  who  had  spread  terror  and  Con- 
sternation through  our  Northern  Country,  Untill  Providence  over  ruled, 
(against  a  Violent  Opposition)  to  replace  you  in  the  chief  Command  over 
our  Northern  Department 

Have  no  doubt  but  all  the  true  and  virtuous  Friends  of  their  Country 
are  Impressed  with  a  grateful  sense  of  the  goodness  and  favour  of 
Almighty  God,  for  this  singular  and  most  Interesting  Event,  at  the  same 
time  your  friends  sincerely  rejoice  that  you  have  more  than  Answered 
their  sanguine  expectations,  yet  you  will  not  be  surprised  if  it  should  raise 
the  Envie  of  your  Enemies  and  those  who  had  with  Violence  opposed 
your  Command  in  that  Quarter,  but  the  success  which  has  attended  your 
Conduct,  and  followed  your  plans  of  Operation,  now  forces  some  Ac- 
knowledgement even  from  those,  of  the  Prudence  of  the  measure  in 
restoring  you  to  your  proper  Command.  I  have  the  pleasure  to  Inform 
you  that  Congress  are  not  only  happy  in  the  Event,  but  entirely  satisfied 
in  your  Closing  the  Convention,  at  the  time,  and  in  the  manner  you  did, 
and  dare  say  the  Impartial  world  will  not  only  Justifye  but  Applaud  you 
therein.^ .... 

730.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

Novr.  5th  from  York  Town  [1777.] 
Dear  Sir 

....  I  wish  good  old  Putt  may  not  think  hard  of  the  proposals  of 
congress  sent  you  at  this  Time.  He  is  really  wanted  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  Philada.* .... 

If  you  are  not  sincerely  regarded  here  in  general,  yet  there  is  at  least 
a  modesty  as  to  any  appearance  of  the  old  Opposition.  You  would  have 
been  pleased  at  an  Incog  Survey  of  Faces  for  Weeks  back.  Tho  we  were 
12  Days  without  a  Confirmation  of  Intelligence  given  by  the  Committee 
of  Albany,  yet  I  did  not  find  any  disposition  to  bite  as  was  usual  formerly 
at  yr.  Reputation.®  .... 

731.  William  Duer  to  the  Governor  of  New  York 

(George  Clinton).^ 
Sir, 

Notwithstanding  I  have  had  for  some  time  Leave  of  Absence  to  return 
to  New  York,  I  have  forbore  availing  myself  of  it,  till  such  time  as  I  was 

[729]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers.  XI. 

2  Cf.  nos.  719,  727,  728,  ante,  and  no.  730,  post. 
[730]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL 

2  The  orders  to  General  Putnam  are  in  the  Journals,  Nov.  5. 

3  Cf.  nos.  699,  700,  703,  704,  708,  711,  713,  714,  719,  727,  728,  729,  ante. 
[731]!  Hist.  Soc.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.;  Pa.  Mag.  of  Hist,  and  Biog.,  XXIX.  192. 


November,  z///  547 

reli[e]ved  by  one  of  the  other  Delegates,  not  chusing,  at  a  very  important 
Crisis  to  leave  the  State  unrepresented. 

By  my  long  Absence  in  Convention  and  in  Congress  my  private  Affairs 
have  got  into  the  utmost  Anarchy  and  Confusion,  and  my  Health,  though 
somewhat  mended  from  what  it  was  a  month  since,  much  Impaird.  I 
therefore  flatter  myself  that  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  inform  the 
Council  of  Safety,  that  I  shall  not  be  able,  consistent  with  the  Duty  I 
owe  to  myself  to  stay  at  this  Place  longer  than  the  25th  Inst,  and  to  urge 
them  to  send  proper  Persons  to  represent  the  State.  Before  that  Time 
I  am  certain  that  the  Articles  of  Confedaration  will  be  completed  in  Con- 
gress, as  at  this  Day,  there  is  only  one  or  two  Clauses  remaining  for 
Decision.^ .... 

I  am,  Sir,  with  very  great  Respect 

Your  Excellency's  and  the  Council's 

most  Obedt  Hble  Servt 

Wm.  Duer. 
York  Town,  Pensa.  Novr.  9th.  1777 

732.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  Thomas  Wharton,  jr.^ 

York  Town,  Novr  loth  1777. 
Sir, 

A  Committee  of  Congress  have  occasion  of  the  under  mentioned  Law 
Books,  which  one  of  them  sais  were  in  the  Library  belonging  to  the  State  in 
Philada.,  therefore  I  am  desired  to  apply  to  you  for  the  immediate  Loan 
of  them,  and  that  they  may  be  sent  by  express,  if  a  good  opportunity  does 
not  very  soon  offer.  If  the  books  of  the  State  were  not  brought  to 
Lancaster  you  are  requested  to  borrow  these  books  of  some  Gentlemen 
there  and  forward  them.^ 

I  am  very  respectfully  Sir, 

yr.  most  obt  hum'  Servt 

Daniel  Roberdeau. 
Vattell,  Puffendorf,  Grotius. 

His  Excellency  Thomas  Wharton,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Pennsilvania  Lancaster. 
Favoured  by  Mr.  Adams. ^ 

733.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Thomas  Burke.* 

York,  Pennsylvania  Nov.  13th  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

The  child  Congress  has  been  big  with,  these  two  years  past,  is  at  last 
brought  forth — (Confederation).     I  fear  it  will  by  several  Legislatures 

2  See  no.  722>  post. 
[732]! Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  757. 

2  A  request  for  the  same  books,  addressed  by  Elbridge  Gerry  to  President 
Wharton,  Nov.  8,  is  ibid.,  V.  754.  In  a  letter  dated  Nov.  14,  Roberdeau  acknowledges 
receipt  of  the  books  {ibid.,  V.  772).  Probably  the  committee  desiring  these  works  on 
the  law  of  nations  was  that  appointed  Nov.  6,  on  the  convention  of  Saratoga. 

2  Both  John  and  Samuel  Adams  obtained  leave  of  absence  Nov.  7  and  took  their 
departure  for  Boston  Nov.  11  (J.  Adams,  Diary,  Works,  II.  440). 
[IZZVN.  C.  State  Recs.,yil.  677. 


548  Continental  Congress 

be  thouj^ht  a  little  deformed,— you  will  think  it  a  Monster.^'  I  wish,  how- 
ever some  kind  of  Confederation  would  take  place.  Some  carry  their 
idea  of  this  matter  so  far.  as  to  believe  our  affairs  must  be  ruined  without 
it.  i'.e  this  as  it  may,  it  will  in  a  few  days  be  sent  to  the  Legislatures  of 
the  several  States.'  Nothing  more  has  been  done  worth  your  notice. 
Our  time  has  been  chiefly  employed  in  army  matters  and  God  knows  we 
have  had  perplexity  enough 

Pray  let  me  have  your  opinion  freely  and  dispassionately  on  the  articles 
of  confederation. 

The  mode  of  settling  the  Quota  of  each  State  towards  defraying  the 
general  expense,  has  taken  up  much  time.  Some  States  were  for  the 
valuation  of  all  the  property  in  each  State.  Others,  for  fixing  it  by  the 
number  of  Inhabitants.  Others  on  the  valuation  of  land.  This  last 
seemed  to  come  as  near  the  mark  as  any,  except  a  valuation  of  all 
property.  However  the  Value  of  lands  has  taken  place  much  against  the 
desire  of  the  Delegates  from  the  Eastern  States.* 

As  I  expect  you  will  be  directed  to  return  immediately  after  the  rising 
of  our  assembly,  I  hope  you  will  take  care  to  be  properly  instructed  in 
every  measure  they  may  wish  to  accomplish. 

You  ought  to  be  here.  No  State  should  have  a  less  number  of  Delegates 
than  three  present  in  Congress  and  I  hope  our  State  will  attend  constantly 
to  that  rule 

734.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

York  13th.  Novemr.  1777 
Sir 

....  the  Chairman  of  the  Treasury  Board  in  answer  to  my  pressing 
intreaty  for  dispatch  to  replenish  your  military  Chest  has  desired  me  to 
inform  your  Excellency — "  that  from  the  removal  of  the  Office  from 
Baltimore  and  Philadelphia  the  Money  department  has  been  greatly 
obstructed  but  that  the  utmost  diligence  shall  be  exerted  to  forward  a 
supply  of  money  to  the  pay  master  General  as  soon  as  possible."  ' 

Our  Treasury  is  nearly  exhausted  a  circumstance  the  more  unfortunate 
as  it  happens  in  the  moment  when  demands  have  conspired  which  exceed 
all  former  sudden  Calls.  I  trust  there  will  be  no  necessity  for  further 
urging  the  Board,  if  there  should  be,  I  will  not  fail  to  do  every  thing 
proper  on  my  part  to  w-ard  off  the  impending  Evil  of  being  more  deeply 
involved  in  Arrears  to  the  Army 

Congress  from  all  appearance  are  well  satisfied  with  the  measures  taken 
by  your  Excellency  wnth  respect  to  the  Frigates  above  Philadelphia  and 

2  Cf.  no.  725,  ante,  and  nos.  739,  740,  747,  post. 

3  The  Articles  of  Confederation  are  in  the  Journals,  under  Nov.  15,  and  the 
circular  letter  of  transmittal  under  Nov.  17.    Cf.  nos.  735,  738,  post. 

*  Cf.  nos.  680,  712,  ante. 
[734]!  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter-Book,  I.  15;  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens 
Letters,  1776-1779,  no.  20. 

-  Laurens  is  replying  to  Washington's  letter  of  Nov.  8,  read  in  Congress  Nov.  12 
(see  the  Journals,  p.  893).  A  letter  from  Washington,  dated  Nov.  10,  was  read  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day  (see  ibid.,  p.  896). 


November,  1777  549 

the  disposition  of  part  of  the  Northern  Army,  the  Resolves  of  the  5th. 
were  certainly  formed  while  an  opinion  prevailed  that  Fort  Clinton  was 
garrisoned  by  the  Enemy  and  apprehensions  of  their  gaining  a  formid- 
able footing  on  Hudson's  River  fixed  in  every  mind 

14th.  While  I  was  attending  Congress  this  morning  your  Excellency's 
Letter  of  the  nth.  was  brought  into  the  House  and  reported,  a  Report 
relative  to  Claims  by  French  Officers  happened  to  be  a  subject  in  debate 
which  continued  till  adjournement.  I  am  now  returning  to  Duty  in  the 
same  place  and  will  apply  for  directions  what  answer  to  return  on  the 
important  article  of  Clothing.^  It  is  a  Rule  in  Congress  to  commit 
Letters  to  the  consideration  of  particular  Boards  these  being  dispersed  in 
different  parts  of  the  Town  and  governed  by  Rules  of  their  own  for  meet- 
ing, it  is  not  always  or  I  should  rather  say,  'tis  seldom  in  the  power  of 
the  President  to  answer  with  that  dispatch  which  may  seem  necessary, 
this  may  give  no  information  to  your  Excellency,  yet  my  being  uncertain 
in  that  particular.  I  think  the  intimation  not  improper  in  order  to  account 
for  any  apparent  omission  on  my  part.  Under  cover  with  this  your 
Excellency  will  find  Copies  of  Resolves  of  Congress 

it  may  not  be  amiss  to  intimate  to  your  Excellency  that  the  liberty 
granted  to  Major  Genl.  Schuyler  followed  a  motion  founded  on  a 
Letter  received  by  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  General,  that  to 
Major  Genl.  Sinclair  proceeded  from  the  appearance  of  his  name  sub- 
scribed at  a  meeting  of  a  board  of  Officers,  and  by  special  order  I  am  to 
transmit  a  Copy  of  that  Resolve  to  himself.*  the  Resolve  relative  to 
Clothing  backed  by  a  second  Address  to  several  of  the  neighbouring 
states  will  shew  that  Congress  have  not  been  inattentive  to  the  necessities 
of  the  Army,  whatever  remissness  may  appear  elsewhere.^ .... 

A  report  was  this  morning  made  by  the  Board  of  War  on  the  "  Opinion 
of  the  Officers  of  the  Virginia  Line  "  and  recommitted.^  Among  other 
papers  in  the  present  dispatch  will  be  found  a  packet  containing  nine 
intercepted  Letters  for  persons  with  the  Enemy,  these  have  been  in- 
spected and  are  now  submitted  to  your  Excellency's  disposal.'' 

Congress  have  ordered  additional  sums  to  be  paid  to  the  French 
Gentlemen  of  Mr.  Du  Coudray's  suite  and  some  others.  Resolved  to 
give  Monsr.  St.  Colombe  a  Captain's  Commission  and  appear  determined 
to  stop  there.  Some  who  are  not  provided  for,  I  fear  will  be  reduced  to 
piteous  circumstances  and  must  be  relieved  from  private  purses  or  suffer 
the  most  grievous  inconveniencies.® .... 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  14  (p.  905),  15  (p.  906;  cf.  p.  929). 
*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  14.     Cf.  nos.  743,  756,  post. 

5  It  is  evident  from  the  mention  of  this  resolve,  as  well  as  from  subsequent  para- 
graphs, that  the  latter  part  of  this  letter  was  not  written  earlier  than  Nov.  15.  See  also 
notes  3  and  4,  above. 

6  See  Washington's  letter  to  Congress  Nov.  i  {Writings,  ed.  Ford,  VI.  156),  read 
Nov.  6.  The  Journals  appear  to  contain  no  record  of  the  report  of  the  board  of  war 
upon  the  matter  until  Nov.  26. 

'^  The  Journals  contain  no  reference  to  these  intercepted  letters. 

8  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  13,  Nov.  7,  10,  11,  14,  15,  17;  also  a  letter  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams,  Nov.  15,  in  Letters  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  348.  Cf.  nos.  741, 
770,  post.    See  also  no.  648,  ante. 


550  Continental  Congress 

735.  The  Pennsylvania  Delegates  to  the  President  of 

Pennsylvania.^ 

York  Town,  Novr  13th  1777. 
Sir, 

Congress  have  referred  the  inclosed  petition  to  the  Council  of  this 
State,  together  with  which  we  were  desired  to  furnish  a  more  particular 
account  of  the  Petitioner,  Parson  Batewell's  state  of  health  etc.,  accord- 
ingly we  have  just  visited  him,  and  found  him  a  prisoner  in  a  private 
house  much  emaciated,  and  afilicted  with  Rhumatic  pains  in  his  Knees, 
which  incapacitates  him  for  walking,  but  confessed  he  was  much  better 
than  while  he  was  in  prison. 

He  ofTers  his  parole  as  well  as  Bail  if  he  is  allowed  to  go  to  his  former 
place  of  abode  in  this  County,  twenty  one  miles  distant  from  hence,  or 
permitted  to  take  the  fresh  air,  and  exercise  here,  for  the  recovery  of  his 
health,  wch  we  are  of  opinion  may  effect  it.  He  requests  a  speedy  result 
of  your  Honble  Board  that  he  may  sell  or  remove  his  effects  and  three 
children  now  at  the  above  place,  a  glebe  belonging  to  the  Church,  as  he 
cannot  afford  to  keep  two  families.  The  papers  belonging  to  Mr  Batwell 
taken  with  his  person  were  deposited  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  McClane  in  this 
Town,  who  applied  to  one  of  us  to  know  how  they  should  be  disposed  of, 
which  was  moved  to  Congress,  but  they  would  give  no  orders  concerning 
them,  therefore  they  wait  your  commands,  and  are  as  yet  undisclosed, 
except  two  letters  of  no  great  importance  communicated  to  one  of  us.* 

We  have  the  happiness  to  inform  the  state  that  Confideration  has  this 
Evening  passed  Congress,  but  have  it  not  in  our  power  as  yet  to  communi- 
cate it,  as  the  several  articles  tho'  agreed  to  are  not  arranged  in  the  order 
they  are  to  appear,  which  we  hope  will  be  effected  tomorrow,  as  they  are 
committed  for  that  purpose,  and  to  have  it  in  our  power  very  soon  to  lay 
them  before  the  State,  therefore  we  ardently  wish  a  full  representation 
of  the  State  may  be  convened  to  receive  them,  and  that  a  Determination 
upon  them  may  be  speedily,  as  the  ratification  in  our  opinion  is  of  infinite 
importance  to  the  Independance  of  America.^ 

We  are  respectfully.  Sir, 

Yr  most  obt  very  hum*  Servts, 
Wm.  Clingan, 
Daniel  Roberdeau. 

To  His  Excellency,  Thomas  Wharton,  Esquire,  President  of  the  Com- 
monwealth of  Pennsilvania,  Lancaster. 

[735]  1  Fa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  770. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  2,  Dec.  27,  1777,  and  Jan.  5,  1778 ;  also  no.  792,  post. 
Rev.  Daniel  Batwell  was  stationed  at  York  as  a  missionary  for  the  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts.  See  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VIII.  107,  and 
Minutes  of  the  Supreme  E.vectUive  Council,  XII.  296.  The  petition  of  Batwell  to 
Congress  here  referred  to  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Journals,  but  is  found  in  Pa.  Arch., 
second  ser..  III.  122,  dated  Nov.  7.  The  petition  read  in  Congress  Oct.  2,  dated  Oct.  i, 
is  ibid.,  III.  112.  See  also  ibid..  III.  109,  in,  116.  The  signature  on  the  original  appears 
to  be  "  Batwell ".  The  Mr.  McClane  mentioned  by  Roberdeau  was  Archibald  McClean. 
See  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  (index). 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  11,  12,  13,  15,  17;  also  no  733,  ante,  and  nos.  738-740, 
746,  747,  749,  754,  post. 


November,  z///  551 

736.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

Israel  Putnam.^ 

York  14th.  Novemr.  1777. 

Sir 

....  Congress  will  leave  no  measure  unattempted  for  stopping  the 
progress  of  extortion,  your  Letters  on  that  head  are  in  the  hands  of  a 
special  Committee  and  I  hope  the  subject  of  prices  of  the  necessaries  of 
life  will  soon  be  profitably  debated  and  considered  in  the  House,  the 
difficulty  of  restraining  within  proper  bounds  is  great  but  I  hope  not 
insurmountable.' .... 


737.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

Horatio  Gates.^ 

York  Town  14  Novem  1777. 

Sir, 

....  Liclosed  you  will  find  a  Resolve  of  Congress  touching  the  sub- 
ject of  paying  the  Troops  for  Rations  which  implies  an  approbation  of 
the  measures  you  had  pursued  in  that  branch,  restricting  the  practice 
within  the  bounds  of  necessity  to  be  determined  by  your  judgement." 
Congress  have  not  considered  the  necessity  for  sending  any  of  its  Mem- 
bers to  liquidate  extra  Accounts.  I  shall  remind  the  House  again  of  the 
subject  that  at  least  somewhat  more  explicit  may  be  said  than  I  am 
authorized  to  ofifer  at  present. 

On  the  subject  of  Money,  when  I  pressed  the  Chairman  of  the  Treasury 
to  send  you  an  immediate  supply,  he  informed  me  that  200000  Dollars 
w^ere  on  the  way  to  you  when  you  wrote,  besides  the  Order  for  the  like 
Sum  on  the  Connecticut  Loan  Office,  that  200000  Dollars  more  [had 
been]  provided  for  your  department  and  that  with  all  possible  expedition 
a  further  supply  shall  be  sent.^ 

Demands  for  a  greater  Sum  than  ever  was  called  for  at  one  time,  have 
at  this  juncture  conspired  to  impoverish  the  Treasury,  the  business  there 
has  also  been  greatly  obstructed  by  the  removal  of  Congress  but  is  now 
restored  again  to  good  order  and  the  fund  will  soon  be  replenished 

[736]^  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter-Book,  L  25. 

-  The  reference  is  to  Putnam's  letters  of  Nov.  3,  read  in  Congress  Nov.  13. 
The  special  committee  on  the  letter  of  Stephen  Hopkins  and  the  proceedings  of  a  com- 
mittee of  the  Eastern  states  was  appointed  Aug.  18,  and  enlarged  Sept.  10.  See  the 
Journals,  Aug.  18,  Sept.  10,  Oct.  27,  Nov.  13,  22,  26,  27;  also  nos.  592,  723,  ante,  nos. 
738,  746,  747.  749>  753.  754,  760,  764,  765,  post. 

[737]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL;  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter- 
Book,  I.  26. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  10 ;  also  the  commissary  regulations  under  June  10 
(p.  446).    Cf.  ibid.,  Aug.  II,  Sept.  4,  n,  Dec.  30. 

=»  Probably  the  sums  ordered  sent  by  resolves  of  Oct.  10,  16,  and  Nov.  13  (see 
also  the  Journals,  Nov.  19).    Cf.  ibid.,  Nov.  12. 

40 


552  Continental  Congress 

738.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams.^ 

York  the  15th  of  Novr.  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

....  We  have  at  length  finished  the  Confederation  and  shall  send  it 
to  the  different  States  in  a  few  days  with  strong  exortation  to  give  it 
quick  consideration  and  speedy  return.*  Taxation,  Finance,  and  recruit- 
ing the  Army  will  also  be  strongly  recommended.  Your  utmost  aid  will 
no  doubt  be  cordially  applied  to  the  expediting  these  important  points.' 


739.  Thomas  Burke,  Notes  on  the  Articles  of  Confederation.' 

[November  15,  1777.]^ 
Article  4th 

The  Constitution  of  No.  Carolina  permits  not  the  Privilege  of  Citizens 
to  any  who  have  not  resided  therein  12  months,  and  paid  Taxes,  (local 
protection  is  given  to  all  within  the  Territory)  the  Legislature  therefore 
cannot  ratify  an  artikle  which  gives  such  priviliges  to  persons  residing  in 
other  States.  Our  Commons  are  voted  for  by  all  free  Citizens,  and  if 
the  Inhabitants  of  our  Neighboring  States  have  the  priviliges  of  Citizens 
in  ours  they  might  insist  upon  the  right  of  voting  for  Members  of  Our 
Legislature  which  would  be  a  political  absurdity,  it  seems  therefore 
proper  that  this  article  should  be  Amended  by  adding  after  the  clause 
refer'd  to — tiot  inconsistant  zvith  their  respective  Constitutions:  The 
Provisionary  clause  of  this  article,  in  my  opinion,  deprives  the  States  of 
every  power  to  increase  or  regulate  their  particular  Commerce,  Agricul- 
ture or  Manufactures,  they  cannot  prevent  by  Duties  or  restrictions  im- 
portations, or  Exportations  Injurious  to  any  of  them,  this  surely  is  what 
no  staple  state  ought  to  admit,  and  that  of  all  ours,  who  has  so  many 
Staples. 

Article  5th 

This  article  supposes  that  the  appointment  of  delegates  is  at  the  will 
of  the  Legislature,  tis  an  Error  with  respect  to  No.  Carolina.  Those 
officers  are  the  creatures  of  the  Constitution,  are  to  be  annually  chozen 
by  ballot,  and  if  superceded  must  be  in  the  same  way.  no  choice  can  be 
made  for  less  than  one  year,  this  article  wants  alteration  if  all  the  states 
are  circumstanced  as  ours,    for  us  I  think  the  following  would  do  "  Dele- 

[738] ^N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed. 
Ballagh),  I.  348. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  15,  17.  Cf.  nos.  733,  735,  ante,  739,  740,  746,  747,  749, 
753.  754.  760,  765.  766,  post. 

3  Cf.  nos.  723,  736,  ante,  753,  754.  post. 
l739]^Oflfice  of  the  North  Carolina  Historical  Commission. 

2  Although  Burke  has  labeled  these  comments  "  Some  Notes  on  the  Articles  of 
Confederation  while  in  Congress  ",  they  were  probably  not  put  together  in  their  present 
form  until  after  his  return  to  North  Carolina  (see  no.  725,  ante).  Possibly  they  were 
laid  before  the  joint  committee  of  the  two  houses  of  the  assembly  appointed  Dec.  18  to 
report  upon  the  Confederation  (see  no.  740,  note  2,  post;  cf.  note  3,  below).  The  docu- 
ment is  placed  at  this  point  because  the  Articles  of  Confederation  as  completed  are 
recorded  in  the  Journals  under  Nov.  15. 


November,  1777  ^^^ 

gates  Constitutionally  appointed  and  Controlled  by  the  respective  States 
shall  annually  meet  in  Congress  on  the  first  Monday  in  November 
The  remaining  part  of  this  article  tho  unjust [  ?]  in  the  mode  of  determm- 
ing  Questions,  must  be  submitted  to  for  the  sake  of  public  convenience, 
but  if  the  latter  clause  exempts  the  Delegates  from  Prosecutions  in  their 
respective  states  for  their  misdemeanors  in  Congress,  it  takes  away  the 
control  of  the  States,  and  being  contrary  to  our  Constitution  cannot  be 
admitted. 

Article  6th 

The  first  clause  of  this  article  in  my  opinion  imposes  very  unnecessary 
restraints  upon  the  States,  the  various  affairs  of  a  free  commercial 
People  will  require  them  often  to  enter  into  Conferences  and  agreements 
with  foreign  states,  and  the  commercial  Interests  of  each  state  ought  to 
be  its  own  peculiar  care ;  and  subject  [to]  no  control  or  Interposition  from 
others  I  can  see  no  propriety  in  such  a  Restraint  as  each  State  ought,  m 
my  opinion,  to  be  at  least  at  liberty  to  enter  into  any  Commercial  Treaty 
it  may  think  proper  so  that  it  be  not  inconsistent  with  Treaties  entered 
into  by  the  United  States.  These  seem  to  me  to  be  of  Importance  to  the 
Staple  States,  there  can  be  no  reason  for  subjecting  them  to  restraints 
which  may  arise  from  the  Jealousy  or  ambition  of  others,  each  should 
be  at  liberty  to  increase  its  wealth  and  strength  as  much  as  possible,  tis 
sufficient  that  they  be  restrained  from  using  them  to  the  Injury  of  their 
Neighbors,  and  that  they  be  obliged  to  contribute  in  Just  proportion  to 
the  Common  defence.    The  latter  part  of  the  first  section  of  this  article 

is  right. 

The  second  Section  goes  too  far.  the  Word  Treaty  ought  to  be  left 
out.  the  States  will  often  have  occasion  to  Treat  on  subjects  which  con- 
cern none  but  those  engaged  in  it ;  and  there  can  be  no  reason  for  restrain- 
ing them  from  it,  if  the  United  States  have  [power  to?]  prevent  any 
alliance  or  Compact  injurious  to  the  whole  it  is  sufficient,  and  this  purpose 
will  be  answered  by  giving  them  a  negative  on  all  Compacts  between  two 
or  more  States. 

The  third  section  is  right. 

The  fourth  section  so  far  as  it  regards  the  Navy  appears  to  me  to  be 
impolitic,  it  speaks  a  Jealousy  which  I  fear  will  forever  prevent  the  United 
States  from  having  a  powerful  Navy,  tho'  nothing  is  more  Essential  to 
its  future  Security  against  foreign  Enemies,  the  Emulation  of  the  States 
in  this  particular  ought  to  be  encouraged  by  every  Means,  for  that  Emula- 
tion will  be  the  most  powerful  Instrument  for  giving  to  the  whole  a  for- 
midable Navy,  and  with  such  they  will  be  secure  against  the  World.  I 
see  no  reason  for  the  Jealousy,  the  fleet  of  one  state  cannot  endanger 
another  because  they  are  accessable  to  each  other  by  Land,  and  a  Sea 
Invasion  might  very  readily  be  counteracted  by  a  Land  Invasion,  the 
rest  of  this  Section  is  right. 

The  fifth  Section  is  right  in  everything  but  what  relates  to  Indian 
Wars,  and  it  will  be  difficult  to  frame  an  article  to  suit  in  this  particular. 
I  am  inclined  to  think  this  might  be  left  for  the  subject  of  partial  alliances, 


r)54  Continental  Congress 

for  all  the  States  are  not  Interested  in  it  and  yet  Several  States  have  one 
coinnidii  Interest  in  it,  and  there  are  still  S(M1ic  particular  Interests  in 
which  hut  one  or  few  states  arc  concerned. 

Article  7th 

I  have  no  objection  to  this  provided  the  provision  recommended  by 
Connecticut  takes  place/' 

Article  9th 

Tiiis  article  is  exceedingly  Comprehensive,  its  matter  is  of  the  greatest 
Importance,  but  its  arrangement  seems  to  me  much  too  Complicated.  My 
own  Idea  of  the  Power  wln'ch  Congress  ought  to  possess  is  founded  on  the 
following  proposition 

The  United  States  ought  to  be  as  one  Sovereign  with  respect  to  foreign 
Powers,  in  all  things  that  relate  to  War  or  where  the  States  have  one 
Common  Interest.  But  in  all  commercial  or  other  peaceful  Intercourse 
they  ought  to  be  as  separate  Sovereigns. 

The  first  is  Necessary,  because  no  one  can  be  defended  from  the  evils 
of  war  but  by  the  united  force  of  all,  and  to  make  this  force  the  more 
Effectual  their  union  for  its  Exertions  should  be  as  close  and  simple  as 
possible. 

The  Second  is  Necessary,  in  order  that  each  may  acquire  strength  to 
as  great  a  degree  as  its  circumstances  may  admit,  without  being  subject  to 
restraints  which  may  arise  from  the  Jealousy  of  its  neighbors,  and  as 
the  growth  of  each  is  its  own  proper  concern,  and  cannot  be  prejudicial 
to  the  whole,  but  on  the  contrary  advantageous  to  them  as  long  as  the 
force  acquired  is  still  subject  to  be  applied  for  the  common  security,  by 
one  common  ^Magistrate,  I  can  perceive  no  reason  for  a  power  in  any 
Common  Council  which  can  restrain  the  Commercial  or  other  peaceful 
intercourse  of  the  States,  among  themselves,  or  separately  with  foreign 
Powers,  and  it  can  answer  no  purpose  but  to  subject  the  Property  of  the 
States  to  partial  combinations  in  the  common  council. 

A  private  citizen  who  embarques  a  part  of  his  fortune  in  a  Copartner- 
ship would  be  deemed  very  unwise  should  he  suffer  the  members  of  that 
partnership  to  possess  a  power  that  might  restrain  him  from  [improving] 
the  remaining  part  of  his  Fortune  to  what  extent  he  pleased  consistent 
with  the  Common  Interest,  equally  unwise  in  my  opinion  is  it  for  a  State 
who  unites  with  others  for  common  defence  to  submit  to  a  power  which 
may  prevent  the  growth  of  her  Strength  and  Oppulence.  pursuant  to 
these  propositions  my  Ideas  of  the  powers  which  ought  to  be  in  Congress 
are  as  follow. 

In  General  they  should  have  the  Power  of  declaring  War,  and  peace. 
But  wherever  a  war  should  be  declared  before  actual  Invasion  or  com- 
mencement or  Threatening  of  some  actual  Hostilities,  any  State  ought 
to  be  at  Liberty  to  renounce  the  War  and  become  a  Neutral  power  but 
w'hen  Hostilities  are  actually  commenced  against  any  of  the  States,  it 
ought  to  be  deemed  common  cause,  and  none  should  withhold  assistance. 

3  The   Connecticut  proposition  respecting  article  VII.  does  not  appear  in  the 
Journals;  but  a  motion  affecting  article  IX.  is  found  ibid.,  IX.  927. 


November,  1777  '^«>'> 

Also  they  should  have  the  Power  of  Concluding  Treaties  of  Alliance 
equally  binding  and  affecting  the  whole  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening 
the  common  security,  this  should  be  restrained  like  the  former  to  defence, 
for  it  ought  always  to  be  in  the  Power  of  each  state  to  remain  Neuter  in 
all  offensive  wars  whether  the  United  States  be  principles  or  allies  in  it. 

These  Powers  necessarily  require  that  the  Congress  should  send  and 
receive  Embassadors,  but  not  that  this  Power  should  be  sole  and  exclu- 
sive. I  should  like  an  Amendment  to  this  purpose  "  shall  have  the  sole 
and  exclusive  Power  of  declaring  War  and  concluding  Peace,  and  of  send- 
ing, and  receiving  ambasadors  /;/  the  name  of  the  United  States  of  Enter- 
ing into  Treaties  and  Alliances  equally  binding  upon,  and  affecting  the 
whole,  here  the  Exceptions  to  those  general  rules  should  come  by  way  of 
provision.  The  remaining  powers  in  the  first  section  of  this  article  are 
Incident  to  the  power  of  declaring  War,  they  are  only  an  execution  of 
the  Law  of  Nations  quoad  hoc 

The  second  section  is  [b]adly  worded.  "  the  United  States  shall  be  the 
last  resort  on  appeal  in  all  disputes  between  the  States."  I  have  no  Idea 
of  an  appeal,  or  last  resort  unless  their  be  some  prior  Jurisdiction  aiid 
prior  resort,  and  I  know  of  no  such  thing  between  the  States,  but  my 
objection  to  this  section  is  more  substantial,  if  the  Congress  are  to  nomi- 
nate the  persons  who  Constitute  the  Judicatory  I  can  easily  foresee  it 
will  not  always  if  ever  be  impartial,  the  Congress  cannot  know  any 
persons  to  appoint,  but  such  as  are  Suggested  by  the  parties  and  that  State 
which  has  the  prevailing  Interest  in  Congress  will  thus  nominate  all  the 
Judges,  their  being  drawn  from  each  State  and  afterwards  drawn  by 
Lot  is  no  Security,  because  three  persons  in  each  State  are  easily  cor- 
rupted, if  this  article  were  amended  by  giving  the  Nomination  by  ballot 
to  the  States  not  Interested  it  would  answer  better  to  my  Idea  of  an  Im- 
partial arbiter  between  the  States,  and  the  Congress  should  have  this 
Power  only  as  the  Official  Instrument  for  erecting  the  occasional  Tri- 
bunal, and  for  carrying  its  decrees  into  Execution,  as  it  now  stands  they 
have  it  too  much  in  their  power  to  Influence  the  decisions  which  they 
themselves  are  to  execute  which  in  my  Opinion  is  dangerous  in  any 
political  Community. 

The  third  section  might  be  easily  fitted  to  the  Amendment  I  propose 

The  four[th]  section  includes  many  powers  which  I  cannot  perceive 
either  to  be  necessary  or  proper  for  Congress,  regulating  the  alloy  of 
coin  struck  by  authorit}^  of  any  of  the  States,  fixing  the  standard  of 
weights  and  measures,  regulating  the  Trade  and  affairs  with  Indians, 
and  all  that  Appertains  to  the  Naval  force  which  ought  never  in  my 
opinion  to  be  under  any  restraint  or  authority  of  Congress  except  in  time 
of  public  War.  the  first  is  dangerous,  because  it  gives  to  a  council  which 
is  composed  of  but  very  few  members  from  each  state  and  which  is  with- 
out control  an  unlimited  power  over  the  property  of  Individuals,  the 
power  to  increase  the  alloy  is  a  power  to  pay  off  any  Debt  with  less  than 
the  sum  contracted  for.  and  involves  an  extensive  power  over  property. 

In  the  fifth  Section  the  power  to  borrow  money  and  emit  Bills,  is  an 
unlimited  power  over  all  property,    it  is  a  power  to  Tax  at  pleasure,  and 


556  Continental  Congress 

ouj^ht  never  to  be  in  Conpfress  but  when  g-iven  by  the  States  upon  special 
Occasions,  it  is  Contrary  to  the  fundamental  Maxims  of  our  Constitu- 
tion, vizt  [No]  Man  is  to  be  subject  to  any  Imposition  but  by  [consent 
of]  his  representatives,  the  Congress  is  not  the  representative  of  any  one 
community,  the  members  are  delegates  from  the  Legislatures,  not  repre- 
sent [at]  ives  of  the  people,  and  the  Delegates  of  one  State  are  not  the 
choice  of  the  other  states  nor  has  any  state  a  check  on  the  Delegates  of 
another  state,  if  the  Legislature  can  delegate  their  power  to  tax  to  any 
person  they  may  Delegate  it  to  the  Executive  Magistrate,  and  may  make 
him  absolute,  by  giving  him  the  power  over  the  property  of  the  Com- 
munity if  they  cannot  delegate  to  him  they  cannot  delegate  to  any  other 
the  delegation  in  any  case  is  transferring  that  power  to  others  which  the 
Constitution  vests  solely  in  the  Legislative  Magistrate  and  is  as  uncon- 
stitutional as  if  the  Governor  or  Judges  were  to  substitute  other  persons 
to  exercise  their  respective  powers,  or  as  if  the  assembly  were  to  appoint 
substitutes  to  Enact  Laws  or  impower  the  Delegates  in  Congress  to  enact 
Law 

[Endorsed :] 
Some  Notes  on  the  Articles  of  Confederation  while  in  Congress.* 

740.  Thomas  Burke,  Remarks  concerning  the  Confederation.* 

[November  15,  1777.]^ 

I  consider  the  Congress  at  present  as  a  General  Council  of  America 
instituted  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  usurpations  of  Britain,  conduct- 

*Mr.  Waldo  G.  Leland,  of  the  Department  of  Historical  Research,  who  found 
this  document  in  the  archives  of  North  Carolina  in  1905,  gives  the  following  description 
of  it:  "A  document  of  five  large  pages,  undated  and  unsigned,  but  entirely  in  Burke's 
writing  and  endorsed  in  his  hand,  '  Some  Notes  on  the  Articles  of  Confederation  while 
in  Congress '.  The  notes  were  apparently  not  written  at  one  time,  as  a  few  passages  are 
in  a  finer  hand,  as  though  written  with  a  smaller  pen.  The  figure  '(4)'  is  endorsed  on 
the  back,  in  a  blacker  ink  than  that  used  in  the  body  of  the  document,  as  though  one 
of  several  relating  to  affairs  in  Congress.  The  color  of  the  '(4)'  corresponds  to  the 
color  of  the  ink  in  the  rough  drafts  of  Burke's  replies  to  the  thanks  of  the  House  and 
Senate,  Oct.  25,  1779.  It  is  therefore  conjectured  that  he  had  the  papers  with  him  for 
reference  when,  by  request,  he  attended  the  assembly  on  that  day."  See  A''.  C.  State 
Pecs.,  XHI.  833,  854,  922,  937,  945.  Some  comments  of  Burke  upon  the  Confederation, 
addressed  to  the  assembly  and  bearing  the  date  Oct.  31,  1779.  are  ibid.,  XIV.  349-351 ; 
also  in  vol.  III.  of  these  Letters. 
[7^0]^  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  701. 

2  This  document  is  without  date,  but  is  found  in  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  among  docu- 
ments of  the  end  of  December,  1777,  taken  "  from  the  Executive  Letter  Book ".  If 
these  remarks  were  actually  submitted  to  the  assembly,  as  the  statement  at  the  close 
would  seem  to  indicate,  the  assembly  journals  do  not  record  the  fact.  It  is  evident, 
however,  that  they  were  written  before  Burke  had  learned  >Jiat  the  Articles  of  Confeder- 
ation had  been  completed  and  adopted  by  Congress.  That  instrument  was  transmitted  to 
the  assembly  by  Governor  Caswell  Dec.  16  (A'^.  C.  State  Recs.,  XII.  393)  ;  therefore  the 
remarks  were  evidently  drawn  up  before  that  date,  probably  shortly  after  the  meeting 
of  the  assembly,  Nov.  15.  Committees  of  the  two  houses  were  appointed  on  the  Con- 
federation Dec.  18,  and  on  the  next  day  a  report  was  brought  in  proposing  the  adoption  of 
certain  articles  and  the  further  consideration  of  others.  This  recommendation  was 
adopted  Dec  24,  (See  ibid.,  XII.  221,  229,  263,  400,  449.)  At  the  next  session  of  the 
assembly  (April,  1778)  the  state's  delegates  in  Congress  were  empowered  to  ratify  the 
Confederation  as  it  stood  (ibid.,  XII.  599,  608,  695,  708,  717;  see  also  ibid.,  XIII.  102,  in, 
452).    Cf.  no  739,  ante. 


November,  177J  557 

ing  the  war  against  her,  and  forming  foreign  alliances  as  necessary 
thereto.  Incident  to  this  must  be  the  General  direction  of  the  Army  and 
Navy,  because  they  are  the  instruments  of  the  war. 

Also  for  the  providing  the  necessary  funds  for  the  disbursements, 
because  without  them  neither  Army  or  Navy  can  subsist. 

Also  the  making  Treaties  with  Foreign  Powers,  to  be  binding  on  all 
the  States  alike  and  equally  to  affect  them,  because  this  is  the  essence  of 
foreign  alliance. 

This  Idea  of  the  Powers,  use  and  authority  of  Congress,  excludes  all 
coercive  Interpositions  within  the  States  respectively,  except  with  respect 
to  the  Army  and  Navy  because  the  States  are  competent  to  every  exertion 
of  power  within  themselves.  Also  the  appointment  of  ways  and  means 
for  supplying  the  Contingents  of  men,  money  or  other  things  otherwise 
than  by  recommendation  which  always  implies  a  power  in  the  State  to 
reject. 

Also  the  power  of  imprisoning  or  otherwise  punishing  any  Citizen, 
because  that  is  not  necessary  for  the  end  of  their  Institution,  and  every 
individual  is  to  be  tried  and  punished  only  by  those  Laws  to  which  he 
consents.  The  Congress  for  this  reason  can  give  no  authority  to  any  man 
or  set  of  men  to  arrest  or  punish  a  Citizen,  nor  can  it  Lawfully  be  done 
but  by  the  authority  of  the  particular  States. 

Also  all  pretence  for  continuance  of  a  Congress  after  the  war  is  con- 
cluded, or  of  assuming  a  power  to  any  other  purposes — than  that  are 
above  expressed.  The  Congress  now  determines  by  a  majority  which 
need  not  be  more  than  five,  and  of  which  seven  is  always  conclusive  if 
the  last  mentioned  exclusion  be  not  right,  the  Congress  might  engage  the 
States  in  confederacies,  injurious  to  all  but  the  continued  majority  'Tis 
my  opinion  that  every  State  has  a  right  to  control  the  Cantonment  of 
Soldiers  within  their  Territories,  but  as  all  the  Governments,  are  not  yet 
settled,  it  might  be  inconvenient  to  say  any  thing  of  it,  and  it  is  not  neces- 
sary. Whenever  a  State  finds  occasion  to  exercise  this  right,  I  think  none 
will  be  hardy  enough  to  dispute  it.  But  I  believe  it  will  be  necessary  for 
every  established  State  to  provide  a  mode  whereby  the  Civil  authority 
can  interpose  to  prevent  Courts  Martial  from  exceeding  their  Jurisdiction. 

'Tis  true  a  Soldier  expressly  consents  to  be  bound  by  the  articles  of 
war,  and  to  submit  to  the  martial  Jurisdiction,  but  in  all  trials,  the  first 
question  is  the  Identity  which  must  raise  in  this  case  the  enquiry  Soldier 
or  Citizen?  If  the  Court  Martial  can  determine  this  question,  it  is  in 
their  power  to  call  any  Citizen  a  Soldier,  and  to  subject  him  to  Military 
Law.  This  evidently  points  out  the  necessity  of  the  check  of  the  civil 
authority.  This  Confederation  is  a  subject  of  the  highest  importance, 
but  not  having  yet  passed  the  House,  except  when  in  Committee,  it  seems 
it  must  not  be  laid  before  the  Assemblies.  I  shall  deem  it  my  duty  to 
examine  every  article  of  it  with  the  most  critical  scrutiny,  and  submit  my 
thoughts  to  the  Assembly,  and  receive  their  Instructions.  But  I  am  told 
by  the  President  that  it  will  violate  my  obligation  of  Secrecy  to  do  this 
before  it  has  passed  the  House. 

If  the  Assembly  agree  with  me  in  the  foregoing  Ideas,  of  the  Power, 
use  and  authority  of  Congress,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  that  they 


558  Coutincntol  Cow^rcss 

instruct  their  Deletjates  not  to  depart  from  them,  nor  to  consent  to  any 
act  or  resolve  winch  shall  tend  to  exempt  the  Courts  Martial  from  the 
control  of  the  civil  power  in  the  States. 

I  am  not  desirous  of  these  Instructions  in  order  to  restrain  the  Dele- 
gates. I  hclieve  none  of  them  even  without  Instructions  would  vote  con- 
trary to  those  Ideas,  but  as  all  questions  are  carried  by  a  Majority  in  Con- 
gress, the  state  may  i)erhaps  be  bound,  tho'  her  Delegates  should  dissent, 
especially  where  the  Instructions  are  so  general  and  Powers  so  indefinite 
as  ours.  I  wish  the  state  therefore  to  instruct,  and  by  some  public  act  to 
disclaim  being  bound  by  any  resolves  contrary  to  her  Instructions.  With- 
out some  thing  of  this  kind,  according  to  the  present  Constitution  of  Con- 
gress it  may  be  impossible  for  the  Delegates  to  preserve  the  Independence 
of  the  State  from  Encroachments,  for  bv  that  constitution  tliev  are  not 
allowed  to  protest  or  enter  their  Dissent. 

These  thoughts  are  humbly  submitted  to  the  Honorable  the  General 
Assembly  of  North  Carolina  by  their  most  respectful  Inimble  Serv't 

Tnos.  Burke. 

741.  Hexry  L.\urens  to  Johx  Lewis  Gervais.^ 

York  i8th.  Novemb.  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

I  have  of  late  been  obliged,  I  may  truly  say  obliged,  to  give  so  many 
recommendatory  Letters  to  poor  disappointed  french  Officers  who  will 
call  upon  you,  I  fear  being  very  troublesome 

Congress  have  made  free  with  the  funds  in  their  power,  from  motives 
of  humanity  and  policy,  by  giving  such  sums  to  these  disappointed  specu- 
latists  who  had  been  induced  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  from  hearing  there 
was  "  a  Hue  ivar  "  on  this  side,  as  they  would  refuse  to  any  equal  number 
of  our  home  borne  friends,  w^ho  had  even  borne  the  burthen  of  our 
Struggle.'.  .  .  . 

742.  Jonathan  Elmer  to  William  Maxwell.* 

York  Town  i8th.  Novr.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Your  Letter  to  Dr.  Witherspoon  came  to  my  hands  after  he  left  Con- 
gress. As  I  was  informed  of  the  Contents  of  it  I  opened  it  and  laid  Col : 
Dayton's  case  before  Congress.  Though  they  seem  fully  sensible  of  the 
merit  and  services  of  Col:  Dayton  yet  the  many  application [s]  of  a 
similar  nature  from  Officers  of  the  Army  made  them  hesitate  about  allow- 
ing him  a  Horse.  The  affair  how^ever  was  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 
Should  I  not  leave  Congress  soon  I  will  use  my  influence  to  obtain  the 
Consent  of  that  Board  to  the  measure.' .... 

[741]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  196. 

-  Cf.  no.  734.  ante,  no.  770,  post. 
[742]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  767. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  7.    No  record  of  a  report  on  the  matter  appears  in  the 
Journals.     Cf.  no.  397,  note  3,  ante. 


November,  1777  S59 

743.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

York  Town  19th.  Novr  1777 

Dear  General, 

....  I  thought  it  adviseable  to  obtain  the  enclosd  Resokition  to 
enable  you  If  you  shoud  think  fit  to  repair  your  misfortunes  at  Saragh- 
toga ;  and  to  prevent  a  long  and  disagreeable  Attendance  at  Head  Quar- 
ters where  you  cou'd  not  live  but  in  manner  the  most  uncomfortable  and 

expensive." 

22d.  Novr  ^ 

[P.  S.]  ....  A  Board  of  War  is  institu[t]ed  *  of  Commisrs.  not  of 
the  House.  Mifflin,  the  Adjutant  General,^  and  Secretary  Harrison,  are 
in  nomination.  The  first  has  accepted  and  is  now  here.  He  insists  that 
it  is  essential  you  shoud  be  at  its  head,  and  that  Gates  also  shoud  be  a 
Member.  When  I  see  you  I  shall  open  my  Mind  on  this  Subject.  Noth- 
ing is  more  essential  than  the  proper  Establishment  of  this  Board.® .... 

744.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

George  Washington.^ 

YORK  19th.  Novemr.  1777. 
Sir 

....  A  person  from  Philadelphia  well  known  by  the  name  of  John 
Brown  was  Reported  to  Congress  yesterday  by  Mr.  Morris  as  having  come 
to  him  with  a  Message  from  Genl.  Sir  Wm.  Howe  through  the  medium 
of  Mr.  Willing  to  Congress,  importing  generally  that  Sir  William  and 
Lord  Howe  were  desirous  of  treating  for  terms  of  Peace  with  Congress 
that  every  thing  that  ever  had  been  expected  by  America  (Independency 
as  he  understood  excepted)  would  be  granted  and  Congress  money 
ratified."  .... 

P.  S=  Congress  in  this  morning  session  Resolved  to  make  a  strait 
inquiry  into  the  treatment  of  American  soldiers  and  other  Inhabitants  of 
America  now  or  late  prisoners  in  Philadelphia,    a  Copy  of  the  Resolution 

[743]  1  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Schuj-ler  Papers,  no.  548. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  14;  also  no.  734,  ante,  no.  756,  post. 

3  A  copy  of  this  postscript,  in  the  form  of  a  separate  letter,  is  in  the  Sparks 
MSS.,  no.  60,  f.  154. 

4  Duane  first  wrote  "  constituted  ". 

5  Col.  Timothy  Pickering. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  16,  17,  Nov.  7,  17,  19,  21,  22,  24,  27.  Cf.  nos.  700,  720, 
ante.  nos.  TST-'jdi,  post.  See  also  J.  B.  Smith  to  Joseph  Reed,  Feb.  25,  1778,  in  the  next 
volume  of  these  Letters. 

[744]!  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter-Book,  L  33;  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens 
Letters,  1776-1779,  no.  20. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  18,  and  no.  746,  post;  also  Washington's  letter  of 
Nov.  23,  read  in  Congress  Nov.  27,  and  Robert  Alorris  to  President  Wharton,  Nov.  30, 
in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VL  45 ;  cf.  ibid.,  V.  25,  30,  36.  See  also  Minutes  of  the  Supreme 
Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  XL  344-346.  347,  394,  406,  407,  453,  459.  Among  the 
Laurens  Papers  in  the  South  Carolina  Historical  Society  (vol.  XXL)  is  a  copy  of  the 
examination  of  John  Brown  in  the  council  of  safety  at  Lancaster,  to  which  Laurens 
has  appended  a  note  commenting  on  this  "  mysterious  affair ",  and  rather  clearly  inti- 
mating questionable  connection  with  it  on  the  part  of  Robert  Morris.  Cf.  Charles 
Thomson  to  Robert  Morris,  Jan.  i,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 


560  Continental  Congress 

will  be  added  to  those  above  mentioned.  I  have  been  instructed  by  Con- 
j^ress  to  add  a  request  to  your  Excellency  to  demand  access  by  a  proper 
Officer  to  such  prisoners  as  remain  alive  in  order  an  effectual  enquiry 
may  be  made  and  a  satisfactory  answer  as  to  facts  returned.  Congress 
are' of  opinion  that  the  demand  may  be  justly  founded  on  the  precedent 
of  Agents  from  the  Enemy  appointed  on  their  part  and  permitted  by 
Congress  to  visit  Hessian  prisoners  on  this  side.° 

745.  John  Penn  to  William  Woodford.^ 

York  Novr.  19th.  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Inclosed  I  send  you  a  letter  from  Colo.  Pendleton.  I  have  waited  a 
few  days  in  hopes  to  be  able  to  mention  something  to  you  about  your 
Rank.  Mr.  Jones  has  been  unwell  for  some  days  he  has  determined  as 
soon  as  he  can,  either  to  make  or  second  a  motion  that  Justice  should  be 
done. 

The  Congress  have  settled  the  precident,  in  recalling  all  the  Commis- 
sions from  the  Continental  officers  of  Pennsylva.  in  order  to  grant  new 
ones,  that  the  proper  rank  of  each  officer  may  be  preserved,  several  extra- 
ordinary promotions  having  taken  place  to  the  prejudice  of  some  officers.^ 

I  am  under  no  doubt  but  we  shall  do  what  is  right  with  regard  to  you 
and  Genl.  Scott,  tho'  I  can't  help  being  vexed  that  it  has  been  delayed  so 
long.  I  have  had  some  words '  with  ....  \_sic]  (you  can  guess)  he 
will  be  agt.  you  (I  suspect)  tho'  not  your  State,  we  have  rubbed  very  hard 
and  in  publick — more  than  once.  I  suspect  the  affair  will  be  done  this 
week,  as  soon  as  it  is  I  will  write  you.*  You  know  my  opinion  of  your 
ability  and  Integrity,  also  of  General  Scot,  I  shall  therefore  use  every 
thing  in  my  power  to  have  Justice  done  and  as  soon  as  possible  not  from 
Friendship  but  duty 

746.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).^ 

York  Town,  Novr  19th,  1777. 
Sir, 

I  am  honored  with  your  several  favors  of  the  15th,  i6th  and  17th 
Instant  to  which  I  will  reply  at  length  if  time  and  the  extream  coldness 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  19,  Dec.  6,  8,  16,  17,  19. 
[745]!  John  Carter  Brown  Library. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  12. 

'  Penn  first  wrote  "  warm  words  "  then  erased  the  word  "  warm  ".  The  unnamed 
delegate  from  Virginia  with  whom  Penn  had  the  warm  words  (if  they  were  warm) 
was  probably  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee.  The  Lees  appear  to  have  been  friends  of  General 
Weedon. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  29.  Col.  William  Woodford  of  Virginia  was  one  of 
eleven  colonels  made  brigadier-generals,  Feb.  21,  1777,  and  was  ranked  eleventh  in  the 
list.  Col.  Charles  Scott,  also  of  Virginia,  was  made  brigadier-general  Apr.  i,  1777.  The 
question  of  rank  involved  also  two  other  brigadier-generals  of  Virginia,  Peter  Muhlen- 
berg and  George  Weedon.  The  relative  rank  of  these  four  was  determined  Mar.  19. 
1778.  A  further  controversy  however  arose  as  between  Woodford  and  Weedon.  This 
was  settled  Aug.  18,  1778.  See  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  General  Weedon,  Mar.  31,  1778, 
in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 
[746]!  Po.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VL  18. 


November,  1777  561 

of  the  weather  will  permit,  but  I  no  sooner  express  my  desire  than  I  find 
myself  limited  to  a  few  minutes.^  The  regulation  of  the  prices  of  neces- 
saries for  the  army  and  the  Quota's  for  each  State,  until  better  ascertained 
I  expect  will  be  both  reported  this  day  by  Committee's.^  I  acknowledge 
Shelly's  affidavit  come  to  hand  which  I  doubt  not  will  satisfy  every 
Inquirer.  As  soon  as  Confideration  is  returned  from  Lancaster  compared 
and  signed,  it  will  be  instantly  forwarded  to  the  respective  States,  with 
a  Letter  already  prepared,  warmly  urging  the  passage  of  it,  and  that 
Delegates  be  returned  to  Congress  to  confirm  a  Confideration  by  the 
loth  March,  therefore  I  hope  our  State  will  have  a  Legislative  Body 
together  to  consider  this  important  work,  if  not  assembled  in  any  State 
it  is  the  earnest  request  of  the  above  hinted  address  that  the  Executive 
should  immediately  call  them  together.*  The  alarming  account  of  the 
Depredations  on  our  western  Frontier  was  without  delay  laid  before 
Congress,  and  a  report  brought  in  on  too  large  a  scale  for  the  occasion 
as  your  letter  as  well  as  the  conjecture  of  some  Members  made  highly 
probable.^  General  Hand  as  you  know,  was  sent  westward  authorised 
by  this  State  to  call  the  Militia  together  for  the  very  purpose  now  solicited 
by  the  back  Inhabitants,®  but  they,  it  seems  were  not  in  a  humour  to  turn 
out,  for  this,  that  and  a  thousand  Reasons  which  probably  could  not  be 
obviated  without  violating  the  Militia  Law  and  Discarding  many  Officers 
the  Genl  perhaps  not  excepted.  An  inquiry  is  on  foot  respecting  the 
principles  and  conduct  of  Col.  Morgan ;  but  as  far  as  it  has  gone  we  find 
the  Genl  involved  in  the  same  predicament,  and  that  it  is  no  other  than 
the  unreasonable  Clamour  of  some  discontented  Spirits,  however  I  am 
resolved  to  go  to  the  bottom  if  it  has  any.  But  I  am  very  apprehensive 
the  Duty  self  interest  reigns  predominent  in  the  Western  as  well  as  every 
other  quarter  of  our  Land,  and  that  a  desire  to  enrich  themselves  has  too 
much  influence,  and  that  from  this  principle  many  lean  minds  would  stir 
up  a  dust  arnong  the  Savages  even  at  this  unseasonable  time.  Your  appli- 
cation I  believe  v/ill  end  among  other  measures  in  the  appointment  of 
Commissioners  out  of  Congress  to  make  a  full  inquiry  into  their  discon- 
tents and  particularly  into  a  hellish  design  of  Conspiracy  therefore  I  beg 
the  State  would  immediately  furnish  me  with  the  names  of  two  Gentlemen 
capable  of  such  a  negotiation  at  Pittsburgh,  that  I  may  be  ready  for  a 

2  These  letters  have  not  been  found. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  22  (report  of  committee  on  the  letter  of  Stephen  Hopkins 
and  the  proceedings  of  the  committees  of  the  Eastern  states)  ;  also  no.  7^6,  note  2,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  17.  "  Confideration  yi'iW  be  sent  off  for  Lancaster  to  be 
printed."  Roberdeau  to  George  Bryan,  vice-president  of  Pennsylvania,  Nov.  16  {Pa. 
Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  10).  The  Confederation  was  received  from  the  press  Nov.  28. 
See  the  Journals  (ed.  Ford),  p.  928,  note  2.  Cf.  nos.  72,2>,  735,  738-740,  ante,  nos.  747, 
749,  753,  754,  760.  765,  766,  post. 

5  The  matter  came  before  Congress  Nov.  15,  through  a  letter  from  George  Bryan, 
vice-president  of  Pennsylvania,  to  the  delegates  from  that  state,  dated  Nov.  14  {Pa.  Arch., 
first  ser.,  VI.  3).  Roberdeau's  acknowledgment  of  the  letter,  dated  Nov.  16,  is  ibid.,  VI. 
10.  Letters  from  Brigadier-General  Hand  and  others  at  Fort  Pitt  were  received  Nov.  18, 
and  referred  (Nov.  19)  to  the  same  committee  as  the  letter  from  Bryan.  A  report 
was  brought  in  Nov.  19  and  agreed  to  Nov.  20.  One  of  the  Hamilton  proclamations 
therein  referred  to  is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  V.  402.    See  note  7,  below. 

«  See  the  Journals,  Apr.  9-1 1 ;  also  no.  436,  note  3,  ante. 


562  Continental  Congress 

notnination  in  case  it  should  be  necessary,  for  of  myself  I  cannot  fix  on  a 
suitable  person/  .... 

P.  S 1  have  not  time  to  speak  to  Brown,  he  is  referred  to  you, 

pray  take  care  of  this  friend  to  American  Independence,  and  do  [not] 
let  us  be  imposed  on  by  such  a  miserable  Toll,'* .... 


747.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Thomas  Burke,' 

York,  Pennsylvania  Nov.  20th  1777, 

,  .  .  .  Your  favorite  Confederation  is  at  last  finished.^  It  only  waits 
to  be  printed  and  sent  on  by  the  President  to  the  Legislatures  of  the 
several  States  for  their  approbation,  with  a  pressing  letter  from  Congress 
on  that  subject,  which  you  wmII  soon  see.  Our  finances  are  in  such  a 
situation,  that  unless  the  States  agree  immediately,  to  tax  as  high  as  the 
people  can  possibly  bear,  the  credit  of  our  money  must  be  ruined.  An- 
other very  large  emission  must  take  place,  there  is  no  preventing  it.  The 
Treasury  Boards  see  the  fatal  consequence  of  this  measure,  but  they  also 
perceive  that  when  we  have  no  money,  we  shall  have  no  Army.  The 
Loan  Offices  are  already  drained  to  their  utmost  farthing.  The  prospect 
before  us  is  truly  distressing,  we  must  however  continue  further  emis- 
sions.   I  tremble  at  the  consequences.^ .... 

P.  S.  For  God's  sake  endeavour  to  get  some  Gentlemen  appointed  in 
my  stead.    I  can  not  .=tay  here  any  longer  with  any  pleasure.* 

"  Commissioners  to  go  to  Fort  Pitt  were  appointed  Nov.  20.  They  were  Samuel 
Washington,  Gabriel  Jones,  and  Joseph  Reed.  Reed  declined  and  George  Clymer  was 
chosen  in  his  stead  (see  the  Journals,  Dec.  4,  10,  11).  Samuel  Washington  also  declined 
and  John  Walker  was  then  elected  (see  the  Journals,  Jan.  i,  1778).  On  Jan.  10,  since 
neither  Jones  nor  Walker  had  indicated  acceptance  of  the  appointment,  Congress  con- 
ferred upon  Governor  Henry  of  Virginia  the  power  to  appoint  others  in  their  room 
in  case  they  declined.  February  23  Congress  received  notice  from  Governor  Henry  that 
he  had  appointed  Sampson  Matthews  and  Samuel  McDowell.  For  further  proceedings 
relative  to  Fort  Pitt,  see  the  Journals,  passim  (index,  Pitt,  Fort;  Hand,  Edward; 
Morgan,  George;  Mcintosh.  Lachlan).  See  also  nos.  705-707.  7^7,  O"^^.  nos.  751,  766, 
769,  post,  and  Laurens  to  Clymer,  Mar.  27,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

8  See  no.  744,  ante. 
[747V  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  681. 

2  In  using  the  word  "  favorite  "  Harnett  is  speaking  ironically.  See,  for  instance, 
Burke's  comments  on  the  Confederation,  nos.  739,  740,  ante.    Cf.  nos.  725.  733,  ante. 

3  Cf.  nos.  723,  733,  736,  738,  ante,  nos.  749,  753,  754-  760,  764-766,  post.  In  a 
letter  to  William  Wilkinson  on  the  same  date,  Harnett  wrote:  "I  never  m  my  hfe 
went  through  so  much  fatigue,  being  obliged  to  sit  all  day  in  Congress  and  often  very 
often  in  the  Treasury  board  till  11  at  night."    N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  «o«. 

*  Harnett  wrote  to  Wilkinson,  Dec.  28 :  "  Believe  me  it  is  the  most  inhospitable 
scandalous  place  I  ever  was  in.  If  I  once  more  can  return  to  my  family  all  the  Devils  m 
Hell  shall  not  separate  us.  The  honor  of  being  once  a  member  of  Congress  is  sufficient 
for  me,  I  acknowledge  it  is  the  highest  honor  a  free  state  can  bestow  on  one  of  its 
members.  I  shall  be  careful  to  ask  for  nothing  more,  but  will  sit  down  under  my  own 
vine  and  my  own  Fig  tree  (for  I  have  them  both)  at  Poplar  Grove  where  none  shall  make 
me  afraid  except  the  boats  of  the  British  cruisers."    N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  825. 


November,  lyyy  563 

748.   Richard  Henry  Lee  to  George  Washington/ 

York  20th  November  1777 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  no  doubt  of  being  excused  by  you  for  not  sooner  answering 
your  favor  of  the  24th.  last,"  when  you  are  informed  that  my  ill  state  of 
health  has  prevented  me  from  attending  as  I  ought,  to  the  important 
matter  it  contains.  I  gave  Mr.  Jones  the  letter,  that  he  might  inform  Con- 
gress of  such  parts  as  it  imported  the  public  they  should  be  acquainted 
with.  As  it  appeared  by  the  letters  of  Gen.  Mifflin  that  he  objected  only 
to  serve  in  the  Quartermasters  department,  that  his  health  was  returning, 
and  that  he  was  willing  to  continue  his  aid  to  the  public  cause,  Congress 
appointed  him  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  new  Board,  because  he  is 
competent  to  the  right  discharge  of  its  duties,  because  that  would  best 
suit  his  valetudinary  state,  and  as  shewing  a  just  sense  of  his  uniform, 
vigorous,  and  well-founded  patriotism.  I  have  strong  hopes,  that  by  the 
skill  and  industrv  of  this  new  Board,  and  from  the  right  execution  of 
business  in  that  important  department,  you  will  in  future  find  great  relief.' 

Gen.  Conway  has  not  lately  been  mentioned  in  Congress,  nor  has  there 
been  much  talk  of  an  Adjutant  General,  since  it  is  not  certainly  known 
whether  Colo.  Pickering  will  accept  his  new  appointment.  Mr.  Flem- 
mings  character  stands  very  fair,  and  so  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge,  would 
answer  well  in  this  commission.*  You  will  see  in  the  inclosed  what  Mr. 
Sergeant  says  of  him.  General  Mifflin  has  proposed  a  plan  for  the 
Quartermaster's  department  that  appears  judicious,  and  well  fitted  to 
answer  the  purpose  of  good  service  and  ©economy  at  the  same  time.  He 
would  divide  this  department  into  its  military  and  civil  branches,  the 
former  to  be  filled  by  a  person  well  qualified  to  discharge  its  duties,  and 
the  latter,  again  to  be  divided  into  Commissaries  of  Teams,  of  Forage, 
of  Tents  etc.  to  be  governed  in  their  purchases  by  estimates  from  the 
Quarter  Master  general  who  is  to  touch  no  money  but  a  moderate  tho 
sufficient  salary.^ .... 

It  was  most  evident  to  discerning  men  that  the  change  in  the  Commis- 
sariat, at  the  time  it  was  adopted  would  produce  most  mischievous  conse- 
quences, yet  such  was  the  rage  of  reformation,  that  no  endeavors  to  pre- 
vent the  evil  could  avail,  and  now  I  feel  the  most  anxious  solicitude  for 
fear  the  consequences  may  disperse  our  army  even  in  face  of  the  enemy." 

[748]!  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XX.  6;  Univ.  Va.  Lib..  Lee 
Papers  (draft)  ;  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  IL  44;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry 
Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  L  349. 

-  Evidently  the  letter  dated  Oct.  28,  in  the  Century  Magazine,  LXXXL  663. 

3  See  nos.  700,  720,  743,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  Nov.  19 ;  see  also  nos.  7liT-l(i\,  post. 

*  Probably  William  Fleming  is  meant.  He  was  a  delegate  in  Congress  from 
Virginia  in  1779. 

^  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  19,  24.  A  plan  by  MiflHin  is  in  the  Journals,  under  May 
14;  cf.  ibid.,  Apr.  16,  23. 

®  Cf.  nos.  664,  726,  ante,  nos.  757.  759,  790.  post. 


564  Continctttal  Congress 

A  Committee  is  appointed  to  confer  witli  the  Commissary  general  and  to 
try  what  can  be  done  to  avert  the  evil/  .... 

My  ill  state  of  health  will  compel  me  to  return  home  in  a  few  days, 
where  I  shall  continue  ardently  to  pray  for  your  health  and  success.' 

I  am  dear  Sir  affectionately  yours 

RicPiARD  Henry  Lee 


749.  Nathaniel  Folsom  to  the  President  of  New  Hampshire 

(Meshech  Weare).^ 

York  town,  November  21st,  1777. 

Dear  Sir: 

Inclosed  I  send  you  a  Copy  of  the  Confederation,  the  Eighth  article  of 
which  respects  Taxation,  and  has  given  me  great  uneasiness,  as  I  cannot 
see  any  Justice  in  the  Rule  therein  laid  down,  for  proportioning  the 
several  States  with  the  charges  of  the  present  war.     In  the  first  place,  it 
appears  to  me  that  one  third  part  of  the  wealth  of  the  Southern  States 
which  consists  in  Negroes,  is  entirely  left  out,  and  no  notice  taken  of  them 
in  determining  their  ability  to  pay  taxes,  notwithstanding  it  is  by  them 
that  they  procure  their  wealth ;  neither  are  we  to  have  any  advantage  of 
them  in  proportioning  the  number  of  men  to  be  drawn  from  the  several 
States  to  carry  on  the  war,  that  being  fixed  on  the  number  of  white  inhab- 
itants in  each  State,  so  that  by  their  negroes  being  left  at  home,  they  can 
till  their  lands  and  get  bread  and  riches,  while  some  other  States  may  be 
greatly  distressed.     In  the  next  place,  the  wealth  that  is  in  some  States 
more  than  there  is  in  others,  by  no  means  fixes  a  proportionable  Value  on 
the  Lands  in  such  States, — which,  if  this  be  true,  seems  to  prove  that  the 
plan  laid  down  by  Congress  is  not  just :   These  are  my  own  thoughts  on 
this  head ;  but  refer  you  to  your  own  better  judgment  on  them.^    It  seems 
to  be  the  sense  of  Congress,  that  if  any  of  the  Articles  of  Confederation, 
should  be  thought  hard  of  or  unequal  to  any  of  the  States,  that  they  will 
make  a  representation  of  the  same  to  Congress,  with  the  reasons  of  their 
disapprobation  to  such  articles,  in  order  if  possible  to  give  satisfaction  and 
ease  to  each  and  every  of  the  States.     The  time  fixed  on  for  the  several 
Legislatures,  to  determine  on  these  great  Points,  is  by  some  members 
thought  too  short ;  but  I  make  no  doubt  but  they  will  take  as  much  time 
to  deliberate  thereon  as  may  be  thought  just  and  necessary.^ .... 

^  This  must  refer  to  the  committee  appointed  Nov.  22  on  the  letter  of  Nov.  21 
from  William  Buchanan,  commissary-general  of  purchases,  which  reported  Nov.  24. 
There  is  further  evidence  in  an  omitted  paragraph  that  the  latter  part  of  this  letter  was 
written  as  late  as  Nov.  22.  A  committee  of  five  was  appointed  Nov.  24,  to  devise  ways 
and  means  for  supplying  the  army  with  provisions. 

8  In  a  letter  to  Samuel  Purviance,  jr.,  Nov.  17,  Lee  says  that  he  will  be  passing 
through  Baltimore  on  his  way  to  Virginia  in  eight  or  ten  days  (copy,  from  the  original, 
in  possession  of  the  Carnegie  Institution).  It  would  appear,  however,  that  he  did  not 
leave  Congress  until  Dec.  6.    See  no.  768,  post. 

[j^g]^ N.  H.  State  Papers,  Vlll.  755.  ^       ^       .. 

2  Cj.  nos.  712,  722.  7^Z,  738-740,  746-748,  ante,  nos.  753,  754,  700,  765,  700,  post 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  17. 


November,  7777  5G5 

749A.  The  Commercial  Committee  to  Edward  Hand.* 

York  in  Pennsylvania  Novr.  21st  1777 
Sir, 

You  will  receive  this  from  the  hands  of  Mr.  James  Willing  who  is 
charged  with  some  P[ublic?]  dispatches  for  New  Orleans,  and  we  are 
directed  by  the  Honorable  Congress  of  which  we  are  members  to  require 
from  you  one  of  the  Continental  Boats  properly  manned,  armed  and 
provisioned  to  carry  him  from  Fort  Pitt  to  New  Orleans  and  hereby 
request  you  will  immediately  comply  with  this  order.  The  number  of 
men,  arms  and  quantity  of  Provisions  is  submitted  to  your  discreation,  but 
it  is  of  great  Importance  that  Mr.  Willing  get  speedily  down,  and  that 
he  has  truely  faithful  People  with  him,  therefore  we  flatter  ourselves  no 
Time  will  be  lost  in  doing  what  may  be  needful  and  are 

Sir 

Your  obedt.  hble  Servts 

RoBT  Morris 


W.  Smith 


The  Honorable  Gen  Hand  or  in  his  absence 
to  the  Continental  Officer  commanding  at  Fort  Pitt 


[749a]^  Library  of  Congress,  Continental  Congress,  Miscellaneous,  Accession  2614. 

2  This  letter  comes  to  light  just  as  this  material  is  going  into  page-proof.  On 
the  same  day  the  committee  wrote  to  Oliver  Pollock  in  New  Orleans :  "  The  present 
[letter]  is  dispatched  by  Capt.  James  Willing  by  the  way  of  Fort  Pitt  and  will  serve  to 
inform  you  that  Congress  have  determined  that  part  of  the  stores  arrived  or  to  arrive 
from  Spain  at  New  Orleans  for  the  use  of  these  States  shall  if  possible  be  brought  up 
the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  to  Fort  Pitt."  The  committee  then  sets  forth  its  plans,  which 
Pollock  is  asked  to  carry  into  effect.  (Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  50, 
f.  40.)  There  is  not  in  the  Journals  at  this  time  the  least  intimation  of  the  projected 
expedition  to  New  Orleans  to  be  conducted  by  Willing,  although  during  the  next  four 
years  various  matters  incidental  to  the  expedition  find  record  in  the  Journals.  The  first 
of  these  entries  is  under  Jan.  31,  1778,  when  an  account  rendered  by  Willing  is  laid 
before  Congress ;  the  next  is  under  Feb.  19,  when  a  letter  from  General  Hand  was  read, 
referring  to  Congress  for  determination  a  matter  pertaining  to  the  expedition.  A  letter 
of  Feb.  21  from  two  members  of  the  commercial  committee,  Francis  Lewis  and  William 
Ellery,  to  Robert  Morris  refers  incidentally  to  the  proceedings  upon  Hand's  letter : 
"  Messrs.  Forbes  and  Ellery  who  were  the  only  members  of  the  Commercial  Committee 
then  present,  laid  before  Congress  General  Hand's  Letter  etc.  respecting  the  Rattletrap. 
Some  of  the  Members  were  dissatisfied  with  that  undertaking  and  asked  a  Multitude  of 
questions  about  it.  The  instructions  given  to  Captain  Willing  were  read,  but  still  they 
wanted  more  light."  (See  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters.  The  Rattletrap  was  the 
boat  commanded  b}'  Willing.)  The  remarks  here  quoted  suggest  that  the  project  was 
probably  set  on  foot  by  the  commercial  committee  on  its  own  initiative  and  without  the 
knowledge  of  Congress  as  a  body. 

The  instructions  to  Willing  have  not  been  found,  but  they  may  be  gathered  from  the 
committee's  letter  to  Pollock  referred  to  above.  Moreover,  in  a  memorial  which  he 
presented  to  Congress  Oct.  29,  1781,  Willing  gives  his  own  account  briefly  of  what  his 
instructions  were.  He  sets  forth,  "  That  a  com^e  of  Congress  kno\\'ing  your  memorialist 
to  be  well  acquainted  with  the  local  state  and  situation  of  the  british  settlements  in  that 
quarter  employed  him  to  proceed  from  York  town  to  Fort  Pitt  there  to  equip  and  arm 
a  batteau  with  twenty-four  men  the  command  of  which  was  given  to  him  with  a  captains 
commission  and  orders  to  proceed  with  dispatches  to  the  Governor  of  New  Orleans  and 
to  Mr.  Oliver  Pollock  agent  at  that  place  on  behalf  of  the  United  States.  In  order  to 
receive  and  convoy  from  New  Orleans  up  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  to  Fort  Pitt  certain 
stores  which  had  been  deposited  for  the  use  of  the  American  army  and  Navy  and  also 
instructions  to  capture  whatever  british  property  he  might  meet  with  in  the  said  rivers." 


5CG  Continental  Congress 

750.  James  Duane  to  the  New  York  Council  of  Safety,' 

York  Town  Novr.  1777  * 
Honourable  Gentlemen 

Your  Dispatches  of  the  22(1  of  October  were  safely  deliver'd  by  the 
Express.  I  thou^t^ht  it  adviseahle.  Mr  Duer  being  absent  a  few  days  for 
the  Benefit  of  Health,  to  detain  him  till  Congress  shou'd  have  time  to  de- 
liberate and  determine  upon  the  delicate  and  important  Propositions  you 
recommend  to  their  Attention.  They  are  now  submitted  to  a  Committee 
and  you  shall  be  acquainted  with  the  Result.^ 

Every  body  here  is  sensibly  touched  at  the  melancholy  catastophre 
which  followd  the  Loss  of  the  Passes  in  the  high  Lands.*  When  so  great 
a  number  of  Troops  were  withdrawn  I  predicted  the  fatal  Event.  In 
calling  away  1500  men  Congress  in  my  opinion  went  too  far.  I  strenu- 
ously remonstrated  against  it ;  but  in  Vain.  The  Hopes  of  being  able  to 
subdue  General  Howe  by  such  a  Reinforcement  preponderated :  no  body 
[nor]  any  member  coud  be  Perswaded  that  it  was  in  Sir  Henry  Clinton's 
power  to  give  the  State  of  New  York  the  least  disturbance.  The  Report 
of  his  having  receivd  Reinforcements  was  not  credited.     The  unhappy 

He  relates  further,  "  that  altho  a  superior  force  of  the  enemy  prevented  his  return  up 
the  rivers  yet  his  operations  in  that  quarter  created  a  considerable  diversion  by  drawing 
off  a  part  of  the  enemys  force  from  their  main  army  and  employing  a  number  of  armed 
vessels  to  protect  the  navigation  of  the  Mississippi  ".  Finally,  he  relates  that  he  embarked 
from  New  Orleans  for  Philadelphia  Nov.  15,  1778,  with  despatches  from  the  governor 
to  Congress  but  was  taken  and  carried  to  New  York,"  where  he  endured  a  long  a  cruel  and 
expensive  imprisonment".  (Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  42,  VIII.  237.)  Accounts  of 
Willing's  operations  on  the  lower  Mississippi  indicate  that  the  diversion  which  he  created 
was  chiefly  an  indulgence  in  plundering  forays.  See  especially  Claiborne,  Mississippi,  ch. 
XV.;  Gayarre,  History  of  Louisiana,  III.  iog-114;  and  Winsor,  Westward  Movement, 
pp.  156-158.  Some  account  of  Willing's  invasion  is  related  in  a  letter  of  Gov.  Peter 
Chester  to  Maj.-Gen.  Augustine  Prevost,  Mar.  21,  1778,  in  British  Historical  Manuscripts 
Commission,  Report  on  American  Manuscripts  in  the  Royal  Institution,  1.  213.  (See 
also  ibid.,  pp.  197,  236.)  In  the  George  Rogers  Clark  Papers  (ed.  J.  A.  James)  are  two 
letters  from  Willing  to  Clark,  writen  from  New  Orleans  Aug.  22  and  Sept.  i,  1778, 
besides  some  other  materials  relating  to  the  expedition.  Some  letters  of  Willing  are  in 
the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  the  correspondence  of  Oliver  Pollock  w'ith 
the  commercial  committee  in  1778  (ibid.)  pertains  in  considerable  measure  to  the  Willing 
expedition.  In  a  letter  of  Sept.  18,  1782,  Pollock  recounts  in  particular  his  own  efforts 
in  behalf  of  the  project  (Papers.  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  50,  ff.  1-14)- 

[750]!  N.  Y.  State  Lib.,  Revolutionary  Papers.  X.  213:  Harvard  Univ.  Lib.,  Sparks 
MSS.,  XXIX.  431  (copy)  ;  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  II.  439- 

2  The  date  given  this  letter  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong,  is  Nov.  3.  _.  It  contains 
however  a  postscript  dated  Nov.  22.  In  a  passage  of  this  letter  here  omitted  Duane 
says :  "  The  confederation  is  completed  and  I  expect  will  be  forwarded  by  this  convey- 
ance, as  it  is  in  the  press  at  Lancaster."  According  to  Daniel  Roberdeau,  Nov.  16  (see 
no.  746,  note  4,  ante),  the  Confederation  had  not  then  been  sent  to  Lancaster.  Duane  also 
speaks  of  a  report  prevailing  that  Fort  Mifflin  had  already  been  evacuated.  _  The 
Pennsylvania  Evening  Post  of  Nov.  17  carried  an  announcement  of  the  evacuation  on 
Saturday,  Nov.  15.  The  absence  of  Duer,  which  Duane  mentions,  must  have  been  from 
about  Nov.  9  (see  his  letter  of  that  date.  no.  73"^,  ante)  to  about  Nov.  19.  as  his  name 
does  not  appear  in  the  Journals  between  those  dates. 

3  The  council's  letter  of  Oct.  22  is  in  Jour.  N.  Y.  Prov.  Cong.,  I.  1072,  but  its  receipt 
by  Congress  is  not  recorded  in  the  Journals.  _  r^       r 

*  Forts  Qinton  and  Montgomery  were  captured  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  Oct.  0. 
Some  account  of  the  affair  from  the  point  of  view  of  General  Putnam,  who  was  in 
command,  may  be  found  in  his  letters  of  Oct.  8  to  Washington  (Letters  to  Washington, 
I.  438,  441).  See  also  his  letters  of  Oct.  16  and  25  (ibid.,  II.  5,  IS)-  An  investigation 
was  ordered  by  Congress  Nov.  28. 


November,  i///  ^^^ 

measure  was  therefore  adopted ; '  to  add  to  the  misfortune  General  Wash- 
ington had  before  orderd  forward  a  thousand  men.  Indeed  both  he  and 
Congress  were  led  into  an  opinion  that  General  Putnam's  Army  consisted 
of  between  seven  and  eight  thousand  men.  Had  it  been  really  the  Case, 
probably  no  mischief  woud  have  ensued.     I  was  among  the  unbelievers 

The  Loss  of  the  Forts  and  the  River  Defences  will  I  flatter  myself  be 
speedily  and  effectually  repaird;  Congress  being  determined  to  spare  no 
Expence  which  shall  be  thought  necessary.  They  view  the  Importance  of 
Hudson's  River  and  the  Merit  of  our  State  in  as  high  a  point  of  Light  as 
yourselves  coud  wish;  and  I  am  confident  that  there  is  nothing  your 
Delegates  cou'd  ask  on  this  occasion  which  woud  be  withheld.  General 
Gates  is  already  invested  with  ample  Powers  for  every  Purpose  necessary 
to  our  Security.® .... 

751.  The  President  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

York  Town  22d.  Novem  1777. 

Sir — 

The  last  I  had  the  honour  of  writing  to  you  was  dated  the  19th.'  Your 
Excellency's  Letter  of  the  17th.  instant  was  [sic']  inclosed  Copy  of  a 
Paper  from  Mr.  Zantzinger  ^  and  a  Return  of  deficiences  in  Clothing  for 
the  Army  came  since  to  hand  and  have  been  presented  to  Congress — and 
by  their  order  Committed  to  the  Boards  of  War  and  Treasury  from  whom 
no  Reports  have  yet  come  up,  I  am  thereby  left  without  Instruction  for 
making  the  necessary  reply.* 

My  present  business  is  to  forward  to  Your  Excellency  under  this  cover 
an  Act  of  Congress  of  the  20th  Inst,  for  appointing  Commissioners  for 
Indian  affairs  in  the  Western  Frontier  and  for  divers  other  matters  the 
Last  of  which  is  a  request  that  Your  Excellency  will  send  Colo  William 
Crawford  to  Pittsburgh  to  receive  Orders  from  General  Hand.^ 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  respectful  sentiment  Sir 

Your  Excellency's  Most  Obedient  Servant 

Henry  Laurens 
President  Congs. 

His  Excellency 
General  Washington. 

6  This  doubtless  refers  to  the  order  of  Sept.  12  to  Putnam,  to  despatch  1500 
men  to  reinforce  General  Washington.  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  5,  and  letters  of  Hamilton 
and  Putnam  to  Washington,  Nov.  2  to  15,  Letters  to  Washington  (ed.  Sparks),  II.  24-42. 
See  also  W.  F.  Livingston,  Israel  Putnam,  ch.  XXIII. 

8  Cf.  no.  777,  post. 
[751]!  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letters,  1776-1779,  no.  20. 

2  No.  744,  ante. 

8  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  21,  Dec.  i,  10. 

*  The  action  taken  by  Congress,  Nov.  25,  upon  a  report  of  the  board  of  war, 
was  probably  in  consequence  of  Washington's  letter  of  Nov.  17. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  20.  Some  account  of  Col.  William  Crawford  (of 
Virginia)  is  in  Appleton,  Cyclo.  Am.  Biog.  See  also  the  Journals,  1776,  1777,  1778 
(index).  In  1782  he  conducted  an  expedition  against  the  Wyandot  and  Delaware 
Indians,  was  captured  by  them,  and  burned  at  the  stake.  See  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  IX. 
557,  576.  An  account  of  the  expedition,  by  N.  N.  Hill,  jr.,  is  found  in  Mag.  of  Western 
Hist.,  May,  1885.     See  also  no.  746,  ante,  no.  7(6,  post. 

41 


668  Continental  Congress 

y^2.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

Horatio  Gates.^ 

York  Town  23d  Novem.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  had  the  honour  of  writing  to  you  the  14th  Inst:  by  the  Express 
Fowler,  since  which  Your  favour  of  the  [loth]^  came  to  hand  covering 
several  Papers  these  were  immediately  Committed  to  the  Board  of  War 
and  remain  in  that  Channel  unreported  upon,  therefore  I  am  not  possessed 
of  means  even  for  filling  the  blank  in  the  third  Line  above. 

Congress  having  received  various  intimations  of  a  breach  of  the  Con- 
vention of  Saratoga  on  the  part  of  Lieutt.  Gen  Burgoyne  and  particularly 
a  serious  address  on  that  head  from  the  Executive  power  of  New  York, 
have  judged  it  their  Duty  to  the  people  to  make  the  necessary  enquiries 
and  for  this  purpose  have  formed  several  Resolutions  under  date  the  226. 
Inst,  a  Certified  Copy  of  which  I  shall  have  the  honour  of  conveying  with 
this.'  it  is  only  needful  for  me  to  add  the  Voice  of  Congress  repeating 
what  is  specially  contained  in  the  Resolves  that  you  will  be  pleased  to 
return  an  answer  as  speedily  as  possible 

753.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams.^ 

York  the  23d.  Novr.  1777. 
My  dear  Sir, 

....  The  confederation  is  not  yet  returned  from  press  but  we  expect 
it  will  in  a  day  or  two  when  it  will  be  sent  forward,  and  with  it  will  come 
this  letter.  We  have  strongly  pressed  the  speedy  consideration  and  return- 
of  the  Confederation,'^  and  we  have  urged  the  necessity  of  immediate  and 
extensive  Taxation,  regulation  of  prices,  and  other  Measures  of  finance, 
oeconomy,  and  effectual  recruiting  the  army.'  I  know  my  friend  Mr. 
John  Adams  will  say  the  regulation  of  prices  wont  do.  I  agree  it  will  not 
singly  answer,  and  I  know  that  Taxation  with  Oeconomy  are  the  radical 
cures.  But  I  also  know  that  the  best  Physicians  sometimes  attend  to 
Symptoms,  apply  palliatives  and  under  favor  of  the  Truce  thus  obtained, 
introduce  cause  removing  medicines.  Let  us  for  a  moment  check  the 
enormity  of  the  evil  by  this  method,  whilst  the  other  more  sure,  but  more 
slow  methods  secure  us  against  a  return  of  the  mischief.  The  middle  and 
southern   States    (particularly  the   insatiable  avarice  of  Pennsylvania) 

[752]!  N.  Y,  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL;  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter- 
Book,  L  37. 

2  Gates's  letter  of  Nov.  lo  was  read  in  Q)ngress  Nov.  i8. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  31,  Nov.  3,  6,  8,  19,  21,  22,  Dec.  i,  12,  17,  18,  23,  26,  27, 
1777,  and  Jan.  2,  3,  8,  12,  13,  1778;  also  nos.  756,  779,  782,  786,  791,  post.  The  letter  from 
the  New  York  council  of  safety,  dated  Nov.  5,  read  in  Congress  Nov.  18,  is  in  Jour.  N. 
y.  Prov.  Cong.,  L  1075. 

l753]^N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers;  Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed. 
Ballagh),  L  353- 

-  See  nos.  738,  746,  749,  ante,  nos.  754,  760.  765,  766,  post. 

3  See  the  report  on  the  letter  of  Stephen  Hopkins  and  the  proceedings  of  the 
committees  of  the  Eastern  states,  the  Journals,  Nov.  22,  26,  27  (see  also  ihid.,  Aug.  18, 
Sept.  10,  Oct.  27,  Nov.  13).  Cf.  nos.  722,  736,  738,  ante,  nos.  754,  760,  764,  765,  772,  post. 
See  also  Dyer  to  Trumbull,  Mar.  12,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 


November,  1777  569 

having  refused  to  join  in  the  plan  formerly,  rendered  the  experiment  on 
your  part  inconclusive  and  partial;  therefore  I  do  not  think  Mr.  Adams's 
argument  drawn  from  that  trial  quite  decisive  against  the  Measure.  I 
incline  to  think  that  the  necessity  of  the  case  will  now  procure  its  adoption 
universally,  and  then  we  shall  see  what  great  things  may  be  effected  by 
common  consent.  The  American  conduct  has  already  shattered  and 
overset  the  conclusions  of  the  best  Theorists,  and  I  hope  this  will  be 
another  instance. 

Two  days  ago  I  moved  the  immediate  recall  of  Mr.  Deane,  which  was 
agreed  without  dissent,*  and  tomorrow  is  appointed  for  choosing  a  Com- 
missioner in  his  place.  Our  friends  Mr.  John  Adams  and  Mr.  Denny ' 
are  in  Nomination,  with  some  others.  This  appointment  was  strongly 
pressed  on  me  in  Congress,®  but  my  dear  friend,  rigid  as  you  are  in  these 
matters,  I  am  sure  you  would  have  admitted  my  apology.  I  feel  the 
obligations  of  public  duty  very  powerfully,  but  when  these  duties  can  be 
better  discharged  by  others,  why  may  not  the  private  ones  be  suffered  to 
prevail  ?  Why  may  not  chari  liberi  have  their  weight,  when  such  a  sacri- 
fice is  not  necessary  for  the  public  service.  I  remember  that  in  some 
points  our  opinion  differed  respecting  Mr.  Deane,  but  I  feel  myself  obliged 
to  think  that  he  has  pursued  his  best  judgement  for  the  good  of  his 
Country  when  he  made  those  distressing  contracts,  and  perhaps  his 
peculiar  situation  compelled  him  to  carry  tnem  further  than  he  might 
otherwise  have  done.  Be  this  as  it  may,  after  Congress  had  so  strongly 
determined  concer[n]ing  these,  it  would  have  been  out  of  all  character 
to  have  continued  him.''  Yet  this  is  a  matter  of  great  delicacy  and  I  am 
not  well  satisfied  with  the  whole  of  it.  If  our  friend  Mr.  Adams  should 
be  chosen,  I  have  earnest  hopes  that  he  will  accept.  The  loss  of  time 
that  will  attend  his  refusal,  independant  of  other  considerations,  renders 
it  of  much  consequence  that  he  should  not  refuse 

754.  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  the  President  of  New  Hampshire 

(Meshech  Weare).^ 

York  the  24th  of  November  1777 
Dear  Sir, 

....  We  have  finished  the  confederation  and  it  will  go  forward  to 
the  States  in  a  few  days,  with  strong  exortation  to  consider  and  return 
it  quickly.  In  this  great  business  dear  Sir  we  must  yield  a  little  to  each 
other,  and  not  rigidly  insist  on  having  everything  correspondent  to  the 
partial  views  of  every  State.  On  such  terms  we  can  never  confederate. 
If  we  take  a  view  of  the  World,  we  shall  find  that  numbers  are  by  no 
means  a  just  criterion  to  fix  the  relative  riches  of  States.     Of  old  times 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  21,  Dec.  8.    Cf.  nos.  565,  586,  ante,  nos.  760,  766,  768-770 
post.  ' 

5  Francis  Dana.    See  note  6,  below. 

8  See  the  memorandum  of  Henry  Laurens,  Nov.  21,  in  the  Journals  (Ford) 
p.  947,  note  I ;  also  no.  769,  note  8,  post.    Adams  was  elected  Nov.  28. 

^  See  no.  559,  ante. 
[754]!  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  C  81,  A  14;  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Weare,  p  48- 
Letters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee  (ed.  Ballagh),  I.  359.  ' 


570  Continental  Congress 

take  Tyre  and  Scythia — Germany  and  Carthage.  In  Modern  look  at 
Holland  and  Poland — England  and  Germany.  But  the  truth  is  that  let 
wealth  How  into  a  Country  from  whatever  cause,  it  will  forever  reflect 
value  upon  the  lands  of  that  Country,  and  they  rise  in  value  in  proportion 
to  the  influx  of  wealth.  Thus  the  value  of  lands  in  England  has  doubled 
and  trepled  as  commerce  has  brought  wealth  into  the  Island.  For  my  own 
part,  I  doubt  extremely  whether  Virginia  will  not  pay  more  by  the 
pres[e]nt  Mode  than  if  it  had  been  determined  by  numbers.  But  I  am 
satisfied  that  the  mode  now  fixt  is  the  most  just,  and  so  fiat  justicia,  mat 
Coclum.  We  have  recommended  extensive  taxation,  sinking  the  provincial 
currencies,  and  regulating  prices.  I  think  that  if  the  States  will  vigorously 
execute  the  recommendations  of  Congress,  we  shall,  under  providence, 
be  a  safe  and  happy  people.'' .... 

7S5.  The  President  of  Congress   (Henry  Laurens)   to  the 
Governor  of  North  Carolina  (Richard  Caswell).^ 

York  25th.  Novemr  1777 

Sir 

....  My  present  duty  is  to  Convey  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  this 
date  in  which  your  Excellency  is  requested  and  enabld  to  perform  an 
essential  Service  to  the  United  States,  by  appointing  proper  persons  for 
Purchasing  and  others  for  manufacturing  in  the  State  in  which  you  pre- 
side certain  articles  of  Leather  for  the  use  of  the  Army 

Congress  have  been  encouraged  to  give  your  Excellency  this  trouble 
by  the  Delegates  from  North  Carolina  and  have  only  in  view  the  general 
Interest  of  these  States.  Nothing  therefore  is  needful  for  me  to  add  but 
a  reference  to  the  Resolve."  .... 

756.  James  Lovell  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

York  27  Novr.  1777. 
Dear  General 

....  This  present  Carryer  will  perhaps  throw  you  into  a  dilemma. 
We  want  you  in  different  places,  but  most  of  all  in  a  third  which  you  are 
not  called  to  ballance  about.^     We  want  you  most  near  Germantown." 


2  Cf.  no.  753,  ante. 

[755]!  Library  of  Congress.  President's  Letter-Book,  I.  39;  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  685. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  25. 

[756]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL;  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Bancroft  Coll.,  Revolu- 
tionary Papers,  IIL  227   (copy). 

-  Gates  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  war  Nov.  27.  A  memorandum 
of  Henry  Laurens  (Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  19,  HI.  165),  "Norn.  24  Board  of  War 
Maj.  Gen.  Gates  Richd  Peters  Esq.",  shows  that  Gates  and  Peters  were  nommated 
the  same  day  on  which  the  resolution  was  adopted  to  enlarge  the  board.  In  a  letter  to 
Gates,  Nov.  17  (Gates  Papers,  vol.  XL),  Lovell  says:  "Prepare  yourself  for  a  jaunt 
to  this  Place.  Congress  send  for  you.  I  have  ten  thousand  things  to  tell."  See  nos. 
757-761,  post. 

3  That  is,  to  supplant  Washington.  Doubtless  this  was  the  principal  one  of  the 
"  ten  thousand  things  "  which  he  wished  to  talk  about.  In  the  Samuel  Adams  Papers 
(N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.)  is  a  letter  from  Jonathan  D.  Sergeant  to  Lovell,  dated  Nov.  20. 
wherein  Washington  is  denouiiced  for  his  feebleness  and  for  "  such  blunders  as  might 
have  disgraced  a  soldier  of  three  months'  standing  ".  Adams  has  taken  great  pains  to 
obliterate  the  signature.    Cf.  nos.  689,  700,  ante. 


November,  J'/'jy  571 

I  hope  the  last  Express  did  not  cause  any  Uneasiness  to  you,  as  the 
drift  of  the  Proceedings  of  Congress  was  by  no  means  intended  to  throw 
any  slur  on  your  acceptance  of  the  Convention ;  But  to  come  at  a  true  idea 
of  Burgoyne's  Conduct.* 

We  hear  his  men  have  behaved  so  as  to  oblige  the  Guards  to  fire  upon 
them.     This  information  however  is  not  well  authenticated. 

Upon  a  motion  made  sometime  ago  Genl.  Schuyler  is  permitted  to 
tarry  and  look  after  his  private  affairs  and  St  Clair  is  permitted  to  do  the 
same  upon  se^e'ling  his  name  in  a  council  of  war  at  what  is  generally  by  the 
inconsiderate,  called  the  grand  army,^  Since  our  Resolve  was  forwarded, 
I  see  Kalb  Knox  and  St  Clair  are  a  council  reporting  for  the  Evacuation 
of  red  Bank  as  incapable  of  bearing  a  Siege. 

Such  kind  of  Counsel  seems  to  be  the  relish  of  this  Quarter 

[P-  S.] 

27  Nov.  1777. 

We  are  sending  Confederation  Taxation  and  Confiscation  forward  to 
the  States,  with  strong  recommendations  as  to  cloathing  the  Soldiers  at 
prices  proportionate  to  their  pay,  the  Surplus  Charge  to  go  against  the 
Continent.  I  hope  these  measures  together  will  make  our  Currency 
meliorate  and  content  the  army.® 

757.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York  in  Pennsylvania  Novr  27,  1777 
Dear  Sir 

Congress  have  lately  established  a  new  Board  of  War,  upon  a  Salary 
of  2000  Dollars  per  Year  for  each  Member.  General  Gates  is  appointed 
president,  General  Mifflin,  Colo  Trumbull,  Colo  Pickering,  and  Mr  Peters 
are  Members.^  three  of  the  Gentlemen  have  accepted,  there  remain  but 
two  to  give  their  answers.  General  Gates  and  yourself.  I  doubt  not,  that 
the  first  will  be  in  the  afifirmative,  and  hope  that  you  will  follow  the 
Example,  as  thereby  a  prospect  will  be  afforded,  of  introducing  Oeconomy 
and  Discipline  into  our  army,  and  affairs  in  general,  without  which 
America  cannot  be  free  and  happy.  You  was  unanimously  appointed, 
and  from  the  Experience  wch.  Gentlemen  have  had  since  you  left  the 
Department  of  Commissary  General,  of  the  Incompetency  of  their 
Friends  to  fill  the  Office,  I  doubt  not  that  You  would  have  had  the  offer 
with  the  Power  of  Appointing  *'  of  the  D  C  Generals  of  purchases,  had 
You  been  here  to  have  executed  it  and  there  had  been  a  Certainty  of  your 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  22,  and  no.  752.  note  :i,  ante. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  14,  and  nos.  734,  743,  ante. 

6  This  note  is  found  on  a  separate  half  sheet  of  paper,  on  the  back  of  which 
appears  a  part  of  the  address  and  Gates's  endorsement.  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  22,  26,  27; 
cf.  no.  754,  ante,  no.  760,  post. 

[757]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  16,  17,  Nov.  7,  17,  19,  21,  22,  24,  27;  also  nos.  700,  720, 
743,  748,  ante,  nos.  758-761,  773,  776,  post. 

3  *I  form  my  Opinion  from  the  Temper  of  the  House  when  it  was  proposed. 
[Note  in  the  original.] 


572  Continental  Congress 

Acceptance.  I  know  not  your  Sentiments  on  the  Matter,  but  Iiowever 
they  may  be,  I  most  ardently  wish  that  You  may  accept  of  this  appoint- 
ment for  many  Reasons.  Colo  Reed  was  nominated  and  would  have 
been  apix:»inted,  had  it  not  been  known  to  Gentlemen  that  your  Situation 
with  respect  to  each  would  not  admit  of  your  sitting  together  at  the  same 
Board.*  I  think  there  is  not  the  least  Doubt  of  this  Fact.  Your  own 
affairs  need  not  interrupt  your  immediate  Attendance,  as  the  Super 
Intendance  of  all  the  Commissaries  in  the  eastern  and  northern  Depart- 
ment is  with  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Connecticut,  who  may  displace 
and  appoint  at  pleasure,  and  can  direct  the  issuing  Commissaries  to 
receive  the  provision  now  on  your  Hands,  and  your  Accounts  may  be 
settled  witho.  a  constant  attendance  on  the  Commissioners. 

the  succession  of  Errors  wch  have  taken  place  in  the  Commissary's 
Department,  have  reverberated  on  Congress,  and  had  the  Gentlemen  Who 
were  the  Cause  thereof  been  troubled  with  an  attention  to  the  Business  of 
rectifying  them,  I  should  not  have  regretted  the  Consequences,  but  this 
Burthen  has  unreasonably  fell  on  those  who  opposed  the  Errors  from  the 
Beginning,  and  there  seems  to  be  a  general  Conviction  that  the  Business 
never  will  be  carried  on  by  some  of  the  present  Officers.^ .... 

I  hope  soon  to  see  the  Treasury  Office  upon  a  new  Establishment,^  and 
that  your  Brother  the  p.  M  General  will  be  a  Commissioner;  his  Salary  is 
augmented  to  125  Dollars  per  Month,  but  I  think  him  too  valuable  for 
that  office,  altho  it  must  be  acknowledged  an  important  one/  .... 

P.  S.  If  you  decline  this  office,  it  must  have  all  the  Effects  so  far  as 
it  respects  yourself  of  giving  up  the  Cause ;  a  Measure  that  my  Friend 
will  never  consent  to,  after  having  endured  greater  Toils  than  may  be 
expected  in  future. 

General  Stevens  is  broke  for  Drunkenness 


758.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

Horatio  Gates.^ 

York  Town  28th.  Novem:  1777 

Sir 

My  last  trouble  was  dated  the  23d.  Inst:  and  conveyed  by  favour  of 
Mr.  Pierce.^ 

By  the  present  please  to  be  informed,  that  Congress  lately  entered  into 
Resolutions  for  establishing  a  Board  of  War  to  consist  of  five  Commis- 
sioners not  Members  of  the  House.    And  I  have  received  express  orders 

*  Cf.  no.  700,  ante,  nos.  759,  761,  769,  post. 

5  Cf.  nos.  664,  726,  748,  ante,  nos.  759.  790,  post.    The  omitted  passage  summarizes 
the  financial  measures  of  Nov.  22,  26,  27.    Cf.  no.  756,  ante. 

6  The   reorganization   of   the  treasury  office  was  not,   however,   very   speedily 
effected.     See  no.  298,  note  7,  ante. 

7  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  deputy  paymaster-general  of  the  Northern  department. 
See  the  Journals,  Nov.  19,  22.    Cf.  no.  412,  ante. 

[758]^  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc.,  Gates  Papers,  XL;  Library  of  Congress,  Presidents  Letter- 
Book,  L  43.  ^. 

2  No.  752,  ante.    Mr.  Pierce  was  probably  John  Pierce,  jr.,  assistant  paymaster. 


November,  ijjy  573 

to  notify  to  you  Sir,  You  have  been  elected  a  Commissioner  and  by  the 
unanimous  Voice  of  Congress  appointed  President  of  the  Board,' .... 

759.  William  Williams  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York  Town  28  Nov.  1777 

Dr  Sir 

Genl  Gates,  Genl  Miflin,  Adj.  Genl.  Pickermg,  Jos  Trumbull 
and  Rich :  Peters  Esqrs.  are  elected  etc.  to  constitute  a  newly  erected 
Board  of  War,  from  which  great  Things  are  expected  as  You  will  be 
informed  by  the  President.'  as  You  call  your  Self  a  plaguegy  obstinate 
Fellow  I  had  some  Fears  least  You  sho"^  injure  your  Self,  your  Father, 
and  your  Friends  and  more  especially  your  Country,  by  refusing  her  Call 
and  I  trust  that  of  Providence  on  this  Occasion,  you  may  perceive  how 
honorable  and  important  Congress  account  the  Business  by  the  Generals 
employed,  and  by  the  inclosed  Resolve  I  beg  You  will  not  suflFer  Preju- 
dice or  Passion  to  influence  your  Judgment,  but  coolly  consider  the  nature 
and  importance  of  the  Subject  and  the  Duty  and  Obligation  lying  on  You, 
to  serve  your  Country  in  this  Station.  Congress  expect  your  usefuUness 
especially  in  the  Comissary  Department,  and  assistance  to  regulate  the 
abuses  of  that  and  so  for  the  other  great  Departments,  in  which  other  of 
the  Gent,  are  particularly  versed,  it  is  of  importance  to  be  called  by  every 
voice  as  you  was  to  this  honble.  Service  and  Col  Read  was  sacrificed  to 
You,  supposing  You  co^  not  sit  together.^  The  Department  is  of  ver>' 
great  Moment  most  certainly,  and  never  was  or  co*^  be  properly  executed 
by  a  Board  consisting  of  Members  of  Congress,  if  for  no  other  reason  it 
was  impossible  to  give  proper  Attention  and  Time  to  both,  and  They  are 
most  heartily  weary  of  trying,  and  if  I  was  not  quiting  Congress  sho*^ 
have  some  personal  Interest,  in  the  new  Boards  coming  soon.  The  pay 
is  2,000  Dols.  to  Each,  and  I  have  no  doubt  but  additions  will  be  made  e'er 
long. 

I  much  dislike  the  new  Regulations  of  the  Comissa.  Department,  but 
had  no  doubt  Alterations  wo"^  take  place,  as  they  have  already  and  very 
likely  may  further  as  occasion  and  experience  may  require  and  if  you  had 
continued  in  that,  I  verily  believe  you  would  have  [done]  your  Country 
a  very  real  and  great  Service,  and  that  the  Army  has  suffered  exceedingly 
by  the  inexperience  of  the  new  officers.*  And  it  is  a  bad  and  wrong 
revenge  to  wound  your  already  bleeding  bleeding  Country,  to  come  up 
with  Congress  for  a  great  mistake  in  my  opinion,  but  by  far  the  most  I 
doubt  not  come  into  with  the  best  intention. 

if  Jack  ^  had  really  an  Inclination  to  have  continued  in  the  Army,  I 
have  no  doubt  he  might  have  obtained  Justice  in  the  matter  he  complained 
off,  and  wo*^  have  done  real  Service,  and  been  also  a  Brigr.  Genl.  instead 
of  Wilkinson,  had  his  Life  been  spared,  but  enough.    I  hope  to  see  You 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  24,  27 ;  cf.  no  757,  note  2,  ante. 
1759]^  Conn.  State  Library,  Joseph  Trumbull  Collection,  no.  568. 

2  See  nos.  757,  758,  ante. 

3  Cf.  no.  757,  ante,  nos.  761,  769,  post. 

*  Cf.  nos.  664,  726,  748,  757,  ante,  no.  790,  post. 

^  John  Trumbull.    See  nos.  415,  419,  466,  495,  note  2,  ante,  no.  776,  post. 


574  Continental  Congress 

before  You  can  set  out  hither,  designing  homeward,  if  Mr.  Law  dont 
delay  me  next  Monday 

with  CompHmts  to  your  Lady 

I  am  your  AfTectio^  Friend  and  Brothr 

W.  Williams 

Col  Jos.  Trumbull 

760.  William  Williams  to  the  Governor  of  Connecticut 

(Jonathan  Trumbull).^ 

York  28  Nov  1777 
Hon^  and  dear  Sir 

I  wrote  you  sometime  since  that  the  Plan  of  Confederation  was  finished, 
after  revising  correcting  etc  it  was  sent  to  Lancaster  to  be  printed  and  is 
just  returned.^  and  after  a  long  delay  and  consideration  a  Report  has 
been  made  by  the  Com"^,  to  Consider  the  result  of  the  N  England  States 
etc  and  a  number  of  important  resolutions  relating  to  taxation  etc  etc 
are  come  into  and  will  bee  also  transmitted,  it  is  not  my  Fault  it  was  not 
done  long  ago,  but  it  cant  be  helpd  and  tis  difficult  to  explain  the  reasons 
of  delay  in  many  Cases.^    But  I  hope  it  is  not  utterly  too  late 

Congress  have  established  a  new  board  of  War,  consisting  of  5  Mem- 
bers, not  of  Congress  it  is  deemd  of  vast  importance  for  the  Regulation 
and  Supply  etc  of  the  Army,  and  highly  honorable  etc,  and  by  the  Influ- 
ence of  his  Friends  Col  Jos.  Trumbull  is  chosen  a  member,  the  plan  was 
to  have  one  versed  in  every  Department,  the  members  are  Genl  Gates 
Presidt.  Gen.  Miflin,  Adj.  Genl  Pickering,  Col  Jos  Trumbull,  and  R. 
Peters  Esq  late  Secrety.  it  is  deemed  of  very  great  importance,  as  you 
will  readily  perceive  by  the  Members  appointed.  The  Sallery  is  2000 
Dols  per  An :  and  a  Struggle  to  get  higher.  And  I  have  no  doubt  it  will 
yet  be  raised  and  such  further  sums  allowed  as  to  satisfie  the  Members, 
if  this  dont.* .... 

I  am  with  Great  Affection,  Esteem  and  Duty  your  unworthy 

Son  and  Serv 
W  Williams 

P.  S.  on  Fryd :  the  21  the  motion,  made  last  July  was  revivd  for  re- 
calling Mr  Deane,  was  again  taken  up  and  carried  without  a  dissenting 
Voice.  He  died  at  last  very  easie,  tho  there  had  been  at  sund.  Times 
before,  the  most  violent  and  convulsive  throes  and  Exertions  on  the  same 
Question  ^ 

this  Day  Jno  Adams  Esq  w-as  elected  in  his  room  he  is  not  present  and 
tis  not  certain  he  will  not  accept,  but  hope  he  will.*^ 

[760]!  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Declaration  of  Independence,  I. 

2  Cf.  nos.  733,  746,  747,  753,  754,  ante. 

3  See  no.  753,  note  3,  ante. 

*  Cf.  nos.  757-759.  ow'^.  no.  761,  post. 

^  See  no.  753,  ante,  nos.  766,  768-770,  post.  In  a  foot-note  to  the  Journals  (ed. 
Ford),  under  Aug.  5,  will  be  found  two  motions  for  the  recall  of  Deane.  Possibly  that 
of  Lovell  was  made  in  July.     See  no.  565,  ante. 

6  See  no.  753,  ante.  Notice  of  his  election  was  sent  to  Adams  by  President 
Laurens  Nov.  28   (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  II.  432),  and  the  commission  was  sent 


November,  ij'jy  575 

A  motion  is  also  made  that  it  be  left  to  the  remaining  Comisrs  to  Judge 
on  the  Spot,  whetlir.  Mr  D.  may  not  yet  be  employed  at  some  other  Court, 
the  Motion  dropd,  and  I  trust  will  never  be  carried. 

His  Excelly.  Govr.  Trumbull. 

761.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York  Town  Novr  28th  1777 
D\^ear^  Sir 

The  Congress  finding  almost  every  department  in  the  Army  running 
into  the  greatest  Confusion  and  disorder  for  want,  as  we  apprehend  of 
a  proper  Board  Consisting  of  Gentn.  well  skill'd  in  the  various  depart- 
ments and  who  can  at  least  for  some  time  Constantly  attend  to  the  im- 
mediate concerns  of  the  Army  and  our  board  of  Warr  hitherto  Consisting 
of  Members  of  Congress  who  could  not  be  supposed  to  have  a  proper 
knowledge  of  the  several  departments,  and  beside  had  not  time  to  attend 
to  them  Congress  have  Unanimously  agreed  to  Constitute  that  Important 
Board,  and  to  have  it  consist  of  such  Gentn.  whom  they  think  have  the 
greatest  knowledge  of  the  several  departments  and  abilities  to  discern 
and  discover  from  whence  the  disorders  arise  and  how  they  may  be 
remedied,  have  therefore  made  Choice  of  Ma  jr.  Genii  Gates  Majr.  Genii 
Mifflin,  Coll.  Pickering  present  Adjutant  Genii.  Mr  Trumbull  late  Com- 
missy.  Genii,  and  Mr  Peters,  who  has  heretofore  been  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Warr  to  Constitute  that  Board,  Genii.  Gates  to  be  President 
and  who  is  also  to  be  Continued  Majr.  Genii,  and  to  act  as  such  in  the 
Army  as  Occasion  may  require,  the  Salary  is  at  present  established  at 
2000  dollars  Pr  Annum,  some  were  for  3000.  and  not  quite  a  Majority 
for  2500,  but  considering  the  times,  and  in  hopes  and  expectation  that  our 
Currency  will  soon  regain  its  Credit  it  was  thought  best  not  for  an 
Establishment  to  exceed  2000,  and  had  better  if  Necessary  some  other 
way  make  an  allowance  for  extraordinary  expences  to  the  present  board, 
than  make  an  Establishment  at  this  time  tho'  just  could  not  afterwards 
be  reduced  if  our  money  in  a  great  measure  regained  its  Credit,  and 
believe  tho  not  certain  that  Congress  will  generously  consider  the  present 
board  over  and  above  the  present  Establishment,  as  to  your  Appoint- 
ment as  One,  it  was  without  any  Sollicitation  of  those  you  might  call 
your  Friends  or  any  movements  from  them,  but  by  the  Unanimous 
Choice  not  only  of  every  State  but  of  ever}^  Individual  member  of  Con- 
gress and  every  State  except  Jersey  and  Deleware  not  represented, 
therefore  I  hope  notwithstanding  your  past  feelings,  your  present  Interest 
and  Inclination  to  tarry  at  home,  and  retire  among  the  common  Mass  of 
private  Citizens ;  Yet  that  you  have  not  so  lost  your  strong  attachment  to 
your  Country,  their  Interest  and  defence  as  to  refuse  them  your  Assis- 
tance in  this  present  critical  Situation  of  our  affairs  and  of  the  state  of  the 

Dec.  3  (see  ibid.,  II.  442).  A  statement  of  John  Adams  relative  to  the  notification  of 
his  election  to  the  French  mission  is  found  in  an  autobiographical  note  in  his  Works, 
IX.  89-93.  His  letter  of  acceptance,  dated  Dec.  23,  1777,  is  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr., 
II.  458.  It  was  read  in  Congress  Jan.  19,  1778.  For  some  acconnt  of  the  proceedings 
in  connection  with  Adams's  election,  see  a  letter  of  Elbridge  Gerry  to  John  Adams, 
Sept.  29,  1779  (Adams's  Works,  IX.  491 ;  also  vol.  IV.  of  these  Letters).  Cf.  no.  769,  post. 
[76i]iConn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 


57G  Continental  Congress 

Army,  as  to  refuse  Vour  Aid  and  Assistance  without  which  and  some  of 
the  other  dentn.  at  least  we  have  every  i)rospect  of  ruin  and  destruction 
at  least  to  the  Army  if  not  to  the  whole  Country.  Coll.  Reed  was  in  Nom- 
ination and  helieve  would  have  been  appointed  instead  of  Mr  Peters  but 
Congress  really  was  so  Intent  to  avail  themselves  of  your  services  and 
knowing-  the  former  altercation  and  that  it  was  possible  you  could  not 
set  with  him  in  the  same  board  with  that  Harmony  which  ought  to  Sub- 
sist, entirely  omitted  him  on  that  account  and  Voted  for  Mr  Peters  that 
there  might  be  no  difficulty  in  your  way  of  attending.^  I  sincerely  wish 
leaving  all  other  cares  and  business  that  you  would  Immediately  hasten  to 
this  place  take  your  seat  in  the  board  for  the  present  with  the  other  Gentn. 
who  will  be  pressed  to  Attend  as  soon  as  possible  and  hope  by  Spring  or 
by  the  opening  the  Next  Campaine  that  our  several  departments  may  be 
so  reduced  to  Order  and  System  as,  if  you  on  Trial  shall  think  best  to 
resign  your  place,  no  doubt  it  may  be  done.^  ....  I  readily  percieve 
an  Objection  arising  from  your  accounts  with  the  publick  you  expect  to 
settle  this  Winter,  but  that  must  be  postponed  if  Necessary  for  this  service. 
I  hope  before  this  that  your  Stores  eastward  are  either  taken  by  Genii. 
Heath  or  regularly  delivered  over  as  Congress  have  given  every  appoint- 
ment Necessary  both  in  the  purchasing  and  Issuing  department  to  Govr, 
Trumbull  that  there  might  be  no  failure  in  that  quarter.* .... 

y62.  The  President  of  Congress  to  Horatio  Gates.^ 

York  Town  29th.  Novem.  1777. 

Sir, 

After  I  had  Sealed  the  Packet  which  you  will  receive  with  this,  I  was 

honoured  by  your  favour  of  the  i6th.    the  weather  being  extremely  bad, 

I  judged  it  would  be  no  pernicious  delay  to  detain  the  Messenger  till 

after  the  sitting  of  Congress,     in  the  sitting  I  reported  your  Letter  and 

the  several  papers  which  accompanied  it,  but  received  no  Commands  on 

the  subject  except  an  order  to  transmit  a  Copy  of  the  Letter  to  General 

Washington.^    I  have  therefore  nothing  to  add  but  that  I  send  a  Copy 

of  Articles  of  Confederation  and  that  I  remain  in  every  sentiment  of 

respect  and  Esteem  Sir  ,^  .     ,.        „ 

\  our  very  obedient  Servant 

Henry  Laurens, 

The  Honorable  Presdt  Cong. 

Major  General  Gates 

Albany. 

2  A  similar  statement  is  made  by  Gerry  and  also  by  Williams  (nos.  757,  759,  ante). 
Cf.  no.  769,  post.    See  also  no.  77Z,  post. 

3  Cf.  nos.  757,  759,  ayite,  nos.  77^,  776,  post.  Mifflin  wrote  to  Trumbull,  Nov.  30: 
"  It  is  of  much  Importance  to  the  public  that  the  Business  should  not  be  delayed  and  as 
the  Gentlemen  appointed  with  you  in  this  Office  are  near  at  hand,  and  will  wait  Your 
Arrival  before  they  enter  upon  the  Duties  of  the  Office  let  me  beg  you  to  lose  no  time  in 
coming  to  Reading  where  I  will  wait  for  you."  (Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull 
Papers.)  In  the  end  Trumbull's  ill  health  prevented  his  taking  his  seat  in  the  board  of 
war.    See  the  Journals,  Feb.  16,  Apr.  18,  1778. 

■*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  3,  and  nos.  772,,  77(),  post. 
[762]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XL;  Library  of  Congress,  Presidents  Letter- 
Book,  I.  48. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  29. 


November,  ijjj  577 

763.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Laurens/ 

York  Town  30th.  Novem.  1777. 
My  Dear  Son 

....  but  why  have  not  we  taken  measures  in  many  other  momentous 
concerns,  why  were  we  not  as  active  in  July  to  guard  against  the  Inclem- 
ency of  January  as  we  affect  to  be  now  in  November — now  perhaps  when 
too  late  to  enable  our  Troops  to  keep  the  Field.  I  did  not  fail  to  speak 
my  sentiments,  and  so  far,  which  was  as  far  as  I,  almost  unaided,  could 
go,  to  do  my  Duty,  soon  after  my  arrival  in  this  Country,  I  spoke  of 
means  for  guarding  against  the  disaffected,  of  the  necessity  for  providing 
Clothing  by  times,  of  the  preservation  of  Delaware,  of  the  ruinous  State 
of  our  funds,  of  the  amazing  misconduct  of  dealing  Money  out  by 
Millions  to  particular  Persons,  under  those  accursed  four  words — "  he 
to  be  accountable  "  and  totally  neglect  I  say  totally  neglect  to  demand 
Accounts 

several  Members  of  Congress  who  have  called  here  this  Morning  to 
read  Gen.  Washington's  Letter  of  the  26th.  have  expressed  their  wishes 
that  the  Marquis  may  be  appointed  to  the  Command  of  a  division,  there- 
fore I  have  no  doubt  when  the  Letter  is  Read  and  the  subject  considered 
to  morrow  in  Congress,  I  shall  be  charged  with  a  Resolve  equal  to  the 
Marquis's  wishes.^ .... 

Mv  Dear  Son — I  pray  God  protect  you 

HL— 
Colo  John  Laurens 

764.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke). ^ 

York,  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Nov.  30th,  1777. 
Sir, 

Mr.  Marchant  before  this  reaches  you  will  have  informed  you  of  my 
safe  Arrival  here  after  a  long  Journey ;  and  of  everything  material  that 
occurred  after  his  last  Letter  to  you.  The  President  hath  transmitted 
to  your  Excellency  printed  Copies  of  the  Confederation;  any  article  of 
which  that  may  need  an  Explanatn  Mr.  Marchant  will  explain  to  the 
Assembly.  The  President  hath  also  sent  you  the  recommendatory  Re- 
solves to  the  respective  States  which  have  passed  since  I  have  been  here, 
which  renders  it  unnecessary  for  me  even  to  mention  the  heads  of  them.  I 
will  only  observe  that  in  the  Report  recommending  a  Tax  of  five  Million 
Dollars  to  be  laid  on  the  United  States  our  Quota  was  One  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  Dollars,  and  that  upon  my  representing  the  Circum- 
stances of  our  State  Twenty  thousand  were  taken  off  and  put  upon 
Massachusetts.^ 

[763]!  L.  I,  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Papers. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  I. 
[764]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777-^77^,  P-  90;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  156. 

2  The  alteration  of  the  quotas  of  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts  does  not 
appear  in  the  report  as  printed  in  the  Journals,  under  Nov.  22. 


578  Continental  Conf^rcss 

Congress  have  resolved  tliat  an  Inquiry  should  be  made  into  the  Causes 
of  the  failure  of  the  Rhode  Island  h^xpedition.  and  the  Conduct  of  the 
principal  Officers  concerned  in  it.  The  Mode  for  conducting  the  Inquiry 
is  committed,  and  Report  will  soon  be  made.  Beside  the  public  Benefit 
that  may  attend  this  Resolution,  it  will  be  beneficial  to  our  and  the  other 
states  who  furnished  the  Troops  for  that  Expedition;  for  Congress  by 
taking  this  Business  in  hand  have  by  Implication  acknowledged  that  the 
Continent  is  to  bear  the  Expense  of  it.' .... 

765.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  William  Wilkinson.^ 

York,  Pennsylvania,  Nov.  30th,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  By  the  next  Opportunity  I  shall  send  you  the  articles  of  con- 
federation ;  they  are  at  last  completed  after  being  under  the  consideration 
of  Congress  for  almost  two  Years ;  This  has  been  the  most  difficult  piece 
of  Business  that  ever  was  undertaken  by  any  public  Body,  it  is  the  best 
Confederacy  that  could  be  formed  especially  when  we  consider  the  num- 
ber of  states,  their  dififerent  Interests,  Customs  etc.  etc.  The  mode  of 
settling  the  quota  of  Taxes  to  be  paid  towards  the  Common  expense  is  at 
last  fixed  by  the  value  of  all  Land  held  under  Patent  or  Deed  in  each  state. 
The  Eastern  people  were  much  against  this,  knowing  their  Lands  to  be 
very  valuable,  they  were  for  settling  the  quota  by  the  number  of  Inhabi- 
tants including  slaves,  this  would  have  ruined  Poor  North  Carolina,  she 
has  as  many  Inhabitants  as  Connecticut  (almost)  tho'  the  Land  in  that 
state  would  sell  for  five  times  as  much  as  the  Lands  in  ours.^ .... 

766.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to  the 
President  of  South  Carolina  (John  Rutledge).^ 

York  ist.  Decern.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  had  the  honour  of  addressing  your  Excellency  in  an  official  Letter 
under  the  28th.  past  which  lies  before  me  Sealed  in  a  packet  wath  Con- 
federation etc.  these  are  to  be  conveyed  by  Capt  Gillon  ^  to  which  I  shall 
add  three  packets  each  containing  five  Copies  of  Articles  of  Confedera- 
tion directed  severally  for  the  General  Assembly  and  the  two  Councils 
of  South  Carolina,  twelve  Copies  more  I  have  directed  to  Col.  Gervais 
to  be  distributed  among  Gentlemen  w^hose  names  are  written  on  each, 
particularly  one  to  Mr.  Wells.^    if  your  Excellency  should  be  of  opinion 

3  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  28,  Dec.  3,  11,  15,  1777,  and  Jan.  23,  27,  Mar.  27,  Apr.  8, 
Sept.  9,  1778;  also  no.  775,  post. 
[765]^  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XI.  813. 

2  Cf.  nos.  680,  yzZy  7A7,  760,  ante.     See  also  no.  766,  post. 

l766]i  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  198;  ibid.,  Laurens  Letters, 
1 776- 1 779,  no.  20. 

2  Alexander  Gillon.  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  20,  28.  Dec.  13,  1777,  Mar.  30,  31,  1778; 
also  ibid.,  1782,  passim  (index)  ;  and  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipt.  Corr.,  III.  239,  IV.  424,  547, 
705,  827,  835,  836,  837,  838,  V.  65,  219,  338  et  seq.,  VI.  434-  A  brief  sketch  of  Gillon  is  in 
Appleton,  Cyclo.  Am.  Biog. 

3  See  the  Journals,  under  Nov.  15,  p.  928,  note  2.    Cf.  no.  746,  ante. 


December,  1777  579 

that  these  papers,  before  they  are  taken  under  consideration  by  the  Legis- 
lative powers  ought  to  be  made  as  public  as  I  wish,  you  will  encourage 
him  to  print  2  or  3  hundred  Copies,  and  to  add  Copies  of  the  Addresses 
on  Confederation  and  Taxation.  I  will  not  presume  to  comment  on  the 
Model  which  is  now  Submitted  to  the  Wisdom  of  thirteen  United  States 
and  intended  to  pass  a  revision  under  the  same  abilities  collected. 

I  beg  leave  however  to  remark  to  my  late  Colleagues,  that  Congress 
before  printing  judged  it  proper  to  make  Several  essential  alterations 
particularly  in  Articles  9th.  parag :  2d. — that  I  have  therefore  no  cause 
to  blush  at  the  appearance  of  my  name  among  the  feiv  Nays  in  the 
Original  Vote.  I  should  be  still  better  pleased  to  see  that  article  undergo 
a  little  further  amendment.* 

That,  for  taking  Yeas  and  Nay's  is  another  Item  to  which  I  am  marked 
in  the  Journal  with  a  disgraceful  No !  and  almost  without  a  Companion.*^ 
I  have  never  heard  that  question  demanded,  with  that  Calmness  of  mind 
which  ought  ever  to  accompany  the  debates  of  Senators,  it  has  always 
been  the  product  of  heat  and  menace,  besides,  however  proper  it  might 
be  to  incorporate  in  the  Rules  of  a  House,  it  does  not  strike  me  as  a  neces- 
sary ingredient  for  Confederation  it  appears  to  be  totally  Irrelative  to 
the  grand  Subject.  I  do  not  mean  to  comment  by  exposing  this  bagga- 
telle.     there  are  Articles  of  deeper  Impression 

Congress  have  appointed  three  important  Committies  who  are  all  now 
in  action — one  to  confer  with  General  Washington  confidentially  on 
future  operations  and  if  possible  to  prevent  taking  Winter  Quarters,' 
One  to  consult  with  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  on  the  article  of  Provision 
and  other  matters,'^  a  third  to  translate  confederation  into  French  and  to 
Address  the  Canadians  among  whom  we  know  there  is  a  Majority  dis- 
satisfied with  English  Government.' 

Our  Indian  Committee  have  prepared  a  proper  Talk  for  the  Six 
Nations  and  at  length  I  have  put  in  motion  the  Creek  Eagle-Tail  and 
Rattle  Trap.®  Commissioners  are  appointed  for  inquiring  into  the  state 
of  affairs  at  Fort  Pitt  and  the  Western  Frontier  and  for  directing  a 
force  to  quell  those  Indians  who,  at  Detroit,  have  been  instigated  to 
Murder  many  of  the  back  Inhabitants  and  if  practicable  to  reduce  that 
nest  of  mischief.^" 

Our  Treasury  was  lately  exhausted.  New  Emissions  were  made  in- 
stantly, and  for  aught  I  know  are  m.aking.  the  demands  upon  us  which 
at  this  moment  conspire  and  which  are  in  daily  growth  are  Mountainous, 
but  we  must  be  Satisfied ;  happy  indeed  are  w^e,  that  any  quantity  of  brown 
paper  will  answer  the  calls  of  our  necessities,  alarming  as  this  appears 
we  must  for  the  present  submit,    further  necessities  may,  must,  in  a  few 

*  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  23,  27  (pp.  835,  843),     Article  14  in  the  report  under 
consideration  became  Article  9  in  the  final  form.    See  ibid.,  p.  915. 

5  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  30.    Cf.  no.  585,  ante. 

6  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  28,  and  no.  774,  post. 
^  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  28. 

s  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  29,  Dec.  2. 

»  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  20.  Dec.  3 ;  cf.  nos.  777,  778,  789.  post. 
10  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  20,  and  nos.  705-707,  717,  746,  751,  ante. 


580  Contincntiil  Congress 

months  perforin  a  work  which  Wisdom  ought  to  have  effected  many 
months  ago," 

These  things  Your  Excellency  ought  to  know.  I  do  not  hold  it  neces- 
sary to  disclose  my  Sentiments  to  every  body. 

This  Morning  is  to  come  under  consideration  the  Quota  of  General 
Officers  for  each  State.  I  mean  to  move  the  appointment  of  two  Briga- 
diers for  South  Carolina.  I  shall  most  candidly  represent  the  two  worthy 
men  who  if  I  mistake  not  are  the  proper  Candidates,  if  Congress  shall 
judge  it  necessary  to  give  us  only  one,  seniority  will  probably  have 
preference." 

Mr.  Deane  by  a  Vote  is  recalled  from  the  Court  of  France,  Mr.  John 
Adams  elected  to  succeed  him."  .... 


767.  The  President  of  Congress  to  the  Speaker  of  the 
Massachusetts  Assembly   (Robert  Treat  Paine). ^ 

York  Town  3d.  Decem.  1777. 
Sir, 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  what  I  had  the  honour  of  writing  the  1st. 
Inst,  by  Messenger  Alexr.  Tais.* 

Congress  ever  watchful  over  the  Interests  of  the  United  States  of 
America  and  diligent  to  defeat  the  numerous  and  various  practices  of  our 
grand  Enemy  equally  cruel  and  subtle  have  taken  under  consideration  a 
device  calculated  for  depreciating  the  Value  of  the  Paper  Money  issued 
by  authority  of  Congress  and  of  the  several  States  after  the  good  People 
had  found  it  necessary  to  assert  their  Rights  and  to  take  Government  into 
their  own  hands,  the  pernicious  Stratagem  now  in  view,  although  the 
discovery  of  it  is  not  quite  new  appears  more  glaring  from  a  late  Publi- 
cation in  Philadelphia  subscribed  by  a  very  great  number  of  those  mis- 
guided persons  who  chose  to  remain  in  the  City  and  welcome  the  Enemy 
to  rivet  their  fetters.^ 

It  is  also  notorious  that  many  timid  and  lukewann  friends  in  several  of 
the  States  have,  from  motives  probably  more  avaricious  than  Inimical, 
long  given  a  great  preference  to  what  is  called  the  old  Money,  which 
evidently  tends  to  lessen  the  Estimation  and  Currency  of  the  New  and 
does  in  the  same  Instance  demonstrate,  if  not  an  Inclination  to  overturn 

11  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  7-Dec.  3.    Cf.  no.  627,  ante. 

12  There  is  no  record  in  the  Journals  of  the  quota  of  general  officers  being  con- 
sidered Dec.  2.    See  the  Journals,  Dec.  31  (p.  1073). 

13  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  21,  28;  also  nos.  753,  760,  ante,  nos.  768-770,  post. 
[767]  1  Mass.  Arch.,  CXCVIII.  327;  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter-Book,  L 

56.  This  is  a  circular  letter  to  all  the  states.  In  the  letter-book  is  foixnd  the  following 
notation :    "  Introduced  by  recital  of  my  last  date,  etc.,  as  each  case  required." 

-  The  letter  of  Dec.  1  is  addressed  to  R.  T.  Paine,  speaker  of  the  Massachusetts 
assembly,  and  merely  encloses  resolves  of  the  day. 

3  The  "  late  publication  in  Philadelphia  "  was  probably  a  document  which  appeared 
in  the  Pennsylvania  Evening  Post,  Nov.  6,  to  which  three  columns  of  names  are  attached. 
After  reciting  that  a  total  stop  had  been  put  to  "  the  currency  of  the  continental  resolve 
and  commonwealth  money  ",  by  the  arrival  of  the  British  forces  in  the  city,  the  subscribers 
agree  to  use  the  old  paper  money  on  an  equality  with  gold  and  silver. 


December,  i///  581 

our  Independence,  apprehensions  which  ought  to  be  banished  from  tlie 
mind  of  every  Inhabitant  in  the  Union. 

From  an  earnest  desire  therefore  to  counteract  the  wicked  projects  of 
our  Enemies  and  to  rectify  such  errors  of  our  almost  friends,  Congress 
have  confirmed  a  Resolution  of  this  date  recommending  to  the  States 
respectively  to  enact  sufficient  Laws  for  accomplishing  these  good  ends. 
A  Copy  of  the  Resolve  will  be  found  enclosed  with  this,  which  you  will 
be  pleased  Sir  to  lay  before  the  Legislature  of  Massachuset  Bay.* 
I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  great  Esteem,  Sir 

Your  obedient  hum  Servt. 
Henry  Laurens.    Presidt.  of  Cong. 

P.  S.    4th. 

While  this  lay  open  Congress  took  before  them  a  Representation  of  the 
necessity  for  preserving  from  waste  Pine  Timber  fit  for  Masts  and  other 
purposes  of  Navigation  and  framed  a  Resolution  thereupon  which  you  will 
receive  with  the  one  above  mentioned, 

H.  L. 

The  Honorable  The  Speaker  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Massachusetts 
Bay.     Boston. 


768.  James  Lovell  to  Richard  Henry  Lee.^ 

Deer.  8th.  [1777.] 

Dear  Sir 

The  day  after  you  left  York,  I  moved  Congress  for  an  order  in  the 
following  words.  "  Whereas  it  is  of  the  greatest  Importance  that  Con- 
gress should,  at  this  critical  conjuncture  be  well  informed  of  the  State  of 
affairs  in  Europe,  and  whereas  Congress  have  resolved  that  the  Honble. 
Silas  Deane  Esqr.  be  recalled  from  the  court  of  France  and  have 
appointed  another  Commissioner  to  supply  his  place  there. 

Ordered  That  the  Committee  for  foreign  affairs  write  to  the  honble. 
Silas  Deane,  and  direct  him  to  embrace  the  ftrst  opportunity  of  returning 
to  America  and  upon  his  arrival  to  repair  with  all  possible  dispatch  to  Con- 
gress. ["]^ 

This  I  have  sent  with  the  other  Papers  to  Mr.  Adams,  and  shall  send 
tomorrow  a  duplicate  to  Baltimore  to  go  with  the  packet  which  you  left 
there. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  2,  3. 
[ 768]  1  Univ.  Va.  Lib.,  Lee  Papers. 

2  This  order  is  in  the  Journals,  Dec.  8.  Deane's  recall  was  ordered  Nov.  21, 
See  nos.  753,  760,  766,  ante.  Lee  himself  says  that  he  left  Congress  Dec.  6  (Letters, 
I.  381).  He  was  evidently  in  Congress  as  late  as  Dec.  4,  for  a  letter  of  that  date  from 
the  committee  of  foreign  affairs  to  Deane  transmitting  the  order  of  recall  is  signed  by  Lee 
and  Lovell  (Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  IL  444) .  Lee  was  also  appointed  on  a  committee 
on  that  day.  Cf.  no.  748,  note  8,  ante.  Lovell's  letter  to  John  Adams,  Dec.  8  (no.  769, 
post),  does  not  suggest  that  the  motion  was  made  earlier  than  the  8th. 


582  Continental  Congress 

I  (lid  not  think  it  necessary  to  move  that  the  Committee  should  be  filled 
up  on  such  a  petty  occasion,  and  therefore  I  spread  a  small  Plaister  for  a 
lari^e  wound  myself,  by  the  following 

"  Sir 

"  By  accident  I  find  myself  called  upon  singly  to  execute  the  duty  of  the 
Committee  for  foreign  affairs,  in  communicating  to  you  an  order  of  Con- 
gress of  this  day  respecting  your  return  to  America. 

"  The  order  stands  in  need  of  no  comment  from  the  Committee  to  eluci- 
date it;  and,  being  drawn  in  terms  complimentary  to  your  abilities  of 
serving  these  United  States  upon  your  arrival  here,  I  take  pleasure  in 
conveying  it,  being  Sir,  your  very  humb.  Servt."  ' 

I  hope,  Dear  Sir,  you  will  consider  this  proceeding  as  giving  some  sort 
of  definition  to  the  Recall,  and  in  moderate  language ;  as  it  stood  before, 
he  was  to  be  recalled,  but  the  time  when  was  not  in  any  measure  marked 
out 

769.  James  Lovell  to  John  Adams/ 

Deer.  8th.  [1777.] 
Dear  Sir 

....  Having  opposed  several  attempts  of  Jemmy  ~  to  do  away  the 
resolve  of  Recall,  I  found  a  necessity  to  offer  something  this  day  myself, 
as  no  limited  time  had  been  fixed  to  Dean's  powers.  I  send  a  letter  for 
you  to  seal.  I  think  I  have  spread  as  small  a  Plaister  as  possible  for  a 
great  Sore.' 

Mr.  Dana  is  a  most  thorough  and  active  member;  has  been  put  into 
the  Board  of  War,  marine  Committee,  and  afterw^ard  put  at  the  head  of 
the  Treasury  by  the  sollicitation  of  the  members  of  that  Board  at  Duanes 
Departure ;  upon  which  Mr.  Dana  was  excused  from  the  Board  of  War.* 
Mr.  Geary  is  yet  at  Head  Quarters.^  we  hope  there  was  a  general  En- 
gagemt.  last  friday. 

Mr.  Read  has  refused  to  go  a  Commissioner  to  the  western  Frontiers.^ 
He  is  greatly  chagrined  at  not  being  put  upon  the  new  Board  of  war, 
after  his  name  had  been  mentioned  to  Genl.  Washington.'' 

If  you  should  refuse  to  go  over  the  water,  which  I  pray  you  may  not, 
He  or  Livingston  would  be  chosen.® 

5  This  letter  to  Silas  Deane,  dated  Dec.  8,  is  in  Wharton,  Rev.  Dipl.  Corr.,  II.  444. 
[769]  1  Adams  MSS.,  Boston. 

2  James  Duane.  The  "resolve  of  Recall"  was  that  of  Nov.  21,  for  the  recall  of 
Silas  Deane  from  France. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  8,  and  no.  768,  ante. 

*  Dana  was  also  chosen  on  the  committee  of  appeals.  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  17, 
Dec.  3. 

5  Elbridge  Gerry.    See  the  Journals,  Nov.  28,  and  no.  774,  post. 

8  Joseph  Reed.    See  no.  746,  note  7,  ante,  and  the  Journals,  Nov.  20,  Dec.  4,  10,  il. 

7  See  nos.  700,  757,  759.  761,  ante. 

8  The  memorandum  of  Henry  Laurens,  Nov.  21  (see  no.  753,  note  6,  ante),  includes 
Reed  among  the  nominees  for  the  French  mission,  but  does  not  mention  Robert  R. 
Livingston.  Elbridge  Gerry  stated,  however,  in  a  letter  to  John  Adams,  Sept.  29,  1779 
(Adams's  Works,  IX.  491 ;  also  in  vol.  IV.  of  these  Letters),  that  Livingston  was  nomi- 
nated by  the  delegates  of  New  York. 


December,  z///  583 

Excuse  me  to  Mr.  S.  Adams.  I  am  obliged  to  sit  steadily  in  Congress 
to  make  up  9  Colonies,  and  I  have  a  deal  of  drudgerey  to  go  through  from 
a  deficiency  of  Clerks. 

770.  James  Lovell  to  Samuel  Adams.^ 

Deer.  8th.  [1777.] 
Dear  Sir 

....  I  send  you  a  Maryland  Paper  in  which  by  the  great  indiscretion 
of  somebody  in  Congress  parts  of  Bingham's  letter  are  printed  which 
ought  not  to  have  seen  the  light.^ 

Among  friends,  we  have  received  a  most  impudent  letter  from  Mauroy. 
tis  impossible  to  take  any  notice  of  it  to  him  without  putting  him  in  Jail. 

We  could  not  confirm  Deane's  contracts  without  deranging  our  Army ; 
but,  we  could  take  up  Individuals  without  the  same  Effect.  What  is  there 
grossly  inconsistent  in  this?     I  am  rejoyced  we  did  not  employ  him 


3 


771.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  Thomas  Burke.^ 

York,  Pennsilvania  Dec.  8th  1777. 
Dear  Sir: 

....  The  several  resolutions  of  Congress  sent  to  the  Governors  of 
the  States  will  require  particular  attention.  That  of  taxation,  is  essential 
above  all.  The  credit  of  our  Continental  Currency  depends  upon  it.  The 
opening  the  Courts  of  Law,  for  the  recovery  of  Debts,  surely  ought  to  be 
attended  to.  The  calling  in  your  paper  Currency,  especially  that  issued 
under  the  Authority  of  the  British  Government  (as  a  distinction  is  made 
by  the  Tories  and  sordid  Whigs  already  of  at  least  100  per  cent,  which  in 
its  consequences  must  ruin  our  public  Credit)  ought  to  command  the 
attention  of  our  Legislature.^ .... 

We  are  daily  entertained  by  Members  of  Congress,  with  paragraphs 
of  Letters,  giving  an  account  of  the  surprising  exertions  of  their 
Constituents. 

I  beg  that  you  will  inform  me  what  has  been  done  by  our  General 
Assembly  in  this  way.  We  have  often  been  before  them,  I  hope  we  shall 
never  be  behind  them 

"^22.  Cornelius  Harnett  to  William  Wilkinson.^ 

York,  Pennsylvania,  Dec.  8th,  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  Inclosed  is  a  Hand  Bill  printed  by  order  of  Congress  relative  to 
the  late  Convention  at  Saratoga.^    this  only  came  to  Congress  three  days 

[770]  1  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers. 

2  This  is  presumably  the  letter  of  Bingham  read  in  Congress  Oct.  i8.     See  no. 
722,  ante.    Cf.,  however,  Richard  Henry  Lee  to  Adams,  Nov.  22,,  in  Letters,  I,  353. 
'  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  8.    Cf.  no.  632,  ante.    See  also  nos.  734,  741,  ante. 
[771]!  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  693. 

2  Cf.  the  letter  to  Wilkinson,  Dec.  8  (no.  772,  post)  ;  also  his  letter  to  Burke, 
Dec.  16,  in  N.  C.  State  Recs.,  XL  695. 
{^^iYN.  estate  Recs.,  y.l.B,i%. 

2  The  order  to  publish  the  convention  was  given  to  the  committee  of  intelligence 
Oct.  31.  Harnett  also  enclosed  one  of  the  handbills  in  his  letter  to  Burke,  Dec.  8  (no. 
771,  ante).    See  the  Bibliographical  Notes,  in  the  Journals,  IX.  1089. 

42 


584  Continental  Congress 


^.' 


ago,  as  we  have  had  no  press  here  until  within  these  few  days  and  no 
Gazette  as  yet  pubHshed.*    I  shall  send  you  the  first 

You  will  be  pleased  first  to  observe  that  Congress  knows  no  more  of 
the  intentions  of  the  Army  than  you  do,  until  some  event  or  other  takes 
place.  Congress  have  very  wisely  determined  to  put  it  in  Genl  Washing- 
ton's power  to  keep  his  own  secrets 

I  hope  the  Assembly  will  open  your  Courts  for  the  recovery  of  Debts, 
That  you  will  immediately  begin  to  lay  Taxes  as  other  states  have  done, 
that  you  will  call  in  all  the  Currency  emitted  under  the  authority  of  the 
King  of  G.  Britain  etc.  these  are  matters  of  the  utmost  Consequence,  and 
Strenuously  recommended  by  Congress  to  the  several  states.  Our  very 
Existence  as  a  free  People  depends  on  Vigorous  measures  immediately 
to  be  adopted.* .... 

Your  sincere  friend  and  obedt.  Servt. 

Corn.  H.\rnett. 


yy^i-  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York  Town  Decembr  8th  1777 
Dear  Sir 

recievd  yours  from  Boston  of  the  20th  Ultmo.  I  hope  before  this 
comes  to  hand  you  will  recieve  my  last  ^  (by  Express  to  Govr  Trumbull) 
which  as  I  depend  you  will  recieve  shall  not  repeat  what  I  so  fully  wrote 
you  at  that  time  on  the  Subject  of  a  Board  of  Warr  of  which  you  are 
unanimously  chose  one  and  hope  Nothing  will  prevent  your  attending  at 
least  two  or  3  months,  you  mentione  often  as  in  your  last  the  ill  Treat- 
ment you  have  recieved  you  know  it  was  effected  only  by  a  small  faction, 
who  had  art  enough  by  specious  pretences  of  publick  Utility  to  Impose 
upon  others  just  enough  to  make  a  Majority  (Rhode-Island  not  repre- 
sented) that  faction  is  now  no  more  the  greatest  Union  and  Harmony 
subsists  in  Congress.  I  hope  before  this  time  Mr  Gray  has  recieved  the 
assignment  of  his  District  and  appointed  such  Deputies  as  may  recieve  the 
remaining  Stores  on  hand.^  beside  Govr  Trumbull  has  power  to  appoint 
both  Issuing  and  purchasing  Commiss^  so  far  as  he  thinks  Necessary.* 
the  Treasury  Board  have  rendred  Valid  all  yr  receipts  in  Consequence  of 
orders  from  the  Genlls.  as  to  what  Coll.  Williams  hinted  to  you  is  but 
of  little  Consequence,  it  is  not  Improbable  but  some  might  Imagine  that 
you  had  some  Influence  on  those  whom  you  had  employed  to  prevent  their 

3  See  no.  692,  ante ;  cf.  Harnett  to  Wilkinson,  Nov.  19,  20,  in  N.  C.  State  Recs., 
XI.  806,  808. 

*  Cf.  no.  771,  ante.    See  also  nos.  753,  note  3,  760,  ante, 
[773]^  Conn.  Hist.  Soc,  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers. 

2  Nov.  28,  no.  761,  ante. 

3  See  nos.  726,  727,  ante. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  3,  no.  761,  ante,  no.  776,  post. 


December,  lyTJ  585 

accepting,  but  it  is  not  worth  minding."^ ....  As  I  have  an  appointment 
for  next  year  conckide  to  tarry  till  Spring  to  prevent  my  being  Obligd  to 
leave  home  next  summer    my  regards  and  affection  to  Family  and  friends 

am  Yours 

Elipht  Dyer 

[P.  S.]  .  .  .  . 

774.  Committee  of  Congress  to  George  Washington.^ 

White  Marsh  Deer.  loth.  1777 

In  Consequence  of  the  conferences  we  have  had  with  your  Excellency, 
and  knowing  yours  and  your  General  Officers  opinions  on  the  subject  of 
our  Mission,  we  have  come  to  the  resolution's  contained  in  the  enclosed 
paper,  finding  them  as  far  as  we  can  judge  most  consistant  with  the 
Public  good. 

Among  the  many  reasons  offered  against  a  Winters  Campaigne  we 
were  sorry  to  observe  one  of  the  most  prevalent  was  a  general  discontent 
in  the  Army  and  especially  among  the  Officers.  These  discontents  are 
ascribed  to  various  causes  and  we  doubt  not  many  of  them  are  well 
founded  and  deserve  particular  attention,  and  in  the  course  of  the  present 
Winter,  will  be  taken  into  consideration  by  Congress,  and  we  hope  effec- 
tually remedied. 

That  a  reform  may  take  place  in  the  Army,  and  proper  discipline  be 
introduced,  We  wish  to  see  the  Military  placed  on  such  a  footing  as  may 
make  a  Commission  a  desirable  object  to  the  Officer,  and  his  Rank  pre- 
served from  degradation  and  contempt;  for  these  purposes  we  intend  to 
recommend  to  Congress 

That  an  half  pay  establishment  be  formed  and  adopted  in  the  Amer- 
ican Service 
That  a  pensionary  establishment  take  place  in  favour  of  Officers 

Widows. 
That  a  new  regulation  of  Rank  confining  it  as  far  as  possible  to  the 

line  of  the  Army  be  adopted. 
That  an  equitable  mode  of  paying  for  hack  ration  be  ordered. 
Should  these  several  regulations  be  approved  and  established  by  Con- 
gress (and  we  have  reason  to  suppose  they  will)  We  trust  the  prevailing 
discontents  will  subside  and  a  spirit  of  emulation  take  place  among  the 
Gentlemen  of  the  Army  to  promote  the  Public  Service  and  introduce  that 
order  and  discipline  amongst  the  Troops  so  essential  to  the  Military 
character. 

As  a  further  inducement  the  Committee  have  it  also  in  contemplation 
to  propose  in  Congress  that  the  Officers  be  permitted  to  dispose  of  their 

s  The  allusion  is  probably  to  the  rather  broad  hints  in  Williams's  letter  of  Nov.  4 
(no.  726,  ante^.    See  also  no.  776,  post. 
[774]^  Library  of  Congress,  Letters  to  Washington,  XCL  no. 


586  Continental  Congress 

Commissions  under  sucli  regulations  as  may  render  the  measure  eligible.* 
We  are 

Your  Excellencys  Most  Obedt  hble  Servants 

RoBT  Morris, 
Elbkidge  Gerry 
Jos:  Jones. 
To 

His  Excellency 

George  Washington  Esqr 
General  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Forces 
of  the  United  States  of  America 

774A.  Henry  Laurens  to  the  Continental  Congress.^ 

Gentlemen 

In  the  Character  of  a  Delegate  in  Congress  give  me  leave  to  address 
you.  Your  President  has  been  confined  to  his  Chamber  and  in  Bed  for 
three  days  and  Nights  past  during  which  time  he  has  not  had  three  hours 
Sleep,  the  Malady  under  which  he  labours  has  made  such  a  progress  as 
to  convince  him  by  reflecting  upon  former  attacks  that  he  will  not  be  able 
to  move  out  of  the  House  nor  to  attend  his  duty  in  Congress  for  some 
Weeks  to  come.  When  he  accepted  the  Honour  which  you  were  pleased 
to  confer  on  him  it  was  with  a  single  Eye  to  your  service  in  the  most 
comprehensive  meaning.  Now  he  finds  himself  incapable  of  performing 
his  duty  he  is  anxious  to  Resign  that  Honour,  which  he  accepted  only  in 
obedience  to  your  Vote." 

These,  you  may  depend  upon  it  Gentlemen,  are  the  genuine  sentiments 
of  his  mind. 

There  already  lies  upon  his  Table  much  business  which  with  pain  he 
thinks  of,  because  it  is  not  in  his  power  to  give  proper  dispatch  to  it. 
every  day  unless  you  are  pleased  to  prevent  it,  will  accumulate  the  heap 
public  business  will  be  impeded  and  some  branches  will  run  into  Con- 
fusion. 

I  therefore  humbly  move  you  Gentlemen  to  proceed  to  the  choice  of  a 
President  as  an  act  of  propriety  and  necessity,  be  assured  I  should  have 
continued  to  serve  you  with  diligence  and  fidelity  if  my  health  had  per- 
mitted. I  trust  I  shall  not  only  be  seconded  in  this  Motion  but  that  there 
will  not  be  a  dissenting  voice  in  Congress. 
I  am  Gentlemen 

Your  faithful  Coadjutor  and  humble  Servant 

Henry  Laurens 
York  Tov;^n 

12  Decern,  1777 

The  Honble  Congress 

2  This  committee  was  appointed  Nov.  28.  A  letter  from  it,  dated  Dec.  6,  was 
read  in  Congress  Dec.  8.  Its  report  to  Congress  is  in  the  Journals,  Dec.  16,  and  the 
enclosure  here  referred  to  constitutes  the  last  four  paragraphs  of  that  report.  Cf.  ibid., 
Dec.  18,  19,  24,  30,  31 ;  also  Jan.  5,  1778  and  passim  (index,  Army,  Half  Pay).  See  also 
no.  766,  ante,  nos.  779,  780,  782-785,  790,  post. 

[774 A] ^  Library  of  Congress,  Papers  Cont.  Cong.,  no.  78,  vol.  XIV.,  f.  185. 
-  See  no.  793,  post. 


December,  z///  587 

775.  William  Ellery  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode  Island 

(Nicholas  Cooke)/ 

York-Town  State  of  Pennsylvania 

Deer.  14th.  1777 
Sir, 

....  Congress  have  determined  upon  the  mode  of  Inquiry  into  the 
causes  of  the  failure  of  the  Rhode-Island  Expedition,  and  have  appointed 
Genl.  Whipple,  of  N  Hampshire,  Robert  Treat  Paine,  Esq.  of  Massachu- 
setts-Bay, H.  Marchant,  Esq.,  of  Rhode-Island,  Oliver  Elsworth,  Esq., 
of  Connecticut,  and  Egbert  Benson,  Esq.,  of  New- York  Commissioners 
for  that  purpose :  the  Time  of  their  meeting  to  be  the  first  monday  in 
february,  and  the  place  Providence.^ 

The  Question  hath  been  asked  side  ways,  who  is  to  pay  the  Expense  of 
that  Expedition ;  but  it  hath  not  yet  been  serious  asked  and  I  hope  it  will 
not.  If  the  Expedition  had  succeeded  we  should  never  have  heard  about 
the  Expense,  and  perhaps  if  tlie  Authors  of  its  failure  are  brought  to 
Light,  their  Punishment  may  appease  the  Resentment  of  Congress,  and 
obliterate  the  Idea  of  an  enormous  useless  Expense.®  We  have  no  late 
news  from  France  or  the  W.  Indies.  When  anything  occurs  of  Conse- 
quence, I  shall  write  to  your  Excellency,  in  the  mean  Time  give  me  leave 
to  subscribe  myself,  with  great  Regard,  Yr  Excellency's 

most  obedt  humble  Servant, 

William  Ellery 

Deer.  17th. 
[P.  S.]  .  .  .  .  Since  I  wrote  the  foregoing,  Genl.  Washington  trans- 
mitted to  Congress  a  letter  from  Genl.  Heath  to  him,  in  which  he  in- 
formed G.  W.  that  Application  had  been  made  to  him  by  the  Offi[ce]rs 
concerned  in  the  Rhode  Island  expedition  for  their  pay,  and  desired  to 
know  whether  the  Continent  or  the  States  who  fu[r]nished  the  Troops 
were  to  pay  the  expence.  This  brot  in  the  question  which  I  hoped  would 
never  have  been  started,  and  after  a  slight  agitation,  in  which  I  perceived  it 
was  the  Sense  of  Congress  that  the  Continent  ought  to  bear  the  Expence,  it 
was  referred  to  a  Committee  to  examine  the  Journals  in  this  Regard,  and 
to  report  to  Congress 

776.  Eliphalet  Dyer  to  Joseph  Trumbull.^ 

York-Town  Decembr.  15th  1777 
Sir 

I  received  yours  by  Brown  of  the  in  which  I  find  you  are  still 

Complaining  that  you  cannot  get  rid  of  the  publick  stores  on  hand  in  any 

[775]!  R.  I.  Arch.,  Letters  to  the  Governors,  1777-1/78,  p.  108;  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont. 
Cong.,  p.  158. 

2  See  no.  764,  note  3,  ante ;  also  Staples,  R.  I.  in  Cont.  Cong.,  pp.  155-166  (passim), 
174, 193, 195. 

3  See  the  postscript  to  this  letter,  and  the  Journals,  Dec.  15.  The  committee  of 
Nov.  28  was  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  failure  of  the  Rhode  Island  expedition, 
that  of  Dec.  15  into  its  rise.  See,  further,  Ellery  to  Cooke,  Jan.  4,  in  the  next  volume 
of  these  Letters. 

[776]!  Conn.  State  Lib.,  Joseph  Trumbull  Collection,  no.  52. 


588  Continental  Congress 

Regular  way  Conj^ress  have  done  every  thing  in  tlicir  power  to  reheve 
you,  the  fault  lias  lain  entirely  with  Coll  Stewart  in  not  taking  care  of  his 
Department  they  have  repeatedly  wrote  him  or  directed  Mr.  Buchanan 
to  Inform  him  of  the  dificultics  which  lie  in  his  department  where  he  is 
and  what  is  become  of  him  we  know  not,  we  have  heard  that  he  had  set 
out  for  the  Eastern  world  some  time  agoe  but  to  prevent  every  dificulty 
for  the  future  thev  have  Imjwwered  Govr.  Trumbull  to  supply  every 
defect  in  both  the  purchasing  and  Issuing  Department  in  that  part  of  the 
world.-"  Orders  have  been' long  Given  to  Mr.  Buchanan  for  2  hund. 
thousand  dollars  on  the  loan  office  in  Boston  for  the  Eastern  Department 
to  be  paid  in  preference  to  any  other  (as  by  the  return  made  from  that 
office  they  were  good  for  more  than  that  sum)  and  to  be  Immediately 
sent  to  Mr.  Colt,  and  to  save  and  Indemnifye  you  the  Treasury  Board 
have  rendered  Valid,  and  to  pass  to  your  account  all  the  stores  any  Genii 
officer  shall  either  take  or  that  you  may  deliver  to  their  Order.*  I  hope 
before  this  you  are  in  a  great  measure  relieved  of  your  dificulties  You 
Inform  me  that  you  were  about  to  set  out  for  Boston  and  Salem  to  pur- 
chase Cloathing  for  the  Colony  and  had  it  not  been  for  Coll.  Williams' 
letter*  Informing  you  of  the  jealousies  and  Suspicions  Congress  had 
entertained  of  your  Integrity  etc  you  was  about  to  undertake  to  supply 
with  provisions  from  Connecticut  but  on  his  Information  you  declined 
having  anything  to  do  with  it  and  was  so  advised  by  the  Govr  and  his 
Council  I  should  have  thot  that  both  the  Govr  and  you  had  been  long 
enough  acquainted  with  Coll.  Williams  I  mean  the  suddeness  of  his 
Temper  the  warmth  of  his  Imagination,  the  strong  Impression  sometimes 
a  little  matter  makes  on  his  mind,  (tho'  of  an  honest  good  heart)  to  lay  so 
great  a  Stress  upon  his  painting.  I  found  he  had  wrote  and  feard  as  for 
some  other  of  his  letters  They  were  unguarded  and  would  have  no  good 
effect  but  the  Contrary*,  he  informed  me  the  ground  of  his  letter  was 
when  some  affairs  touching  the  Commissy  department  were  agitated  in 
Congress  a  Certain  Member  he  would  not  tell  me  who  not  knowing  as  he 
supposes  of  his  Connection  with  you  whispered  him  that  he  feard  you 
was  so  put  out  and  Chagrined  at  the  New  Regulations  that  you  had  in 
some  measure  embarrassed  and  discouraged  others  in  undertaking  I  have 
no  doubt  but  somebody  might  throw  out  such  a  hint  to  him,  and  possibly 
some  might  have  such  fears  or  suspicion;  but  is  that  enough  to  lay  so 
great  a  Stress  upon,  when  you  have  been  repeatedly  assured  that  Con- 
gress in  general  and  believe  may  say  now  Universally  entertain  a  high 
opinion  of  your  Abilities  and  Integrity  in  your  whole  Conduct  in  that  De- 
partment, they  have  given  you  the  Strongest  Evidence  of  it  by  a  Unani- 
mous unsolicited  Vote  even  of  every  Individual  in  appointing  you  one  of 
a  Board,  the  most  honourable  as  well  as  Interesting  to  your  Country.' 
We  had  formerly  2  or  3  heady  mischief  making  Gentn.  in  Congress  they 
are  gone  and  believe  will  be  here  no  more  the  party  is  broke  up  all  is 

2  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  3;  cf.  nos.  761,  77^,  ante. 

8  See  the  Journals,  Nov.  12,  cf.  ibid.,  Sept.  16,  Dec.  20. 

*See  Williams  to  Trumbull,  Nov.  4  (no.  726,  ante).    Cf.  no.  77i,  ante. 

5  The  board  of  war.    See  the  Journals,  Nov.  27,  and  nos.  7S7-76i,  773,  ante. 


December,  J///  589 

harmony  and  Union.  Schuyler  is  no  more!  I  was  rather  sorry  to  hear 
your  long  defence  and  Exculpation  in  your  letter  to  Congress  against 
Charges  they  had  never  heard  nor  believe  suspected  and  was  equally  sorry 
to  hear  the  Governors  letter  Complaining  of  the  Treatment  his  sons  had 
received  especially  at  this  time,  when  I  can  assure  him  and  you  that  both 
you  and  your  brother  the  Paymaster  Stand  in  a  fairer  point  of  light  with 
Congress  than  any  two  Gentn.  ever  employ'd  by  them,  yet  I  am  Sensi- 
ble that  at  a  time,  to  serve  some  friend  or  particular  purpose  your  brother 
was  Superseded  and  you  have  had  now  and  then  a  Squib  thrown  at  you 
but  without  making  any  impression  prejudicial  to  your  Carracter.  your 
brother  John  was  ill  treated  I  believe  but  all  would  have  been  put  right 
had  he  been  a  little  more  soft  in  his  letter  old  Doctor  Witherspoon  of 
high  Scotch  feeling  was  nettled  and  without  any  prejudice  against  the 
family  principally  opposed  its  being  rectified.®  You  say  it  is  a  little  won- 
derd  at  my  and  Coll  Williams  Recommendation  of  a  Certain  Gentn.''  I 
did  it  from  political  motives,  which  can  explain  to  you  when  I  may  have 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  again,  which  hope  will  be  soon.  Congress 
have  great  hopes  and  expectations  from  this  New  Constituted  Board  of 
Warr.  the  Army  in  every  Department  wants  a  total  reform  and  regula- 
tion both  Internal  and  External  we  are  determined  by  the  blessing  of 
Heaven  to  have  it  Effected,  our  appointment  meets  with  universal  ap- 
plause, great  Expectations  are  from  it.  We  have  also  appointed  Inspec- 
tors Genii,  of  the  Army  in  every  department,  who  will  be  Executors  and 
assist,  agts  to  the  board  of  Warr.  will  Inspect  make  their  returns  and 
reports  to  you.  they  are  Gentn.  of  great  knowledge  abilities  and  Integrity 
and  believe  will  be  Intent  to  reform  abuses  regulate  disorders  establish 
discipline  in  the  Army,  since  the  above  received  yours  from  Boston  of 
the  7th.  what  is  past  cannot  be  helpd.  we  must  make  the  best  of  what  is 
to  come,  it  is  unaccountable  what  is  become  of  Mr.  Colts  order  for  2  hund 
thousand  dollars,  a  duplicate  is  now  sent  and  a  large  sum  in  Cash,  the 
order  on  New  York  reversed  and  an  order  to  Govr  and  Council  of  Safety 
on  Connecticut  Loan  office  in  Lieu  of  it,  which  we  find  now  to  be  good 
for  a  Considerable  sum.*  Congress  have  had  every  department  to 
attend  to,  hope  it  is  in  a  good  way  at  last  the  Gov.  and  Councill  may 
Employe  Coll  Champion  and  whom  they  please,  assist  Mr.  Colt  Cooperate 
one  with  another  as  much  as  possible  I  know  they  dont  want  the  trouble, 
but  the  Mistakes  in  past  will  require  greater  Exertions  in  the  future  Our 
Army  have  done  so  much  fighting  this  summer  they  seem  much  Inclined 
to  go  into  winter  quarters  and  prepare  for  spring,  if  so  How  will  have 
free  plunder    possibly  disturb  them  in  their  proposed  quiet. 

My  afifectionate  regard  to  family  and  am  sincerely 

Yours 
E  Dyer, 
Mr  Jos  Trumbull 

8  See  no.  759,  note  5,  ante ;  also  Henry  Laurens  to  Governor  Trumbull,  Jan.  5, 
1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

7  The  allusion  is  to  one  of  the  members  of  the  board  of  war,  but  it  is  not  certain 
which  one  is  meant. 

8  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  10,  Nov.  3.    Cf.  ibid.,  Dec.  20. 


590  Continental  Congress 

yyy.  James  Duane  to  Horatio  Gates.* 

Manour  Livingston  i6th.  Decemr  1777 

Sir 

Congress  have  been  pleased  to  appoint  V>r\^\-  General  Stark  to  the 
Command  of  an  Enterprize  which  they  have  much  at  Heart.  It's  Success 
under  Providence  depending  entirely  ui)on  Secrecy :  For  fear  of  a  mis- 
carriage of  the  Dispatches,  I  am  directed  in  a  personal  Conference  at 
Albany  to  explain  their  Views  and  deliver  to  him  his  Commission  and 
Instructions.-  where  that  General  is  employd  at  present  Congress  is  unin- 
formed and  have  therefore  directed  me  to  trouble  you  with  forwarding 
the  enclosed  Letter :  One  from  you  might  quicken  his  Journey  to  Albany, 
and  as  no  Time  shoud  be  lost  I  must  request  that  Favour,  as  well  as  that 
you  will  be  so  obliging  as  to  employ  in  this  Business  an  Express  on  whose 
Diligence  you  can  rely,  and  to  order  him  to  proceed  to  this  place  with 
General  Stark's  Answer  as  soon  as  possible :  If  you  can  form  any  prob- 
able Conjecture  when  it  may  be  expected  your  Opinion  will  regulate  my 
Conduct 

I  hope  to  have  the  Pleasure  of  an  Interview  with  you  before  you  pro- 
ceed to  Congress.  From  what  I  learn  it  woud  ease  your  mind  on  a  Subject 
which,  without  any  Reason,  has  given  you  Pain,  you  may  be  assurd  that 
you  hold  a  high  Place  in  the  Esteem  and  Confidence  of  Congress 

Governour  Clinton  three  days  ago  removd  to  Pocepesy  where  he  pro- 
poses to  meet  our  Legislature.  I  flatter  myself  that  you  will  confer  with 
him  on  the  Defences  of  Hudson's  River  before  your  Departure :  as  Con- 
gress depends  on  your  advice,  and  considers  the  Security  of  the  Commu- 
nication between  the  Northern  and  Southern  States  as  an  object  of 
infinite  Importance.^ .... 

778.  James  Duane  to  Philip  Schuyler.^ 

Manour  Livingston  i6th.  Decemr.  1777. 
Dear  General. 

I  am  charged  with  Dispatches  from  Congress  which  I  left  the  5th. 
Instant  to  the  Commissioners  of  Indian  Affairs  for  the  Northern  Depart- 
ment; and  directed  to  hold  with  them  a  personal  Conference  on  Subjects 
which  Congress  have  warmly  at  Heart.^  For  this  purpose  I  intend  soon 
to  visit  Albany.  In  the  mean  Time  it  will  be  necessary  to  convene  the 
Commissioners.  When  that  can  be  effected  I  can  form  no  Conjecture; 
but  must  wait  for  your  Information. 

I  am  obliged  to  see  Genl.  Stark  at  Albany,  and  General  Gates  is  desired 
to  send  for  him.    you  will  Judge  from  Circumstances,  how  long  it  may  be 

[777]!  N.  Y.  Hist.  Soc,  Gates  Papers,  XI. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  3 ;  cf.  no.  766,  ante,  and  no.  778,  post.  See  also  the  Jour- 
iials,  Jan.  21,  22,  23,  Feb.  I,  2,  Mar.  28,  May  4,  1778;  On  the  "irruption  into  Canada" 
cf.  ibid,   (index). 

s  Cf.  no.  750,  ante. 
[778]!  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  3 ;  cf.  nos.  766,  777,  ante. 


December,  7777  •  591 

before  an  Express  can  reach  him,  return  to  me,  and  he  repair  to  Albany ; 
From  your  Opinion  on  this  Point  I  shall  regulate  my  Journey,  for  which 
I  shall  therefore  be  obliged  to  you :  as  well  as  for  fixing  the  meeting  of 
the  Commissrs.  accordingly,  that  I  may  be  eased  of  the  Trouble  of  a 
Double  Attendance  at  this  inclement  Season.  Before  I  shall  have  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  you  Congress  will  forward  an  Eagle's  Tail  and  Rattle- 
trap sent  them  by  the  Creeks  as  a  Token  of  Peace  and  Friendship.  The 
use  of  it  will  appear  from  a  Talk  to  the  Six  Nations  with  which  I  am 
charged,  but  need  not  now  forward ;  as  I  am  entrusted  to  make  any  altera- 
tions which,  on  Conference  with  you,  Circumstances  may  appear  to 
require ;  and  I  believe  some  will  be  found  necessary.^ .... 

779.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  to  the  Vice-President  of 
Pennsylvania  (George  Bryan). ^ 

York  Town,  Deer,  19  1777 
Dr.  Sir 

Congress  yesterday  reed.  acct.  of  the  arrival  of  a  ship  from  France  in 
75  days  with  46  Cannon  19  mortars  9  Inch  61,000  wt  of  Brimstone  near 
4000  small  arms  some  powder  etc.  we  have  no  papers  by  this  Vessell. 
Genl.  Gates  has  answered  some  queries  proposed  by  Congress  respectg. 
Burgoynes  conduct  in  the  Convention.  He  says  the  military  chest  and 
standards  w^ere  left  in  Canada.  He  accounts  for  the  arms  be^.  unfit  for 
service  in  the  return  and  the  want  of  scabbards  for  bayonets  and  of  Car- 
touch  boxes  etc.  and  concludes  that  things  have  been  conducted  tolerably 
well.' 

I  wish  to  have  the  result  of  Colo.  Bayard  and  Mr.  Youngs  business  at 
Camp.^  I  have  not  a  copy  of  the  resolution  of  the  house  on  the  quorum 
of  their  delegates.  The  memorial  of  the  house  and  Council  was  laid 
before  Congress  the  Even^  I  arrived  here  and  read.  It  was  again  read 
yesterday,  and  will  probably  be  considered  this  da  [y.]  I  believe  Congress 
will  not  wish  our  army  to  be  at  any  considerable  distance  from  Ph^.* 
But  hav^  been  very  unwell  yesterday  I  could  only  crawl  to  Congress,  and 
have  not  been  able  to  visit  many  of  the  members. 

I  expect  to  write  to  you  again  in  a  day  or  two. 

Yrs.  etc. 
J.  B.  Smith. 

[P.  S.]  Yesterday  rec'd  a  exact  return  of  Burgoynes  army  at  the  time 
of  surrender^.    You'l  see  it  in  the  next  paper. 

3  See  no.  789,  post. 
[779]!  N.  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Emmet  Coll.,  no.  909;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  108. 

2  See  no.  782,  post. 

3  See  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.>  VI.  61,  75. 

*  This  relates  to  the  "  remonstrance  "  from  the  Pennsj^lvania  council  and  assem- 
bly concerning  the  cantonment  of  the  army.  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  17-19,  22,  25.  Cf. 
no.  774,  ante.  See  also  no.  780,  post.  The  Pennsylvania  remonstrance  is  in  Pa.  Arch., 
first  ser.,  V.  307.  A  resolution  passed  at  a  conference  between  the  council  and  assembly 
to  present  the  remonstrance  to  Congress,  together  with  four  reasons  to  be  urged  against 
the  proposed  cantonment,  is  ibid.,  VI.  104  (see  the  Journals,  p.  1033,  note  i). 


502  Continental  Congress 

780.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  to  the  Vice-President  of 
Pennsylvania   (George  Bryan ).^ 

York  Town,  Deer.  19th,  1777. 

Dr  Sir, 

This  clay  the  memorial  from  our  State  concerning  the  cantonment  of 
the  regular  army  was  taken  into  consideration.  Congress  had  some  time 
ago,  by  a  Committee,  recommended  to  Genl  Washington,  if  he  determined 
to  take  winter  quarters,  to  dispose  of  his  army  in  such  manner  as  would 
most  cfTectually  cover  the  Country,  etc.  They  have  now  ordered  the 
memorial  of  our  State  to  be  transmitted  to  the  Genl,  and  liave  desired  him 
to  inform  Congress  whether  he  is  about  to  canton  his  troops,  and  where, 
and  what  provision  he  has  made  for  securing  the  East  side  of  Schuylkill 
and  the  State  of  N.  Jersey.  This  you  will  be  pleased  to  communicate  to 
the  Gentlemen  of  both  houses  for  their  present  satisfaction.  A  copy  of 
the  resolution  I  have  not  time  by  this  opportunity  to  forward,  but  suppose 
it  will  be  sent  more  formally  by  our  delegates  by  the  next  opportunity 
that  may  offer.^ 

We  hear  that  the  army  are  about  putting  in  the  Gulph  valley.  This 
is  the  wish  of  Congress  as  far  as  I  can  judge. 

I  am,  Dr  Sir. 

Yr  afft  and  v.    h.  st. 

J.  B.  Smith. 


781.  The  President  of  Congress  (Henry  Laurens)  to 

Philip  Schuyler.^ 

York  20th.  Decmr.  1777. 

....  I  reserve  the  honour  of  presentmg  your  Letter  to  Congress 
when  I  shall  be  able  to  attend  the  House,  at  present  I  am  closely  confined 
by  the  Gout  in  both  feet,  but  hope  to  get  abroad  before  Christmas  day. 
I  mean  Sir,  by  this  delay  to  quicken  the  business  which  you  press,  by 
intimating  to  Congress  from  the  retiring  of  Mr.  Adams  and  Mr.  Lee,  the 
necessity  for  nominating  a  new  Comm^*'  for  enquiring  into  the  cause  of 
the  loss  of  Tyconderoga  etc.  and  at  the  same  time  producing  all  the  papers 
which  in  the  course  of  our  past  enquiry  have  been  lodged  in  my  hands, 
these  by  a  very  few  hours  attention  may  be  properly  digested  and  if 
Gentlemen  are  of  my  opinion  that  there  is  no  ground  for  expecting 
further  important  information  a  Report  may  presently  follow.^  .... 

[780]!  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  109. 

2  See  no.  777,  note  4,  a«'^.  nos.  782,  783,  785,  post. 
[781]!  Library  of  Congress,  President's  Letter-Book,  L  79. 

2  Schuyler's  letter  of  Nov.  28  was  read  in  Congress  Dec.  26,  the  day  on  which 
Laurens  returned  to  Congress  (see  no.  793,  post),  and  three  additional  members  appointed 
on  the  committee.  See  the  Journals,  July  29,  Aug.  i,  19,  20,  23,  26,  27,  28,  Oct.  9,  Nov.  14, 
Dec.  26.  1777,  Jan.  20,  26,  27,  Feb.  5,  Mar.  10,  Apr.  29,  June  12,  20,  1778.  See  nos.  669, 
note  2,  677,  ante;  also  Laurens  to  Washington,  Apr.  4,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these 
Letters. 


December,  7777  593 

782.  James  Lovell  to  Samuel  Adams.^ 

York  Deer.  20th.  [1777.] 
Dear  Sir 

....  The  Returns  which  had  been  made  to  us  of  Artillery  etc.  taken 
from  the  Enemy  had  induced  us  to  make  several  Queries  to  Genl.  Gates 
respecting-  the  Standards,  Cartouch  Boxes  Bayonetts  etc.  which  appeared 
to  have  been  destroyed.  Genl.  Gates  tells  us  that  upon  Burgoyne's  word 
of  Honor  the  Standards  were  left  in  Canada ;  and  that  the  other  suspicious 
Appearances  sprang  from  the  Conduct  of  our  own  People  and  certain 
Necessities,  but  not  from  any  Breach  of  the  Convention  by  the  Will  of 
Genl.  Burgoyne  or  his  Officers 

You  have  doubtless  e'er  this  been  made  acquainted  with  G :  Burgoyne's 
critical  Disposition  in  regard  to  the  descriptive  List  of  his  men  which  was 
to  have  been  taken  by  Genl.  Heath's  order.  For  this  and  other  similar 
Pride  it  was  thought  proper  to  take  hold  of  Mr.  Bourgoyne's  manner  of 
asking  a  Favour  of  Congress  thro  one  of  its  Officers  :  In  consequence,  the 
following  Resolve  was  passed  the  17th.  Resolved  that  Genl.  Washington 
be  directed  to  inform  Genl.  Burgoyne  the  Congress  will  not  receive  nor 
consider  any  Proposition  for  Indulgence  or  altering  the  terms  of  the  Con- 
vention of  Saratoga  unless  immediately  directed  to  their  own  Body. 

With  a  Degree  of  the  Arts  of  our  Enemies  this  Resolve  is  penned  to 
lead  Burgoyne  into  direct  Petition  to  Congress,  tho  it  does  not  give  an 
absolute  Promise  to  grant  his  Petition.^ 

You  will  find  in  some  of  my  attendant  slovenly  scrawls  so  much  encour- 
agement to  expect  from  me  Intelligence  about  our  grand  Army  upon  the 
Return  of  the  Committee,  that  I  do  not  know  how  to  avoid  saying  some- 
thing about  it,  now,  though  'tis  a  Subject  very  sickening  to  even  a  strong 
Stomach. 

The  Majority  of  the  Officers  were  fixt  and  determined  against  a 
Winter-Campaign;  and  the  Nakedness  of  the  Soldiers  furnished  such 
abundant  Argument  to  their  Leaders  that  the  Committee  could  not  recom- 
mend any  thing  better  than  a  Cantonment  which  would  best  tend  to  cover 
the  Countrey  and  accomodate  the  army. 

It  was  evident,  among  Friends  I  say  it,  that  our  Army  was  not  inclined 
to  fight  Howe  when  he  gave  them  4  days  opportunity.  The  Committee 
therefore  could  not  give  it  as  their  Opinion  to  the  General  that  he  ought, 
with  that  same  Army,  to  force  the  Lines  of  the  Enemy,  or  attempt  the 
City  by  the  Schuylkill.  In  short,  unless  we  secure  Half  pay  to  Officers 
and  Pensions  to  their  Widows  and  make  their  Commissions  vendible, 
severe  Discipline  in  respect  to  Officers  cannot  be  introduced,  and  conse- 
quently none  at  all  in  respect  to  Soldiers.  But  the  General  does  swear 
that,  if  the  Commissions  are  made  desirable,  he  will  cashier  without 
favour  or  affection  till  the  Army  becomes  vigorous:  In  this  hope  we 
breathe  this  day ;  but  verily  my  own  Share  of  Hope  is  not  great  enough 

[782]!  N_  Y.  Pub.  Lib.,  Samuel  Adams  Papers. 

2  See  nos.  752,  779,  anie,  and  the  Journals,  Dec.  i,  12,  17,  18,  23,  26,  27;  also  nos. 
786,  791,  post. 


594  Continental  Congress 

on  this  Promise  as  to  make  me  relinquish  the  Idea  of  an  annual  Choice 
of  all  officers." 

The  Report  of  Genl.  W's  Intention  to  canton  near  Willmington  has 
brought  a  Remonstrance  from  this  State  to  us,  and  I  momentarily  expect 
another  from  the  Jersies  :*.... 

783.  Abraham  Clark  to  Lord  Stirling/ 

YoRY  Town,  Deer.  20,  1777. 
My  Lord, 

We  have  been  much  alarmed  by  a  report  that  the  Army  was  going  into 
Winter  quarters  in  or  about  Wilmington,  thereby  leaving  New  Jersey 
and  a  great  part  of  Penns^  intirely  open  to  the  Enemy,  This  Supposed 
measure  produced  several  Resolutions  of  Congress,  which,  with  a  Re- 
monstrance on  that  Subject  from  the  Legislature  of  Penns*  are  forwarded 
to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  requesting  his  particular  Attention  to  the 
Security  of  New  Jersey  etc.  We  had  before  Congress  the  Opinions  of 
the  General  officers  respecting  proper  places  for  Cantoning  the  Army,  and 
with  great  pleasure  find  you  in  favour  of  the  Valley  near  Schuylkill, 
which  in  the  judgment  of  all  or  most  I  have  met  with  is  the  only  place 
for  defending  the  Country  and  preventing  Supplies  to  the  Enemy,  as  the 
Army  at  Wilmington  would  leave  great  part  of  Penns^  and  Jersey 
greatly  exposed  to  the  Enemys  Ravages,  the  Shiping  up  Delaware  would 
be  lost,  and  all  the  extensive  Salt  works  in  Jersey  destroyed,  and  not  un- 
likely a  general  defection  take  place  in  this  State,  and  many  parts  of 
Jersey,  and  Supplies  for  the  Army  from  the  Eastern  States  greatly 
Obstructed.^.  .  .  . 

784.  Elbridge  Gerry  to  Robert  Morris.^ 

York,  Deer.  21.  1777. 
Dear  Sir 

I  am  favoured  with  yours  of  the  28th [?]  with  the  inclosure  and  fully 
agree  with  you,  in  the  Necessity  of  introducing  "  A  Spirit  of  Enterprize 
to  our  Army  ",  and  in  order  thereto,  of  encouraging  every  Instance  of  such 
a  Disposition  that  we  meet  with.^  Colo.  Barton  proposed  sending  to  Con- 
gress, a  Petition  expressing  his  Desires  as  set  forth  in  General  Green's 
Letter;  I  shall  therefore  wait  a  few  Days  in  Expectation  of  an  Oppor- 

3  A  committee  to  consult  with  General  Washington  was  appointed  Nov.  28.  See 
nos.  766.  774,  ante;  also  the  Journals,  Dec.  16,  18,  19,  24,  30,  31,  and  nos.  784,  785,  790, 
post.    See  also  Lovell  to  Adams,  Jan.  13,  1778,  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

*  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  17-19.  22,  24,  and  no.  779,  note  4,  ante.  Cf.  nos.  783,  785, 
post. 

[783]!  Hist.  See.  of  Pa.,  Dreer  Coll.;  Pa.  Mag.  of  Hist,  and  Biog.,  XXIX.  193. 

2  Cf.  nos.  779,  780,  782,  ante,  no._  785,  post. 
[784]!  Copied  from  the  original,  then  in  possession  of  Mr.  Stan.  V.  Henkels  of  Phila- 
delphia; Henkels,  Catalogue,  no.  1183,  item  4. 

2  Gerry  and  Morris  were  members  of  a  committee  appointed  Nov.  28  to  consult 
with  General  Washington  in  regard  to  the  condition  of  the  army.  See  no.  774,  ante. 
Morris's  letter  was  probably  dated  Dec.  18. 


December,  i///  595 

tunity  of  supporting  the  Petition  with  the  Letter."  Nothing  new  at 
Congress  excepting  the  arrival  of  a  Vessel  from  Marseilles  with  a  valu- 
able Cargo,  which  is  published  in  the  papers 

785.  Jonathan  Bayard  Smith  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  Jr.).^ 

Lancaster  Deer,  22  1777 
Sir, 

Inclosed  you  have  a  resolution  of  Congress  on  the  subject  of  the  me- 
morial from  your  State  with  which  I  was  charged.  I  am  happy  to  inform 
you  that  the  army  has  taken  quarters  in  a  position  which  I  presume  will 
be  agreeable  to  the  State.^  Congress  have  now  before  them  a  number  of 
resolutions  concerning  the  army  which  will  probably  be  transmitted  in 
a  day  or  two  to  the  assembly.  On  the  other  leaf  you  have  a  copy  of  an 
act  passed  by  the  State  of  Virginia  which  your  delegates  thought  it  their 
duty  to  transmit  to  you.' 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  regard  your  Excellencys  counsel 
and  the  humble  army's  most  humble  servant 

Jon*  B.  Smith 

His  Excellency  the  President  Honble  the  Counsel 
and  Honble  the  Assembly 

786.  The  President  of  Congress  to  William  Heath.^ 

York  Town  23d.  Decem.  1777. 
Sir, 

My  last  trouble  was  under  the  ist.  Inst:  by  Messenger  Tais,  since 
which  your  dispatch  of  the  27th.  Novem.  came  to  hand  and  I  believe 
another  of  your  favours,  this  or  these  were  immediately  sent  to  Congress 
and  I  presume  committed  to  the  Board  of  War.^  I  have  been  closely 
confined  by  a  severe  attack  of  the  Gout  for  1 5  days  past,  and  therefore  am 
not  so  intimately  acquainted  with  the  steps  of  Congress  as  I  should  have 
been  if  my  health  had  not  failed,  nor  enabled  to  write  to  you  with  that 
accuracy  which  I  should  do  if  your  Letters  were  before  me. 

The  Commands  which  I  have  this  Evening  received  from  Congress  to 
be  transmitted  to  you  are  as  follows,' .  .  .  , 

s  A  memorial  of  Col.  William  Barton  was  presented  to  Congress  Dec.  24.  Cf. 
the  Journals,  July  19,  25. 

[785]  1  From  the  collection  of  the  late  Adrian  H,  Joline,  New  York;  Pa.  Arch.,  first 
sen,  VI,  124. 

2  See  nos.  779,  780,  782,  ante. 

sThe  Virginia  act  (Oct.  28,  1777))  is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  125.  Cf.  the 
Journals,  Dec.  20. 

[786]!  Mass,  Hist.  Soc,  Heath  Papers,  XII.  84,  III,  34  (duplicate)  ;  Library  of 
Congress,  Presidents  Letter-Book,  I.  71, 

2  Heath's  letter  of  Nov.  27  was  read  in  Congress  Dec.  12,  and  a  letter  of  Dec.  7 
was  read  in  Congress  Dec,  18,  A  letter  of  Nov.  24,  to  the  board  of  treasury,  was  laid 
before  Congress  Dec.  15. 

3  The  resolves  of  Dec.  19,  22. 


590  Continental  Congress 

I  am  furtlier  charg:ecl  by  a  Member  to  inform  you  as  a  Messajj^e  from 
Congress  tbat  it  is  expected  yon  will  see  tbat  all  Acconnts  with  General 
Bnrgoyne  are  Settled  and  fnlly  paid  a.e^rccable  to  the  above  mentioned 
Resolves  before  the  embarkation  of  himself  or  other  Officers  and  Troops 
included  in  the  Convention  of  Saratoga.* 

A  Committee  are  now  preparing  proper  Instructions  for  your  proceed- 
ing with  respect  to  the  demanded  description  of  Soldiers  and  other  per- 
sons comprehended  in  that  agreement.  Mr.  Burgoyne's  memory  has 
deceived  him  in  tlie  Account  which  he  gives  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton's  re- 
leasing many  hundred  Continental  Troops  upon  their  bare  parol.  Mr. 
Boudinot  has  shewn  me  a  much  more  accurate  state  of  which  you  will  be 
fully  and  very  soon  informed,  these  articles  are  however  mere  baggatelle 
compared  with  his  complaint  that  the  public  faith  with  respect  to  the  Con- 
vention is  infracted,  in  a  Letter  to  Major  Gen.  Gates,  it  will  be  impos- 
sible to  part  with  him  before  an  eclaircissement  is  had  on  this  important 
charge.^    I  have  the  honour  to  be 

With  very  great  Esteem  Sir  Your  most  obedient  Servant 

Henry  Laurens 
President  of  Congress 

787.  William  Ellery  to  William  Whipple.^ 

[December,  1777.]' 
Dear  Sir 

.  .  .  .  Among  the  prisoners  we  have  made  in  that  quarter  is  Mr  James 
Delancey  who  was  taken  in  Maurisania  and  who  went  over  to  the  enemy 
since  the  Declaration  of  Independency.  Congress  have  ordered  him  to 
be  delivered  over  to  the  Executive  Order  of  New  York  to  be  dealt  with 
as  to  Law  shall  appertain.^  .... 

I  read  the  paragraph  of  your  letter  relating  to  Marine  matters  to  the 
Marine  Committee.  They  liked  the  hint :  but  you  know  that  Committee 
I  wish  you  were  here,     that  Committee  particularly  wants  your  services. 


788,  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).^ 

York  Town,  Deer  24th,  1777. 
Sir, 

The  Delegates  of  this  State  are  honored  with  your  favor  of  the  20th, 
which  shall  forthwith  be  laid  before  Congress,  to  obtain  a  further  regula- 

*  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  19  (p.  1037). 

5  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  i,  12,  17,  18,  23,  26,  27;  also  nos.  752,  756,  779,  782,  ante, 
no.  791,  post. 

[787]  1  Library  of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  445. 

2  Some  passages  of  this  letter,  not  here  printed,  indicate  that  it  was  probably 
written  about  Dec.  23. 

3  There  is  no  record  in  the  Journals  of  the  order  concerning  James  De  Lancey. 
See  a  letter  from  John  Jay  to  De  Lancey,  Jan.  2,  1778,  and  De  Lancey's  reply,  Jan.  14,  in 
Correspondence  of  Jay,  I.  171,  172.  Morrisania  was  a  village  in  Westchester  County, 
N.  Y.,  now  included  within  the  city  of  New  York. 

[788]!  Pa.  State  Lib.,  P.  P.,  XLIV,  39;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VL  131. 


December,  7777  597 

tion  of  the  hire  of  Waggons.^  An  ambiguity  in  Genl  Armstrongs  Letter, 
and  the  entire  silence  of  Council  on  the  Subject  leaves  us  in  doubt  respect- 
ing their  pleasure.  If  a  repeal  of  the  Resolve  of  Congress  of  one  Substitute 
for  two  Yeoman  is  meant,  it  falls  in  with  my  judgment,  and  shall  be  glad 
to  have  it  signified.*  Coll  Smith  has  forwarded  to  you  the  Resolve  of 
Congress  in  answer  to  the  Remonstrance  of  our  State,  also  copy  of  a  law 
of  Virginia  to  suppress  Monopoly.* 

789.  Henry  Laurens  to  James  Duane.^ 

York  24th.  Decem.  1777. 
Dear  Sir, 

....  The  Eagle  Tail  and  Rattle  Trap  nicely  cased  up  are  put  into  a 
Waggon  now  bound  to  Albany  with  public  Money,  under  the  protection 
of  Peter  Webber  who  will  deliver  them  to  your  order.^ .... 

A  Vessel  containing  70  Hogsds.  of  Rum  and  6  Hogsds.  Sugar  with 
some  other  goods  intended  from  Granada  to  New  York  for  the  use  of  the 
Enemy  had  been  carried  into  Charles  Town  by  the  Mate  and  Crew,  who 
had  dispossessed  the  Master  of  Command,  the  whole  was  adjudged  in 
pursuance  of  the  Resolution  of  Congress,'  prize  to  the  Captors,  this  is 
the  first  retort  upon  that  species  of  British  policy  calculated  for  encourag- 
ing infidelity  and  treachery  among  seamen  in  the  service  of  these  States. 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  in  a  few  Months  they  will  experience  an  hundred 
fold  retaliation  of  their  infamous  example,  which  nothing  but  dire  neces- 
sity would  have  induced  virtuous  Americans  to  Copy.* .... 

790.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania 

(Thomas  Wharton,  jr.).^ 

York  Town,  Deer  26th,  1777. 
Sir, 

A  letter  is  just  come  to  hand  giving  the  most  melancholy  discription  of 
the  situation  of  our  army  on  account  of  difficiencies  in  the  Commissary's 

2  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  24.  President  Wharton's  letter  is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser., 
VI.  116.    Cf.  ibid.,  VI.  124,  130,  136. 

3  The  letter  of  General  Armstrong  referred  to  is  probably  that  of  Nov.  29,  in 
Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  43-  Cf.  ibid.,  V.  487,  672,  VI.  65,  96,  171,  251,  See  the  Jour- 
nals, Apr.  14,  Dec.  4. 

*  See  no.  785,  ante. 

[789P  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  207. 

2  See  nos.  766,  777,  778,  ante.  Laurens  sets  forth  circumstantially  the  situation 
of  Indian  affairs  in  the  South. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Oct.  14,  and  no.  690,  ante. 

*  The  disposition  toward  retaliation  is  also  voiced  by  William  Ellery  in  a 
letter  written  about  the  same  time:  "Our  soldiers  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  at  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York,  especially  in  the  former,  are  treated  in  a  most  barbarous  manner 
and  a  number  of  them  have  perished  with  famine.  Some  of  them  have  died  in  the 
State  house  yard  with  grass  in  their  mouths  as  I  have  been  informed  different  ways. 
How  long  shall  we  forbear  to  retaliate  on  those  worse  than  savages !"....  (Library 
of  Congress,  Force  Trans.,  Whipple,  p.  445.) 

[790]!  Pa.  State  Lib.,  P.  P.,  XLIV.  40 ;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VL  134. 


598  Continental  Congress 

and  Qr  master's  Departments.-  With  respect  to  the  article  of  cloathing, 
2800  are  obhged  to  retire  in  a  naked  condition,  unfit  alone  from  that  con- 
sideration for  duty,  that  he  was  about  to  apply  a  remedy  by  taking  super- 
numerary articles,  particularly  from  the  disaffected,  agreeable  to  a  resolve 
of  Congress,'  but  desisted  on  an  assurance  from  a  Committee  of  this 
State,  that  provision  would  be  made  without  delay  in  a  manner  more  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  Inhabitants,  but  although  their  own  Troops  suf- 
fered in  the  most  extream  degree,  either  no  supply  had  been  sent,  or  so 
scanty  that  it  did  not  deserve  to  be  mentioned.  Thus  much  from  memory. 
I  intend  Council  an  extract  of  the  Letter  if  I  can  obtain  it.  This  is  no  time 
for  recrimination,  otherwise  I  could  trace  our  present  distress  to  other 
sources,  and  indeed  Genl  Washington  speaks  out  for  the  first  time  and 
charges  the  principle  difficiency  viz.,  in  the  Commissary's  department,  to 
the  arrangement  made  by  Congress.  I  foresaw  the  Consiquences  and 
withstood  the  measure,  but  in  vain.* .... 

791.  The  President  of  Congress  to  William  Heath. ^ 

York  Tow^n  27th.  December,  1777. 
Sir, 

I  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  inclosed  duplicate  of  a  letter  which  I  had 
the  honour  of  writing  to  you  the  23d  Inst  transmitted  by  the  hand  of  a 
Mr.  Storer.^ 

Congress  having  received  from  Gen.  Gates  as  intimated  in  my  last, 
Copy  of  a  Letter  written  to  him  by  Lieut*  Gen.  Burgoyne  in  which  this 
Gentleman  declares  that  "  the  public  faith  is  broke  "  etc.,  have  taken  his 
declaration,  together  with  his  refusal,  under  an  assertion  not  founded  in 
truth,  to  give  such  descriptive  marks  of  his  Non  Commissioned  Officers 
privates  and  other  persons  as  you  had  demanded,  into  their  most  serious 
consideration  in  a  Committee  of  the  wdiole  House,  these  weighty  and 
important  circumstances  after  having  long  employed  the  close  attention 
of  a  select  Committee,  have  taken  up  almost  the  whole  time  of  Congress 
for  two  days  past,  nor  have  the  House  yet  accomplished  all  the  solemn 
and  necessar}'  Resolutions  which  the  Case  demands  but  so  far  has  the 
House  proceeded  as  to  receive  a  Report  from  the  Committee  of  the  whole, 
and  to  order  me  to  address  you  Sir,  in  terms  of  the  Letter  which  you  will 
find  inclosed  and  of  this  which  I  am  now^  penning,    these  will  be  followed 

2  Two  letters  from  Washington,  Dec.  22  and  23  (Writings,  ed.  Ford,  VI.  252, 
257),  describing  conditions  in  the  army,  were  read  in  Congress  Dec.  26  and  referred  to 
a  committee.  December  29  this  committee  was  discharged,  and  the  letters  referred  to 
the  board  of  war  and  three  additional  members  as  a  committee.  See  nos.  794,  795,  post, 
and  the  Journals,  Jan.  i,  15,  1778.  Another  committee,  to  take  into  consideration  the 
wants  of  the  army,  together  with  the  propositions  from  the  committee  sent  to  camp,  had 
been  appointed  Dec.  24.    See  nos.  774,  782,  ante;  cf.  no.  792,  post. 

3  See  the  Journals,  Sept.  17,  Nov.  14,  Dec.  10. 
*  See  nos.  664,  726,  748,  757.  759,  ante. 

l79i]iMass.  Hist.  Soc,  Heath  Papers,  XII.  85,  III.  54  (duplicate);  Library  of 
Congress.  Presidents  Letter-Book,  I.  80;  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  IV. 
194  (printed  from  the  duplicate  in  the  Heath  Papers). 

2  No.  786,  ante.  The  bearer  was  presumably  Ebenezer  Storer.  See  the  Journals, 
Aug.  II,  Oct.  23. 


December,   I'jyy  599 

as  speedily  as  possible  by  extended  Acts  and  Resolutions  prepared  for 
your  further  direction  and  for  public  Information  on  both  sides  the 
Atlantic.^ 

It  is  the  express  desire  and  injunction  of  Congress  that  you  do  not 
communicate  the  contents  of  these  Letters  to  any  person  until  it  shall 
become  absolutely  necessary,  that  is  to  say  until  you  shall  have  received 
the  intended  Acts  and  Resolves  or  until  you  shall  have  attempted  and 
if  possible  completed  certain  essential  Acts,  admitting  the  Vessels  for 
transporting  Lt.  Gen.  Burgoyne  and  his  Troops  to  be  arrived  at  the  port 
of  Boston,  by  essential  Acts,  Congress  mean  that  the  Tonnage  of  the 
Transport  Vessels  and  also  that  the  Stores  of  Provisions  and  Fuel  should 
be  particularly  enquired  into  and  ascertained  to  be  in  your  judgement 
sufficient  for  transportation  and  sustenance  of  the  numbers  of  persons 
intended  to  be  embarked  for  a  Voyage  from  Boston  to  Great  Britain, 
and  more  particularly  that  all  accounts  be  liquidated  and  the  Amount  due 
by  Lt.  Gen.  Burgoyne  or  as  great  a  part  of  it  as  you  can  obtain,  actually 
paid  in  Gold  or  Silver  according  to  the  rate  specified  in  the  Resolve  of 
Congress  of  the  19th  Inst,  transmitted  in  my  last  Letter,  in  order  to 
reduce  within  the  smallest  compass  articles  which  hereafter  may  be  made 
subjects  for  cavil  and  disputation  by  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  on  whose 
honour  and  justice  these  States  cannot  at  present  with  any  degree  of 
safety  rely. 

These  Acts  which  Congress  judge  indespensibly  necessary  to  be  per- 
formed before  an  embarkation  can  take  place  will  employ  some  days  and 
gain  so  much  time  without  subjecting  the  Honour  of  the  House  or  of  its 
Constituents  to  any  unfavourable  imputation  from  the  world.  You  will 
also  from  what  has  been  said  perceive  good  ground  for  renewing  your 
demand  of  the  Names  and  particular  description  of  the  Non  Commis- 
sioned Officers  privates  etc.  but  it  may  be  prudent  not  to  press  this  unless 
by  appeal  to  expected  directions  from  Congress  and  to  the  conduct  of 
Sir  Guy  Carleton  in  the  Instance  adduced  by  Mr.  Burgoyne  and  permit 
him  if  he  pleases  to  decoy  himself. 

If  when  you  shall  have  sufficiently  attempted  or  completed  these  neces- 
sary Acts  you  shall  not  have  received  the  intended  Resolves  of  Congress, 
it  will  then  be  necessary  for  you  to  disclose  the  Contents  of  the  Inclosed 
Letter  to  General  Burgoyne  and  peremptorily  to  prohibit  his  embarka- 
tion until  you  shall  have  received  further  directions  on  that  point. 

You  Avill  understand  the  motive  for  dating  that  Letter  January  1778, 
and  leaving  a  Blank  for  the  day  to  be  properly  and  carefully  filled  by  your 
self.* 

I  have  in  conclusion  to  assure  you  Sir.  that  Congress  repose  the  highest 
confidence  in  your  address  and  abilities  for  conducting  with  propriety  this 
very  important  business  in  which  on  one  side  the  faith  and  honour  of 
these  Infant  States  are  to  be  preserved,  and  on  the  other  the  magnanimity 

3  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  26,  27,  and  no.  786,  note  5,  ante.  See  also  no.  793,  post 
•  t-  *  The  letter  to  General  Heath,  which  was  given  the  date  Jan.  8,  1778,  is  printed 
in  the  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  Collections,  seventh  ser.,  IV.  210.  It  will  also  be  found  under 
Its  date  in  the  next  volume  of  these  Letters. 

43 


600  Contiucutal  Congress 

and  Resolution  of  Congress  to  be  excmplincd  in  g^uarding  against  frauds 
and  decei)tions  of  an  Enemy  who  have  hitherto  practiced  without  remorse 
every  act  of  violence,  injustice,  and  cruelty  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
present  War. 

792.  Daniel  Roberdeau  to  the  Vice-President  of  Pennsylvania 

(George  Bryan ).^ 

York  Town,  Deer  29th,  1777. 
Sir. 

1  wrote  Council,  two  days  ago.  to  which  please  to  be  refered.  Revd 
Mr  Batwell,  on  an  application  to  be  enlarged  on  security  on  his  parole, 
accompanied  with  a  certificate  from  his  Physician,  that  fresh  air  and 
exercise  were  absolutely  necessary  to  his  recovery,  obtained  the  following 
resolution : 

"  That  in  the  opinion  of  Congress  the  Revd  Mr  Batwell  should  be 
discharged  out  of  confinement  on  his  taking  an  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
State  of  Pennsilvania,  or  on  his  refusal  that  he  should  be  allowed  to  go 
with  his  family  into  the  City  of  Philada."  The  delicacy  of  interfering 
with  this  State  w^as  agitated,  together  with  the  very  low  condition  of  the 
petitioner  whose  life  was  reported  to  be  in  iminent  danger,  and  might  add 
to  the  number  of  marters  in  the  esteem  of  the  disaffected,  who  interested 
themselves  in  his  behalf,  nevertheless  the  prayer  of  the  petition  was  not 
attended  to,  but  the  above  alternative  given,  for  Congress  did  not  know 
how,  otherwise,  to  get  rid  of  importunity,  and  apprehended  this  Step 
from  all  circumstances,  would  not  be  disagreeable  to  the  State.^  I  think 
the  above  resolve  is  a  specimen  of  treatment  Congress  w^ould  wish  to 
other  disaffected  persons  in  every  State,  as  was  at  large  said  in  debate, 
with  much  concern  that  decisive  measures  had  not  long  since  been  taken 
with  all  Enemies  to  the  Independence  of  America.  A  Committee  are 
appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  deplorable  condition  of  our  army, 
and  to  report  to-morrow.^  I  make  no  doubt  that  the  most  vigorous 
measures  will  be  recommended  to  be  immediately  taken,  as  without,  the 
army  must  disperse  as  mentioned  in  my  last.  ]My  situation  is  extremely 
delicate  on  this  occasion ;  the  ruin  of  our  Army,  or  the  interference  with 
the  police  of  the  State,  I  apprehend  will  be  the  alternative  set  before  me ; 
under  these  circumstances  I  should  be  glad  of  advice  and  assistance.  The 
House  of  Burgesses,  in  Virginia,  have  unanimously  consented  to  the  con- 
fideration.  as  handed  to  them  with  orders  to  their  Delegates,  to  confirm 
it  on  the  loth  March. 

I  could  wish  the  State  would  favr  their  Delegates  with  Dunlap's  paper 
constantly.  I  should  be  glad  you  would  furnish  me  with  the  two  or  three 
last  papers.  Our  State,  I  understand,  have  published  a  bill,  which  I  have 
not  seen,  respecting  the  measures  recommended  to  the  northward,  and  I 

[792]!  Pa.  State  Lib.,  P.  P.,  XLIV.  45;  Pa.  Arch.,  first  sen,  VI.  144. 

-  See  the  Journals,  Dec.  27,  and  no.  735,  ante.    Batwell's  petition,  dated  Dec  26, 
is  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  95. 
3  See  no.  790,  note  2,  ante. 


December,  7777  601 

am  told  have  recited  the  recommendation  of  Congress,  which  exposes  the 
views  of  Congress;  this  was  never  intended,  and  may  frustrate  their 
designs.* 

793.  Henry  Laurens  to  John  Lewis  Gervais.* 

30th.  Decern.  1777 
My  Dear  Friend, 

I  am  now  sitting  both  feet  and  Legs  bouiid  up  in  a  Blanket  in  the  room 
where  Congress  meets,  between  the  adjournment  at  -\  p :  one  oClock  and 
meeting  hour  at  3,  and  where  a  scrap  of  some  what  will  be  sent  for  my 
repast  to  serve  till  tomorrow's  breakfast,  perhaps  two,  it  may  be  three, 
hours  after  dark  I  may  be  permitted  to  hobble  on  my  Crutches  over  Ice 
and  frozen  Snow  or  to  be  carried  to  such  a  homely  home  as  I  have,  where 
I  must  set  in  Bed  one  or  two  or  three  hours  longer  at  the  writing  Table, 
pass  the  remainder  of  a  tedious  night  in  pain  and  some  anxiety,  I  hear 
you  reply — why  fait[h]  if  I  was  you  I  would  resign  the  president  ship, 
believe  me  my  dear  Sir  that  was  my  solid  determination  on  the  2d.  or  3d. 
day  after  my  present  troublesome  companion  had  taken  possession  of 
me,  when  by  reflection  comparison  with  former  attacks  and  making  a 
proper  allowance  for  the  rigor  of  this  Climate  I  foresaw  a  continuance  of 
pain  and  Crippleism  for  many  Weeks.  I  then  dictated  a  Letter  to  be 
written  to  Congress  expressing  my  apprehensions  and  earnestly  intreating 
an  acceptance  of  my  resignation.^  an  answer  was  returned  by  a  Member, 
that  Congress  were  not  disposed  to  grant  my  request  but  would  in 
preference  to  appointing  a  new  President,  address  the  Chair  and  Secre- 
tary during  my  unavoidable  absence,  this  seemed  and  indeed  was  very 
kind  and  a  little  flattering — a  Compliment  which  laid  claim  to  my  grati- 
tude. I  summoned  patience  and  fortitude  to  my  Aid,  I  adopted  every 
measure  I  could  think  of  in  order  to  restore  me  to  strength  and  abstained 
from  everything,  except  hard  work,  that  could  have  the  smallest  tendency 
to  impede  my  recovery,  writing  in  Bed,  and  especially  one  particular 
Nights  discipline  when  I  kept  the  Pen  in  hand  till  one  in  the  Morning 
and  resumed  it  again  before  five,  shook  me.  however  on  Christmas  day 
I  found  myself  so  far  relieved  from  severe  paine  as  to  encourage  hopes 
that  three  or  four  days  indulgence  would  produce  a  little  Strength  in  my 
Ankles,  but  late  that  Evening  and  again  very  early  next  Morning  I  re- 
ceived visits  from  a  Zealous  Member  of  Congress  pressing  me  if  possible 
by  any  means,  to  attend  the  House  the  26th.  adding,  the  request  was  made 
by  desire  of  many  Members  not  so  immediately  to  the  President  as  to  a 
Member  who  solely  represented  a  State,  intimating  that  the  business  which 
I  had  set  or  encouraged  to  set  in  motion  of  the  highest  importance  was  to 

*  This  may  refer  to  a  resolution  of  the  Pennsylvania  general  assembly,  Dec.  6, 
found  in  Pa.  Arch.,  first  ser.,  VI.  66.  November  28  a  committee  of  Congress  (Roberdeau, 
Dyer,  and  Penn)  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  general  assembly.  The  committee 
made  its  representation  to  the  assembly  Dec.  2,  and  a  committee  of  the  assembly  brought 
in  a  report  Dec.  6.  See  the  Journals  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Pennsylvania. 
Issues  of  Dunlap's  Pennsylvania  Packet  at  this  time  have  not  been  accessible. 
[793P  S.  C.  Hist.  Soc,  Laurens  Letter-Book,  1776-1778,  p.  222. 
2  See  no.  774A,  ante. 


G02  Continental  Congress 

be  agitated  that  it  ought  to  be  treated  with  the  greatest  Solemnity  in  a 
full  Representation,  this  address  to  a  State,  made  an  impression  which 
would  not  have  been  felt,  if  it  had  been  directed  to  the  president.  I  know 
the  business  it  had  been  the  subject  of  my  meditation  and  contemplation 
through  several  painful  and  Sleepless  nights  and  Days,  believe  me  my 
dear  friend  I  Ijave  been  obliged  to  pause  here  a  minute  to  wipe  away  a 
falling  tear  which  in  my  present  low  and  weak  State  of  bodily  health, 
rose  irrisistibly  with  my  reflections  upon  the  great  affair  which  I  allude  to, 
and  to  which  my  duty  has  already  required  me  to  affix  my  signature — a 
signature  which  will  probably  be  brought  before  the  Tribunal  of  the  whole 
Civilized  World,  possibly  I  may  find  my  self  at  liberty  to  be  more  ex- 
plicit to  His  Excellency  the  President — but  to  return,  the  summon  ani- 
mated my  Soul,  which  is  more  vigorous  in  my  present  condition  than 
the  Body — "  South  Carolina  shall  not  be  quite  unrepresented  I  will  be 
carried  into  Congress."  I  was  carried, — two  whole  days  trenching  deep 
upon  each  Night  were  passed  in  a  Committee  of  the  whole,  late  last 
Saturday  Night  the  business  was  so  far  matured  as  to  enable  me  to  dis- 
patch a  special  Messenger  immediately  to  Major  General  Heath  at  Bos- 
ton.^ these  exertions  have  thrown  me  back  I  cannot  tell  how  far,  but  I 
am  in  a  condition  which  would  meet  more  compassion  were  you  present 
from  you  than  it  seems  to  do  from  my  self.  I  attend  Congress  from  the 
motive  premised  and  while  I  can  bear  to  be  carried  and  to  sit  here,  my 
State  shall  not  be  totally  Absent,  the  great  business  is  not  yet  completed 
on  our  part.    God  only  knows  wdiat  will  be  the  final  end  of  it. 

I  have  laboured  hard  very  hard  to  advance  it  to  its  present  State,  con- 
scious that  I  am  doing  eminent  service  to  my  country,  if  my  Country 
Men  shall  be  of  opinion  with  a  few  in  this  House  who  appear  to  me  to  be 
timerous  dunces,  I  shall  be  very  unhappy,  but  I  shall  ever  enjoy  that 
satisfaction  which  attends  good  designs,  whether  it  shall  be  determined 
by  the  World  to  be  good  or  bad,  the  Act  is  great  and  great  good  or  Evil 
will  follow  as  its  consequences. 

there  are  other  matters  of  very  momentous  concern  on  the  tapis  which 
duty  requires  me  to  attend  to,  without  reg-arding  my  own  Ease  and  being 
here  since  'tis  the  desire  of  Congress,  I  may  as  well  sit  president  as  any 
other  Character,  a  good  seat  near  a  warm  fire  must  compensate  for 
additional  labour 

30th.  January  1778. 

A  whole  Month  has  rolled  over  since  I  threw  my  thoughts  upon  the 
preceeding  pages.  I  have  just  passed  my  Eye  over  them  again  and 
determined  imperfect  as  they  are  to  submit  them  to  your  candor.  I  could 
add  a  long  and  affecting  paragraph  on  the  Subject  of  Non  Representa- 
tion. I  could  tell  you  truly,  the  House  has  been  reduced  to  nine  States 
represented  in  Units — that  we  have  sometimes  been  stagnant  from  a 
want  of  ]Members — and  oftener  running  whole  days  into  weeks  of  un- 
matured conversations  from  a  want  of  able  Members 

8  Laurens  alludes  to  the  debate  concerning  the  Saratoga  Convention.     See  nos. 
786,  791,  ante. 


December,  7777  ^503 

794.  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  the  President  of  Pennsylvania.* 

War  Office  Deer.  30th  1777 

Sir, 

Congress  have  received  such  unexpected  and  distressing-  Acounts  from 
the  General  relative  to  the  Situation  of  the  Army  that  they  have  appointed 
a  Committee  to  fall  upon  immediate  Methods  for  supplying-  them  with 
Provisions.  They  are  so  much  in  Want  of  an  instant  Supply  owing  to 
Delays  and  Embarassments  in  the  Commissary's  Department  and  other 
unexpected  Causes  that  however  plenty  we  shall  have  them  in  future,  at 
present  at  least  a  Removal  out  of  this  State  must  be  the  immediate  Conse- 
quence of  even  a  short  Continuance  of  their  present  Circumstances.  An 
instant  Supply  must  be  procured  from  this  State  for  the  Support  of  the 
Army  until  the  Supplies  expected  from  the  neighbouring  States  arrive. 
As  it  may  give  Umbrage  to  the  Inhabitants  the  Committee  deplore  the 
Necessity  they  are  under  of  sending  Officers  with  Parties  to  collect  such 
Cattle,  Flour  and  Grain  as  the  Army  wants  without  the  least  Delay  as  the 
Crisis  is  too  alarming  to  admit  of  the  Business  being  postponed  on  any 
Consideration.  It  will  be  improper  to  communicate  the  real  Situation  of 
the  Army,  but  with  the  utmost  Prudence  and  Caution.  Your  Excellency 
will  therefore  judge  in  what  Manner  the  Concurrence  of  this  State  is  to 
be  procured  as  their  vigorous  Exertions  are  necessary  in  Co-operation 
with  those  of  the  Comittee  who  will  at  least  'till  they  see  the  Business 
properly  conducted  as  doubtless  it  will  be  by  the  Government  of  this  State 
be  obliged  to  give  orders  for  the  taking  conveying  and  driving  all  Cattle, 
Hogs,  Pork,  Flour  and  Grain  fit  for  their  Consumption  to  the  Army  the 
Persons  employed  for  this  Purpose  giving  Certificates  to  the  owners 
expressing  as  nearly  as  possible  the  Weight  and  Quality  of  them  and 
agreeing  to  pay  for  them  at  such  Prices  as  shall  be  settled  by  the  Conven- 
tion of  Comittees  from  the  several  States  who  are  to  meet  at  New^  Haven 
the  15th  of  Jany.  next  agreeable  to  a  Resolution  of  Congress  of  the  226. 
Novr  last. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be  ' 

With  great  Respect, 

Your  very  obed  Servt 

Francis  Lightfoot  Lee, 

for  the  Committee." 

[P.  S.]  The  Committee  request  you  will  be  pleased  to  inform  them 
whether  the  Proclamation  ordering  the  Inhabitants  of  York  and  Cum- 
berland Counties  to  thresh  out  their  Grain  has  been  issued. 

His  Excellency  President  Wharton 

[794]^  Library  of  J.  Pierpont  Morgan,  Declaration  of  Independence,  II.;  Pa.  Arch., 
first  ser.,  VI.  147 ;  Va.  Hist.  Soc,  Lee  Trans.,  V.  95. 

2  The  committee  for  which  Lee  is  acting  is  that  committee  consisting  of  the  board 
of  war  and  three  additional  members,  appointed  Dec.  29,  on  Washington's  letters  of 
Dec.  22  and  23.  Cf.  the  Journals,  Dec.  26,  and  nos.  790,  792,  ante,  no.  795,  post.  A  letter 
of  similar  purport  to  this  and  the  next  following,  addressed  to  Governor  Clinton,  is  in 
Cal.  of  N.  Y.  Hist.  MSS.:   Revolutionery  Papers,  II.  308. 


604  Continental  Coiwrcss 

795,  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  to  the  Governor  of  Maryland.* 

War  Office  Deer.  31st  1777 
Sir, 

Cong^ress  have  received  the  most  alarminp^  Accounts  from  General 
Washing-ton  of  the  Distress  of  the  Army  for  Want  of  Provisions 

A  Comittee  is  appointed  by  Congress  to  take  efifectual  Means  for 
preventing  so  fatal  a  Blow  as  the  Dispersion  or  Dissolution  of  our  Army 
would  be  to  our  Liberties.  They  have  been  obliged  from  the  Necessity 
of  the  Case  to  g-ive  Orders  for  siezing  all  the  Provisions  in  the  Vicinity 
of  the  Camp  in  this  State  which  will  afford  a  small  but  temporary  Supply. 
They  have  written  to  the  adjacent  States  and  earnestly  besought  their 
immediate  Assistance.  Much  Dependance  is  placed  in  your  Exertions  at 
this  important  Crisis  and  the  Comittee  need  but  state  the  Facts  to  induce 
you  immediately  to  take  measures  for  the  remedying  the  Evil.  I  beg 
Leave  to  sug-gest  to  you  whether  an  immediate  Seisure  of  all  Cattle,  Hogs, 
Pork  and  Salt  in  the  State  of  Maryland  is  not  indispensibly  necessary  and 
Certificates  given  payable  by  Congress  to  the  Possessors.  You  are  the 
best  Judge  of  proper  Measures  to  be  taken  within  your  State  and  therefore 
the  Comittee  will  not  trouble  you  with  their  Ideas  of  the  Plan  to  be 
executed  for  procuring  the  Articles  wanted.  They  are  confident  you  will 
be  as  speedy  as  the  Nature  of  the  Case  will  admitt  convinced  that  im- 
mediate Supplies  can  only  be  had  from  the  nearest  States  and  the  Comittee 
have  taken  Steps  for  obtaining  Relief  in  future  from  those  more  remote.^ 

The  Comittee  rely  strongly  on  the  Exertions  of  Maryland  and  Virginia 
in  laying  up  ^Magazines  for  future  Supply  as  well  as  obtaining  present 
Relief.  They  have  the  most  flattering  Ideas  of  receiving  that  Assistance 
from  those  of  which  they  have  been  unhappily  dissappointed  from  other 
States,  and  must  depend  on  them  for  their  principal  Supply. 
I  have  the  Honour  to  be  with  great  Respect 

Your  very  obedt  Servt 

Francis  Lightfoot  Lee 

for  the  Committee 
His  Excellency  Govr  Johnson 

State  of  Maryland  Annapolis 

[795]!  Md.  Hist.  Soc,  Red  Book,  XIV.  27. 
2  Cf.  no.  794,  ante. 


INDEX. 


Bibliographical  references  are  entered  but  once;  they  refer  to  the  first  mention,  in  the  notes,  of 

the  work  or  collection  referred  to. 


Abbot,  Willis  J.,  Beginning  of  Submarine  IVar- 
fare,  20n. 

Accounts  and  claims,  attempt  to  adjust  (i777), 
476;  audit  of  Southern  department,  95; 
commissioners  and  Trumbull's  commissary, 
505,  512,  542-544,  572,  5/6,  584,  587,  588; 
Connecticut,  advance,  320 ;  Delaware  militia 
call,  388;  foreign,  233;  Georgia,  173;  Mary- 
land, 229,  343  ;  Massachusetts,  28 ;  na\'y,  22 ; 
New  Hampshire,  426,  471,  472;  New  York, 
169,  398 ;  North  Carolina,  324,  398,  507,  527 ; 
of  secret  committee,  475;  plan  for  adjust- 
ment of  state,  147 ;  Pollock's,  38on. ;  re- 
cruiting, 244,  355 ;  Rhode  Island,  87,  88. 
289,  301,  312,  401  ;  state,  for  prisoners  of 
war,  453 ;  state,  payment  in  state's  bills  of 
credit,  289 

Ackerly,  Lemuel,  pardon,  474 

Adams,  Mrs.  Abigail,  letters  to  (1776),  2in.,  28, 
47n.,  49,  74,  89,  123;  (1777),  22y,  269,  291, 
317,  32in.,  2,ZS^  359,  363,  4i3n.,  442n.,  45on., 
455,  457n.,  458,  460,  487,  494,  504,  530,  533, 
535 

Adams,  Andrew,  member,  elected  delegate, 
xxxix 

Adams,  Charles  T.,  Matthew  Thornton,  i88n. 

Adams,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  letter  to,  179 

Adams,  Herbert  B.,  Maryland's  Influence  upon 
Land  Cessions,  I4in. 

Adams,  John,  member,  and  foreign  bills  of  ex- 
change, 483,  491 ;  and  Gates,  2ion. ;  and 
rnilitary  academy.  108;  and  military  dis- 
cipline. i02n. ;  and  naval  board  at  Boston, 
356,  386;  and  propaganda  among  mer- 
cenaries, 63n. ;  and  public  debate.  53n. ;  and 
regulation  of  prices,  252,  268,  568,  569 ;  and 
Revere's  regiment,  427;  and  secrecy,  304, 
313;  and  Temple  claim,  58,  59,  70;  and 
Thomas  Paine,  328n. ;  and  voting  under 
Confederation,  374,  Si5n. ;  attends,  237n.. 
238;  board  of  war,  3i8n. ;  commissioner  to 
France,  448n.,  569.  574,  580.  582 ;  committee 
on  articles  of  war,  on  work  of  committee, 
55,  55n.,  I02n. ;  committee  on  camp  at  Bris- 
tol, 322n. ;  committee  on  plan  for  treaties, 
on  it,  i6n. ;  committee  on  Ticonderoga  in- 
quiry, 469n. ;  extracts  from  Autobiography, 
i6n.,  47n.,  53n.,  54n.,  55n.,  67n.,  69n.,  93n., 
I02n.,  loSn.,  328n. ;  extracts  from  Diary, 
2370-,  27on.,  497,  498;  Familiar  Letters, 
28n. ;  intercepted  letters,  115;  leave,  29n., 
70,  123;  Letters,  53n. ;  Letters  Addressed 
to    his     Wife,    I3n. ;    letters    of     (1776), 

*  Prepared  by  Mr.  David  M.  Matteson. 


7.  2ln.,  28,  29n.,  38,  47n.,  49,  53,  57,  58, 
61,  6in.,  69,  74,  80,  89.  91,  102,  108,  123; 
(1777),  237,  246,  260,  268.  269,  291,  299,  303, 
310,  313.  317,  318,  3i8n.,  32in.  (2),  324,  327 
(2),  335,  354,  356  (2),  359,  363,  366,  374, 
378,  386,  404  (2),  4i3n.,  442n.,  45on.,  454, 
455,  457n.,  458,  460,  475,  487,  494,  504, 
530.  53on.,  533.  535;  (1789),  5i5n.  (2): 
(1815),  545n. ;  letters  to,  20,  209,  515"-,  545n., 
582;  mission  to  Howe  (1776),  2in.,  67n., 
69n.,  74,  74n.,  75,  77,  78,  80-83,  85-93,.!  13, 
149,  182;  mistake  on  marine  committee, 
3i8n. ;  on  advantages  of  a  moving  Con- 
gress, 291 ;  on  articles  of  war  and  division 
of  powers,  279 ;  on  bounty  and  military  ser- 
vice, 57,  61 ;  on  burden  of  service,  357 ;  on 
changing  delegations,  260;  on  character  of 
Journals  and  proceedings,  53n. ;  on  com- 
mittee of  secret  correspondence,  8;  on 
Congress  at  Baltimore,  237 ;  on  considera- 
tion of  Confederation,  28,  29 :  on  curiosities 
to  send  abroad,  359 ;  on  Declaration  of 
Independence,  proclamation,  signing,  7,  8; 
on  delay  in  publishing  Journals,  357 ;  on 
designs  for  Boston  medal  and  seal  for 
Congress,  49,  50;  on  disaffected  Quakers, 
487;  on  disappearance  of  imported  arms, 
404 :  on  displacing  Schuyler,  425,  428,  450n. ; 
on  Duche.  534;  on  effect  of  conservative 
delays,  247 ;  on  equal  state  vote^  246 ;  on 
failure  in  Canada,  46  n. ;  on  false  rumors, 
317;  on  financial  needs  and  measures,  paper 
money,  taxation,  237,  245,  247,  268,  354,  356, 
375,  455 ;  on  foreign  officers,  386,  404,  405 ; 
on  general  officers,  appointment,  promotion, 
38,  6in.,  263,  300;  on  Hancock  and  gover- 
norship, 27on. ;  on  Hancock  and  magazine, 
270 ;  on  hope  and  patience,  313  ;  on  Hopkins 
hearing,  47n.,  54,  54n;;  on  idolizing  Wash- 
ington, 263 ;  on  incapable  generals,  269 ;  on 
Laurens,  442n. ;  on  Lee,  and  request  for 
conciliation  conference  (1777),  264,  299, 
300 ;  on  loan  certificates  interest,  245-249 ;  on 
naval  affairs,  inactivitj",  decadence  of  com- 
mittee. 59,  318,  3i8n.,  404;  on  need  of  busi- 
ness men,  59 ;  on  New  England  convention, 
234 ;  on  New  York  delegates,  335 ;  on  ob- 
jection  to  alliances,  354;  on  Philadelphia 
campaign.  404,  504 ;  on  post-office,  375 ;  on 
removal  to  Lancaster  and  York,  498,  504, 
535 ;  on  Rhode  Island  expedition,  327 ;  on 
right  to  cause  postponement,  283 ;  on  Sara- 
toga campaign,  455,  535 ;  on  Wooster  hear- 
ing, 54n. ;  periods  of  service,  li ;  Works,  yn. 

60s 


GOfi 


hid  ex 


Adams,  Joliii  L^uiiuy.  Letters,  3jii. 

Adams.  Samuel,  member,  and  education  for 
Warren's  son.  J,^3,  305;  and  mission  to 
1  lowe  ( i77t)),8o  ;and  removal  to  Baltimore, 
179.  i8()n.,  189,  iq8,  202,  2119;  and  removal 
to  Lancaster.  5(K)n. ;  and  Revere's  reRimeiit, 
427;  and  secrecy.  210;  and  Vermont  con- 
troversy. 40,1 ;  and  Wilkinson,  545n. ;  as  vet- 
eran delegate.  2()0;  attends,  ii5n.,  I43n. : 
bears  letter,  547  ;  committee  and  conference 
on  defense.  332n ;  committee  on  Maryland 
Loyalists.  330 ;  leaves,  47n.,  5311.,  536,  547n. ; 
letters  of  (1776),  n,  iin..  35,  143.  ison., 
«7i.  175.  17511-.  179,  189;  (1777).  202,  209 
(2),  219,  228,  233.  259,  305,  330.  339.  366, 
388.  391.  413,  417,  427.  433.  434,  534n.,  536, 
537,  541 ;  letters  to.  20,  53,  91.  115.  532,  568. 
583,  593;  on  British  plans  for  1777.  211 ;  on 
Declaration  of  Independence.  11.  202;  on 
dictatorial  powers  for  Washington,  202, 
210;  on  displacing  Schuyler,  11,  210,  413, 
424,  433-435;  on  foreign  relations,  11,  202, 
330;  on  Massachusetts  representation,  219; 
on  medical  department,  211 ;  on  New  Eng- 
land convention,  233,  234;  on  New  Jersey 
campaign,  179;  on  retirement  of  Hancock. 
537.  541 ;  on  Rhode  Island  expedition,  330 ; 
on  separate  executive  departments,  210;  on 
swearing  in  army.  339 ;  on  voting  under 
Confederation,  392 ;  on  Walter  Livingston 
and  Northern  department,  35.  36 ;  Papers, 
2on. ;  periods  of  service,  li ;  plan  against 
British  fleet.  202;  Writings,  iin. 

Adams  Manuscripts,  324n. 

Adjutant-general,  deputies,  84,  95.  231,  536; 
Pickering,  528;  reappointment  of  Gates, 
273,  274 ;  Trumbull's  commission  as  deputy, 
308,  309 ;  see  also  Staff 

Administration,  Congress  and,  136;  need  of  out- 
side separate  departments,  136,  178,  184,  186, 
232 ;  plans  and  organization  of  separate  de- 
partments, ix-xii.  196,  210,  2ion.,  21  in.,  318, 
528.  570-576;  Wilson  on  need  of  legal  de- 
partment, 215-217;  see  also  Executive  com- 
mittee 

Admiralty,  appeal  cases  in  Congress,  125 ;  need 
and  plan  for  outside  board,  xi,  115,  196, 
215;  need  of  system,  216;  prize  courts  in 
France,  131;  see  also  Navy;  Prizes 

Aides-de-camp,  additional  for  Washington, 
29n. ;  proper  number,  384 

Aitkin,  Robert,  and  Thomas  Paine,  328n. 

Albany,  Indian  treaty  and  Wyoming  contro- 
versy, 167 

Alexander,  Robert,  member,  elected  delegate, 
xlv 

Alexander,  William,  see  Stirling,  Lord 

Allegiance,  proposed  oath  of  fidelity,  321 ;  to 
L^nited  States  before  1781,  292;  Washing- 
ton's proclamation  on  New  Jersey  neutrals, 
243,  292 

Allen,  Capt. ,  bears  letters,  200 

Allen,  Andrew,  member,  elected  delegate,  Ixi 

Allen,  Ethan,  exchange,  206 

Allen,  Gardner  W.,  Naval  History  of  American 
Revolution,  54n. 


Alien,  John,  instructions.  39<) 

Alliances,  and  Confederation,  44;  and  indepen- 
dence, 28;  British  efforts  to  prevent,  181, 
189;  consideration  and  adoi)tion  of  plan, 
appointments,  11,  16,  28,  56,  62,  105,  115, 
129;  J.  Adams  on  work  of  committee,  i6n. ; 
J.  Adams's  objection  to  reliance  on,  354; 
inducements,  195,  197;  necessity,  336;  or 
commercial  treaties,  i6n. ;  S.  Adams  on 
foreign  aid,  330;  see  also  I'oreign  Rela- 
tions 

Allison,  William,  letter  to,  328n. 

Almon's  Rejncmbrancer,  94n. 

Alsop,  John,  member,  and  independence,  13 ; 
letter  of,  12;  periods  of  service,  Ivii;  resig- 
nation, 13,  39.  51 

Alvord.  Clarence  W.,  Kaskaskia  Records,  532n. 

American  Antiquarian  Society.  Papers,  67n. 

American  Historical  Association,  Report,  540n. 

American  Historical  Review,  i6n. 

American  Journal  of  Science,  20n. 

American  Philosophical  Society,  Franklin 
Papers,  58n. ;  Lee  Papers,  i8in. ;  Weedon 
Papers.  338n. 

American  Turtle,  submarine.  20n. 

Amory,  Thomas  C,  John  Sullivan,  49311. 

Amphitrite,  arrival  with  arms,  352,  35211.,  353n. 

Anchors,  lack,  124 

Anderson,  Ephraim,  project  against  British 
fleet,  8,  9 

Andrew  Doria,  U.  S.  S.,  takes  despatches,  I29n. 

Antiscorbutics,  need,  104,  118,  122,  191,  312,  334 

Applctons'  Cyclopaedia'  of  American  Biog- 
raphy, 96n. 

Archives  National,  dossier  Amerique,  486n. ;  see 
also  Paris 

Archives  of  Maryland,  2n. 

Argout.  Comte  d',  and  French  officers,  96n.,  368 

Armand  Tufin,  Charles,  commission,  375 

Arms  and  ammunition,  disappearance  of  im- 
ported. 404;  faints,  27  ;  for  Connecticut,  400; 
for  Maryland,  343.  350 ;  for  milita  {i777), 
452;  for  New  York  campaign,  128;  for 
Virginia  regiment,  302 ;  French  promise 
(1776),  no;  importation  from  France, 
timely  arrival,  310,  352n.,  591,  595;  im- 
pressment in  Philadelphia  campaign,  500; 
improperly  withheld  from  Washington,  25  ; 
Rhode  Island  and  taking,  227;  variation, 
452 ;  see  also  Cannon  ;  Powder  ;  Supplies 

Army,  see  British  army;  Continental  army; 
Militia 

Arnold, ,  collection  of  curiosities,  359 

Arnold,  Benedict,  allegations  against,  365 ;  and 
militia  for  Saratoga  campaign,  412;  and 
promotion,  288,  311;  cartel,  ion.;  letter  of, 
473n. ;  letter  to,  412;  major-general,  3iin., 
355 ;  rank  question,  proffers  resignation, 
442,  443,  445,  448,  461,  509 

Arnold,  Isaac  N.,  Benedict  Arnold,  305n. 

Articles  of  War,  and  state  rights,  275-281 ;  re- 
vision, 55,  62,  100,  102,  106 

Artillery,  authorized,  211:  control  over.  169; 
foreign  officers,  369;  increase,  190;  North 
Carolina  company,  437  ;  status  of  state  regi- 
ments, 427;  Virginia  regiment,  169;  see 
also  Cannon;  Defense 


Index 


607 


Assumption  of  state  losses,  justice,  367 
Atlee,  Samuel  J.,  and  exchange,  14811. 
Auckland  Manuscripts,  American  Papers,  i8in. 
Austin,  James  T.,  Elbridc/e  Gerry,  in. 
Austria-Hungary,  commissioner  to,  197,  2ion., 

403 
Avery,  John,  jr.,  letter  to,  32in. 
Aylett,  William,  and  accounts  of  New  England 

skippers,  485 ;   deputy   commissary-general 

of  purchases,  314,  412 

Bache,  Richard,  conference  on  defense,  332n. 
Backhaus,  Jean  G.,  and  mercenaries,  45in. 
Balch.  Thomas,  French  in  American  Revolution, 

368n. 
Baltimore,  removal  of  Congress  to,  opmions  on 
life  at,  I74n.,  i75-i8o,   182-184,   i83n.,   186- 
189,   195,   196,  200,  201,  208,  209,  214,  215, 
232n.,  237,  240.  243,  255,  284,  287 
Baltimore  County,  Md.,  militia,  i8on. 
Bancroft  Collection,  American  Revolution,  68n. ; 
Langdon-Ehvyn  Papers,  402n. ;  Letters  of 
J.  Adams  and  J.  Q.  Adams,  53n.;  Livings- 
ton Papers,  I7n. ;  Wayne  Papers,  icon. 
Barret,  John,  on  treatment  of  prisoners,  438 
Barrington,  William,  prisoner  of  war,  438n. 
Barrow,  Sir  John,  Richard,  Earl  Howe,  94n. 
Barrow,  Mrs.  Thomas,  exchange,  147,  148 
Bartlett,  Josiah,  member,  and  Howe's  concil- 
iation proposals,  20,  66,  88;  and  plan  for 
army,  83,  89;  and  Stark,  463;  attendance 
urged,    319,    538;    Correspondence,    I45"-; 
leave,  127;  Letters,  I25n. ;  letters  of  (1776), 
5,  12,  20,  29,  39,  47,  53,  62,  65,  66,  82,  88, 
117,  Ii7n.,  125,  126;  letters  to  (1776),  I45, 
157,   158,    186,   187,   198;    (1777),  238,  271, 
303,  319,  3+2,  342n.,  357,  440,  449,  456  (2), 
538 ;  on  Alsop's  resignation,  39 ;  periods  of 
service,  lii 
Bartlett  Correspondence,  145"- 
Barton,  William,  and  army  reforms,  594 
Bass,  Joseph,  brings  foreign  despatches,  440 
Bate,  James,  mission,  203n. 
Batwell,  Daniel,  parole,  550,  600 
Bayard,  John,  and  cantonment  of  army,  591 
Baylor,  George,  bears  news  of  Trenton,  201 ; 

horse  for,  promotion,  201,  202 
-Beaumarchais,  Pierre  A.  Caron  de,  see  Hortales 
Belton,  Joseph,  plan  against  British  fleet,  9n.,  20 
Benjamin,  W.  R..  letter  possessed  by,  soon. 
Bennington,  battle  of,  handbills  on,  for  Wash- 
ington's army.  473n. ;  news,  460,  462,  464, 
466;  reward  for  Stark,  473n.,  474,  508 
Benson,  Egbert,  committee  on  Rhode  Island  ex- 
pedition, 587 
Besonett,  Charles,  tavern  keeper,  136 
Bethlehem,  Pa.,  protection  for  Moravians,  499n. 
Bicker,  Victor,  marine  command,  192 
Biddle,  Alexander,  Old  Family  Letters,  7n. 
Biddle,  Nicholas,  preparation  for  cruise,  155 
Biddle,  Owen,  conference  on  defense,  332n. 
Bigelow,  John,  Benjamin  Franklin,  94n. 
Bills   of    credit,   see   Loan   certificates ;    Paper 

money 
Bills  of  exchange,  foreign,  to  pay  interest  on 
loan  certificates,  xiii,  454,  455,  461,  477-479, 


481-483,  485,  488-492,  503,  510;  see  also 
I'inanccs 

Bingham,  William,  agent  at  Martinique,  64n., 
96n. ;  and  diplomatic  correspondence,  129, 
130;  and  French  officers,  368;  and  supplies 
from  France,  iii,  ii2n. ;  letter  received  by 
Congress  from,  96 ;  letters  to,  96,  232,  259 ; 
news  from,  i65n.,  178,  226,  232,  362,  583; 
remittance  to,  233 

Blaine,  Ephraim,  deputy  commissary-general  of 
purchases,  4i2n. ;  Indian  proposals,  45 

Bland,  Thcodorick,  and  bounty  for  corps,  269 

Blankets,  from  state  prize,  134;  need  by  army, 
soon. ;  requisition,  296 

Blockade  by  British,  hindrance  to  despatches, 
219;  of  Delaware  and  Chesapeake  bays,  233, 
334,  338.  339  ;  raising  at  Delaware  capes,  21 S 

Blount,  Jacob,  and  North  Carolina  accounts,  324 

Board  of  war,  and  defense  of  Pennsylvania 
(1776),  160;  and  Hazen  court-martial,  138; 
and  troops  for  Philadelphia,  123 ;  letters  of, 
39,  128,  132,  146,  147.  160,  269,  360,  378,  539; 
needed  reform,  i8<5;  new,  of  outside  men, 
members,  xi,  196,  199,  210,  2ion.,  528,  539, 
559,  563,  570-576,  582,  584,  588,  589 ;  salaries, 
573-575;  Secretary  at  War  succeeds,  21  in. 

Boismartin.  see  Du  Boismartin 

Bolton,  Reginald  P.,  Bombardment  of  New 
York,  9n. 

Bordeaux,  ship  from,  352n. 

Bordley,  William,  news  of  British  movements, 
464n. 

Borre,  Chevalier  Prudhomme  de,  arrival,  352n., 
conduct   at    Brandywine,    resignation,   493. 

496 

Boston,  fortification,  211;  marine  officers  at, 
3i8n. ;  naval  board,  members,  duties,  318, 
334,  339-341,  356,  359,  386,  404;  rumor  of 
intended  attack.  350;  see  also  next  title 

Boston,  siege  of,  Charlestown's  petition  for 
damages,  363,  366-368,  378;  medal,  49,  SO 

Boston  Gazette,  436n. 

Boudinot,  Elias,  member,  commissary-general 
of  prisoners,  2i2n. ;  elected  delegate,  liv 

Boudinot,  Jane  J.,  Elias  Boudinot,  2i2n. 

Boundaries  of  states,  and  Confederation,  29.  44, 
48;  jurisdiction  over  disputes  under  Con- 
federation, 536,  555;  see  also  Western 
claims 

Bounty,  eflfect  of  delay  in  offering,  247 ;  extra, 
in  New  England,  340;  in  North  Carolina, 
44 ;  money  and  land,  for  war  or  three  years 
enlistment,  44,  57,  61,  83-85,  89,  95,  99,  103. 
106,  116,  143,  144.  I5in-,  157.  159,  160-163, 
166;  special  extra,  refused,  378;  Virgmia 
lighthorse  on  re-enhstment,  269;  Wash- 
ington and,  122 ;  see  also  Pay 

Bowden,  Lawrence,  and  capture  of  ship,  144, 
i45n.,  149  .        o  • 

Bowdoin,  James,  and  Temple  claim,  s8n. ;  presi- 
dent of  Massachusetts  council,  letters  to, 
228,  327 

Boynton,  Edward  C,  West  Point,  io8n. 

Brackett,  Joshua,  letter  to,  26n. 

Bradford,  John,  continental  agenc>',  25,  125; 
letter  to,  25 


608 


Index 


Rrailfortl,  William,  member,  elected  delegate, 
Ixvii 

Uraiulywiiic,  battle  of,  Borre.  4Q3 ;  inquiry  and 
TicoiuliTOKa  iiuiuiry,  518;  news,  40-';  situ- 
ation after.  41)4;  Sullivan  and  defeat,  4g5- 
407.  5  "4.  5  •  7-5-0 

Braxton,  Carter,  member,  expected  absence,  .12 ; 
periods  of  service,  Ixix 

Bricvcn  van  en  aan  Joan  Derek  x-an  der  Capel- 
len  van  de  Poll.  40on. 

r.ripadier-gcnerals,  election  (1776),  45-47.  55. 
6in.,  141  ;  {1777),  235,  256,  26c),  271,  325n., 
361,  362.  46211.,  493n.,  508,  56on.;  sec  also 
Officers  of  army 

Brimer, ,  Hancock's  demand  on,  29 

Britnstone,  armed  vessel,  334 

Bristol,  Pa.,  camp  at.  328,  338,  350;  removal  of 
stores,  499 

Brit,  IJ. ,  bears  letters,  192 

British  army,  see  Burgoyne,  John;  Howe.  Sir 
William;  Metcenajies ;  Newport;  Prison- 
ers of  war 

British  Historical  Manuscripts  Commission,  Re- 
port on  American  Manuscripts  in  the  Royal 
Institution,  566n. 

British  Museum,  Additional  Manuscripts,  Auck- 
land Manuscripts,  American  Papers,  i8in. 

Bromfield.  Henry  (?),  and  Thomas  Morris,  391 

Brookfield,  Mass.,  and  magazine,  226,  270,  324 

Brotherhead,  William,  Book  of  the  Signers, 
2i9n. 

Brothers  and  DofHer,  petition,  513 

Brown,  John,  alias  John  Lee,  conspirator,  333n. 

Brown.  John,  express.  305.  407 

Brown,  John,  of  Philadelphia,  as  messenger 
from  Howe,  539,  562 

Brown,  John,  of  Providence,  and  Continental 
agency.  125 

Brownson,  Nathan,  member,  periods  of  service, 
xliii 

Bryan,  George,  vice-president  of  Pennsylvania, 
letters  to,  56in.,  591,  592,  600 

Buchanan,  WilHam,  and  commissary  difficulties, 
588;  conference  on  commissary,  564;  dep- 
uty and  later  commissary-general  of  pur- 
chases, 3i5n.,  4o8n.,  412 

Bull,  John,  memorial,  I46n. 

Bulloch,  Archibald,  member,  elected  delegate, 
xliii 

Burgoyne,  Alan  H.,  Submarine  Navigation,  2on. 

Burgoj-ne,  John,  expected  re-enforcements  for, 
189;  false  news  of  plan,  326,  350;  feared, 
preparations  against  (1776),  5,  40,  41;  see 
also  Saratoga  campaign 

Burke,  Bartholomew,  command  for,  236 

Burke,  Thomas,  member,  Abstracts  of  Debates, 
v,  238,  240.  241.  249.  253.  261,  265,  268.  274, 
275  (2).  282,  285,  298,  320;  and  Confedera- 
tion and  state  rights,  xviii,  xxi,  249.  275- 
281,  294-296,  325,  345,  346,  354,  360,  370,  542, 
554-558 ;  and  Gates,  385 ;  and  Loyalist  pris- 
oners, 287;  and  publicity  of  proceedings, 
285,  295 ;  and  recruiting,  325 ;  and  removal 
to  Lancaster,  499,  502 ;  and  settlement  of 
North  Carolina  account,  398;  and  Sullivan 
at  Brandywine,  496,  515,  519;  and  Vermont, 


345.  395;  attendance  urged,  548;  attends, 
238,  256;  attitude  as  delegate,  258,  295,  296; 
leave,  399.  417,  472,  542;  letters  of  (l777), 
235.  237,  287,  294,  3i4n.,  324,  343,  353,  360, 
.370.  398.  416,  431.  437.  472.  4'A  498.  519.  542; 
letters  to,  547,  562,  383  ;  notes  on  Articles  of 
Confederation,  332;  on  alarm  (April,  1777), 
326;  on  bluffing  declaration  by  Congress, 
274;  on  conventions  to  regulate  prices,  253, 
234,  258;  on  displacing  Schuyler,  423,  432; 
on  election  of  general  officers,  262;  on 
financial  problems,  237,  432,  472 ;  on  Geor- 
gia delegates,  273,  282,  371 ;  on  loan  certifi- 
cates interest,  241,  242,  282;  on  Middle 
states  and  western  claims,  237;  on  military 
prospects  (1777).  472;  on  military  reforms, 
342;  on  New  England,  257;  on  proposed 
West  Florida  expedition,  421,  423;  on  re- 
taliation, 263,  266,  299 ;  on  return  to  Phila- 
delphia, 283 ;  on  right  of  a  state  to  cause 
postponement,  282-284;  on  size  of  delega- 
tions, 239;  on  status  of  Congress,  336; 
period  of  service,  Ix;  remarks  on  Con- 
federation, 336 
Burnett,  Edmund  C,  "  American  Negotiations 
for  Commercial  Treaties",  i6n.;  "Com- 
mittee of  the  States  ",  34on. 
Burr,  Thaddeus,  and  W.  Franklin,  362 
Bushnell,  David,  submarine,  2on.,  42 
Byers,  James,  and  cannon  casting,  12,  190,  219 
Byram  River,  as  New  England  line,  Z77 

Cadwalader,  John,  brigadier-general,  271,  force 
in  New  Jersey  campaign,  206 

Cady,  Jeremiah,  petition  on  pay,  142 

Caldw^ell,  James,  letters  to,  32,  34,  293 ;  reward, 
292,  293 

Calendar  of  New  York  Historical  Manuscripts: 
Revolutionary  Papers,  207x1. 

Camelia,  H.  M.  S.,  capture  by,  224n. 

Campbell,  Archibald,  as  hostage  for  Lee,  209, 
259,  265,  266,  300,  302 ;  parole,  512 

Campbell,  Donald,  court-martial,  218 

Campbell,  Farquhard,  as  prisoner,  287 

Campbell,  W^illiam,  privateer,  capture  by,  224n. 

Canada,  appeal  to  re-enforce  expedition,  13,  14; 
command  of  retreated  expedition,  11,  48; 
commissioners,  report,  16 ;  disgrace  of  flight 
from,  57 ;  Gates  and  vacancies  in  army,  34 ; 
Gates  on  condition  of  force,  46;  propaganda 
in  (1777).  579;  proposed  expedition  against 
British  lake  shipping,  590;  reasons  for  fail- 
ure in,  36,  41,  46,  47n..  99;  retreat  from, 
army  at  Ticonderoga,  28;  special  pay  cases 
of  expedition,  142;  Wooster  exonerated, 
54,  I26n.,  135 ;  see  also  Northern  military 
department 

Cannon,  board,  219;  borrowed  from  Connecti- 
cut, price,  307 ;  casting,  heavy,  brass,  4,  12, 
22,  94,  190.  219;  importation,  218,  591,  595; 
naval,  casting,  117,  124,  192;  need,  190;  plan 
for  board  of  outside  men,  210;  see  also 
Artillery 

Canvass,  sec  Duck 

Cape  Fear  River,  fortification,  137,  138,  466 


Index 


609 


Capellen    van    de    Poll,   Joan    Derek   van   der, 

Brievcn,  400n. 
Cape  Lookout,  fortitication,  4,  466 
Cap  Frangois,  as  depot  of  arms,  no,  in 
Carleton,   Sir  Guy,   and  Saratoga  convention, 

599 
Carlisle,  Pa.,  magazine,  205,  213,  226,  226n. 
Carrington,  Edward,  censure  and  its  removal, 

511 

Carroll,  Charles,  "  Barrister,"  member,  and 
Loyalist  prisoners,  204;  letters  of,  172,  181 ; 
period  of  service,  xlv 

Carroll,  Charles,  of  Carrollton,  member,  at- 
tends, 499;  committee  on  Nicholson  affair, 
372;  letters  of,  27,  450,  499;  on  Confedera- 
tion, 450;  on  hiring  mercenaries,  451;  on 
Wooster,  46n. ;  periods  of  service,  xlvi 

Carter,  Landon,  letters  to,  89,  I49>  217,  286 

Caswell,  Richard,  governor  of  North  Carolina, 
and  French  engineers,  389n. ;  letters  to 
(1776).  154;  (1777).  235,  257,  287,  294. 
3i4n.,  324,  345,  353.  360.  370,  398,  416,  431. 
437,  45on.,  464n.,  466,  472,  494"-,  496.  498, 
502,  502n.,  507,  514,  52411.,  526,  526n.,  S4on., 
542,  545n.,  570 

Cattle,  purchase  for  armj^  409;  see  also  Pro- 
visions 

Cavalry,  authorized,  211;  Connecticut  regi- 
ment, 176;  importation  of  equipment.  218; 
light  horse  for  Northern  department,  378; 
schedule,  338;  Southern  light  horse,  23; 
Virginia  light  horse,  re-enlistment,  269 

Cecil  County,  Md.,  militia,  i8on. 

Cedars,  affair,  ion.,  57 

Cerberus,  H.  M.  S.,  capture  by,  43 

Ceronio,  Stephen,  and  despatches,  129.  130 

Chamberlaine,  James  Lloyd,  commissioner  to 
army,  I40n. ;  letter  of,  I5in. 

Chamber  of  Commerce,  plan,  196,  210,  21  in. 

Champlain,  Lake,  fortifying.  5 ;  proposed  expe- 
dition against  British  shipping,  590 ;  see  also 
Ticonderoga 

Chaplain  department,  new  arrangement,  pur- 
pose, 376 

Chaplains  of  Congress,  Duche,  his  form  of 
prayer,  34,  39 ;  White  and  Duffield,  533 

Chapman,  James,  promotion.  57 

Charleston,  campaign  (1776),  22;  expected  at- 
tack (1776),  153-155;  (1777),  457>  460,  461 ; 
price-regulating  convention  to  meet  at, 
267n. ;  R.  Howe  on  commercial  situation, 
443 ;  sale  of  stored  tea,  24 

Charlestown,  Mass.,  petition  for  damages,  363, 
366-368,  378 

Chase,  Samuel,  member,  absence,  387 ;  and  am- 
bassadors to  France,  8;  and  Brandywine, 
496;  and  committee  of  secret  correspon- 
dence, 8n. ;  and  Confederation,  32,  44,  48; 
and  Gates,  4in. ;  and  St.  Clair,  79 ;  and  sign- 
ing of  Declaration  of  Independence,  8;  and 
Stark,  462,  464n. ;  and  western  claims,  32,  44, 
48,  161,  165,  422;  as  veteran  delegate,  260; 
attends,  32,  159;  Canadian  commissioner,  re- 
port, S.  Adams  on,  16,  46n. ;  committee  on 
treatment  of  prisoners  of  war,  225;  leave, 
513;  letters  of  (1776),  8n.,  16,  27,  32,  44,  79, 


150,  161,  162,  165,  168,  174,  186;  (1777),  204, 
208,  224,  225,  226,  229,  236,  237,  267.  493, 
50in.,  5o6n.,  513;  letters  to,  7,  229n. ;  move- 
ment for  publicity,  285 ;  on  administration, 
186;  on  displacing  Schuyler,  424;  on  new 
levies,  161,  186,  267,  26i8;  on  powers  of 
Maryland  delegates,  162;  on  proposed  West 
Florida  expedition,  422;  on  regulation  of 
prices,  251  ;  on  request  for  conciliation  con- 
ference, 264;  on  Wooster,  41,  46,  46n. ; 
periods  of  service,  xlvi 

Chaumont. ,  on  mercenaries,  4Sin. 

Cherokee  Indians,  defeat,  121 ;  hostilities,  co- 
operation against,  30 

Chesapeake  Bay,  blockade,  233,  334,  339; 
Howe's  army  in,  462 

Chew,  Benjamin,  parole  advised,  448,  449 

Christiana,  Del.,  and  casting  of  brass  cannon, 
190 

Church,  Benjamin,  exchange  refused,  506 

Citizens,  interstate  privileges  under  Confedera- 
tion, 552 

Claiborne,  John  F.  H.,  Mississippi,  566n. 

Clark,  Abraham,  member,  absence,  10;  and 
Caldwell,  292,  293 ;  and  chaplain,  34 ;  and 
Vermont,  377 ;  committee  on  camp  in  Penn- 
sylvania, 322n. ;  committee  on  defense, 
332n.;  expected  temporary  attendance,  134; 
leave,  292;  letters  of  (1776),  7,  10,  32,  33n., 
134;  (1777)-  242,  291,  293,  594;  on  appoint- 
ment of  general  oflficers.  291 ;  on  canton- 
ment of  army,  594;  on  Congress  at  Balti- 
more, 243 ;  on  crisis,  10 ;  on  displacing 
Schuyler,  425 ;  on  proposed  West  Florida 
expedition,  421 ;  on  Washington's  procla- 
mation on  New  Jersey  neutrals,  243,  292; 
periods  of  service,  liv 

Clark,  Seth,  deposition,  438n. 

Clarke  and  Nightingale,  and  powder,  49 

Clay,  Joseph,  deputy  paymaster-general,  444"-. 
458 ;  letter  to,  458 

Clingan,  William,  member,  attends,  539;  letter 
of,  550 ;  period  of  service,  Ixi 

Clinton,  George,,  member,  governor  of  New 
York,  and  Hudson  River  defenses,  590J 
letters  to,  506,  546;  period  of  service,  Ivii 

Clinton,  Sir  Henry,  at  Newport,  189;  Hudson 
River  advance,  566 ;  retirement  from  South, 

43 

Clinton,  James,  brigadier-general,  46,  55 

Clinton,  Fort,  capture,  566n. 

Closed  doors,  order,  53n. ;  see  also  Secrecy 

Clothier-general,  Mease,  334,  47on. 

Clothing,  clothier-general,  334,  47on. ;  commis- 
sary, 47on. ;  committee,  I70n. ;  deticiency  in 
Washington's  army,  567,  598;  for  New 
York  troops,  221 ;  from  state  prize,  134, 
297,  298;  furnished  to  troops,  122,  144,  158, 
166 ;  payment  by  soldiers,  43 ;  price  regula- 
tion, 571 ;  scarcity,  134,  145 ;  state  furnish- 
ing, 271 ;  survey  and  purchase,  170,  171, 
221 ;  see  also  Supplies 

Clymer,  George,  member,  committee  on  camp 
in  Pennsylvania,  322n. ;  committee  on  com- 
missary, 416;  committee  to  visit  army,  re- 
port,   104,    107,    I49n. ;    conference   on   de- 


GIO 


Index 


fcnsc,  3_'2n. ;  executive  committee  in  Phila- 
(Iclpliia.  177.  1H3.  1H5.  11)1.  193.  -2M;  fron- 
tier commission,  562n. ;  letters  of,  I03.  IQ^. 
-.'05.  272.  -'84 ;  letter  to,  205 ;  periods  of  ser- 
vice, Ixii ;  st'r  also  l-.xecutive  committee 

Coast  defense,  at  state  expense,  137;  Hoston, 
211;  Congress  and,  46O;  for  North  Caro- 
lina, 4,  137,  138,  466 

Cochran,  ,  and  Stockton,  243n. 

Cochran,  lohn,  and  medical  department  re- 
forms, 32111. 

Coffin,  Giarles.  cruise,  312 

Coinage,  control  under  Confederation,  555 

Collins,  John,  bears  letter,  329 

Colony,  post-Declaration  use  of  term,  200 

Colt,  Peter,  bears  letter,  58 ;  deputy  commis- 
sary-general of  purchases,  troubles,  41211., 
54311.,  544,  588,  589 

Commerce,  see  Trade 

Commercial  committee,  letters  of,  565,  565n. ; 
organized,  members,  xi,  21  in.,  402;  see  also 
Secret  committee 

Commissary  department,  abuses,  315,  335;  and 
depreciation  of  currency,  381 ;  contract 
question,  especially  in  Northern  depart- 
ment, 84,  85,  104, '120,  121,  126,  127,  173, 
204,  315,  335;  failure  in  Philadelphia  cam- 
paign, 506;  remodelling  with  division,  re- 
sulting confusion  and  breakdown,  inquiry, 
361,  364n.,  381,  383.  387.  392,  392n.,  393n., 
394,  407,  408,  412,  414,  416,  542-544,  563,  571- 
573.  576.  584,  587,  597,  598,  603.  604;  settle- 
ment of  Trumbull's  affairs,  505,  512,  542- 
544,  S72,  576,  584.  587-589;  see  also  next 
titles,  and  Provisions ;  Staff 

Commissary  for  prisoners  of  war,  212 

Commissary-general,  complaints  against  dep- 
uty, 227;  pay,  126-128;  see  also  adjoining 
titles,  and  Trumbull,  Joseph 

Commissarj'-general  of  issues,  deputies,  4o8n., 
4i2n. ;  office  created,  364n.,  381 ;  Stewart, 
405n.,  4o8n.,  4i2n. ;  see  also  Commissary 
department 

Commissary-general  of  purchases,  Blaine, 
4i2n. ;  Buchanan,  3i5n.,  4o8n.,  412;  depu- 
ties, 382,  383,  386,  387,  4o8n.,  4i2n. ;  office, 
created,  364n.,  381 ;  place  of  office,  505 ; 
Trumbull  declines,  reasons,  383,  392,  393n., 
394,  407,  408,  414,  445,-  542,  571.  573.  584, 
588,  589;  Wadsworth,  4o8n.,  4i2n. ;  see  also 
Commissary  department 
Commissary  of  clothing,  470n. 
Commissary  of  hides,  463 

Commissioners  at  Paris,  and  bills  of  exchange, 
488,  489;  and  British  treatment  of  prison- 
ers, 438;  and  conduct  of  Thomas  Morris, 
390.  391 ;  and  curiosities  for  ladies,  359 ; 
and  foreign  officers,  369,  379,  389,  389n., 
394,  398,  400,  403,  406,  417-420,  426,  430,  438. 
448,  486n.,  569,  583 ;  appointment,  instruc- 
tions, 8,  105,  128-132;  letters  of  marque, 
352;  letters  received  by  Congress  from, 
304,  3130.,  3i4n.,  327,  328n.,  352,  363,  435; 
letters  to,  181,  183,  197,  218,  310,  352,  509; 
need  of  strengthening,  448;  neglected,  178; 
recall  of  Deane,  successor,  Adams,  431,  448, 


S^V.  574.  575.^580-582;  reception.  31311.;  see 
also  Deane,  Silas  ;  I'oreign  relations 

Commissioners  for  Indian  affairs,  letter  to,  18 

Committee  in  Philadelphia,  see  Kxecutive  com- 
mittee 

Committee  of  foreign  affairs,  letters  of.  352, 
45 in.,  509;  on  hiring  mercenaries,  45 in.; 
origin,  members,  xii,  327n.,  402;  see  also 
Committee  of  secret  correspondence 

Committee  of  intelligence,  letter  of,  473;  mem- 
bers. 473 

Committee  of  secret  correspondence,  and 
Deane's  cryptic  letter,  inn.;  l>ecomcs  com- 
mittee of  foreign  affairs,  xii,  327n. ;  keeps 
intelligence  from  Congress,  no,  iii,  i65n. ; 
letters  of,  96,  129  (2),  181,  197,  232.  310; 
letters  to,  178.  45 in.;  meml>ers.  powers,  in, 
112;  Morris  as  member.  184;  new  appoint- 
ments to  (1776),  130;  origin,  8;  statement, 
no;  see  also  Foreign  relations 

Committee  of  the  states,  plan,  540,  555 

Committee  on  defense,  letter  of,  322 

Committee  on  executive  departments,  members, 
work,  196,  2ion. 

Committee  on  Ticonderoga  inquiry,  letter  of, 
475 ;  see  also  Ticonderoga 

Committee  on  ways  and  means,  report  on 
foreign  loan,  452 

Conarroe  Collection,  228n. 

Concklin,  Col.  ,  Loyalist  command,  i2on. 

Confederation,  agreement  deemed  hopeless,  56; 
allegiance  before  1781,  292;  and  alliances, 
XV,  44,  514;  and  credits  to  currency,  xix ; 
and  independence,  xiv,  28;  appointment  of 
delegates,  552 ;  Articles  adopted,  xxi,  547, 
550,  552,  562,  578;  Burke's  notes  on  Ar- 
ticles, 552-556;  coinage,  555;  committee  of 
the  states,  xxi,  540,  555 ;  committee  on,  xv, 
xvi,  iin. ;  consideration,  laid  aside  and  re- 
sumed, delays,  xiv-xxi,  6,  11,  16,  21,  28,  30, 
32,  41,  44,  48,  53,  62,  83,  89,  113,  n5,  321,  323, 
329,  342,  345,  355,  360,  362,  388,  391-  392n., 
399,  416,  417,  4i7n.,  450,  468,  476,  484,  485, 
498,  503,  5o6n.,  513,  514,  521,  529-531.  536, 
540,  542,)  547;  control  of  foreign  affairs, 
553-555 ;  criticism  of  Articles,  xxii-xxiii ; 
delegation  of  power,  556;  freedom  of  dele- 
gates, 553;  Indian  affairs,  553,  555;  inter- 
state disputes,  boundaries,  western  claims, 
jurisdiction,  xvi,  xx,  29,  32,  44,  48,  468,  536, 
555,  579 ;  interstate  impositions,  552 ;  inter- 
state privileges,  552 ;  navy,  553,  555 ;  neces- 
sity, timeliness,  xiv-xxiii,  32,  450,  542,  548, 
550,  562 ;  power  to  borrow  money  and  emit 
bills,  555 ;  printed  draft  of  Articles,  pub- 
licity, 47n. ;  printing  of  Articles,  submission 
to  states,  xxii,  561,  562,  564,  568,  569,  574, 
577,  578;  prophecy  of  early  dissolution, 
xxii,  5i5n.. ;  ratifications,  600;  representa- 
tion, voting,  xvi,  xx,  29,  32,  33,  44,  360,  371, 
374,  392,  399,  485,  514,  517,  536,  553;  requi- 
sition quota,  xvi,  xx,  32,  44,  48,  399,  514, 
517,  529,  530n.,  535,  536,  541,  548,  564,  569, 
578;  special  congress  suggested  to  con- 
sider, xvii,  56;  state  sovereignty,  xviii,  345, 
346,  360,  371,  536;  weights  and  measures. 


Index 


611 


555;  yc^  aiid  nay  vote,  379;  see  also  Divi- 
sion of  powers. 

Confiscation  of  property  of  British  subjects, 
resolve,  26 

Connecticut,  accounts  for  new  levies,  244;  and 
general  officers,  288 ;  and  new  levies  and 
additional  pay,  155,  158,  159,  314;  and  re- 
lief of  Rhode  Island,  330,  340;  appeals  to, 
for  troops,  1411.,  68n.,  i6on. ;  arms  for,  400; 
cavalry  regiment  authorized,  176;  clothing 
for  army,  I70n. ;  conduct  of  W.  Franklin, 
362n. ;  Danbury  raid,  348,  353"-.  355;  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  sent  to,  2n.;  flour 
purchases  in  South,  advance  to,  320;  lack 
of  representation,  urge,  ii2n.,  187;  line 
troops  for  defense,  363 ;  loan  of  cannon  by, 
307 ;  militia  for  Hudson  River,  495 ;  militia 
for  Saratoga  campaign,  4i3n.,  440,  44in. ; 
oath  of  fidelity,  321 ;  Public  Records,  77n., 
227n. ;  see  also  next  titles,  and  New  Eng- 
land ;  Wyoming 

Connecticut,  governor  of,  see  Trumbull,  Jona- 
than 

Connecticut  delegates,  see  Adams,  Andrew ; 
Dyer,  Eliphalet;  Ellsworth,  Oliver;  Hos- 
mer,  Titus ;  Huntington,  Samuel ;  Law, 
Richard ;  Sherman,  Roger ;  Williams,  Wil- 
liam ;  Wolcott,  Oliver 

Connecticut  Historical  Society,  Jeremiah  Wads- 
worth  Papers,  543n. ;  Jonathan  Trumbull 
Papers,  43Sn. ;  Joseph  Trumbull  Papers,  iii, 
50n. ;  Oliver  Wolcott  Papers,  4711, ;  Papers 
of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  Commercial,  3o8n. ; 
Papers  of  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  iii,  4on. ; 
William  Williams  Papers,  362n. 

Connecticut  State  Library,  Joseph  Trumbull 
Papers,  iii,  27n. 

Constitutional  convention,  early  idea,  s6n. 

Constitutions,  state,  dispute  in  Pennsylvania, 
33^,  337,  344;  making,  as  general  business, 
135.  149 

Contee,  Thomas,  commissioner  to  army,  i4on. ; 
letter  of,  I5in. 

Continental  agents,  complaint  against,  in  New 
England,  3i8n. ;  conflicting,  in  Massachu- 
setts, 25 ;  list,  125 ;  see  also  Prizes 

Continental  army,  vii,  viii;  and  foreign  aid,  354; 
attitude  toward  service,  57,  61,  342n. ;  con- 
gressional com.missioners,  166;  Connecticut 
home  regiments,  363 ;  control  of  artillery 
and  engineers,  169;  damage  by  troops,  513; 
Declaration  of  Independence  sent  to  and 
proclaimed  before,  2,  5,  6 ;  Delaware  troops, 
37 ;  desertions,  check,  275-281 ;  dictatorial 
powers  for  Washington,  viii,  193,  196,  198, 
199,  210,  221,  317;  discipline,  lack,  restora- 
tion, 102,  107,  273,  274,  452;  German  regi- 
ment, 9;  hope  in  new  levies,  217;  increase, 
190,  I90n.,  193,  211 ;  Maryland  troops  to 
restrain  Loyalists,  330,  343,  350;  necessary 
to  liberty,  79;  New  Hampshire  troops,  186, 
271 ;  New  Jersey  troops,  33 ;  New  York 
troops,  extra,  169;  North  Carolina  troops, 
43.  153-156,  236,  256,  437 ;  petition  on  griev- 
ances, 226;  rangers,  51;  reform  of  abuses, 
ix,  198,  585,  589;  Rhode  Island  troops,  52; 


seamen  in,  194;  South  Carolina  troops,  6; 
state  civil  governments  and,  295,  316,  325, 
557;  swearing  in,  check,  339,  376;  Virginia 
troops,  223,  250;  weakness,  viii,  339n.,  see 
also  Accounts;  Articles  of  War;  Artillery; 
Board  of  war  ;  Canada  ;  Cavalry ;  Defense ; 
ICngineers;  Enlistments;  Fortifications; 
Military  chest;  Military  departments; 
Militia;  New  Jersey  campaign;  New  York 
campaign;  Officers;  Pay;  Philadelphia 
campaign;  Prisoners  of  war;  Saratoga 
campaign;  Staff;  Supplies;  Sutlers;  Wash- 
ington, George 

Continental  Congress,  and  Continental  army, 
vii,  viii;  and  promotion  of  freedom,  2; 
bluff,  274 ;  changing  personnel,  260,  393,  399 ; 
character  of  meetings  and  members,  spirit 
(1776),  21,  118,  149,  186,  195,  196,  198.  200, 
202,  209;  (1777),  400,  447,  448,  476,  477,  481, 
484,  602;  conservatism  banished,  238;  de- 
bate on  size  of  delegations,  238,  239;  double 
sessions,  462n. ;  efforts  to  discredit,  149 ; 
engrossed  with  minor  matters,  ix,  388,  399, 
529;  full  representation,  321,  342,  345;  har- 
mony, 325,  584 ;  increase  in  attendance,  238 ; 
manner  of  considering  letters,  549;  Papers, 
i7on.;  resolves,  transmission,  publication, 
306,  522n. ;  sectionalism,  attitude  toward 
New  England,  xiv,  41,  47n.,  S4n.,  118,  155, 
157,  186,  208,  230,  231,  235.  238,  257,  275,  374. 
377,  381,  382,  400,  410;  thin,  bare  quorum, 
urge  to  fill  (i776)y  xviii,  66,  83,  112,  113, 
126, 134.  147,  149,  156,  159,  172,  193;  (1777). 
215,  229-232,  236,  238,  239,  246,  261,  296, 
297..  301,  303r  393.  414.  523,  583,  602;  threat 
against,  5;  troops  to  protect  (1776),  123; 
see  also  Administration;  Confederation', 
Continental  army ;  Delegates ;  Division  of 
powers  ;  Finance ;  Foreign  relations ;  Inde- 
pendence ;  Indians ;  Journals ;  Loyalists ; 
Militia;  Navy;  Officers  of  Congress;  Re- 
moval;  Secrecy;  Trade;  Voting 

Continental  Journal  and  Weekly  Advertiser,  on 
arrival  of  ships  from  France,  352n. ;  on 
foreign  despatches,  352n. 

Continental  stables  at  Philadelphia,  mismanage- 
ment, 177 

Conventions,  sectional,  on  price  regulation,  see 
New  England;  Prices 

Conway,  Thomas,  and  French  officers,  369;  ar- 
rives, 353n. ;  commission,  386,  527,  528,  563  : 
inspector-general,  528n. ;  see  also  next  title. 

Conway  Cabal,  criticisms  of  Washington,  viii, 
521,  522,  570,  571,  593;  Washington  and 
Conway,  527,  528. 

Conyngham,  Gustavus,  arrest  in  France,  490 

Cook,  George,  and  Loyalist  rising,  237,  238; 
Loyalists  taken  by,  172,  224n. 

Cooke,  Nicholas,  governor  of  Rhode  Island, 
letters  received  by  Congress  from,  199,  207 ; 
letters  to  (1776),  52,  78,  87,  115,  133,  156, 
188,  i89n.,  199;  (1777),  207,  226,  254,  289, 
301,  312,  316,  357,  401,  453,  467,  531,  577, 

587 
Cooper,  Samuel,  letter  to,  339 
Cooper,  William,  letter  to,  1 


(512 


Index 


Corn   for  army,   from  Virginia.  314;  see  also 

Provisions 
Cornwall  l-nrnacc,  0411. 
Cortland  [  ?  riiilip  Van  Cortlandt],  and  Cicrry, 

Coryell's  Ferry,  WasliinRton's  army  at,  450 
Conncils  of  war,  nse,  .^17 
Courts-material,  state  control  over,  557 

Cox.  Major .  bears  letter.  loi 

Cox,  Mrs.  Wilmot  T.,  acknowledgment  to,  38in. 
Crafts,  Thomas,  status  of  regiinent,  427 
Crawford,  John,  and  his  troops,  in. 
Crawford,  Mary  C,  Old  Boston  Days,  293n. 
Crawford,  William,  fate,  567n. ;  sent  to  Pitts- 

Inirgh,  567 
Crawford,  William  H.,  Galphin  claim,  495n. 
Creek   Indians,    attitude   and  negotiation,   494, 

579.  591 

Crown  Point,  condition  of  armj'  at,  75 ;  pro- 
posed abandonment,  40 

Cunningham,  Gustavus,  see  Conyngham 

Curiosities  to  send  abroad,  359 

Currency,  see  Paper  money 

Cushing,  Thomas,  and  frigates,  27 ;  and  naval 
board,  34on.,  356;  letter  to,  97 

Cuyler,  Jacob,  deputy  commissary-general  of 
purchases,  382,  383,  386,  387 

Dallam,  Richard,  letter  to,  222 

Dalton,  Tristram,  and  naval  board,  356 

Damages,  by  line  troops,  513;  Charlestown  peti- 
tion, precedent  feared,  363,  366,  368,  378 

Dana,  Francis,  member,,  and  foreign  mission, 
569;  committee  on  Ticonderoga  inquiry, 
469n. ;  committees,  582 ;  period  of  service,  li 

Danbury  raid,  348,  353n.,  355 

Danielson,  Timothy,  letter  received  by  Con- 
gress from,  I43n.,  I46n. 

Dartmouth  College  Library,  Bartlett  Corre- 
spondence I45n. 

Davis,  Nicholas,  conduct,  353 

Dayton,  Elias,  and  promotion,  291 ;  horse  for, 
558;  letters  to,  10,  33n.,  134,  291;  pay  for 
regiment,  33n. 

Dayton,  Jonathan,  regimental  paymaster,  292 

Dean,  Joseph,  conference  on  defense,  332n. 

Deane,  James,  and  Livingston,  85n. 

Deane,  Silas,  and  foreign  officers,  contracts, 
369,  379,  389,  389n.,  394.  398,  400,  403,  406, 
417-420,  426,  430,  438,  448,  486n.,  569,  583; 
and  navy,  3i8n. ;  appointment  to  mission, 
105,  lis;  commission,  instructions,  129-132; 
complaint,  184;  cryptic  letter,  iiin. ;  lacks 
advice  and  remittances,  178;  letter  received 
by  Congress  from,  304;  letters  of,  45in. 
(2);  letters  to,  42,  129  (2),  390;  on  offer 
of  mercenaries,  45in. ;  opinions  on,  379, 
462;  recall,  431,  448,  569,  574,  575,  580-582; 
see  also  Commissioners  at  Paris 

Dearborn,  Henry,  exchange,  54 

Debate,  effort  for  public,  53n. 

Deberdt,  Dennis,  New  Jersey  agent,  letter  of, 
read  in  Congress,  15,  18 

Declaration  of  Independence,  see  Independence 

Defence,  and  Loyalist  rising,  237;  capture  by, 
224n. 


Defense,  see  Coast  defense;  Delaware  Bay  and 
River;  Hudson  River 

De  Haas,  John  Philip,  brigadier-general,  271 

l)e  Lancey,  James,  as  Loyalist  prisoner,  596 

De  Lancey,  Oliver,  order,  injn. 

Delap,  Samuel  and  J.  ilans,  and  despatches, 
129.  130 

Delaware,  appeal  for  troops  to,  68n.,  i6on. ;  in- 
dependent company  question,  323 ;  line 
troops,  ;^7;  Loyalist  movement,  Virginia 
troops,  138,  141;  militia  calls  (1777),  ap- 
probation, discharge,  pay,  359,  360,  388, 
432n. ;  unrepresented,  147,  159,  215,  229,  232. 
206,  361,  377;  sec  also  next  titles 

Delaware,  president  of,  see  McKinley,  John 

Delaware,  U.  S.  S.,  preparation  for  cruise,  194 

Delaware  Bay  and  River,  blockade,  215,  334, 
338;  defense  (i777),  plans,  453,  467,  534, 
571  ;  expedition  against  British  fleet,  423 

Delaware  Convention  as  constitutional  conven- 
tion, 56n. 

Delaware  delegates,  absenteeism,  172;  see  also 
Dickinson,  John;  Evans,  John;  McKean, 
Thomas  ;  Read,  George  ;  Rodney,  Caesar ; 
Sykes,  James ;  Van  Dyke,  Nicholas 

Delegates,  absentee,  ordered  to  attend,  113; 
and  high  cost  of  living,  life  at  Baltimore, 
i83n.,  186,  187,  189,  196,  201,208,  232n.,  237, 
240,  243,  255.  296,  303,  340,  401 ;  appoint- 
ment under  Confederation,  552;  burden  of 
service,  4,  146,  156,  171,  256,  342,  514,  538, 
562n. ;  debate  on  number,  238,  239 ;  freedom 
under  Confederation,  553 ;  new,  260 ; 
powers  of  Maryland,  162;  secrecy  and  in- 
struction, 295 ;  see  also  Continental  Con- 
gress ;  and  under  states  by  name 

Department  of  State,  Manuscripts,  I97n. 

Derby,  Richard,  jr.,  of  Massachusetts  council, 
61  n. 

Derford;  Chevalier,  see  Duportail 

Desertion,  apprehension,  531 ;  checking,  275-281 

Deshon,  John,  naval  board,  340,  356 

Dickinson,  John,  member,  committee  on  plan 
for  alliances,  i6n. ;  conciliation  letter  to, 
from  England,  18;  elected  delegate  (Dela- 
ware), xl;  Hooper  on,  232n. ;  influence 
endsy  238;  period  of  service  (Pennsyl- 
vania), Ixii 

Dickinson,  Philemon,  command  in  Philadelphia 
campaign,  476.  484 

Dictionary  of  National  Biography,  385n. 

Dillon,  Count  Arthur,  and  western  lands,  509 

Discipline  in  army,  lack,  restoration,  102,  I02n., 
107,  273,  274,  452 ;  see  also  Articles  of  War 

Disney,  James,,  marine  appointment,  164 

Division  of  powers,  allegiance  before  1781,  292; 
and  impressment,  348,  349,  354;  and  Ver- 
mont controversy,  345 ;  Burke  on  proper, 
294-296,  346,  554-558;  debate  on,  re  check 
on  desertion,  275-281  ;  disposal  of  cargo  of 
state  prize,  297,  298;  right  of  interstate 
conventions,  234,  235,  249,  253,  255,  259; 
state  governments  and  Continental  army, 
295,  316,  325,  557;  state  rights  and  rule  on 
postponement,  282-284;  see  also  Con- 
federation 


Index 


613 


Dodd,  Timothy,  express,  loses  letters,  136 

Dolphin,  capture  of  flap  of  truce  by,  233n.,  236 

Doniol,  Henri,  Participation  de  la  France,  36811. 

Dorset  County,  Md.,  and  Nanticoke  Indians,  168 

Doughty,  John,  mission,  203,  231 

Downer,  Eliphalet,  deposition,  438n. 

Downing,  Margaret  B..  "  Oliver  Pollock  ",  38on. 

Dreer  Collection,  American  Soldiers,  53in.; 
Members  of  Old  Congress,  I72n. ;  Morris 
Papers,  I29n. ;  Signers,  I3n. 

Drummond,  Lord,  reconciliation  proposals,  60, 
62 

Duane,  James,  member,  Adams  on,  335 ;  and 
commissary,  383;  and  Elmer,  403;  and 
foreign  bills  of  exchange,  483,  491  ;  and 
recall  of  Deane,  582;  and  retirement 
of  Hancock,  537 ;  and  Schuyler-Gates  af- 
fairs, 382,  383,  385,  427,  441,  456,  46s,  507 ; 
and  Ticonderoga,  416 ;  and  Vermont,  388, 
395,  445;  attends,  332;  leave,  582;  letters  of 
(1777),  336,  357.  371.  380,  381,  387,  388,  389, 

395,  396.  397,  409,  429,  465,  473,  5o6,  507,  508, 
512,.  559,  566, .590  (2)  ;  letter  to,  597;  mis- 
sion to  Albany,  590,  591 ;  on  capture  of 
Hudson  River  posts,  566 ;  on  proposed  West 
Florida  expedition,  421,  422;  on  standing  of 
New  York  delegates,  387;  on  Washington 
and  Germantown,  512;  ordered  to  attend, 
329n. ;  periods  of  service,  Iviii 

Dubois,  Lewis,  command,  169 

Du  Boismartin,  and  commission,  486n. 

Du  Buyssons,  Chevalier^  on  application  to  Con- 
gress, 43in. 

Duche,  Jacob,  as  chaplain,  34;  form  of  prayer, 
39 ;  Washington  letter,  523n.,  526,  527,  534, 

538. 
Duck,  distribution,  log 

Du  Coudray.  Philippe  C.  J.  B.  T.,  affair,  con- 
tract, 379,  386,  389,  394,  400,  403-408,  417- 
420,  43in.,  442,  497,  549;  and  defense  of  the 
Delaware,  453n. ;  arrives,  353n. ;  brings  let- 
ters, 314"- ;  death,  497  ;  plan  for  camp,  488 

Duelling,  and  articles  of  war,  56 

Duer,  William,  member,  absence,  566;  Adams 
on  335 ;  and  Lafayette,  459 ;  and  retirement 
of  Hancock,  537;  and  Schuyler-Gates  af- 
fairs, 277,  384-386,  425,  456;  and  Ticon- 
deroga, 416 ;  and  W.  Franklin,  362,  362n. ; 
chosen  delegate,  329n. ;  committee  and  con- 
ference on  defense,  332n. ;  committee  of 
intelligence,  473 ;  committee  on  Maryland 
Loyalists,  330;  leave,  546,  547;  letters  of 
(1777),  331,  336,  37in.,  376,  377n.,  380,  384, 

396,  409,  410,  428,  429,  473,  546;  on  G.  Mor- 
ris, 410;  on  inertness,  331,  332;  on  pro- 
posed West  Florida  expedition,  421,  422; 
on  R.  H.  Lee,  377n.,  410 ;  on  Vermont,  331, 
410;  periods  of  service,  Iviii 

Duer  Papers.  5in. 

Duffield,  George,  chaplain  of  Congress,  533 

Duffield,    Samuel,    member,    elected    delegate, 

Ixii 
Dunlap,  William,  Pennsylvania  Packet,  445n. 
Dunmore,  Lord,  supposed  command,  153 
Duplessis,     Thomas     Antoine,     Chevalier     de 

Mauduit,   arrives,   352n. ;    commission,   351 


Duportail,   Lewis   Le    Begue    (Chevalier   Der- 
ford),  arrival,  389n. ;  engineer  corps  con- 
tract, 38911..  394,  403,  417 
Du  Simitiere,  Pierre  E.,  designs  for  medal  and 
seal,  49,  50 ;  scrap-book  on  the  Revolution, 
50 
Duties,  interstate,  under  Confederation,  552 
Dyer,  Eliphalet,  member,  and  Joseph  Trumbull 
as  commissary-general,  392,  407,  414,  584, 
587-589;   and  promotion  of   son,  47n.,  51; 
and  Sullivan,  517,  530;  attends,  34in..  392; 
committee  to  Pennsylvania  assembly,  6oin. ; 
congratulations    to    Gates,    546;    expected, 
32in.;  letters  of  (i777),  .392,  405,  407,  414, 
47in.,  48s,  492,  502,  512,  517,  530,  544,  546, 
575,  584,  587;  letter  to,  76;  on  displacing 
Schuyler,  424;  on  Du  Coudray  aflfair,  405- 
408 ;  on  foreign  bills  of  exchange,  485 ;  on 
Joseph  Trumbull  and  board  of  war,  575, 
584,    585 ;    period   of    service,    xxxix ;    re- 
mains, 585 
Dyer,  Thomas,  and  promotion,  47,  50,  57 
Dyson,    Jeremiah,    delegate    nicknamed    after, 
385n. 

Eagle,  H.  M.  S.,  17 

Eagle,  privateer,  piratical  action,  iii 

Eastern  military  department,  command,  59,  61 

East  Florida,  intercepted  letter  of  governor, 
208;  proposed  expedition  against,  443n. 

Edwards,  Timothy,  letter  to,  166 

Eichelberger,  George,  as  purchase  agent,  3150. 

Elizabeth,  salvage  case,  125 

Ellery,  William,  member,  and  policy  of  retalia- 
tion,' 597n. ;  and  Rhode  Island  accounts,  re- 
tains money  for  personal  use,  88,  289n. ; 
and  Rhode  Island  requisition  quota,  577; 
attends,  577;  clothing  committee,  i7on. ; 
commercial  committee,  565n. ;  committee  on 
Ticonderoga  inquiry,  469n. ;  expected,  531 ; 
leave,  357,  401,  558;  letters  of  (1776),  17,  52, 
78,  87,  115,  133,  156,  175,  188,  i89n.,  199; 
(1777),  207,  226,  254,  28in.,  289,  301,  312, 
31^,  357,  577,  587,  596,  59711. ;  on  appointment 
of  additional  delegates,  78,  79;  on  Congress 
at  Baltimore,  189,  255 ;  on  Howe's  concilia- 
tion efforts  (1776),  18;  on  loan  certificates 
interest,  254,  255 ;  on  Rhode  Island  line 
troops  and  New  York  campaign,  79;  on 
Seneca  chiefs  at  Philadelphia,  45n. ;  periods 
of  service,  Ixvii;  term  expires,  357,  361,  362 

Ellsworth,  Oliver,  member,  committee  on 
Rhode  Island  expedition,  587 ;  elected  dele- 
gate, xxxix 

Elmer,  Jonathan,  member,  and  Vermont  and 
Duane,  403;  leave,  275n.;  letter  of,  558; 
periods  of  ser\'ice,  liv 

Ely,  William  D.,  manuscripts,  Ii5n.,  i89n.,  25411. 

Embargo,  New  England  plan,  255 

Emmet  Collection,  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, ion. 

Engineers,  company  authorized,  211;  control 
over,  169 ;  for  Maryland,  9 ;  French  officers, 
369,  389n.,  394,  403,  417 

EnHstments,  evils  of  short,  99,  103,  186,  290; 
expiration,   162,   171,   172,  i9on.,  203;   fur- 


614 


Index 


IuiikIi  as  condition  of  re-cnlistmcnt,  202; 
new  plan,  for  the  war,  lioiiiity,  sectional 
extra  pay,  niociilication.  three  years',  44, 
57.  61,  83-85.  89.  95,  yS-ino.  102-104.  106. 
116,  122.  i4on.,  i4in.,  I4.3-I45.  147-15'. 
i5in.,  i54-i()3.  i()6,  181.  18C).  .^40;  proRrcss 
of  new  levies,  discouragement,  promotion. 
urge,  124.  160.  181,  186,  187,  189,  223,  228, 
236,  244,  267.  208.  271,  274.  2()5.  303.  307, 
314.  325,  3i2.  330n.,  354.  374.  4I3.  457.  53i. 
568  ;  state  recruiting  accounts,  355  ;  see  also 
Bounty 

Eppes,  Francis,  letter  to.  22 

Erkclens.  Gosuinus.  at  Philadelphia,  400 

Esopus  Creek,  naval  vessels  in.  19J 

Etting  Collection,  Signers,  i68n. 

Eustace.  John,  on  Lee  as  prisoner  of  war,  206 

Evans,  John,  member,  bears  letter,  324;  elected 
delegate,  xl 

Eve,  Oswell,  i)owder-mili,  loin. 

Eve,  S.  P.,  letter  to,  loi ;  powder  manufacture, 

lOI 

Eveleigh,  Nicholas,  appointment.  443 
Ewing,  George,  commissary  of  hides,  463 
Ewing,  Thomas,  and  Maryland  militia,  i8on. 
Exchange,  of  ladies,  147,  148;  see  also  Prison- 
ers of  war 
Executive    committee    in    Philadelphia    during 
absence  of  Congress,  x ;  and  Hessian  pris- 
oners, 194 ;  and  magazine,  226n. ;  and  naval 
matters,     194;     and     Philadelphia     alarm 
(Feb.),  272,  284;  and  re-enforcements,  193; 
and  removal  of  stores,  272.  284;  and  return 
of  Congress.  284,  286 ;  and  translation  of 
address,    22on. ;    and    Washington's    corre- 
spondence,   191,    195,   273n.,   282;    appoint- 
ment,   177,   184,   185,   191,    193,  214;    Han- 
cock's approval  of  actions,  215 ;  in  opera- 
tion, 194;  lack  of  news  from,  223;  letters 
of,  193,  194,  198,  202,  203,  205,  212,  22on., 
222,  259n.,  272,  273n.,  284;  letters  received 
by  Congress  from,  205,  2050.,  208 ;  letters 
to,    205.    218,    223,    226n. ;    on    dictatorial 
powers  for  Washington,  198 
Express,  see  Continental  stables 

Failly,  Chevalier  de,  commission,  439 

Falmouth,  Me.,  and  damages.  378 

Fanning,  Phineas,  Loyalist  command,  i2on. 

Fay,  Jonas,  petition,  410 

Fayolles,  J.  P.  Rousseau,  Chevalier  de,  situa- 
tion, 486n. 

Fermoy,  see  Rochefermoy 

Field,  Edward,  Esek  Hopkins,  5411. 

Finance,  as  primary  problem,  xii-xiv,  354-356, 
432,  584 ;  delays  in  consideration,  484,  485 ; 
Laurens  on  problems  and  schemes,  477, 
478 ;  mihtary  success  as  desideratum,  505 ; 
plan  (1777),  454,  455;  results  of  unsyste- 
matic, 232 ;  see  also  Accounts ;  Bills  of 
credit ;  Foreign  loans  ;  Loan  certificates ; 
Lottery ;  T^Iilitary  chest ;  Money ;  Paper 
money ;   Pay ;  Taxation 

Fire-ships,  plan  to  use  against  British  fleet,  8n. 

Fish,  export  for  military  stores,  173. 


I'isher,  Henry,  and  Loyalists,  138,  Min. ;  com- 
mand   for,  323 ;   despatch  on    British  fleet, 

432"- 
iMsheries  at   Banks,  as  inducement  to  France, 

195  . 
Fitzpatrick,  John   C,  Calendar  of  Correspon- 

ilctue  of  ll'asliinjjton,  Jjin. 
Iteming,  Thomas,  march  of  regiment,  193 
Fleming,    William,    and    inspector-generalship, 

,.563 

Mints,  examination,  27 

I'lour  for  army,  173;  danger  of  spoiling,  408; 
from  South,  191,  203,  231,  339;  purchase  by 
Connecticut,  320;  purchase  from  prizes, 
334;  see  also  Provisions 

Floyd,  William,  member,  leave,  193,  22on. ;  let- 
ters of,  119,  169;  ordered  home,  329n.; 
periods  of  service,  Iviii 

Flying  camp  for  defense  of  New  York,  see 
Militia 

Fogg  Collection,  536n. 

Folsom,  Nathaniel,  member,  and  Confedera- 
tion, xxi ;  and  Stark's  attitude,  463 ;  and 
Sullivan,  530;  attends,  416,  426,  440; 
chosen  delegate,  343n. ;  committee  on  offi- 
cers' ration,  483 ;  letters  of  (i777).  426,  440, 
449,  463,  471,  483,  535.  538,  564;  letter  to, 
65;  on  burden  of  service,  538;  on  displacing 
Schuyler,  425 ;  on  requisition  quota,  564 ; 
periods  of  service,  liii 

Force,  Peter,  American  Archives,  in.;  Tran- 
scripts :  Massachusetts  Records,  Letters, 
366n. ;  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress, 
2o8n. ;  Sullivan  Papers.  5i9n.;  Trumbull, 
287n. ;  Weare,  569n. ;  Whipple,  2i4n. 

Foreign  loans,  attitude  of  France  (1777),  489; 
necessity,  237,  268,  336.  355,  356;  offer,  313, 
314;  plan,  opposition,  452,  454,  455,  461,  471, 
478,  479,  490,  491 ;  proposition  accepted 
(1776),  182;  western  lands  as  pledge,  509; 
see  also  Bills  of  exchange 

Foreign  officers,  attitude  of  Congress,  prob- 
lem, dismissal,  31,  97,  126,  259,  368,  369,  375, 
386,  389,  394,  398,  400.  426,  430,  438,  440,  448, 
486,  549,  558,  569.  583;  commissions,  222, 
236,  351,  361,  375,  493.  493n.;  Conway,  527; 
discouragement,  language  requirement,  303, 
304,  310,  311;  DuCoudray,  379,  386,  389, 
394,  400,  403-408,  417-420,  43in.,  442,  497, 
549;  engineers,  369,  3899.,  394,  403,  417; 
Georgia  blank  commissions,  540;  Kalb, 
43in.,  486n.,  513;    Lafayette,   43on.,   43in., 

458 
Foreign  relations,  and  conciliation  movements, 
265,  271,  290,  300,  319;  and  Confederation, 
514;  and  general  war,  I97n. ;  and  New  Jer- 
sey campaign,  327 ;  and  powers  of  Mary- 
land delegates,  162;  attitude  of  Portugal, 
156,  164,  183,  313;  attitude  of  Russia,  313; 
attitude  of  Spain,  313,  3i4n.;  attitude  of 
Tuscany,  65,  195,  197;  commissioners  to 
other  powers,  197,  2ion.,  335 ;  control  under 
Confederation,  553-555 ;  favorable  news, 
202,  313,  314;  hindrances  to  communication, 
219,  2S3;  ignorance  in  Congress,  195; 
powers  of  Congress,  557;  proposed  Ameri- 


Index 


615 


can  hiring  of  mercenaries,  451 ;  secrecy, 
violations,  no,  in,  i65n.,  304,  313,  583;  sec 
also  Alliances;  Bills  of  exchange;  Com- 
missioners at  Paris ;  Committee  of  foreign 
affairs;  Committee  of  secret  correspon- 
dence ;  Foreign  loans ;  Foreign  officers ; 
France ;  Trade 

Forman,  Samuel,  brings  news  of  Howe's  ad- 
vance. 483n. 

Forster,  George,  and  American  prisoners  of 
War,  ID 

Fortification,  see  Coast  defense;  Defense 

Foster,  Dr.  Isaac,  and  Turner,  329 

Fowler, ,  express,  568 

France,  action  with  Spain  only,  313 ;  Adams's 
attitude  toward  aid,  354;  alliance  necessary 
to  America,  336;  and  loans,  182;  arms  and 
other  supplies  from,  no,  304,  310.  352n., 
591,  595;  attitude  (1776),  no,  136.  164, 
i65n.,  187.  188,  296,  303,  304;  (1777),  362, 
437n.,  479,  480,  490 ;  British  diplomacy.  181  ; 
inducements  to,  195 ;  opens  ports  to  United 
States,  63 ;  ports  and  American  warships 
and  prizes,  96,  131,  132;  privateer  com- 
missions, 352 ;  propitious  time  to  enter  war, 
182;  sec  also  Alliances;  Bills  of  exchange; 
Commissioners  at  Paris ;  Foreign  loans ; 
Foreign  officers 

Francis,  Turbutt,  and  Wyoming  controversy, 
167 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  member,  and  Lord  Howe, 
I5n. ;  and  seal.  50;  appointment  to  French 
mission,  departure,  instruction,  papers,  105. 
115,  128-132;  Calendar  of  Papers,  45in. ; 
coadjutor  for,  advised,  448n. ;  commissioner 
to  Spain,  2ion.,  335 ;  committee  of  secret 
correspondence,  powers,  in,  112;  commit- 
tee on  plan  for  treaties,  i6n. ;  conciHation 
letter  from  England,  17,  18;  letters  of 
(1776),  20,  58,  59.  63.  65,  80;  letters  to.  351, 
398,  450 ;  mission  to  Howe,  74n.,  75,  77,  78, 
80-83,  85-93,  113,  149,  182;  on  impossibility 
of  reconciliation,  58,  62;  on  propaganda 
among  mercenaries,  59,  63;  Papers,  58n.. 
45in. ;  periods  of  service,  Ixiii ;  statement 
on  secrecy  of  foreign  intelligence,  no; 
Writings,  i5n. ;  see  also  Commissioners  at 
Paris 

Franklin,  William,  exchange  refused,  169; 
misconduct.  362 

Franklin  Papers,  58n. 

Frazer.  Persifor.  and  deputy  adjutant-general- 
ship, 347"-;  and  re-enlistment  of  battalion. 
202 

Frederick  County,  Md.,  militia,  i8on. 

Frederick  Town,  Md.,  paroled  Loyalists  at,  287 

Freedom  of  delegates  under  Confederation,  553 

Frontier,  sec  Indians ;  West 

Frost,  George,  member,  and  Stark's  attitude, 
456,  463 ;  chosen  delegate,  343n. ;  expected, 
357 ;  letters  of,  456  (2),  463,  471 ;  periods  of 
service,  liii 

Frothingham,  Richard,  Joseph  Warren,  305n. 

Frye,  Peter  Pickman,  case,  436 

Fulmer,  Thomas,  interpreter,  i67n. 


Inirlough,  as  condition  of  re-enlistment,  203 
I'yfe,  Herbert  C.  Submarine  Warfare,  2on. 

Gadsden,  Christopher,  and  navy,  3i8n. 

Gaiphin,  George,  claim,  494n. ;  Creek  negotia- 
tions. 494  ;  letter  to,  494 

Gaiphin,  Alillcdge,  Memorial,  495n. 

Gaiphin  claim,  origin,  494n. 

Galvez,  Bernardo  dc,  and  United  States,  380 

iiamc  Cock,  brings  arms,  404 

Gannet,  Htnry,  Boundaries,  468n. 

Gansevoort,  Peter,  reward,  473n.,  474,  508 

Gassaway,  John„  takes  funds,  229 

Gates,  Iloratio,  and  alarm  for  Philadelphia 
(Feb.  1777),  272;  and  appointment  of  offi- 
cers, 106;  and  Campbell  court-martial.  218; 
and  Chase,  17,  4in.;  and  command  in  Rhode 
Island,  175;  and  Duane,  382,  383.  385; 
and  Hudson  River  defenses,  590;  and  John 
Trumbull,  308,  309n.,  347;  and  Luce,  222; 
and  plan  for  board  of  war,  199;  and  Poor, 
271;  and  power  to  fill  vacancies,  34;  and 
resumption  of  adjutant-generalship,  273, 
274 ;  and  Sullivan,  28-30,  32 ;  and  Wilkinson, 
545n- ;  appointment  to  command  Northern 
department,  413,  424-430,  440,  44i,  445,  450, 
465,  466;  at  Baltimore,  202,  204,  210;  be- 
fore Congress  (June,  1777),  v,  380,  382-386; 
board  of  war.  2ion.,  559,  570,  571.  573-575 ; 
congratulations,  545,  546;  fears  for  Ticon- 
deroga,  344;  goes  to  Ticonderoga,  314;  in- 
fluence in  Congress,  100,  108;  in  Virginia, 
394;  letter  of,  545n. ;  letters  received  by 
Congress  from.  346.  378,  503-505,  S24,  527n., 
538,  545,  568,  576 ;  letters  to  (1776),  3,  63,  79, 
105, 121, 135. 138. 199;  (1777),  273,  2,:i2„  346. 
351,  370,  378,  452,  459,  473n.,  508,  539,  54.5, 
540,  551,  568,  570,  57on.,  572,  576,  590;  on 
condition  of  Canadian  expedition  forces, 
46;  Papers,  3n. ;  promotion,  38:  Schuyler 
command  controversy,  3,  n,  48,  210,  308, 
342,  351.  357,  364,  370,  371,  2,77,  379-387,  456; 
table  allowance,  378 ;  to  supplant  Washing- 
ton, 57on. ;  see  also  Saratoga  campaign 

Gates,  Mrs.  Mary,  letter  to,  48 

Gates  Papers.  3n. 

Gayarre,  Charles,  Louisiana,  566n. 

George  (Georgia),  capture  and  recapture,  224n. 

Georgia,  accounts,  173;  as  follower  of  Con- 
necticut, 27s,  282,  371 ;  blank  commissions 
to  France,  540;  Indian  affairs,  30,  579;  line 
troops,  light  horse.  23n. ;  Mcintosh's  con- 
duct, 209;  need  of  protection,  committee  on, 
422,  444,  458,  46on. ;  unrepresented,  urge, 
ii2n.,  147,  159,  i6on.,  208;  see  also  next 
titles,  and  South 

Georgia,  president  of,  see  Bulloch,  Archibald 

Georgia  delegates,  letter  of,  173;  reappointed, 
attend,  173 ;  see  also  Brownson,  Nathan ; 
Bulloch,  Archibald ;  Gwinnett,  Button ; 
Hall,  Lyman ;  Houstoun,  John ;  Lang- 
worthy,  Edward;  Walton,  George;  Wood, 
Joseph 

Georgia  Records,  Miscellaneous,  333n. 

Germain,  Lord  George,  on  American  situation 
(1777),  482 


016 


Index 


German,  translation  of  New  York  address,  220 
Germans,  officer  of  troops,  9;  battalion,  82;  see 

also  Mercenaries 
Gerniantown,  battle  of,  542;   Washington  and, 

Gerry,  Elhridge,  member,  and  commissary  af- 
fairs, committee,  120,  121,  126,  127,  315,  414, 
416,  5o();  and  extra  pay  for  Slassachusetts 
troops,  155;  and  Joliii  Trumliull,  311;  and 
mission  to  Howe,  70,  81  ;  and  salt,  408;  and 
signing  of  Declaration  of  Independence, 
20;  and  Vermont,  403;  at  headquarters, 
582;  attends,  69;  commercial  committee, 
402;  committee  of  foreign  affairs.  402; 
committee  on  army  reforms,  586;  committee 
on  officers'  ration,  483 ;  committee  to  visit 
army,  report,  105,  116,  120,  121,  414,  416; 
hopeful  attitude.  150;  letters  of  (1776),  i, 
20,  75.  84,  103.  105,  115.  120,  121,  125,  127, 
I27n.,  149,  164,  173,  175,  191;  (1777),  200, 
203,  228,  231,  311,  334,  366,  408,  410,  483, 
500,  501,  505,  571,  585,  594;  letters  to,  393n.. 
soon.  (2),  50in. ;  on  Loyalists,  200;  on  need 
of  antiscorbutics,  312;  on  new  army  plan, 
106;  on  removal  of  Congress,  200;  on 
Schuyler,  103,  428;  on  Trumbull  and  board 
of  war,  571 ;  periods  of  service.  Hi 

Gervais.  John  Lewis,  letters  to  (1777),  423,  438, 
460,  476.  497,  513.  522,  524.  558,  601 

Gibbes,  Robert  W.,  Documentary  History  of 
the  Revolution,  488n. 

Gillon,  Alexander,  bears  despatches,  578 

Gilmor  Papers,  I79n. 

Glover,  John,  arms  improperly  given  to  regi- 
ment. 25 ;  brigadier-general,  269,  271 

Glover,  Jonathan,  and  arms,  25;  prize  agency 
controvers}',  26n. 

Goodspeed,  Charles  E.,  letters  possessed  by,  25, 

lOI 

Gorham,  Nathaniel,  Charlestown  petition,  363, 
366 

Goss,  Elbridge  H.,  Paul  Revere,  42711. 

Gouvion,  Obry,  arrives.  389,  389n.,  394;  engi- 
neer corps  contract,  389n.,  391,  394,  403, 
417-421 

Gray,  Samuel,  and  commissary  confusion,  543n., 
544,  584 

Graydon.  Alexander,  Memoirs,  36511. ;  parole, 
exchange,  365n. ;  prisoner,  visit  of  mother, 

365 
Graydon,  Mrs.  Alexander,  visit  to  captured  son, 

365 

Greene,  George  W.,  \athanael  Greene,  2ggn. 

Greene.  Jacob,  and  Rhode  Island  accounts,  289, 
312 

Greene,  Nathanael,  ammunition  for,  128;  and 
army  reforms,  594;  and  command  in  Rhode 
Island,  175 ;  and  Du  Coudray,  censure,  403- 
408 ;  at  Philadelphia,  299n. ;  letters  received 
by  Congress  from,  128.  153;  letters  to,  128, 
299,  404;  major-general,  46 

Greene,  William,  at  Philadelphia,  52 

Greenwood,  Isaac  J.,  John  Manley,  474n. 

Griffin,  Samuel,  command,  I75n. 

Griswold,  Matthew,  letters  to,  76,  158 

Grubb,  Peter,  and  cannon  casting,  94;  letter  to, 
94 


Gwinnett,  Hutton,  number,  Mcintosh  affair, 
killed  in  duel,  333n.,  439,  444;  periods  of 
service,  xliii 

Hale,  lulward  V..,  Franklin  in  France,  398n. 

Half -pay,  plan,  585,  593 

Hall,  David,  sec  Hall  and  Sellers 

Hall,  Josias  C.  battalion,  343 

Hall,  Lyman,  member,  attends,  173;  clothing 
committee,  i7on.;  letter  of,  173;  periods  of 
service,  xliii 

Hall  and  Sellers,  and  press  at  York,  523;  letter 
to,  523 

Hallock,  William,  voyage,  takes  despatches,  129, 
130 

Halsey,  Jeremiah,  bears  letter,  84 

Haltigan,  James,  Irish  in  the  /imerican  Revo- 
lution, 452n. 

Hamilton,  Alexander,  and  removal  of  Con- 
gress, 498-500,  504 

Hamilton,  Henry,  and  Indian  trouble,  579;  and 
Morgan,  53in.,  532,  533 

Hancock,  Mrs.  Dorothy,  leaves  Philadelphia, 
174;  letters  to,  293,  2y3n.,  524 

Hancock,  Ebenezer,  deputy  paymaster-general, 
244n. 

Hancock,  John,  member.  Adams  on,  and  gov- 
ernorship, 27on. ;  and  Brimer,  29;  and  fam- 
ily at  Philadelphia,  174;  and  Graydon, 
365n. ;  and  John  Trumbull,  364n. ;  and 
magazine,  270 ;  and  mission  to  Howe,  81 ; 
and  return  to  Philadelphia,  215,  260,  286, 
293 ;  at  Lancaster,  502 ;  certificate  on  com- 
mittee of  secret  correspondence,  11 1;  cor- 
respondence, III;  correspondence  and  pub- 
He  business,  117;  expected  leave,  270,  282, 
364n. ;  Letter-Book,  in. ;  letters  of,  as  dele- 
gate (1776),  I ;  (1777),  214,  293,  293n.,  366; 
letters  of,  as  president  (1776),  i,  2,  3,  8, 
9  (2),  13,  15  (2),  23,  25,  26,  27,  29,  29n.,  32, 
34,  :i7,  43,  52.  60,  61,  62,  64,  67,  81,  82,  98,  106, 
112,  114,  124,  136,  139,  I46n.,  148,  150,  151, 
153  (2),  160,  165,  168,  169,  180,  184,  185,  192, 
193;  (1777),  201,  205  (2),2o8,2i3,  217,  218, 
222,  223  (2),  226,  226n.,  227,  228,  233,  236, 
244,  246,  260,  26on.,  266,  272,  (2),  273n.,  281, 
28in.,  286,  296,  302,  304,  316,  Z2>2,,  341,  346, 
355  (2),  359,  365,  376,  388,  408,  411,  412,  41S, 
432,  436,  441,  452,  453,  463,  464,  464n.,  466, 
467,  474,  475,  483,  487,  492.  493  (2),  502,  503, 
506,  507,  511,  512,  518,  521,  523,  523n.,  524, 
524n.,  534  (2)  ;  letters  to,  as  president,  173, 
176,  194,  202,  22on.,  393n. ;  on  Declaration 
of  Independence,  i,  2;  on  loan  certificates 
interest.  286;  on  Morris  as  executive  at 
Philadelphia,  214;  period  of  service,  Hi; 
retirement,  leave,  speech,  thanks  to,  522- 
524,  534,  537,  538,  541 

Hancock  and  Adams,  arms  by,  227 

Hand,  Edward,  and  Morgan  inquiry,  532,  537; 
and  request  for  riflemen,  453n. ;  and  Will- 
ing's  New  Orleans  expedition,  565 ;  briga- 
dier-general, 325n. ;  frontier  command,  325, 
561 ;  letters  to,  532,  537,  565 

Hanson,  John,  jr.,  commissioner  to  army,  I40n. ; 
letter  of,  I5in. 

Harford  County,  Md.,  militia,  i8on. 


Index 


617 


Harley,  Louis  R.,  Charles  Thomson,  452n. 

Harnett,  Cornelius,  member,  and  coast  fortifi- 
cations, 4;  and  taxation  under  Confedera- 
tion, 514:  attends,  417;  desire  to  leave,  562, 
562n. ;  letters  of  (i777).  45on.,  466,  494n., 
501,  502,  502n.,  514,  523n.,  526,  526n.,  S3on., 
540n.,  545n.,  547,  562,  562n.  {2),  578,  583 
(2)  ;  on  Articles  of  Confederation,  548, 
578;  on  burden  of  service,  514;  on  financial 
situation,  562;  period  of  service,  Ix 

Harris,  Alexander,  Lancaster  County,  g^n. 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  member,  and  Confedera- 
tion, 416,  417;  and  foreign  bills  of  ex- 
change, 483,  491 ;  and  Gates,  385  ;  and  horse- 
back riding,  226;  and  Irving,  195;  and  new 
members  of  foreign  committee,  402 ;  and 
R.  H.  Lee,  402;  committee  on  plan  for 
treaties,  i6n. ;  illness,  232n. ;  letters  of 
(1776),  147,  181,  i83n.,  196,  197;  (1777), 
208,  232,  352,  458,  509;  letter  to,  267;  on 
Congress  at  Baltimore,  i83n.,  208;  on  dis- 
placing Schuyler,  424;  on  Lafayette's  com- 
mission, 458 ;  on  Lee  and  request  for  con- 
ciliation conference,  264;  on  New^  England 
delegates,  208;  on  proposed  West  Florida 
expedition,  421-423 ;  on  separate  executive 
departments,  19^;  periods  of  service,  Ixix 

Harrison,  Benjamin,  jr.,  deputy  paymaster- 
general,  pay, 127 

Harrison,  Charles,  command,  169 

Harrison,  Robert  Hanson,  and  board  of  war, 
2ion.,  528,  559;  letter  received  by  Con- 
gress from,  640. ;  Washin^on's  secretary, 
I37n. 

Hart,  John,  member,  letter  to,  242;  periods  of 
service,  Iv 

Harvard  University  Library,  Sparks  Manu- 
scripts, 6n. 

Harvie,  John,  member,  chosen  delegate,  4ion. ; 
letter  of,  524;  period  of  service,  Ixx 

Haslet,  John,  killed,  ii6n.;  letters  to,  27,  116; 
movement  of  battalion,  37 

Hatfield,  Edwin  F.,  Elizabeth,  New  Jersey,  293n. 

Hausegger,  Nicholas,  command,  82 

Haverford  College,  Roberts  Collection,  4n. 

Hawley  Joseph,  letters  to,  6in.,  200 

Hayden,  Horace  E.,  Oliver  Pollock,  38on. 

Hays,  L  Minis,  Calendar  of  Franklin. Papers, 

Hazelwood,  John,  plan  against  British  fleet, 
8n. 

Hazen,  Moses,  court-martial,  138 

Head  of  Elk,  British  army  at,  462,  464,  466,  485 

Heath,  William,  and  Philadelphia  alarm  (Feb., 
"^^777),  274;  and  Rhode  Island  command, 
587 ;  and  Saratoga  campaign,  595,  596,  598- 
600 ;  incapacity,  269 ;  letters  received  by 
Congress  from,  595 ;  letters  to.  38,  436,  595, 
598;  major-general,  46;  Papers,  38n. 

Heath  Papers,  38n. 

Heitman,  Francis  B.,  Historical  Register,  82n. 

Henkels,  Stan.  V.,  vi ;  Catalogue,  5n. ;  letters 
possessed  by,  5n.,  82n.,  ii6n.,  I28n.,  I39n., 
i6on.,  i64n.,  i83n.,  i9on.,  I96n.,  2o8n.,  2i4n., 
21 5n.,  225n.,  239n.,  245n.,  26on.,  27on.,  28in., 
286n.,  303n.,  507n.,  537n.,  S9on.,  594n. 

Henley,  David,  and  naval  board,  356 


Henry,  Patrick,  governor  of  Virginia,  and  Car- 
rington,  511;  and  frontier  commission, 
56211.;  letters  to  (1776),  14,  169,  178; 
(1777),  221,  339,  373,  486,  511,  535,  536 

Henry,  William,  and  collection  of  arms,  500, 
5oin. 

Henry,  William  W.,  Patrick  Henry,  1690. 

Herand,  John,  arrives,  352n. 

Herkimer,  Njcholas,  honors  for,  473;  monu- 
ment, 508;  news  of  death,  473n. 

Hessians,  see  Mercenaries 

Hewes,  Joseph,  member,  and  threat,  S;  ill 
health,  expected  resignation,  22;  leave,  96; 
letter  received  by  Congress  from,  256; 
letters  of  (1776),  4,  22,  28,  30,  3in.,  35,  42, 
44,  95;  letters  to,  146,  155,  200,  256;  on  Ar- 
ticles of  Confederation,  28;  on  burden  of 
service,  4;  periods  of  service,  Ixi;  piratical 
capture  of  his  brig,  199-201,  411 

Heyward,  Thomas,  jr.,  member,  absence,  293n. ; 
and  finances,  481 ;  commercial  committee, 
402;  committee  of  foreign  affairs,  402; 
committee  of  intelligence,  473 ;  leave,  66, 
69,  9on. ;  letters  of,  6,  24,  69,  352,  473;  on 
right  to  cause  postponement,  283 ;  ordnance 
board,  219;  periods  of  service,  Ixvii 

Hicks,  Nicholas,  and  magazine  at  Carlisle,  213 

Hides,  commissary,  463 

Hiltzheimer,  Jacob,  and  Continental  stables, 
177;  and  return  of  Congress,  260 

Hinman,  Elisha,  cruise,  474 

Historical  Magazine,  65n, 

Historical  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  Conarroe 
Collection,  228n. ;  Dreer  Collection  :  Ameri- 
can Soldier*,  53in. ;  Members  of  Old  Con- 
gress, I72n. ;  Morris  Papers,  I29n. ;  Signers, 
I3n. ;  Etting  Collection,  Signers,  i68n. ;  Mc- 
Kean  Papers,  59n. ;  Potts  Papers,  32in. 

Hoadley,  Charles  J.,  Connecticut  Records,  22~n. 

Hodg^e,  William,  jr.,  goes  to  France,  129 

Holmes,  Rev. ,  bears  letter,  494 

Holtzendorff,  Lewis  Casimir  de.  Baron,  com- 
mission, 439 

Holyoke  Diaries,  436n. 

Home  Journal,  lign. 

Hooper,  William,  member,  and  horseback 
riding,  226;  and  Trumbull,  173;  attends, 
3in. ;  committee  of  secret  correspondence, 
1 1  in.,  130;  committee  on  Schuyler,  107; 
illness,  232n.,  256;  leave.  225n.,  226,  232n., 
256;  letters  of  (1776),  30,  35,  40,  42.  44,  (>2„ 
95,  103,  129,  131,  137,  139,  146,  154,  155.  181, 
195,  197,  199:  (1777),  200.  232  (2),  256;  on 
alarm  at  Philadelphia  (Nov.,  1776),  156; 
on  burden  of  service,  146,  156;  on  con- 
dition of  Northern  department,  40;  on 
Congress  at  Baltimore,  196,  201,  232n.,  256; 
on  executive  departments,  196;  on  finan- 
cial mismanagement,  232 ;  on  ignorance  in 
Congress,  195,  196 ;  on  Irving,  195 ;  on  Loy- 
alists prisoners,  139 ;  on  Morris,  195 ;  on 
new  army  plan,  103,  147 ;  on  New  England 
and  extra  pay,  155,  173;  on  Pennsylvania 
delegates,  232n. ;  on  piratical  capture  of 
brig,  199-201;  on  thin  Congress,  232; 
periods  of  serv^ice,  Ixi ;  statement  on  se- 
crecy of  foreign  intelligence,  iii 


618 


Index 


Hoops,  Robert,  at  camp,  405;  i^eputy  comniis- 
sary-Reiicral  of  issues,  40511.,  412 

Hopkins,  I'-sck,  hearing,  censure.  47n..  52-55 

Hopkins,  Stephen,  nienilier,  absence,  78;  charac- 
ter a>  tlelejiate,  79;  letter  of.  5-';  period  <jf 
service,  Ixvii ;  resolves  of  New  England 
convention,  453 

Hopkinson.  I'Vancis.  member,  committee  on 
Confederation,  iin. ;  naval  board,  I53n., 
318;  period  of  service,  Iv 

Hortales.  Roderique,  et  Cie.,  and  supi)lies  from 
I'rance,  110,  lun. 

Hosmer,  Titus,  member,  elected  delegate, 
xxxix  ;  letter  of,  362n. 

Houston,  Dr.  ,  bears  letter,  491 

Houstoun,  John,  member,  elected  delegate,  xliv 

Howard,  John  E.,  on  Mai:yland  Loyalists,  343 

Howe,  Lord  (George),  Westminster  monu- 
ment, 94n. 

Howe,  Lord  (Richard),  arrival,  17;  conciliation 
efforts  (1776),  mission  to,  xvii,  xviii,  15, 
17-21,  58,  60,  62,  65-78,  80-83,  85-93.  113.  149, 
182;  (1777).  263-265,  268,  270,  272,  284,  286. 
2()o,  299,  300,  317,  319.  559.  562;  letter  to, 
58;  Washington  correspondence  incident, 
17;  sec  also  Philadelphia  campaign 

Howe,  Robert,  and  appointments,  443 ;  letter 
received  by  Congress  from,  525n. ;  letters 
to.  442,  525  ;  on  Charleston  commercial  situ- 
ation, 443 ;  promotion  and  removal  from 
South  Carolina  command,  525,  526;  rank 
question.  443 

Howe,  Sir  William,  and  Lee  as  prisoner,  206. 
259,  284,  299,  302 ;  and  Temple.  58n. ;  con- 
ciliation eflforts  (1777).  263-265,  268.  270, 
272,  284,  286,  290,  299,  300.  317,  319,  559. 
562;  sec  also  New  Jersey  campaign;  New 
York  campaign ;    Philadelphia  campaign 

Howell,  David,  and  Rhode  Island  accounts,  289, 
312 

Hudson  River,  defense  as  Continental  charge, 
409;  defense  force  and  re-enforcement  of 
Washington,  capture  of  posts,  482,  487,  495. 
506,  566,  567 ;  importance  of  defense,  549, 
590;  obstruction.  Congress  and  expense,  51, 
65 

Hughes,  Daniel,  and  cannon  casting,  I2n.,  22 

Humphreys,  Charles,  member,  period  of  ser- 
vice, Ixiii 

Humphreys,  David,  Israel  Putnam,  20n. 

Hunt.  Gaillard,  History  of  the  Seal,  49n. 

Huntington.  Jabez,  and  importation  of  salt, 
122;  letter  to,  529 

Huntington,  Jedediah,  and  promotion,  288; 
brigadier-general,  361,  362 

Huntington,  Joshua,  frigate  building,  34in. ; 
letter  to,  341 

Huntington,  Samuel,  member,  expected,  i64n. ; 
leave,  142;  letter  of.  76;  on  mission  to 
Howe,  76;  period  of  service,  xxxix 

Hurd,  John  C,  Law  of  Freedom  and  Bondage, 
278n. 

Hutchinson,  Thomas,  Adams  on,  75 


Illinois  Catholic   Historical  Review,  3800. 

Importation,  or  manufacture,  356;  see  also 
Sujiplies 

Impressment,  for  navy,  Nicholson  affair,  348- 
SS*^^.  353.  ^7~'>  of  articles  and  provisions  in 
I'hiladelpliia  camjiaij-n,  500,  501,  603;  of 
vehicles,  243 

Independence,  adoption  of  Declaration,  senti- 
ments on,  I,  2,  4-6,  10,  II,  22,  23,  42;  and 
confederation  and  alliances,  28;  and  recon- 
ciliation, linality,  93,  iHi,  198,  202,  343; 
effect  of  Declaration,  vi,  319;  lirst  annua! 
celebration,  3(79,  401  ;  formal  publication  in 
i'hiladelphia,  5-7;  instructions  on,  5;  Jef- 
ferson on  Declaration,  2;  opportuneness  of 
Declaration,  74n. ;  New  York  delegates  and 
vote,  I,  4,  6,  11-13;  prematurity,  135; 
proclamation  before  army,  2n.,  5,  6;  results 
of  delay,  150,  202;  signed  copies  of  Declara- 
tion sent  to  states,  228;  signing  of  Declara- 
tion, 8,  20 ;  transmission  of  Declaration  for 
proclamation,  i,  2;  use  of  term  Colony 
after  Declaration,  200;  see  also  Recon- 
ciliation 

Independence.  Fort  (Mount),  holding,  347,  353; 
sce_  also  Ticonderoga 

Independence,  U.  S.  S.,  to  bring  arms,  in  ;  voy- 
ages, takes  despatches,  129,  403n. 

Independent  Chronicle  (Boston),  on  arrival  of 
ships  from  France^  352n.,  353n. ;  on  Schuy- 
ler, 433n. 

Indian  commissioners,  letter  to,  45 

Indians,  at  Philadelphia,  speech  to  Congress, 
45n.,  170;  (Therokee  hostilities  and  defeat, 
30,  121 ;  commissioners,  567 ;  condition  of 
affairs,  115,  521,  532;  Creek  attitude  and 
negotiations,  494,  5/9.  590,  59i..  597;  .ex- 
penses of  commissioners,  166;  in  British 
service  and  prisoners  of  war,  10;  Iroquois 
talk  after  Saratoga  campaign,  579,  590.  591 ; 
Middle  department  negotiations  (1776),  18; 
Nanticokes,  146,  168 ;  Pennsylvania  troubles 
(1777),  Morgan  inquiry,  Pittsburgh  com- 
mission, 325,  531-533,  537,  561,  S62n.,  579, 
582 ;  relations  under  Confederation,  553, 
555 ;  riflemen  against  incursions,  453 ;  ulti- 
matum to  Iroquois,  38 

Tngenhousz,  Jan.  and  Franklin,  65 

Inoculation,  in  army,  142,  249,  250,  459;  of  dele- 
gates, 145 

IrLspector-general,  Conway.  528n. ;  purpose  of 
department,  589 ;  see  also  Staflf 

Intelligence,  see  Committee  of  intelligence 

Intercepted  letters,  Adams's,  115;  British,  549; 
from  governor  of  East  Florida,  208 ;  Trum- 
bull's, 204n. ;  Washington's,  136,  137 

Interest,  see  Loan  certificates 

International  law  bookj,  loan  to  Congress,  547 

Interstate  relations,  see  Boundaries ;  Confed- 
eration 

Invalided  soldiers,  pay,  132 

Iron  Hill,  Del.,  skirmish,  484n. 

Iroquois,  and  detention  of  Nanticokes,  146,  168; 
chiefs  at  Philadelphia,  speech  to  Congress, 
45n.,  170,  I7in. ;  negotiations  and  Wyoming 


Index 


619 


controversy,  167 ;  talk  after  Saratoga  cam- 
paign, 579,  590,  591  ;  ultimatum  to,  38 

Irvine, ,  and  Morgan  inquiry,  533,  538;  let- 
ter to,  533n. 

Irving,  Thomas,  and  exchange,  petition,  1480., 

195 

Irwin,  Matthew,  and  commissary  position,  4o8n. 

Izard,  Ralph,  commissioner  to  Tuscany,  in- 
structions, 2ion.,  403 

James,  James  A.,  George  Rogers  Clark  Papers, 
38on. 

Jarvi^i  Leonard,  and  disposal  of  arms,  227 

Jay,  John,  member,  and  Rutledge,  56;  attend- 
ance urged,  98;  committee  of  secret  corre- 
spondence, 130;  Correspondence,  8in. ; 
elected  delegate,  Iviii ;  letters  of,  11  in., 
377n. ;  letters  to,  8in.,  i97n.,  214,  37in., 
45in. ;  on  keeping  foreign  intelligence  from 
Congress,  11  in. 

Jefferson,  Thomas,  member,  and  basis  of  repre- 
sentation, 374 ;  and  idea  of  constitutional 
convention,  56n. ;  and  mission  to  France, 
105,  115,  129,  130;  and  seal,  50;  committee 
on  articles  of  war,  55,  I02n. ;  leave,  2,  3n., 
28,  31.  39.  66;  letters  of  (i7/6),  2,  3n.,  14, 
22,  28,  31,  38,  48;  letters  to,  105,  150,  365, 
374,  468,  524,  534 ;  on  Declaration  as  drafted 
and  adopted,  2;  on  foreign  officers,  31;  on 
Sullivan,  28;  Papers,  I4n. ;  periods  of  ser- 
vice, Ixx;  report  on  value  of  coins,  i5on. ; 
Works.  22n. ;  Writings,  2x1. 

Jefferson  Papers,  I4n. 

Jenifer,  Daniel  of  St.  Thomas,  letters  to,  I5in., 
162,  172,  179 

Jenkins,  ,  captured,  status,  I73n.,  204 

John  Carter  Brown  Library,  letter  possessed 
by<  56on. 

Johns  Hopkins  University,  Studies,  141x1. 

Johnson,  Joseph,  Traditions  of  the  Revolution, 
452n. 

Johnson,  Thomas,  jr.,  member,  governor  of 
Maryland,  attendance  urged,  172;  com- 
mittee of  secret  correspondence,  130 ;  letters 
to  (1777),  307,  316,  330,  343,  348,  349,  371, 
457,  493,  Soin.,  5o6n.,  513,  604;  periods  of 
service,  xlvii 

Johnson,  Sir  William,  Adams  on  progeny,  455 

Johnston,  Francis,  and  re-enlistment  of  bat- 
talion, 202 

Johnston,  George,  and  promotion,  221 

Johnston,  Samuel,  and  attendance,  156;  letters 
to,  4,  28,  3 in. 

Joline,  Adrian  H.,  letter  possessed  by,  59Sn. 

Jones,  Charles  C,  Georgia,  333n. 

Jones,  Charles  H.,  Gustavus  Conyngham,  49on. 

Jones,  Gabriel,  and  frontier  commission,  s62n. 

Jones,  John  Paul,  cruise,  474 

Jones,  Joseph,  member,  and  Woodford's  promo- 
tion, 560 ;  chosen  delegate,  4ion. ;  com- 
mittee on  army  reforms,  586 ;  letter  of,  585  ; 
period  of  service,  Ixx 

Jones,\  Joseph  S.,  Defence  of  North  Carolina, 
96n. 

Joseph,  brig,  piratical  capture,  199-201,  411 

Josiah,  James,  capture,  treatment,  43 


Journal  of  the  Maryland  Convention,  I40n. 

Journals  of  Continental  Congress,  Adams  on 
brevity,  53n.;  motion  to  record  all  proceed- 
ings, 285,  295;  publication,  delay,  365,  375, 
484 

Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress  (Ford 
ed.),  errors,  5i2n.,  S33n. 

Journals  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
Pennsylvania,  601  n. 

Journals  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New 
York,  2n. 

Kalb,  Baron  de,  application  to  Congress,  43in., 
486n. ;  commission,  intention  to  leave,  513; 
I  council  on  Red  Bank,  571 

j  Kapp,  Friedrich,  Life  of  Kalb,  430n. 
I  Karanduawn,  Indian  title  for  president  of  Con- 
gress, 45n. 

Kempe,  Mrs.  John  Tabor,  exchange,  148 

Kinsey,  James,  Deberdt's  letter,  15,  18 

Kirkland,  Samuel,  and  Iroquois,  39n. 

Knight,  Lucian  M.,  Georgia  and  Georgians, 
49511. 

Knox,  Henrj',  and  cannon  casting,  12;  and  Du 
Coudray,  censure,  379,  403-408;  and  loca- 
tion of  magazines,  226,  270,  324;  and  need 
of  cannon,  219;  brigadier-general,  6in. ; 
council  on  Red  Bank,  571 ;  letters  to,  12,  61, 
108;  Papers,  I2n. 

Knox  Papers,  I2n. 

La  Balme,  Mottin  de,  commission,  386 

La  Colombe,  Chevalier  de,  commission,  549 

Lafayette,  Marquis  de,  application  to  Congress, 
45in. ;  arrives,  43on. ;  character  of  com- 
mission, 458,  513;  division  for,  577;  letter 
of,  459n. ;  letter  received  by  Congress  from, 
4S9n.,  Memoires,  43on. ;  wounded,  525 

Lancaster,  Pa.,  and  cannon  casting,  94;  collec- 
tion of  arms  at,  500,  501 ;  flour  for  army  at, 
408;  removal  of  Congress  to  and  from,  243, 
284,  291,  483n.,  485,  491,  492,  494-504,  506- 
508,  525 ;  removal  of  stores  and  prisoners 
from,  465 

Land  bounty,  for  enlistment  for  the  war,  57,  83, 
85,  89,  99,  103,  106,  116,  144,  I5in.,  157,  159, 
161-163 ;  Maryland  and,  i4on.,  143,  151,  165 

Lane,  Wolcott  G.,  acknowledgments  to,  76n., 
i58n. 

Langdon,  John,  member,  and  building  of  war- 
ship, 21,  117  ;  and  naval  board,  356,  359;  and 
naval  committee,  3i8n.,  3i9n. ;  as  Continent- 
al agent,  12,  125,  144;  elected  delegate,  liii; 
letters  to  (1776),  5,  12,  20,  21,  29,  39,  47, 
117,  ii7n.,  125,  126,  144;  (1777),  214.  26in., 
310,  334,  355,  359;  Papers,  402n. ;  resigns  as 
delegate,  12 

Langdon-Elwyn  Papers,  402n. 

Langworthy,  Edward,  member,  period  of  ser- 
vice, xliv 

La  Radiere,  Bailleul,  arrives,  389,  389n. ;  en- 
gineer corps  contract,  389n.,  394,  403,  417- 
421 

Laumoy,  ,  de,  arrives,  389;  engineer  corps 

contract,  389n.,  417-421 ;  ill  in  West  Indies, 
417 


620 


Index 


I^urens,  Henry,  nu-mbcr,  Adains  on,  4420.; 
and  Articles  of  Confetleration,  579;  and 
defense  of  Georgia,  422,  444,  458;  and 
Duanc's  mission  to  Albany,  597  ;  and  fear 
of  attack  on  Charleston,  4O0 ;  and  foreign 
loan,  45J,  455,  471  ;  and  Hancock,  522;  and 
Mcliitosli,  444n. ;  and  peace  otTer,  55Qn. ;  and 
policy  of  retaliation,  438,  597 ;  and  prize  at 
Charleston,  597;  and  proposed  W  e^t  1-lor- 
ida  expedition,  iv ;  and  removal  to  l-ancas- 
ter,  495,  497,  sojn.,  525;  and  Robert  Howe, 
525,  520 ;  and  Saratoga  convention  compli- 
cations, 601,  602;  and  South  Carolina  gen- 
eral of^^icers,  580;  and  unpreparedness,  577; 
attends,  4420.,  445 ;  committee  on  Ticon- 
deroga  inquiry,  heads  of  inquiry,  469,  469n. ; 
illness,  protTer  of  resignation  as  president, 
attendance,  586,  592,  595,  601,  602;  Letter- 
Book,  423n.,  545n. ;  Letters,  v,  525n. ;  letters 
of,  as  delegate  (i777).  423.  43^,  442,  443, 
445,  452  (2),  455,  458,  460,  471,  475,  476,  488, 
494,  497,  50311.,  513,  514.  521,  522  (2),  524, 
525  (2),  558,  577,  597r  601;  letters  of.  as 
president  (i777).  545,  548,  55 1  (2),  559-  567, 
568,  570.  572,  576,  578.  580,  586,  592,  595, 
597,  598;  on  character  of  Congress,  447, 
448,  476,  477,  481,  602;  on  commissioners  at 
Paris,  448;  on  criticism  of  Washington, 
521,  522;  on  Duche's  letter,  526;  on  finan- 
cial problems,  477-483,  488-492 ;  on  foreign 
officers,  expenses  of  dismissed,  438,  448, 
558;  on  Galphin's  Creek  negotiations.  494; 
on  lottery,  521 ;  on  Loyalist  plot,  476,  477, 
481  ;  on  parole  of  Pennsylvania  proprietary 
officials,  448.  449 ;  on  proposed  West  Florida 
expedition,  422,  443,  445-447,  477 :  on  rank 
question,  443.  448;  on  Sullivan  and  Brandy- 
wine,  514;  on  taxation  under  Confedera- 
tion, 514;  period  of  service,  Ixviii ;  presi- 
dent of  Congress.  538.  539 

Laurens,  John,  letters  to,  503n.,  514,  521,  577; 
Papers,  3o8n. 

Laurens  Papers,  3o8n. 

Law,  Richard,  member,  and  Joseph  Trumbull, 
392 ;  and  Williams.  51 ;  attends,  34in. :  com- 
mittee on  Morgan's  conduct,  532;  letters 
oi,  531,  532;  period  of  service,  xxxix 

Leather,  commissary  of  hides,  463 ;  purchase 
and  manufacture.  570;  see  also  Shoes 

Le  Begue  Duportail,  Lewis,  see  Duportail 

Le  Brun,  Augustin.  commission,  493 

Lee,  Arthur,  appointment  to  French  mission, 
notification,  instructions,  I05n.,  130-132; 
commissioner  to  Spain,  2ion.,  335 ;  confer- 
ence with  French  ambassador,  no;  letter 
to,  335;  received  at  French  court,  3i3n. ; 
see  also  Commissioners  at  Paris 

Lee,  Charles,  and  conciliation  conference,  263- 
265,  268,  270,  272,  284,286,  290,  300,  317,  319; 
and  Malmedy,  361 ;  at  Philadelphia,  121 ; 
Charleston  campaign,  22;  exchanged, 
438n. ;  "  Juniper  Lee  ",  103 ;  letter  received 
by  Congress  from,  22n. ;  letter  to,  22 ; 
Papers,  26sn. ;  recall  from  South,  43,  44,  56, 
75,  103 ;  treatment  as  prisoner,  retaliation. 


hostages,  206,  209,  212,  259,  265,  266,  272, 

284,   290.  2u8-JO().  J02 

Lee,  l-'rancis  Lightfoot,  member,  and  Penn, 
56on. ;  and  presidency  of  Congress,  524; 
committee  on  relief  of  army,  603;  letters 
of,  89,  149,  217,  280,  365,  603,  604;  on  mis- 
sion to  Howe,  89;  on  removal  of  Congress, 
217;  on  request  for  conciliation  conference, 
.  286 ;  on  right  to  cause  postponement,  283 ; 
on  sectional  conventions  to  regulate  prices, 
253 ;  on  state  of  Congress,  149;  periods  of 
service,  Ixx ;   re-elected,  4ion. 

I^e,  John,  sec  Brown,  John 

Lee,  Richard  Henry,  member,  and  arms  for 
militia,  501 ;  and  Carrington,  511 ;  and  Con- 
federation, XV,  xix,  xxi,  xxii;  and  foreign 
mission,  569;  and  interest  on  loan  certifi- 
cates, 240;  and  Mifflin,  539;  and  mission  to 
Howe,  75,  82;  and  navy,  3i8n. ;  and  New 
England,  373,  374,  410;  and  recall  of  Deane, 
569;  and  recommendation  for  taxation,  reg- 
ulation of  prices,  and  recruiting,  568-570; 
and  Schuyler  and  command,  377 ;  and  sec- 
tional conventions  and  regulation  of  prices, 
251,  253,  254;  and  state  sovereignty  in  Ar- 
ticles of  Confederation,  346;  and  work  of 
secret  committee,  373 ;  as  veteran  delegate, 
260,  attendance  urged,  28,  32,  417;  attends, 
3n.,  66,  4ion.,  4i6n. ;  committee  and  confer- 
ence on  defense,  332n. ;  committee  of  intel- 
ligence, 473 ;  committee  of  secret  corre- 
spondence, 1 1  in.,  130;  committee  on  camp 
in  Pennsylvania,  322n. ;  committee  on  Mor- 
gan's conduct,  532;  committee  on  oflficers' 
ration,  483 ;  committee  on  Ticonderoga  in- 
quiry, 469n. ;  delayed.  39 ;  Duer  on,  377n. ; 
leave,  564,  581 ;  Letters,  90n. ;  letters  of 
(1776),  105,  124,  129,  131,  164,  169,  178,  181, 
197;  (^777),  200,  221,  224,  232,  322,  328,  335, 
339,  365  (2),  368,  372n.,  373,  468,  473,  475, 
483,  486,  509,  511,  523,  523n.,  527,  531,  532, 
533,  535,  536,  539,  552,  563,  568,  569 ;  letters 
to  O776),  2,  II,  28,  32.  I98n.;  (i777),  388, 
413,  417,  540,  581 ;  Memoirs,  368n. ;  on  ap- 
pointment of  general  oflficers,  263 ;  on  ap- 
prehended attack  on  Philadelphia,  323 ;  on 
attacks  on  himself,  365,  373 ;  on  basis  of 
requisitions,  569 ;  on  commissary,  563 ;  on 
Conway,  527;  on  disaflFected  Quakers,  486; 
on  financial  measures,  568;  on  foreign  oflfi- 
cers, 368 ;  on  Gates,  535 ;  on  the  Gen.  Lee 
retaliation  letter,  265 ;  on  necessity  of  alli- 
ances and  loans,  336;  on  new  board  of  war, 
563 ;  on  New  England  convention,  234 ;  on 
Nicholson  afifair,  372n. ;  on  power  to  check 
desertion,  279;  on  removal  of  Congress, 
200 ;  on  right  to  cause  postponement,  283 ; 
periods  of  service,  Ixxi ;  protection  for 
Moravians,  499n. ;  statement  on  secrecy  of 
foreign  intelligence,  in;  vindication,  re- 
election, 402,  410 

Lee,  Richard  Henry,  Arthur  Lee,  iion. ;  Rich- 
ard Henry  Lee,  2n. 

Lee,  William,  commissioner  to  Austria-Hun- 
gary and  Prussia,  commission,  powers,  in- 


Index 


621 


structions,  21011.,  403;  letter  of,  451"-;  let- 
ter to,  45in. ;  on  hiring  mercenaries,  45in. 

Lee,  Fort,  capture,  164 

Lee  Papers,  28n.,  i8in. 

Lee  Papers,  265n. 

Lee  Transcripts,  28n. 

Legal  department,  Wilson  on  need  and  func- 
tions, 215-217 

Leland,  Waldo  G.,  on  Burke's  notes  on  Articles 
of  Confederation,  556n. 

Letters  by  Josiah  Bartlett,  IVilliam  Whipple, 
and  Others,  I25n. 

Letters  to  Washington,  8n. 

Letters  to  Washington,  2n. 

Letts,  E/cekiel,  petition,  I39n. 

Lewes,  Del.,  battalion  ordered  from,  27 

Lewis,  Andrew,  and  recruiting,  223 ;  letter  re- 
ceived by  Congress  from,  63n. ;  letter  to, 
223 

Lewis,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  exchange.  147,  148 

Lewis,  Francis,  member,  and  Montgomery 
prizes,  right  to  cargo,  297,  298,  329n. ;  and 
Nicholson  affair,  372;  appeals  for  con- 
freres, 193,  207,  220,  230,  231,  261 ;  commit- 
tees, 219,  329n.,  565n. ;  letters  of  (1776),  48, 
64,  119,  134,  169,  190,  192;  (1777).  207,  219, 
220,  224,  230  (2),  261,  297,  328,  328n.,  382n.; 
ordered  home,  328;  periods  of  service,  Iviii 

Lewis,  Morgan,  at  Philadelphia  about  office, 
3;n.,  48,  49;  deputy  quartermaster-general, 
84,  85 

Lexington,  U.  S.  S.,  takes  despatches,  129,  130 

Libbie,,  C.  F..  and  Company,  acknowledgment 
to,  529n. 

Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  Ridgway 
Branch,  Diary  of  Benjamin  Rush,  i7on. 

Library  of  Congress,  Collections,  42in. ;  Con- 
tinental Congress,  Miscellaneous,,  565n. ; 
Force  Transcripts  :  Massachusetts  Records, 
Letters,  366n. ;  Papers  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  2o8n. ;  Sullivan  Papers,  5190.; 
Trumbull,  287n. ;  Weare,  569n. ;  Whipple, 
2i4n. ;  Jefferson  Papers,  I4n. ;  Letters  to 
Washington,  2n. ;  Morris  Papers,  26n. ; 
Papers  of  Continental  Congress,  i7on.; 
Personal,  I38n. ;  President's  (Laurens) 
Letter-Book,  S45n. ;  Stevens  Facsimiles, 
i83n. ;  United  States  Revolution,  273n. ; 
Washington  Papers  (Manuscripts),  3411. 

Lincoln,  Benjamin,  letter  of,  456n. ;  major-gen- 
eral, 269,  271J  Secretary  at  War,  21  in. 

Lippitt,  Christopher,  and  orders  for  New  York, 
88 

Literary  Diary  of  Ezra  Stiles,  lyn. 

Livingston,  Abraham,  clothing  agent,  171,  221 

Livingston,  Henry  Brockholst,  and  promotion, 
126;  lieutenant-colonel,  508,  509 

Livingston,  Philip,  member,  Adams  on,  335 ; 
and  military  appointments,  126;  and  pro- 
motion of  Clinton,  55 ;  and  Schuyler's  res- 
ignation, I07n. ;  attends,  328,  329n.,  332; 
committee  on  commissary,  414,  416;  leave, 
193,  220n. ;  letters  of  (1776),  51.  64,  107, 
119,  134,  169;  (1777),  336,  357.  371,  380, 
396,  409,  429;  periods  of  service,  lix 


Livingston,  Robert  R.j  member,  and  foreign 
mission,  582;  attendance  urged,  98;  com- 
mittee on  articles  of  war,  55,  I02n. ;  letters 
of,  98n.,  ii4n. ;  letters  to,  17,  54,  85n.,  97, 
103,  113,  126,  328n.,  376,  381,  387,  388,  389, 
395.  397.  410;  on  Schuyler's  resignation, 
Ii4n. ;  period  of  service,  lix;  powder  com- 
mittee, loin. 

Livingston,  Walter,  and  commissary  and  Trum- 
bull, resignation,  84,  85,  204;  as  evil  genius 
of  Northern  department,  35,  36;  letter  of, 
85n. ;  letter  received  by  Congress  from,  84n. 

Livingston,  William,  governor  of  New  Jersey, 
and  Staten  Lsland  movements,  487 ;  letters 
to,  152,  225,  475.  493 

Livingston,  William  F.,  Israel  Putnam,  567n. 

Livingston  Papers,  I7n. 

Loan  certificates,  as  merely  paper  money,  257; 
authorized,  office  established,  147,  159;  ex- 
change for  state  paper  money,  289;  hopes 
from,  246;  payment  of  interest  in  foreign 
bills  of  exchange,  xiii,  454.  455.  461,  477-479. 
481-483,  485,  488-492,  503,  510;  proposed 
alteration,  490;  rate  of  interest,  xiii,  225, 
228,  229,  232,  227,  240,  244-249,  253,  254,  270, 
275,  282,  284,  286,  288n.,  289 ;  specie  payment 
of  interest,  150 

Long  Island,  battle  of,  effect,  75 ;  news,  65,  66. 
90 

Long  Island  Historical  Society,  Laurens 
Papers,  3o8n. ;  Memoirs,  iign. 

Loring,  Joshua,  and  exchange  of  Church,  506 

Lossing,  Benson  J.,  Field  Book  of  the  Ameri- 
can   Revolution,    493n. ;    Philip    Schuyler, 
I07n. 
289,  356;  value  questioned,  225,  524 

Lottery,   Continental,  authorized,  147,  159,  282, 

Louisiana,  see  New  Orleans 

Lovell,  James,  member,  and  Arnold,  rank  af- 
fair, 442,  445,  461 ;  and  displacement  of 
Schuyler  by  Gates,  351,  370,  379,  415.  4i6, 
425.  430,  435,  445.  461.  462,  546;  and  foreign 
officers,  394.  398,  403.  417-421,  430,  43in., 
442,  486 ;  and  John  Trumbull.  308,  309. 
347n. ;  and  Lafayette,  43in. ;  and  recall  of 
Deane,  581,  582 ;  and  removal  to  Lancaster, 
500,  508;  and  Washington  and  Gates,  570, 
571.  593.  594;  attends,  238:  committee  of 
inquiry  on  Ticonderoga,  469n. ;  ill,  394,  403  ; 
"Jerry  Dysen ",  385:  letters  of  (i777^. 
308,  351,  352,  361,  366,  370,  375.  379(2), 
394  (2),  398,  402,  411,  414"-.  415.  417.  430. 
435.  437,  442  (2),  445,  454.  460,  484.  486,  495. 
500,  50on.,  508,  509.  540.  546,  570,  57on.,  581, 
582,  583,  593;  letter  to,  57on. ;  on  Brandy- 
wine,  495 ;  on  confidence  in  Congress,  484 ; 
on  Deane,  462;  on  financial  plan,  454,  461, 
509;  on  Harrison  and  Lee,  402;  on  retalia- 
tion, 299 ;  on  Vermont,  403,  445 ;  period  of 
service.  Hi ;  robbed,  50on. 

Loyalists,  and  mission  to  Howe,  73 ;  conduct, 
164;  conduct  of  Gov.  Franklin,  362;  effect 
of  Declaration  of  Independence  on,  320 ; 
expatriation,  200;  in  Sussex  County.  Del.. 
139,  141;  on  year  1777.  Si5n. ;  parole  of 
Pennsylvania  proprietary  officials,  448,  449 ; 


fiOO 


Index 


plot  at  Philadelphia,  disaffected  Quakers, 
333.. 471,  A77,  4«i,.4«4-4B7;  proposed  oath 
of  lidelity,  3-Ji  ;  risiiiR  in  Maryland,  line 
troops  to'  restrain,  J33,  237,  243,  259,  330, 
343.  350;  status  as  pri>oners,  139,  172,  204, 
287.  590,  600;  see  also  Neutrals 
Luce,  taiillaunie  de,  employment,  222 

Ludwick, ,  and  prisoners  of  war,  153 

Lutterloh,    Henry    Emanuel,   and    mercenaries, 

45  in. 
Lynch,    Thomas,    member,    letters    of,    6,    24; 

periods  of  service,  Ixviii 
Lynch,   Thonxas,  jr.,  member,   and  mission  to 
Howe,  74n. ;   letters  of,  6,  24;  periods  of 
service,  Ixviii 

McClean,  Archibald,  and  Bat  well,  550 

McDonald,  Angus,  Loyalist  prisoner,  287 

McDonald,  Donald,  exchange,  65,  66,  82;  status 
as  prisoner  of  war,  I39n. 

McDougall,  Alexander,  and  marine  secretary- 
ship, 2iin. ;  brigadier-general,  46,  55 

McDowell,  Samuel,  frontier  commission,  56211. 

McHenry,  James,  and  exchange,  506 

Mcintosh,  George,  accusations  against,  209,  333 

Mcintosh,  Lachlan,  and  Laurens,  444n. ;  Gwin- 
nett afifair,  duel,  333,  439,  444;  letter  of, 
333n. ;  letters  to,  333,  443,  471 ;  ordered  to 
headquarters,  439,  526n. 

McKean,  Thomas,  member,  anecdote  of  Wil- 
kinson, 545n. ;  attends,  sgn. ;  committee  on 
Schuyler,  107 ;  in  New  Jersej',  37n. ;  letter 
of  (1815),  545n.;  letters  to,  59,  545n.; 
Papers,  59n. ;  periods  of  service,  xl 

McKean  Papers,  59n. 

McKee,  Alexander,  and  Morgan,  533 

McKesson,  John,  letter  to,  230 

McKinley,  John,  letter  to,  388 

McNair,  James,  arrest,  457n. 

McNeill,  Hector,  conduct,  474 ;  cruises,  97,  474 ; 
on  nav-y,  318 

Magaw,  Robert,  and  promotion,  108;  prisoner 
of  war,  io8n. 

Magazine  of  Western  History,  s67n. 

Magazines  of  military  supplies,  at  Carlisle,  205, 
213,  226;  at  Springfield,  324;  Brookfield 
and,  226,  270,  324J  proposed,  for  Benning- 
ton, 204  i  resolve  on,  i6on. 

Maillebois,  Marquis  de,  work  on  war,  353 

Maine  Historical  Society,  Fogg  Collection, 
536n. ;  Revolution,  364n. ;  Signers  of  the 
Declaration.  7n. 

Major-generals,  election  (1776),  46,  47,  54! 
(1777),  269,  271,  311,  355,  513.  525;  in- 
capable, 269;  table  allowance,  378;  see  also 
Officers 

Malmedy,  Frangois.  commission,  361 

Manley,  John,  ability,  350;  and  McNeill,  474; 
and  rank,  125 

Manning,  James  H.,  letters  possessed  by,  gn., 
54n.,  146a,  i55n.,  200n. 

Manufacture,  or  importation,  356 

Marchant,  Henr3%  member,  and  plan  against 
British  fleet,  467 ;  and  removal  to  Lancas- 
ter, 498 ;  and  Rhode  Island  accounts,  401 ; 
committee  on  Rhode  Island  expedition, 
587;  leave,  531,  577;  letters  of  (i777).  40i, 


453.  467,  495.  5i5n.,  531 ;  letter  to,  51511.; 
on  displacing  Schuyler,  425;  period  of  ser- 
vice, Ixvii 

Marine  (navy)  coniiniltec,  Adams  on  deca- 
dence, 3i8n.;  and  distribution  of  canvass, 
109;  and  French  supplies,  11 1;  and  Nichol- 
son impressment  affair,  372;  letter  of,  97; 
origin,  31811.;  see  also  Navy 

Marseilles,  ship  from,  595 

Marshall,  Christopher,  Diary,  8n. 

Martinique,  as  depot  of  arms,  no,  in  ;  see  also 
Bingham,  William 

.Martyn,  Charles,  Artemas  Ward,  6in. 

Maryland,  accounts,  funds,  229,  343 ;  again  rep- 
resented, 162 ;  and  misconduct  of  Patter- 
son, 232,  236;  and  mission  to  Howe,  74n. ; 
and  Nanticokc  Indians,  146,  168;  and  new 
army  plan,  levies,  urge,  98n.,  140,  150,  151, 
159,  i6on.,  161-163,  267,  268,  307;  and  pro- 
visions for  army,  impressment,  604;  and 
slaves  in  taxation  basis,  163;  and  western 
claims.  I40n.,  143,  151,  161-163,  165,  257, 
422,  468n. ;  appeals  to,  for  troops,  expira- 
tion of  enlistments  (1776),  17,  67,  124,  162, 
171,  172,  194;  Archives,  2n. ;  arms  for,  343, 
350;  army  engineer  for,  9;  complaint 
against  Georgia  troops,  513;  Declaration  of 
Independence  sent  to,  2n. ;  foreign  officers 
of  instruction,  494;  frigates  to  be  built  in, 
162,  164;  invasion  threatened  (1777),  316; 
listing  prisoners  of  war,  39 ;  Loyalist  rising, 
line  troops  to  restrain,  233,  237,  243,  258, 
259,  330,  343.  350;  militia  and  articles  of 
war,  464;  militia  and  defense  of  Philadel- 
phia (1776),  i8on.;  militia  for  Philadelphia 
campaign,  432,  501,  504;  Nicholson  im- 
pressment affair,  348-350,  353.  372]  troops 
at  Brandywine,  496;  unrepresented,  urge, 
48,  n2n.,  13s,  147,  159,  181,  204,  208,  215, 
229,  232,  236,  246,  54in. ;  see  also  next  titles, 
and  Middle  states 

Maryland,  governor  of,  see  Johnson,  Thomas, 

;>• 

Maryland  Assembly,  letters  to,  217,  228,  233, 
266,  432 

Maryland  commissioners  to  army,  and  time- 
expired  troops,  171;  letters  of,  l5in. ;  let- 
ter to,  150;  members,  I5in. 

Maryland  Convention,  attitude,  21 ;  Journal, 
i4on. ;  letters  to,  39,  67,  124,  I5in.,  180 

Maryland  Council  of  Safety,  and  call  for 
militia  (Dec,  1776),  i8on. ;  and  canvass, 
109;  letters  of,  i8on.,  229n. ;  letters  to 
(1776),  9,  27,  39,  109,  i4on.,  146,  159,  161, 
162,  i6s,  168,  172  (2),  181;  (1777),  204,  208, 
224,  226,  229,  236,  237,  246,  267 

Maryland  delegates,  and  Confederation,  48; 
and  return  to  Philadelphia,  282,  285 ;  atti- 
tude, 48;  lack  information  from  state,  343; 
letters  of,  27,  343,  348;  letter  to,  i8on.; 
powers  create  uneasiness.  162,  320;  see 
also,  Alexander,  Robert;  Carroll,  Charles, 
"  Barrister  " ;  Carroll,  Charles,  of  Carroll- 
ton  ;  Qiase,  Samuel ;  Johnson,  Thomas ; 
Paca,  William ;  Rogers,  John ;  Rumsey, 
Benjamin;  Smith,  William;  Stone, 
Thomas ;  Tilghman,  Matthew 


Index 


623 


Maryland  Gazette,  25911. 

Maryland  Historical  Society,  Gilmor  Papers, 
I79n. ;  Portfolios,  22n. ;  Red  Book,  2711. 

Mason,  George,  declines  election  as  delegate, 
4ion. ;  elected  delegate,  Ixxi 

Massac,  Fort,  421 

Massachusetts,  accounts,  funds,  228,  229,  244; 
and  attack  on  Nova  Scotia,  213 ;  and 
equipment  of  frigate,  97 ;  and  general  offi- 
cers, 6in. ;  and  new  army  plan,  extra  pay 
scheme,  102,  143-145,  147,  148,  155-160;  and 
relief  of  Rhode  Island,  326,  327,  330 ;  appeal 
to,  for  troops  (1776),  13,  14,  68n.,  i6on. ; 
listing  prisoners  of  war,  39n. ;  militia  for 
Hudson  River,  495 ;  militia  for  Saratoga 
campaign,  413,  440,  44in. ;  order  on  repre- 
sentation, 219;  priv-ateer  captures  Ameri- 
can brig,  199-201,  411  ;  prize  agency  in,  25; 
requisition  quota,  577 ;  see.  also  next  titles, 
and  New  England 

Massachusetts  Archives,  2n. 

Massachusetts  Assembly,  letter  received  by 
Congress  from,  244;  letters  to,  13,  170,  213, 
244,  326,  411,  524.n.,  580 

Massachusetts  Council,  letter  received  by  Con- 
gress from,  2i3n.;  letters  to,  28,  506,  512 

Massachusetts  delegates,  and  Arnold,  442,  445 ; 
and  interest  on  loan  certificates,  229;  letters 
of,  228,  2,^6,  366 ;  see  also  Adams,  John ; 
Adams,  Samuel ;  Dana,  Francis ;  Gerry,  El- 
bridge,  Hancock,  John;  Lovell,  James; 
Paine,  Robert  Treat 

Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  Collections, 
288n. ;  Collections,  38n. ;  Hancock  Letter- 
Book,  in. ;  Heath  Papers,  38n. ;  Knox 
Papers,  I2n. ;  Proceedings,  26n. ;  Wash- 
burn Autographs,  Statesmen  and  Orators, 
443n. ;  Wolcott  Papers,  34in. 

Massachusetts  House  of  Representatives,  letter 
to,  366 

Massey,  William,  deputy  mustermaster-general. 

525 

Mast  trees,  conservation,  581 

Matlack,  Timothy,  letter  to,  538;  secretary'  of 
Pennsylvania  council,  538n. 

Matthews.  Sampson,  frontier  commission,  562n. 

Mauduit  Duplessis,  see  Duplessis. 

Mauroy,  Vicomtc  de,  application  to  Congress, 
43in.,  486.  583 ;  letter  to,  486 

Maxwell,  William,  and  promotion,  brigadier- 
general,  55,  138,  291 ;  letter  to,  558 

Mazzei,  Philip,  letter  to,  65 ;  offer  of  services. 

Meads,  Stephen,  lieutenant  of  marines,  22 

Measam,  George,  and  Ticonderoga  inquiry, 
470;  commissary  of  clothing,  47on. 

Mease,  James,  and  removal  of  stores,  273n. ; 
and  Ticonderoga  inquiry,  470;  clothier- 
general,  334,  47on. 

Meat,  see  Cattle ;  Provisions 

Medal,  of  seige  of  Boston,  49,  50 

Medical  committee,  letter  of,  249 

Medical  department,  condition  in  Northern  de- 
partment, 104,  149,  150;  hospital,  320, 
498n. ;  medicines  for  army,  149 ;  naval  pe- 
tition for  more  pay,  424;  quarrel  within, 

44 


reform,  dismissals  and  appgintments,  158, 
188,  211,  212,  271,  32on.,  32in.,  329,  339; 
sick  in  Northern  department,  149,  150J 
surgeons,  112;  see  also  Inoculation;  Staff 

Meigs,  Return  Jonathan,  exchange,  54 

Mercenaries,  American  propaganda  among,  59, 
63,  153;  exchange,  153;  for  campaign  of 
1777.  189;  music  by  band  of  prisoners,  399; 
officers  as  exchange  or  hostage  for  Lee, 
206,  209,  212,  265,  266,  290,  300;  policy  to- 
ward, as  prisoners,  194;  proposed  Ameri- 
can hiring,  available,  451 

Mercer,  Hugh,  circumstances  of  death,  225, 
305 ;  flying  camp,  22 ;  monument  for,  edu- 
cation of  son,  233,  305 

Merchants,  profiteering,  401,  551 ;  see  also 
Prices ;  Sutlers 

Mercury,  arrival  with  military  supplies,  352 

Meredith,  Reese,  and  secrecy,  no 

Middle  military  department,  see  New  Jersey 
campaign.  New  York  campaign ;  Philadel- 
phia campaign ;  Washington,  George 

Middle  states,  convention  on  prices,  242,  253, 
266,  340 

Middleton,  Arthur,  member,  absence,  293n. ;  and 
finances,  481 ;  and  foreign  bills  of  ex- 
change, 483,  491 ;  and  Gates,  385 ;  and  Hop- 
kins hearing,  53;  and  Irving,  195;  and 
Nicholson  affair,  372;  bears  letter,  526; 
clothing  committee,  i7on. ;  letters  of,  6,  24; 
on  Lee  and  request  for  conciliation  con- 
ference, 264;  on  proposed  West  Florida 
expedition,  422 ;  periods  of  service,  Ixviii 

Mifflin,  Thomas,  again  quartermaster-general, 
106,  114,  116;  and  Continental  stables, 
I77n. ;  and  quartermaster  department  re- 
forms, 365n. ;  and  removal  of  Congress, 
176,  178,  179,  201 ;  and  time-expired  troops, 
171 ;  board  of  war,  2ion.,  539,  559,  563.  57i, 
573-575 ;  detained  and  needed  at  Philadel- 
phia, 165,  341 ;  leaves  Philadelphia,  379 ; 
letters  of,  i6sn.,  576n. ;  letter  to,  539 ; 
major-general,  271 ;  resigns  quartersmas- 
ter-generalship,  539 

Mifflin,  Fort,  defense,  534 

Miles,  Samuel,  and  exchange,  148 

Milfordi  H.  M.  S.,  cruise  to  capture,  97 

Military  academy,  plan,  108 

Military  chest,  of  Eastern  department,  228 ;  of 
Northern  department,  33,  40-42,  51.  64,  314. 
37^,  551;  replenishing  Washington's,  538; 
see  also  Pay 

Military  departments,  see  Eastern ;  Middle ; 
Northern ;  Southern 

Military  hospital,  removal  from  Trenton,  498n. ; 
see  also  Medical  department;  Sick 

Military  stores,  see  Supplies 

Militia,  arming,  174,  452;  for  defense  of  New 
York,  flying  camp,  7,  10,  13,  14.  17.  22,  30, 
it8,  140;  for  Hudson  River  posts,  495;  for 
New  Jersey  campaign,  i6sn.,  166,  i8on., 
188,  194;  for  Philadelphia  campaign,  ex- 
pected and  actual,  340,  341,  359.  360,  388, 
475,  484,  493.  501,  504-506;  for  Saratoga 
campaign,  413 ;  Indian  campaigns,  reluc- 
tance, 325,  561 ;  Maryland,  and  articles  of 
war,  464 ;  paymasters,  27 ;  undependable,  99 


624 


Index 


Miller,  Charles,  and  provisions  for  frigates, 
27n. 

Milne,  ,  captured,  status.  i73n.,  204 

Minutes  of  the  SufritHv  lixccutivc  Council 
( I'tnusylvania),  55on. 

MoIebWDftii.  James,  execution,  ^^^ 

Money,  \aluation,  150;  sec  also  Coinage;  Paper 
money 

Monopolies,  X'irRinia  law  against,  597;  sec  also 
Prices 

Montgomery,  John,  Indian  commissioner,  i8n. ; 
letter  to,  45 

Montgomery,  captures  by,  disposal  of  cargoes, 
297.  32gn. 

Montf^oinery,  Fort,  capture,  566n. 

Moore,  Frank.  Diary  of  the  .Imcrican  Revolu- 
tion,  >n. ;  Materials  for  History,  522n. 

^^oore,  George  II.,  Treason  of  Charles  Lee, 
265n. 

Moore,  James,  and  expected  expedition  against 
Giarleston,  154,  155;  and  New  York  cam- 
paign, 91,  95 

Moore,  William,  elected  delegate,  Ixiii 

Moore's  Creek,  prisoners,  287 

Moravians,  protection  for,  at  Bethlehem.  499n. 

Morgan,  Daniel,  and  promotion,  114 

Morgan,  George,  and  request  for  riflemen, 
453"-:  inquiry  into  conduct,  531-533,  537, 
561 ;  letter  received  by  Congress  from, 
69n.;  on  frontier  conditions,  521 

Morgan.  Dr.  John,  letter  to,  69;  Shippen  af- 
fair, removal.  i58n.,  211,  212,  271,  32in. 

Morgan,  J.  Pierpont,  Library,  Autographs, 
534"- ;  Declaration  of  Independence,  94n. : 
Generals  of  the  American  Revolution,  538n! 

Morris.  Gouverneur,  member,  as  acquisition  to 
Congress.  410;  elected  delegate.  lix,  4ion. 

Morris,  Lewis,  member,  attendance  or  return 
to  command,  loon. ;  letters  of,  81,  100,  301 ; 
on  mission  to  Howe,  81 ;  periods  of  service, 
lix 

Morris,  Robert,  member,  and  accounts  of  secret 
committee,  475:   and   arming  of   warships. 
117;  and  casting  of  brass  cannon.  100;  and 
French  officer,  259;  and  navy,  214;  and  new 
peace    movements    (i777).    290,    559;    and 
piratical  capture  by  privateer,  199,  201 ;  ap- 
peal  to   remain   in    Congress,  246:   appre- 
ciation by  Congress,  195;  commercial  com- 
mittee,   565;    committee    of    secret    corre- 
spondence, and  work  of  committee,  iii,  112. 
130.  184;  committee  on  administrative  de- 
partments.   196;    committee    on    army    re- 
forms, 586;  committee  on  plan  of  treaties. 
i6n. ;    conference    on    defense,    332n. ;    de- 
sire to  retire,  475;  executive  committee  in 
Philadelphia,    177.    183-185.    191.    193,  214; 
eye  trouble,  290;  Hancock's  approval.  215; 
letters  of  (1776),  18.  49,  109,  129  (2),  131, 
135.  141.   176,  181.   183,  185,  191,  193,  197, 
I97n.,  198;   (1777),  205,  212,  214  (2),  218, 
230,  232,  239,  259,  272.  284,  290,  310.  334, 
349,.  352,   38on.,   390,   474,   565.    585:   letter 
received  by  Congress  from,  185 :  letters  to 
(1776),  1 1  in.,  178,  i83n.,  185,  190.  igon.,  193. 
195,  196,   199;    (1777),  205.  208,  2\s,  215, 


219.  223,  224,  225,  232,  239,  245,  260,  26on., 
270,  27311.,  281,  286  (2),  507,  594;  needed  by 
secret  connnittet;,  224;  on  agents  for  pris- 
oners of  war,  212;  on  I'.ritish  policy,  13b; 
on  brother's  conduct  in  l-rance,  390,  391  ; 
on  causes  of  depression,  185,  186;  on  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  as  premature, 
135;  on  exchange  of  Ixe,  212;  on  French 
attitude,  136;  on  general  Furopean  war, 
19711.;  on  impressment,  349;  on  mission  to 
Howe,  19;  on  need  of  executive  dcpart- 
ments.  136,  178,  184;  on  proposed  West 
IJorida  expedition,  421,  423;  on  removal  of 
Coiigress,  176,  214;  on  short  enlistments, 
290;  order  for  purchase  of  ships,  2O; 
Papers,  2611..  12911. ;  periods  of  service, 
Ixiii ;  statement  on  secrecy  of  foreign  intel- 
ligence, 1 10;  Superintendent  of  Finance, 
2iin. ;  see  also  F.xecutive  committee 

Morris,  Thomas,  agent  in  France,  182;  conduct, 
390,  391;  letter  to,  128 

Morris,  arrival,  326n. 

Morrisania,  N.  Y.,  596 

Morris  Papers,  26n.,  i29n. 

Morton,  John,  member,  period  of  service    Ixiv 

Moylan,  Stephen,  at  Philadelphia,  185 ;  resigns 
106.  114,  116  ' 

Muhlenberg,  Peter,  brigadier-general,  271; 
rank  question,  56on. 

Mumford,  Thomas,  and  salt.  396n.,  409 

Mushraw, ,  express,  256 

Mustermaster-general,  deputy,  525 

Myers  Collection,  Burke,  498n. ;  Declaration  of 
Independence,  65n. ;  Distinguished  Ameri- 
cans, ion. 

\yncy,  powder  cargo,  49n. 

Xantes,  ships  from,  310,  352 

Nanticoke  Indians,  detention,  146,  168 

^'ash,     Francis,     brigadier-general,    235,    256; 

death,  542;  recruiting  service,  236 
Naval  History  Society.  Publications,  ^gon. 
Navy.  American,  and  British  blockade  (1777). 
475 ;  and  status  of  prisoners,  224 ;  board  of 
outside   men,   xi,   210,   21  in.,   318;    Boston 
board,  334,  339-341,  356,  359,  386,  404;  can- 
vass, 109;  commissioners  at  Paris  and  fit- 
ting out,  182;  commissions,  2i ;  communica- 
tions on  defects  and  remedies,  318;  conser- 
vation   of    mast   trees,    581;    construction, 
equipment,  arming,   delays,  inertia,   5,  42, 
59,  97,   115.   117,   124,  125,    155,   192,  34in., 
404;  control  under  Confederation,  553,  555; 
cruise  to  capture  enemy  frigate,  97;  des- 
patches   and     commissioner    by,     129-131, 
403n.;  expedition  against  enemy  in  Dela- 
ware, 423 ;   French  ports  and,   131 ;   Hop- 
kins    hearing,     47n.,     52-55;     importance, 
necessity,   42,   343;    importations   by,    in; 
impressment.  Nicholson  affair,  348-350.  353, 
372;  increase,  42,  156,  162,   164;  in  Phila- 
delphia   campaign,    548;    line    ships    from 
France,  182,  218:  McNeill  affair.  474;  or- 
ders for  European  cruise,  474;  Patterson's 
truce   misconduct.  232,  236;   pay,  officers' 
strike  for  increase,  21,  423 ;  preparation  at 


Index 


625 


Philadelphia  for  cruise  (1776),  174,  214; 
provisions  for,  27 ;  ranking  captains,  124, 
125;  regulations,  need  of  amendment,  5; 
resolves  on,  145,  158;  secretary  of  marine 
proposed,  21  in. ;  security  of  vessels  in  Hud- 
son River,  192;  state  of  construction  (Dec. 
1776),  181;  time-expired  seamen  in  army 
and  manning,  194;  Washington's  control 
over,  193;  Wickes's  cruise,  37,  96;  sec  also 
Admiralty ;  Marine  committee  ;  Privateer- 
ing ;  Prizes 

Navy,  British,  expedition  against,  in  the  Dela- 
ware, 371,  423;  plan  against  in  Rhode  Is- 
land, 467:  projects  against,  at  New  York, 
8,  20,  202;  see  also  Blockade;  Howe,  Lord 
(Richard) 

Neeser,  Robert  W.,  Letters  relating  to  Con- 
yiigham,  49on. 

Nelson,  Thomas,  jr.,  member,  committee  on 
new  board  of  war,  199;  leave,  225n.,  232n., 
363;  letters  of,  95,  199,  225,  363;  on  state 
of  treasury,  225 ;  periods  of  service,  Ixxii 

Neutrals,  Gov.  Franklin  and,  in  Connecticut, 
362n. ;  Stockton's  conduct,  243n. ;  Washing- 
ton's proclamation  on  New  Jersey,  243, 
292;  Woodhull's  conduct,  119;  see  also 
Loyalists 

New  England,  and  New  York,  381-384,  387,  397 ; 
and  Schuyler  and  Saratoga  campaign,  377, 
416,  425,  428-430,  432,  434,  441,  449,  45on., 
456,  457,  461,  463,  465,. 466,  468,  518;  as  ob- 
jective of  1777  campaign,  2,11;  attitude  to- 
ward and  opinions  on,  47n.,  S4n.,  118,  iS5, 
157,  186,  208,  230,  231,  23=;,  238,  257,  374, 
377,  381,  382,  400,  410 ;  delegates  and  Wash- 
ington, 263,  269,  275,  57on.,  571 ;  extra 
bounties  for  troops,  340;  purchase  of 
clothing  in,  170,  171;  regulation  of  prices 
in,  convention,  discussion  in  Congress,  227, 
229,  233-235,  237,  242,  249,  250,  252,  253,  255, 
258,  259,  261,  452,  569,  574;  R-  H.  Lee  and, 
373 ;  see  also  Eastern  military  department ; 
states  by  name 

New  England  Historical  and  Genealogical  Reg- 
ister, jn. 

Newfoundland,  as  inducement  to  France,  195 

New  Hampshire,  accounts,  244,  426,  471,  472; 
and  new  army  plan  and  levies,  quota,  83,  89, 
186,  271 ;  and  Stark's  attitude,  456,  461,  463, 
468,  472 ;  appeals  to,  for  troops,  68n.,  i6on. ; 
Declaration  of  Independence  sent  to,  2n., 
5 ;  instructions  on  independence,  5 ;  keeping 
up  delegation,  ii2n.,  342,  343n.,  357;  militia 
for  Saratoga  campaign,  4i3n.,  440,  44in. ; 
warship  built  in,  officers,  5,  21 ;  see  also 
next  titles,  and  New  England 

New  Hampshire,  president  of,  see  Weare,  Me- 
shech 

New  Hampshire  Assembly,  letters  to,  98,  467 

New  Hampshire  delegates,  and  return  to  Phila- 
delphia, 285  ;  letters  of,  5,  463,  471 ;  see  also 
Bartlett,  Josiah  ;  Folsom,  Nathaniel ;  Frost, 
George ;  Langdon,  John ;  Thornton,  Mat- 
thew ;  Whipple,  William 

New  Hampshire  Grants,  see  Vermont 


New  Hampshire  Records,  Council  Correspon- 
dence, 4i3n. 

New  Hampshire  State  Papers,  Ojn. 

New  Jersey,  and  cantonment  of  army,  594;  and 
communication  with  enemy,  15;  and  New 
Jersey  campaign,  expiration  of  enlistments, 
171,  179;  and  western  claims,  257;  appeal 
to  raise  troops,  i6on. ;  Congress  and  de- 
fense, 7,  10;  Declaration  of  Independence 
sent  to,  I ;  devastation  and  cattle  law,  243, 
line  regiments  and  service  in  Northern  de" 
partment.  33;  militia  and  Philadelphia 
alarm  (Feb.,  1777),  274;  militia  for  New 
York  campaign,  I3n.,  I4n.,  17,  22;  militia 
for  Philadelphia  campaign,  432n.,  476,  484, 
493,  506;  militia  for  Saratoga  campaign, 
440,  44in- ;  rnoving  prisoners  of  war  from, 
I ;  Pennsylvania  and  salt  works,  320 ;  pow- 
der for  militia,  7;  proposed  removal  of 
Congress  to,  46;  removal  of  stock  inland, 
15;  representation,  112,  243;  see  also  next 
titles,  and  Middle  states 

New  Jersey,  governor  of,  see  Livingston,  Wil- 
liam 

New  Jersey  Archives,  293n. 

New  Jersey  Assembly,  letters  to,  112,  242; 
Votes,  228n. 

New  Jersey  campaign,  alarm  for  Philadelphia 
(Feb.),  action  of  Congress,  272,  274,  281, 
282,  284,  307 ;  alarm  over  water  movement 
on  Philadelphia  .(Nov.),  151,  152,  156,  157; 
and  foreign  relations,  327;  and  supposed 
expedition  against  South,  153 ;  appeals  for 
troops,  militia,  124,  166,  174,  188,  194;  Cad- 
walader's  troops,  206 ;  capture  of  Fort  Lee, 
164;  Congress  and  dangers,  i65n. ;  Hessian 
prisoners,  194;  Howe's  movements,  150; 
lethargy  of  Middle  states,  i65n.,  217 ; 
I\Iorris  on  nadir,  185 ;  New  England  sea- 
men, 194;  preparation  to  defend  Philadel- 
phia, 160,  iSon. ;  Princeton,  205-208,  225 ; 
re-enforcements,  193,  236,  250,  256;  re- 
moval and  return  of  Congress,  174-180,  182- 
184,  186-189,  200,  201,  214,  215,  217,  272, 
273,  281-290,  292,  293,  296;  removal  of 
stores  from  Philadelphia,  230,  272,  284,  290 ; 
rumored  victory  (Feb.),  258,  259,  267;  sit- 
uation (Feb.),  267;  time-expired  men,  in- 
ducements to,  162,  171,  172,  i9on.,  203; 
Trenton,  199,  201 ;  Washington's  dictato- 
rial powers,  193,  196,  198,  199,  202,  210,  221, 
317;  Washington's  proclamation  on  neu- 
trals, 243,  292 

New  Jersey  delegates,  and  Schuyler,  377;  see 
also  Boudinot,  Elias ;  Clark,  Abraham ;  El- 
mer, Jonathan ;  Hart,  John ;  Hopkinson, 
Francis ;  Scudder,  Nathaniel ;  Sergeant. 
Jonathan  Dickinson ;  Stockton,  Richard ; 
Witherspoon,  John 

New  Jersey  Historical  Society,  Proceedings, 
293n. 

New  Jersey  Provincial  Convention,  letters  to, 
I,  15  (2) 

New  Jersey  Revolutionary  Correspondence, 
I98n. 


G2C 


Index 


New  Jersey  State  Library,  Collections,  4yjn.; 
Strykcr  Collection,  i5jn. 

New  Orleans,  trade  with,  x-ia  Fort  Pitt,  j8o, 
S^Sn.;  UilliiiK's  expedition.  565 

Newport.  R.  ].,  British  occu|)ation,  175,  189, 
J07;  relief  plans  aiid  expedition,  failure,  in- 
quiry, payment  of  expenses,  3^),  3J7,  ^jg, 
330,  340,  407.  578.  587 ;  rumored  IJritish 
evacuation,  495 

New  York,  accounts,  169.  398;  and  defenses  of 
Hudson  kiver.  409;  and  new  army  plan  and 
evies,  loon.,  i6on.,  169,  33J;  and  Xcw  linj,'- 
land,  3^«-3S4,  3^7.  397:  and  right  to  cargo 
from  prize  of  state  ship.  297,  298,  329n. ; 
clothing  for  troops,  221.  222;  Declaration  of 
Independence  sent  to,  2n.;  Lx)yalist  prison- 
ers, 596;  militia  for  Saratoga  campaign, 
41311..  440.  441 ;  rangers,  51 ;  salt  grant,  381, 
3«^.  3^7,  30,  408,  409 :  state  prisoners.  396  • 
unrepresented,  urge,  11211.,  134,  147,  159' 
193,  207.  215.  220.  229-232,  261,  296-298.  301 ; 

VTe^*'  ^'^'  ^^''  ^^''  ^^^^'  -^44.  345.  35i. 
382.  388,  390.  395-397,  403,  410,  445 ;  sec  also 

next    titles,   and    Middle   states;    Saratoga 
campaign 

New  York,  governor  of,  see  Qinton,  George 

New  \ork  campaign,  ammunition.  128;  and  re- 
call of  Lee,  56;  as  crisis.  10;  battle  of  Long 
Island,  65,  7S,  90;  capture  of  Fort  Wash- 
mgton.  164;  commissary  conditions,  104- 
conditions  (Oct.).  136;  Congress  and  evacu- 
ation of  city,  82;  Congress  and  man- 
agement, 317;  congressional  visiting  com- 
mittee report,  105,  116;  hopeful  attitude 
(bept.),  75  ;  lack  of  movements,  30 ;  militia 
flying  camp,  appeals.  7.  10,  13,  14.  17,  27, 
30,  67,  118,  140;  North  Carolina  troops  and, 
91.  95 ;  obstruction  of  Hudson  River,  Con- 
gress and  expense,  51,  65;  orders  to  Dela- 
ware battalion,  37n. ;  plans  against  British 
fleet,  8,  20.  42;  post  with  Philadelphia,  9; 
removal  of  New  Jersey  stock  inland,  15; 
Rhode  Island  troops,  79,  88;  size  of  Ameri- 
can army.  22;  tents,  109;  Virginia  troops 
22.  31.  62.  i23n.:  Washington's  discourag- 
ing  letters,  77;  see  also  Reconciliation 

New  \ork  Committee  of  Safety,  letters  to,  102. 
207;  Minutes,  I2n. 

New  York  Convention  (Provincial  Congress), 
address,  translation  into  German.  220:  and 
Alsop's  resignation,  13,  39.  51;  and  Schuv- 
ler.  105,  107,  113,  119;  attitude,  conduct 
commendation,  21,  51,  56;  declaration  on 
independence,  12:  Journal.  2n. ;  letters  to 
.(1776),  12,  51.  64,  100.  107.  119,  134.  i6g; 
(1777).  220,  230,  297.  301.  328.  331.  336.  344. 
357:  publication  of  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, II 

New  York  Council  of  Safety,  letters  received 
by  Congress  from,  429n.,  s68n. :  letters  to, 
371,  380.  382n,  396,  409,  429,  566;  Minutes, 
297n. 

New  York  delegates,  Adams  on.  33^;  and  com- 
missary. 381,  387;  and  salt.  381,  387;  and 
state  affairs  before  Congress,  397,  409.  429: 
and  vote  on  independence,  i,  4,  6,   11-13 ; 


letters  of,  119.  134.  169.  336.  344.  357.  37i. 
380,  396,  409,  429;  letter  to,  296;  standing 
in    Congress,  387;   see   also   Alsop,  John 
Clinton,    George;     Duane,    James;     Duer 
William;     Floyd,     William;     Jay,     John 
Lewis,    I-rancis;    Livingston,    Philip;    Liv 
ingston,   Robert  R. ;   Morris,  Gouverneur 
Morris,  Lewis;  Schuyler,  Philip;  Wisncr, 
Henry 
S'cw  York  Gacctic,  204n. 

New  York   Historical  Society,  Bulletin.  5270  • 
Collections.     2o8n.,     265n..     4i6n.;     Duer 
Papers,    sin.;    Gates    Papers,   3n.;    Manu- 
scripts of  Joseph  Reed,  i8n. 
New  York  Provincial  Congress,  see  New  York 

Convention 
New   York    Public    Library,    Bancroft   Collec- 
tion :   American  Revolution,  6811. ;  Langdon- 
Elwyn  Papers,  402n. ;  Letters  of  J.  Adams 
and  }    Q.  Adams,  53n. ;  Livingston  Papers, 
1711.;  Wayne  Papers,  loon.;  Bulletin,  S3n.; 
Lmmet  Collection,  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence,    ion.;     Myers    Collection:      Burke, 
498n.;  Declaration  of  Indei>eiidence,  6511.; 
Distinguished     Americans,     ion.;     Samuel 
Adams  Papers,  20n. ;  Schuyler  Papers,  i6n. 
Aew  \ork  State  Library,  Minutes  of  the  Com- 
mittee    of     Safety,     i2n. ;     Revolutionary 
Papers,  2n. 
Nicholson,    James,    and    manning   of    frigates, 
174;    cruise,    334;    impressment    affair    in 
xMaryland,  censure,  348-350,  353,  372]  letter 
to,  174;  rank,  124 
Nightingale,  Joseph,  and  powder,  49 
Xiles,  Robert,  and  flour.  320 
Nixon,   John,   brigadier-general.  46;   letter   to 
511:  naval  board,  155,  318;  offer  to  resign 
rejected,  511 
Non-exportation,   effect  of   postponement,  247 
Non-importation,  as  weapon,  42 
North   Carolina,   accounts,  324,  398,  507,  527; 
action  on  Articles  of  Confederation,  556n. ; 
and  basis  of  requisition  quotas.  578;  and 
Cherokee  hostilities    (1776),  30;  and  sec- 
tional convention  on  price  regulating,  253, 
254,    258;    artillery,    line    company,    437; 
bounty.  44;   Burke's  notes  on  Articles  of 
Confederation.  552-556 ;  Burke's  remarks  on 
Confederation.  556-558;   committee   of  se- 
crecy, 4;  Congress  and  needs,  31,  35;  fron- 
tier and  Indians    (i777),  325;   leather  ar- 
ticles for  army,  570;  line  troops,  and  new 
plan,  new  levies,  43,  44,  95,  147,  156,  i6on., 
236,  325,  437;  line  troops  and  New  York 
campaign.    91.    95;    line    troops    for    New 
Jersey  campaign.  256;  listing  prisoners  of 
war.  39n. ;  Loyalists  prisoners  from,   139 : 
pork  for  army,  507;  proposed  coast  forti- 
fications, 4,  137,  138,  466;  troops  and  ex- 
pected movement  against  Charleston,  153- 
155;   unrepresented,   urge,   ii2n.,  229;   see 
also  next  titles,  and  South 
North    Carolina,    governor    of,    see    Caswell, 

Richard 
Xorth  Carolina  Booklet,  4n. 
North  Carolina  Colonial  Records,  4n. 


Index 


627 


North   Carolina   Convention    (Provincial  Con- 
gress), letters  to,  137,  139,  153,  i54 
North  Carolina  Council  of  Safety,  letters  to,  30, 

35,  42,  44,  go,  95 

North  Carolina  delegates,  letters  of,  30,  35,  42, 
44,  95,  526,  54on.,  545n. ;  sec  also  Burke, 
Thomas ;  Harnett,  Cornelius ;  Hewes, 
Joseph ;  Hooper,  William ;  Penn,  John 

North  Carolina  Historical  Commission,  Collec- 
tions, 3on. 

North  Carolina  Historical  Society,  Burke's  Ab- 
stracts of  Debates,  238n. 

North  Carolina  Provincial  Congress,  see  North 
Carolina  Convention 

North  Carolina  State  Records,  228n. 

Northern  military  department,  command  at 
Ticonderoga,  314;  commissary  question,  35, 

36,  84,  85,  104,  107,  118,  121,  126,  204;  con- 
ditions (1776),  40,  75,  136;  Congress  and 
committee  to  visit,  report,  135,  149,  150; 
deputy  commissary-general  of  purchases, 
382,  383,  386,  387 ;  magazine  at  Bennington, 
204;  medical  department,  104,  149,  190,  211, 
212,  military  chest,  33,  40-42,  5i>  64,  314,  378, 
551;  Schuyler-Gates  command  question, 
Schuyler's  proffered  resignation,  rebuke, 
vindication,  3,  II,  17,  41,  48,  98,  103-105, 
I07n.,  113,  ii4n.,  118,  119,  126,  134,  144,  210, 
304,  304n.,  308,  316,  336,  341,  342,  351,  357, 
358,  364,  370,  371,  377,  379-387,  433,  456; 
services  of  New  Jersey  troops,  33 ;  trouble 
over  letters  from,  78 ;  see  also  Canada ; 
Gates,  Horatio ;  Saratoga  campaign ; 
Schuyler,  Philip 

Nova  Scotia,  proposed  attack,  213 

Oaths,  proposed,  of  fidelitj^  321 ;  see  also  Alle- 
giance 

Officers  of  Congress,  see  Chaplains ;  President ; 
Secretary 

Officers  of  the  army,  appointment  under  new 
plan,  106,  122.  126,  139,  140,  143,  170,  186; 
basis  of  election  of  general,  6in.,  261-263, 
271,  288,  580:  commissions  by  governors, 
316;  damages  for  lost  baggage,  378;  debate 
on  basis  of  appointment,  261-263 ;  discon- 
tent (Dec,  1777),  remedies,  half-pay,  sale 
of  commissions,  585,  593-595 :  election  of 
general  officers  (1776),  45-47,  54.  6in. ; 
(1777),  229,  269,  271,  291.  300,  311,  325n., 
355,  361,  362.  457,  462n..  493n.,  508,  513,  525, 
56on. ;  incapable  general,  269  ;  land  bountj', 
103,  106,  116;  pay  under  new  plan,  116,  121, 
122,  127;  power  to  fill  vacancies,  34;  pro- 
motion by  seniority,  14;  qualifications,  115, 
116;  rank  question,  442,  443,  445,  448.  457n., 
463,  509,  560.  585 ;  Virginia  appointments, 
14 ;  see  also  Foreign  officers ;  Promotion ; 
Staff ;  Washington,  George 

Onderdonk,  Henry,  jr..  Revolutionary  Inci- 
dents, iign. 

Ordnance,  see  Cannon 

Oriskany.  battle  of,  honors  and  monument  for 
Herkimer,  473,  508 

Orne,  Azor,  and  naval  board,  356 

Osborne,  George  Jerry,  captain  of  marines,  22 


Ottcndorff,  Nicholas  Dietrich,  account  of  en- 
gagement, 259n. 

Paca,  William,  member,  and  Gates,  384,  385;  as 
veteran  delegate,  260;  attends,  162;  com- 
missioner to  army,  166 ;  committee  on 
Nicholson  alTair,  372;  leave,  464n. ;  letters 
of,  172,  371.  457;  on  new  army  plan,  457; 
on  Saratoga  campaign,  457 ;  periods  of  ser- 
vice, xlvii 

Page,  John,  letters  to,  31,  38,  95,  338n. 

Page,  Mahn,  jr.,  member,  and  sectional  con- 
ventions on  price  regulation,  253 ;  leave, 
416;  letters  of,  288,  338,  338n.,  365;  on  re- 
turn to  Philadelphia,  288;  on  weakness  of 
army,  339n. ;  periods  of  service,  Ixxix 

Paine,  Robert  Treat,  member,  and  chamber  of 
commerce,  196;  and  papers  of  cannon 
board,  219;  and  salaries,  178;  cannon  com- 
mittee, I2n. ;  clothing  committee,  i7on. ; 
committee  on  Rhode  Island  expedition, 
587;  leave,  I75n. ;  letters  of,  12,  94,  loi ;  let- 
ter to,  580;  on  powder  manufacture,  loi ; 
periods  of  service.  Hi;  powder  committee, 
loin. ;  speaker  of  Massachusetts  assembly, 
580 

Paine,  Thomas,  secretary  of  committee  of  for- 
eign affairs,  opinions  on,  327n.,  328n. 

Painter,  Elisha,  majority,  controversy,  23in. 

Palfrey,  William,  and  bounty  for  troops,  203 ; 
and  Hancock's  demand  on  Brimer,  29;  let- 
ter to,  203 

Palmer,  Joseph,  letters  to,  268,  356. 

Paper  money,  Adams  on  evils,  237,  245,  247, 
268 ;  bills  of  exchange  as,  477,  489 ;  com- 
missary department  and  depreciation,  381 ; 
depreciation,  remedies,  xii-xiii,  217,  226, 
229,  288,  303,  331,  355,  454,  529,  540;  extent 
of  depreciation,  461 ;  interest  on  loan  cer- 
tificates, 150;  issues  (1777),  301,  398,  562, 
579 ;  issue  under  Confederation,  555 ; 
Laurens  on  amount,  need,  477-479,  490 ; 
loan  office  certificates  as,  257 ;  printing  at 
Baltimore,  215;  Quakers  and,  113;  state, 
and  loan  certificates,  289 ;  state,  preference 
for  old  tenor,  sinking,  resolve  against,  255, 
289n.,  540.  570.  580.  581,  583,  584 ;  see  also 
Loan  certificates ;  Prices 

Paris,  Affaires  fitrangeres,  Correspondance 
Politique,  £tats-Unis,   I28n. 

Parker,  David  W.,  Guide  to  Materials  in  Cana- 
dian Archives,  533n. 

Parliamentary  practice,  right  of  a  state  to 
cause  postponement,  282-284 

Parsons,  Samuel  Holden,  and  Gov.  Franklin, 
362,  362n. ;  brigadier-general,  46 ;  letter  to, 

57 
Partridge,  George,  at  Philadelphia,  and  extra 

pay  for  troops,  143,  145,  148,  I57,  i59 
Patejson,   John,  battalion  refuses  to  re-enlist, 

171 ;    brigadier-general,   271 ;    Ticonderoga 

inquiry,  435.  440 
Patterson,  William,  misconduct,  232,  236 
Paullin,    Charles    O.,   Naify   of   the  American 

Revolution,  54n. ;  Out-Letters,  A7A'n. 


628 


Index 


Pay,  lt>r  discharged  sick,  133;  for  South  Caro- 
liiiu  troops,  7;  for  Virnmia  troops,  1O9;  in 
commissary  departincut,  iiSn.,  ijo,  \22,  126, 
127,  38(),  407,  408;  in  mcilical  dei)artmcnt, 
329;  ill  paymaster-general's  department, 
I  i8n.,  I  JO,  122,  127,  306,  314,  572;  naval.  Ji  ; 
of  comniandinK  otVicer,  474;  of  naval  board 
at  Boston,  340;  of  new  board  of  war,  573- 
576;  of  officers,  increase,  116,  121,  122,  305. 
306;  of  prisoners  of  war,  222;  proposed 
extra,  for  New  England  troops,  143-145, 
147,  148,  i54-i6<);  resolve  on,  314;  special 
cases  of  Canadian  expedition,  142 ;  strike 
for  increase  by  naval  officers,  423 ;  sec  also 
next  title,  and  Bounty;  Military  chest 

Paymaster-general  and  department,  battalion, 
88 ;  deputies.  127,  444n..  458 ;  in  living  camp, 
27,  222n.;  pay  and  allowance,  Ii8n.,  120. 
122.  127.  306,  314.  572;  see  also  Military 
chest:  Pay;  Staff 

Payne.  Elijah  Ereeman,  privateer  owned  by, 
411 

Pemberton,  Israel,  arrest,  486 

Pendleton,  Edmund,  letters  to,  3n.,  48 

Penn,  Jolin,  member,  and  F".  L.  Lee,  560;  and 
removal  to  Lancaster,  502;  attends,  4,  398; 
committee  to  Pennsylvania  assembly,  6oin. ; 
leave.  137;  letters  of  (17/6).  30,  35.  42,  44, 
90,  95:  (1777).  507,  52411.,  526.  54on.,  S45n.. 
560;  on  mission  to  Howe.  90;  periods  of 
service,  Ixi ;  votes  for  independence,  4 

Penn,  Gov.  John,  parole,  448,  449 

Pennsylvania,  and  cannon  casting,  I2n. ;  and 
cantonment  of  army.  579,  .591.  594;  and 
New  Jersey  campaign,  militia,  160,  i65n., 
166,  179,  194.  217;  and  New  Jersey  salt 
works.  320 ;  and  New  York  campaign,  mili- 
tia. ID,  68n.,  118,  i6on. ;  and  provisions  for 
army,  impressment.  348,  349,  598.  600.  603 ; 
and  regulation  of  prices,  568 ;  and  western 
claims,  257;  conditions,  and  attitude  (1777). 
33^<  337,  341.  344.  360;  conference  with 
committee  of  Congress.  331,  332n. ;  con- 
stitutional troubles,  fear  of  Congressional 
interference.  135,  5i6;  frontier  troubles, 
derelict  militia.  325.  531-533,  561,  579; 
Loyalist  parole,  550.  600 ;  militia  and  Phila- 
delphia alarm  (Feb.,  1777),  274;  militia  for 
Philadelphia  campaign.  341.  359.  360,  466. 
484.  504 ;  militia  for  Saratoga  campaign, 
440.  44in. ;  opinions  on,  118,  401 ;  parole  of 
proprietary  officials,  432n..  448;  price  of 
cattle,  409;  see  also  next  titles,  and  Middle 
states ;  Philadelphia ;  Philadelphia  cam- 
paign ;  Wyoming  controversy 

Pennsylvania,  president  of,  see  Wharton, 
Thomas,  jr. 

Pennsylvania,  vice-president  of,  see  Bryan, 
George 

Pennsylvania  Archives,  20n. 

Pennsylvania  Board  of  War,  conference  on  de- 
fense. 332n. 

Pennsykania  Colonial  Records,  8n. 

Pennsylvania  Committee  of  Safety,  plan  against 
British  fleet,  8n. 

Pennsylvania  Convention,  assumes  control,  21 


Pennsylvania  Council  of  Safety,  and  defense  of 
state  (177O),  lOo;  and  New  York  state 
jirisoners,  396;  and  Philadelphia  alarm 
(Nov.,  1776),  I52n.,  156;  letters  to,  123,  138, 
I39n..  160 

Pennsylvania  delegates,  Harrison  on,  208;  let- 
ter of,  550;  see  also  Allen,  Andrew; 
Clingan,  Williarn;  Clymer.  George;  Dick- 
inson, John;  Duffield,  Samuel;  Eranklin, 
Benjamin;  Humphreys,  Charles;  Moore, 
William;  Morris,  Robert;  Morton,  John; 
Reed,  Joseph;  Roberdeau.  Daniel;  Ross, 
George;  Rush,  Benjamin;  Smith,  James; 
Smith,  Jonathan  Bayard ;  Taylor,  Cjeorge ; 
Willing,  Thomas;  Wilson,  James 

Pennsylvania  livening  Post,  4ion. ;  notice  on  old 
tenor,  58on. ;  on  Schuyler,  433n. ;  on  Ticon- 
deroga,  434n. 

Pennsylvania  Gazette,  3l3n. 

Pennsylvania  House  of  Representatives,  Jour- 
nals, 60  in. 

Pennsykania  Journal,  2n. ;  on  death  of  Her- 
kimer, 473n. 

Pennsylvania  I,edgcr,  iign. 

Pennsylvania  Magazine  of  History  and  Biog- 
raphy, 3  in. 

Pennsylvania  Packet,  3i3n.;  on  foreign  af- 
fairs. 326n.,  437". ;  on  Ticonderoga,  437n. 

Pennsylvania  State  Library,  Collection,  596n. 

Pennsylvania  Supreme  Executive  Council,  and 
disaffected  Quakers,  476,  477,  481 ;  confer- 
ence on  defense,  332n. ;  letter  to,  466; 
Minutes,  550n. ;  see  also  Wharton,  Thomas, 
jr. 

Pensions,  plan  for  officers'  widows,  585,  593 

Perkins,  James  (?),  loss  of  vessel.  485 

Peters.  Richard,  and  removal  of  Congress,  177; 
letters  of,  39,  I23n.,  132,  146,  360,  378,  539; 
member  of  board  of  war,  2ion.,  570n.,  571, 
573-576 ;  ordered  to  Baltimore,  185 ;  secre- 
tary of  board  of  war,  40 

Philadelphia,  alarm  (Nov.,  1776),  protection, 
37,  123.  151.  152.  156.  157,  i8on.;  (Feb., 
1777),  272.  274,  281,  282,  284,  307;  celebra- 
tion of  Fourth  of  July  (1777),  rowdjnsm, 
399,  401 ;  currency  during  British  occupa- 
tion, 580 ;  high  cost  of  living  at,  extortions. 
296,  303,  340,  401 ;  Loyalist  plot,  disaffected 
Quakers,  333,  471,  476.  477,  481,  484-487; 
naval  impressment,  348,  349;  proclamation 
of  Declaration  of  Independence.  5.  7;  re- 
moval of  stores.  230,  272,  284,  290 ;  small- 
pox at,  250,  256;  see  also  next  title,  and 
Continental  Congress ;  Executive  commit- 
tee :  Removal 

Philadelphia  campaign,  American  frigates,  548; 
and  British  movements  from  Staten  Island, 
487  ;  anticipatory  movements  of  American 
force.  450;  Brandywine.  492,  495-497,  514. 
517-520;  British  advance,  intercourse  with 
disaffected,  483,  494,  498,  500-502,  504,  521 ; 
British  at  Head  of  Elk,  462,  464,  466;  Brit- 
ish occupy  city,  503 ;  British  off  Capes  of 
Delaware,  432 ;  British  retire  to  cit)',  530 ; 
British  sail  from  New  York,  426;  capture 
of  New  England  vessels,  485 ;  condition  and 


Index 


629 


attitude  of  Pennsylvania,  331,  337,  341,  344, 
360;  council  of  war,  462,  464n. ;  Delaware 
River,  defense,  engagements,  453,  467,  534, 
571 ;   disappearance  of   British  expedition, 
conjectures,  440,  450.  457,  460,  461 ;  distress 
of  army  (Dec),  failure  of  supplies,  relief, 
impressment  of  arms  and  supplies,  500,  501, 
506,  567,  579,  597,  600,  603,  C04;  effects  of 
unpreparedncss,  577 ;   European  rumor  of 
intended,      350 :      expectation      of      attack 
(April),  Bristol  camp,  militia  call,  316,  322- 
324,  326,  328,  331,  332n.,  338,  341,  350.  359, 
360,  388;  Germantown,  512,  542;  handbills, 
on   Bennington,   for   troops,   473 ;   hopeful 
attitude,   adequate   defense   expected.   404,  j 
487,  492,  497-499,   503n.,  505 ;   keeping  the  ' 
field   or   cantonment,   conference,   place   of  ' 
cantonment,  579,  585,  589.  591-595 ;  military  I 
chest,  548;  militia,  432,  466,  476,  484,  493.' 
501,  504-506;  parole  of  proprietary  officials,  j 
448,  449;    reasons  against  expecting,  323,  1 
404 ;  re-enforcements  from  Hudson  River. 

482,  495,  506,  566 ;   removal  of   Congress, 

483.  485,  491,  492,  494-504,  506-508,  512, 
525,  544;  removal  of  hospital,  prisoners, 
and  stores,  465,  498n.,  499 ;  results  of  occu- 
pation of  city,  494 ;  Washington's  force 
(May).  359.  360;  Washington's  control,' 
465n.,  584 

Philhrick,  Joseph,  claim,  426 

Philips,  Peter,  resigns,  463 

Philips,  Samuel,  and  submission,  Il9n. 

Pickering,  Timothy,  adjutant-general,  528; 
board  of  war,  2ion.,  528,  559,  571,  573-575 

Pierce,  John,  jr.,  assistant  paymaster,  pay,  306; 
bears  despatch,  572 

Pierre, ,  commission,  493 

Pinckney,  Charles,  elected  delegate,  Ixix 

Pine  trees,  conservation,  581 

Pitkin.  William,  letter  to.  76 

Pitt.  Fort,  see  Pittsburgh 

Pittsburgh  (Fort  Pitt),  commissioners  to.  on 
frontier  troubles,  562n.,  567,  579,  582 ;  gar- 
rison for,  211;  Indians  from,  170;  riflemen 
for,  453n. 

Plance  (Plants),  John,  property  on  prize,  144, 
I45n. 

Pliarne  and  Company,  American  trade,  132 

Plunkett.  David,  and  promotion.  164 

Plymouth.  Mass.,  salt  at.  381,  382,  409 

Pollock,  Oliver,  accounts.  38on. ;  agent  at  New 
Orleans,  38on. ;  and  Willing's  expedition, 
565n..  566n. ;  letters  to,  380,  s65n. 

Poor.  Enoch,  brigadier-general,  271 ;  Ticon- 
deroga  inquiry,  435,  440 

Porter.  Elisha  (?).  and  promotion,  6in. 

Portland,  Me.,  see  Falmouth 

Ports,  open  European.  313;  see  also  Trade 

Portugal,  attitude,  156.  164.  183.  313 

Post-office,  double  post  between  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  9;  need  at  York,  514,  523n. ; 
problem,  375 

Postponement,  rule  on,  282-284 

Pote,  Samufl,  bears  letter,  171 

Potts,  Dr.  Jonathan,  letter  to,  32on. ;  medical 
director,  32on. ;  Papers,  32in. 


Potts  Papers,  32in. 

Powder,  committee  on,  loin. ;  for  New  Jersey 
militia,  7;  for  South  Carolina,  7;  impor- 
tation, plenty,  quality,  loi,  313;  manufac- 
ture, quality,  loi ;  recaptured,  49;  see  also 
Arms  and  ammunition 

Practical  men,  .\dams  on  need,  59 

Prescott,  Richard,  exchange,  65,  66,  82,  438n. 

President  of  Congress,  election  (1777),  524,  538, 
539;  Indian  title,  45n. ;  see  also  Hancock, 
John;  Laurens,  llenry 

President's   (Laurens)   Letter-Book,  545n. 

Press,  lack  at  York,  efforts  for,  514,  523,  523n., 

.  584 

Prices,  Adams  on  problem,  375  ;  failure  of  regu- 
lation, 529,  568,  574;  high  at  Baltimore  and 
Plyladelphia,  i83n.,  186,  187,  189,  196,  201, 
208,  23211.,  237,  243,  255.  296,  303,  340,  401; 
profiteering,  check,  551 ;  regulation,  sec- 
tional conventions,  debate,  xii-xiii,  227,  229, 
233-235,  237,  242,  249-255,  258,  259,  261,  266, 
268,  340,  568,  570,  571 ;  regulation  for  army 
supplies,  561;  sutlers',  150,  158,  188;  Vir- 
ginia law  against  monopoly,  597 

Princeton,  battle  of,  news,  rumors,  205-208.  225 

Prisoners  of  war,  and  cannon  casting.  94;  Brit- 
ish treatment,  inquiry,  retaliation,  225,  438, 
■559 ;  commissary,  212;  enlistment  of  Sara- 
toga prisoners,  539;  exaction  of  military 
labor,  518 ;  exchange  (1776 ) ,  correspondence, 
43n.,  I72n. ;  exchange  of  Canadian  expe- 
dition, 54 ;  exchange  of  generals,  65.  66,  82, 
438n. ;  exchange  of  mercenaries,  153,  194; 
expected  general  exchange  (i777),  453; 
Hessian  band  at  Philadelphia,  399 :  Indians 
and  American,  in  Canada,  retaliation,  10 ; 
Irving's  petition,  195 ;  Lee,  hostages  for, 
206,  209.  212.  259,  265,  266,  272,  284,  290,  298- 
300,  302;  listing,  39;  Loyalist,  status,  139, 
172,  204,  287,  550,  600;  mistreatment  of 
American  naval,  43 ;  moving,  i ;  New  York 
state,  396;  pay,  222 ;  special  exchange,  148 ; 
state  accounts,  453 ;  status  of  naval  cap- 
tures, 224 

Privateering,  and  European  ports,  313:  com- 
missioners at  Paris  and,  183,  352;  piratical 
action  by  privateer,  199-201,  411;  recapture 
of  powder,  49;  Rhode  Island  letters  of 
marque,  207n. ;  status  of  prisoners  taken  by, 
224;  success,  42;  see  also  Prizes 

Privileges  of  citizens  under  Confederation.  552 

Prizes,  agents,  12;  by  state  ships,  disposal  of 
cargo,  297,  298.  329n. ;  Continental  pur- 
chase or  charter,  334;  flour  from,  334; 
French  ports  and,  96.  131 ;  property  of  pas- 
sengers and  seamen,  126,  144,  I49 ;  resolve, 
522;  taken,  37,  597;  see  also  Admiralty; 
Continental  agents 

Proctor.  Thomas,  status  of  regiment,  427 

Promotion,  basis,  38.  261-263,  288,  300,  311,  457; 
of  minor  officers,  47,  50,  57;  see  also  Offi- 
cers 

Propaganda  among  mercenaries,  59,  63,  153 

Protection,  see  Neutrals 

Providence,  and  arming  of  warships,  117; 
marine  officers  at,  3i8n. 


C30 


Index 


Provisions  for  army,  and  for  export,  sinulf 
niaiianfiucnt,  315;  casli  allowance  to  re- 
cruits, 11)0;  committee  on  ways  and  means, 
5()4n. ;  distress  in  VV'asliingtun's  army  (.Dec, 
1777),  impressment,  579,  597,  tnw,  (^3,  (J04; 
Hour  in  danger  of  spoiling,  408;  for  frig- 
ates, 27;  from  prizes,  334;  from  South,  173, 
191.  19J,  203.  J04,  -'3 1,  314,  339:  "ted  of 
antiscorbutics,  104,  118,  1J2,  lyi,  31J,  334; 
payment  for  undrawn  rations,  551,  585;  plan 
to  prevent  excess  rations,  132,  133 ;  pork 
in  North  Carolina,  507;  purchase  of  cattle, 
409;  rations  of  officers,  4S3 ;  resolve  re 
Saratoga  campaign,  347;  scarcity  (1776), 
104;  sec  also  Commissary;  Salt;  Supplies 

Prudhomme  de  Borre,  Chevalier,  see  Borre 

Prussia,  commissioner  to,  ig7,  2ion.,  403 

Publication  of  Congressional  resolves,  522; 
sec  also  Journals  of  Continental  Congress; 
Press 

Public  debt,  power  under  Confederation,  555; 
see  also  Bills  of  credit ;  Finance ;  Foreign 
loans;  Loan  certificates;  Paper  money 

Publicity,  see  Secrecy 

Public  Records  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut, 
77". 

Purcell,  Henry,  appointment,  443 

Purviance,  Robert,  and  purchase  from  prize, 
334 ;  letter  to,  334 

Purviance,  Robert,  Baltimore  in  the  Revolution, 
22n. 

Purviance,  Samuel,  jr.,  accounts,  22,  312,  402n.; 
and  construction  of  frigate,  124;  and  pur- 
chase from  prj.ze,  334 ;  Harrison  on,  i83n. ; 
letters  to,  22,  124,  164,  334.  372n. 

Putnam,  Israel,  and  removal  of  Congress,  176, 
178,  179,  201;  detached  from  Hudson  River 
command,  546;  force  at  Princeton,  230;  in- 
capacity, 269;  independent  command,  pay, 
474;  letter  received  by  Congress  from,  551 ; 
letters  to,  474,  55i .:  re-enforcement  of 
Washington's  army  from  Hudson  River 
posts,  482,  487,  495.  506 

Putnam,  Rufus,  and  Ticonderoga  inquiry,  470 

Pynchon,  William,  Diary,  436n. 

Quakers,  and  Continental  currency.  113;  and 
Howe's  advance,  504;  Philadelphia  plot, 
471,  476,  477,  481.  484-487 

Quartermaster-general  and  department,  break- 
down, 598 :  court-martial  of  deputy,  2i8n. ; 
deputies,  84,  85,  513:  Mifflin  resigns,  539; 
Mifflin's  plan,  563;  Moylan  resigns,  Mifflin 
reappointed,  114.  116;  reform,  361,  365n. ; 
see  also  StafT;  Transportation 

Quibbletown.  N.  T..  aflfair,  259n.,  267 

Quotas,  see  Requisitions 

Raleigh.  438n. 

Rail,  Johann  Gottlieb,  prisoner  of  war,  and  ex- 
change, 206 

Ramsey.  James  G.  M.,  Tennessee,  I2in. 

Randolph,  Fort,  garrison  for,  211 

Rangers,  in  Continental  pay,  51 

Ranking  of  officers,  controversies  in  army,  442, 
443,  445.  448,  457n.,  463,  509,  560 ;  plan  for 
new  regulation,  585 


Ration,  sec  Provisions 

Rattletrap,  western  river  boat,  565n. 

Read,  (ieorge,  member,  and  Brandywinc,  496; 
attendance  urged,  323,  324 ;  leave,  59n. ;  let- 
ter of,  171  ;  letters  to,  68,  77,  87,  141.  323; 
on  burden  of  service,  171  ;  periods  of  ser- 
vice, xli 

Read,  .Mrs.  Gertrude,  letter  to,  171 

Read,  William  T.,  Gcorije  Read,  8n. 

Read,  Mrs.  VV.  A.,  acknowledgement  to,  1030. 

Reading,  Pa.,  as  meeting  place  for  Congress, 
-^91 

Reconciliation,  and  foreign  relations,  265,  271, 

200.  300,  319;  basis  of  British  policy,  181; 
Drununond's  elTorts,  60,  62;  Franklin 
warns  Howe  of  impossibility,  58,  62; 
Howe's  letters  and  declaration  as  commis- 
sioner, attitude  of  Congress,  15, 17-21,  60,  62 ; 
Howe's  proposals  by  Sullivan  (1776),  mis- 
sion to  Howe,  65-78,  80-83,  85-93,  113.  149. 
182;  Lee,  and  request  for  conference 
(1777),  debate  and  refusal,  263-265,  268, 
270,  272,  284,  286,  290,  299,  300,  317,  319; 
Maryland  instructions,  162,  320;  new  ofifer 
(Nov.,  1777),  559,  562;  see  also  Inde- 
pendence 

Records  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  227n. 
Red  Bank,  Fort,  defense,  5.'?4;  evacuation,  571 
Re.dmond,    Johnston    L.,    letters   possessed    by, 

8511-,  97". 

Reed,  Joseph,  member,  and  articles  of  war, 
55n. ;  and  foreign  mission,  582;  and  frontier 
commission,  562n.,  582;  and  Joseph  Trum- 
bull and  board  of  war,  204,  528,  572,  573, 
576,  582;  brigadier-general,  46,  361,  362; 
conciliation  letter  from  England,  I5n.,  18; 
elected  delegate,  Ixiv;  letter  to,  18;  Manu- 
scripts, i8n. 

Removal  of  Congress,  Adams  on  advantages, 
291 ;  and  apprehended  attack  (April,  1777), 
ridicule,  326;  return  to  Philadelphia,  215, 
239-241,  255,  259-261,  267n.,  272,  273,  281- 
290,  292,  293,  296,  303 ;  suggested,  to  New 
Jersey,  46;  to  Baltimore,  conditions  there, 
xviii,  174-180,  182-184,  186-189,  195,  196,  200, 

201,  208,  209,  214,  215,  217,  232n.,  237,  240, 
243,  255  ;  to  Lancaster  and  York,  xix,  483n., 
485,  491,  492,  494-504.  506-508,  512,  514,  .523, 
525,  535,  544;  see  also  Executive  committee 

Representation,  see  Voting 

Reprisal,  U.  S.  S.,  prizes,  37 ;  takes  despatches 
and  Franklin  to  France,  I29n.,  131 

Requisitions,  basis  of  quotas  under  Confedera- 
tion, 32,  44,  48,  399,  514,  517,  529.  53on.,  535, 
536,  541,  548,  564,  569,  578 ;  quotas  of  first, 
577;  slaves  in  basis,  163,  166;  temporary 
basis  (1777),  288  _     ■ 

Resolves  of  Congress,  transmission,  publication, 
306,  522n. 

Retaliation,  as  policy.  298.  299,  302,  438,  597, 
597n. ;  sec  also  Prisoners  of  war 

Revenue,  see  Finance 

Revere,  Paul,  letter  to,  427 ;  status  of  regiment, 
427 

Rhode  Island,  accounts,  52,  87,  88,  289,  301,  312, 
401 ;  and  new  army  plan,  additional  bounty. 


Index 


631 


155.  157,  159;  appeal  for  troops  to,  6811., 
16011. ;  criticised  in  Congress,  227 ;  governor 
and  army  commissions,  316;  letters  of 
marque,  297n. ;  militia  for  tludson  River, 
495 ;  militia  for  Saratoga  campaign,  4i3n. ; 
requisition  quota,  577 ;  supplies  from  prize, 
134;  troops  for  New  York  campaign,  52, 
79,  88;  unrepresented,  urge,  ii2n.,  357,  361, 
S^^^t  377  \  vveak  condition,  199;  sec  also  next 
titles,  and  New  England;  Newport 

Rhode  Island,  governor  of,  see  Cooke,  Nicho- 
las 

Rhode  Island  Archives,  Letters  to  the  Gov- 
ernors, 78n. 

Rhode  Island  Assembly,  letter  to,  495 

Rhode  Island  Colonial  Records,  i88n. 

Rhode  Island  delegates,  letter  of,  52;  need  of 
further  appointment,  78;  see  also  Bradford, 
William ;  Ellery,  William ;  Hopkins, 
Stephen ;  Marchant,  Henry 

Rhode  Island  Historical  Society,  Publications, 
28in. 

Rice  for  army,  from  South,  173,  192,  203,  231 

Richardson,  William,  troops  at  Bristol,  350 

Riflemen,  for  frontier  defense,  453 

Roberdeau,  Daniel,  member,  and  Arnold,  445 ; 
and  foreign  officers,  351;  and  Pennsyl- 
vania's constitutional  troubles,  516;  and 
Thomas  Paine,  328n. ;  committee  on  Mor- 
gan's conduct,  532;  committee  to  Pennsyl- 
vania Assembly,  6oin. ;  conference  on  de- 
fense, 332n. ;  letters  of  (i777),  307,  35i,  376, 
505,  516,  521,  531,  532,  537,  538,  547,  550, 
560,  56in.,  596,  597,  600;  on  conditions  in 
Washington's  army,  597 ;  on  displacing 
Schuyler,  4^28 ;  on  frontier  troubles,  561 ; 
on  peace  offer,  562;  periods  of  service,  Ixiv 

Roberts  Collection,  4n. 

Robertson  (Robinson),  Mrs.  Ann,  exchange, 
148 

Robinson,  Isaiah,  takes  despatches,  I29n. 

Robinson,  James,  takes  despatches,  I29n. 

Rochefermoy,  Alathieu  Alexis  de,  Ticonderoga 
inquiry,  435,  440 

Rodney,  Caesar,  member,  attendance,  37,  37n. ; 
leave,  59n.,  116;  letters  of  (17/6),  37^  37n., 
59n.,  68,  77,  87,  114,  116;  on  conciliation 
proposals,  68,  87 ;  period  of  service,  xlii 

Rodney,  Thomas,  letters  to,  37,  37n.,  59n.,  114 

Roebuck.  H.  M.  S.,  in  the  Delaware,  371 

Rogers,  John,  member,  period  of  service,  xlviii 

Rogers,  Robert,  apprehended,  escape,  6,  12 

Rogers,  William,  prizes.  329n. 

Rose,  Amos,  pardon,  474 

Ross,  George,  member,  clothing  committee, 
i7on. ;  Hooper  on,  232n.,;  on  Howe's  pro- 
posals, 74n. ;  on  mercenaries,  59 ;  periods  of 
service,  Ixiv 

Rowe.  John.  "  Diary  ",  58n. ;  on  Temple,  58n. 

Rowland,  Kate  M.,  Charles  Carroll,  27n. 

Rules,  see  Parliamentar}'  practice 

Rumors,  circulation  of  false,  317 

Rumsey,  Benjamin,  member,  and  Nicholson 
affair,  372,  373 ;  attends,  movements,  162, 
179;  commissioner  to  army,  i4on. ;  com- 
mittee on  Maryland  Loyalists,  330;  letters 


of,  i4on.,  I5in.  (2),  162,  179,  330,  343,  348, 
350;  periods  of  service,  xlix 
Rush,  Benjamin,  member,  and  St.  Clair  and 
Wayne,  100,  108;  attends,  i63n.;  Diary,  v, 
I70n. ;  extracts  from  Diary,  170,  234,  244, 
250,  262,  263,  284,  319;  extracts  from  Me- 
morial, 23n.,  I7in.,  i8on. ;  Harrison  on, 
i83n. ;  letters  of  (1776), 22,  100,  108,  123,  i?S, 
138,  I39n.,  i98n. ;  (1777),  239,  245,  249,  270 ; 
medical  committee  and  reform  of  depart- 
ment, 250,  321  n. ;  Memorial .  23n. ;  on  Adams 
and  Sullivan's  mission,  6gn. ;  on  appoint- 
ment of  general  officers,  262;  on  being  a 
delegate,  23;  on  Congress  at  Baltimore, 
240;  on  debate  on  failure  of  Canadian  ex- 
pedition, 46n. ;  on  debate  on  Howe's  pro- 
posals, 74n.;  on  debate  on  representa- 
tion under  Confederation,  33n. ;  on  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  22,  319;  on  dictato- 
rial powers  for  Washington,  igSn. ;  on  equal 
state  vote  in  Congress,  245,  270 ;  on  Frank- 
lin and  French  mission,  128;  on  Lee  and  re- 
quest for  conciliation  conference,  263,  270; 
on  Lee's  Charleston  campaign,  22 ;  on  loan 
certificates  interest,  246,  247,  253,  270;  on 
New  England  convention,  235 ;  on  regula- 
tion of  prices,  250,  252;  periods  of  service, 
Ixv,  23n. ;  powder  committee,  loin. 
Russell,  Thomas,  Charlestown  petition,  363,  366 
Russia,  and  mercenaries,  189;  attitude,  313 
Rutledge.  Edward,  member,  and  Howe's  pro- 
posals, mission  to  Howe,  74n.,  75,  77,  78, 
80-83,  85-93,  ll3^  149.  182;  and  Schuyler, 
98,  113,  126,  144;  committee  on  articles  of 
war,  55,  I02n.;  committee  on  Schuyler,  107; 
leave,  98,  144,  156;  letters  of  (1776),  6,  17, 
24,  54,.  83,  97,  102,  113,  126,  144,  147,  160; 
on  articles  of  war  and  duelling,  55,  56:  on 
choice  of  general  officers,  54;  on  Con- 
federation, 56;  on  Hopkins  hearing,  55: 
on  New  York  Convention,  56;  period  of 
service.  Ixix 
Rutledge.  John,  member,  president  of  South 
Carolina,  elected  delegate,  Ixix ;  letters  to, 
6,  23,  24,  102,  445.  455,  488,  522,  525,  578 
Ruttenber,  Edward  M.,  Obstructions  of  Hud- 
son's River,  5 in. 

Sabine,  Lorenzo,  American  Loyalists,  58n. 
Sachevi,  U.  S.  S.,  takes  despatches,  I29n. 
St.  Aubin,  St.  Pierre  A.  de,  and  commission,  31 
St.  Clair,  Arthur,  at  Philadelphia,  484 ;  briga- 
dier-general, 45.  46,  100 ;  Chase  and  promo- 
tion, 79;  council  on  Red  Bank,  571;  major- 
general,  271 ;  Ticonderoga,  retreat,  inquiry, 
314,  346,  351,  353.  413,  4i4n.,  415-417,  424, 
428-431,  433-435,  437,  440,  441,  449,  455,  456, 
458,  469-471,  47S<  507,  512,  518,  549,  571,  592 
St.  Colombe,  see  La  Colombe 
St.  Eustatius,  as  depot  of  arms,  no,  in 
Salisbury,  Conn.,  cannon  casting,  192,  307 
Salley.  Alexander  S.,  jr.,  Orangeburg  County, 

452n. 
Salt,  grant  to  Newr  York,  381,  382,  387,  396,  408. 
409;   importation,  for  preserving,  78,   104, 


632 


hid  ex- 


US'.  I2IM.,  122.  125,  231,  3S1,  382;  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey  works,  320  j 

Saltonstall,  Dudley,  at  I'hiladelphia,  59  I 

Saratoga  campaign,  Adams  on  prospects,  455 ; 
and  \'erniont  controversy,  351  ;  lU-nninKton,  , 
4tK),  402,  464,  4(j<.),  473n.,  474,  508;  Britisii 
advance,  457  ;  congratulations  to  Gates,  545, 
546 ;  consideration  of  convention,  547n. ; 
convention  difficulties,  568,  571,  591,  593,  596, 
5()S-{HK),  ()02;  discipline.  452;  displacement 
of  Schuyler  by  Gates,  413,  4-'4-430.  434.  437. 
440,  441,  443,  456,  465,  4()0;  enlistment  of 
Canadian  prisoners,  539;  liuropean  rumor 
of  intended.  350;  expected  advance  up  Hud- 
son River,  347,  378,  401 ;  favorable  news, 
495.  503-506 ;  fears  for  Ticonderoga 
(April),  344;  ferry-boats  around  Saratoga 
(April),  3:^3;  light  horse,  378;  militia.  412,  ; 
413,  440.  441  ;  New  England  and,  377,  416,  ' 
425.  4-28-430.  432,  434,  441.  449,  45on.,  456, 
457,  461,  463.  465,  466,  468,  518;  Oriskany 
and  Fort  Schuyler,  473.  474,  508;  publish- 
ing convention,  583 ;  rirtemen  from  Wash- 
ington's army,  453 ;  Schuyler's  services 
after  displacement,  462,  465 ;  Stark's  atti- 
tude. 456,  461,  463,  468,  472;  surrender,  un- 
certain news,  526,  527,  529-531.  53411.,  535, 
536,  538,  544-546;  Ticonderoga,  retreat,  in- 
quiry, 314.  346.  351.  353.  413.  4i4n..  415- 
417,  424,  426.  428-431.  433-435.  437.  440,  441, 
449,  455.  456,  458,  469-471,  475,  507,  5 12, 
518.  549.  571.  592 

Sato,  Shosuke,  Land  Question,  I4in. 

Scharf.  J.  Thomas,  Chronicles  of  Baltimore, 
I98n. ;  Baltimore  City  and  County,  237n. ; 
Maryland.  2n. 

Schuyler,  Philip,  member,  aides-de-camp,  384; 
and  board  of  war,  559 ;  and  Bristol  camp, 
338;  and  Campbell  court-martial,  218;  and 
commissary,  84,  85n.,  104.  118;  and  Day- 
ton, 291 ;  and  furlough  and  re-enlistment, 
203 ;  and  military  chest,  33.  4on.,  41.  42 ; 
and  need  of  cannon,  219;  and  theTrumbulls, 
308,  315  ;  and  Walter  Livingston,  35,  36 ;  and 
Wooster,  I26n.,  135 :  and  Wyoming  con- 
troversy, 167.  168;  Gates  and  command 
question,  proffered  resignation,  rebuke,  vin- 
dication, V,  3.  II.  17,  41,  48.  98.  103-105, 
I07n.,  113,  ii4n.,  118.  119,  126,  134,  144.  210, 
304.  304n.,  308,  316,  336,  341,  342,  351,  357, 
358,  364.  370.  371,  377,  379-387.  433.  456; 
incapacity,  269;  letters  of,  4on.,  I42n.(2), 
304n..  341,  34in,  347,  364;  letters  received 
by  Congress  from,  33n.,  40.  98n.,  i04n., 
I07n.,  iiSn..  I46n..  189,  304,  456n.,  460,  5o8n., 
592;  letters  to  (i776),  16,  44.  98n.,  106, 
ii4n.,  144,  i46n.;  (i777).  304.  382,  384,  4^5. 
428,  456n.,  465,  507,  512,  559.  590,  592; 
Papers,  i6n. ;  period  of  service,  Ix;  plan 
(1776),  40;  services  after  displacement, 
462,  465,  521 ;  Ticonderoga  inquiry,  dis- 
placed from  command,  413,  416,  424-430, 
433,  434,  436,  437,  440,  441,  445,  456,  465. 
466,  469,  470.  475.  507.  512.  549.  559.  571. 
592;  see  also  Northern  military  department 

Schuyler,  privateer,  recapture  by,  49n. 


Schuyler,  I'urt.  defense,  rewards,  474,  508 

Schuyler  Pajiers,  lOn. 

Soollay,  John,  and  Warren's  children,  305n. 

Scollay,  Mercy,  and  Warren's  chiKiren,  30511.; 
letter  to,  305 

Scott,  Charles,  rank  question,  560 

Scudder,  Nathaniel,  member,  elected  delegate, 
Iv 

Seal,  preparation,  8;  proposals,  49,  50 

Searle.  James,  information  from,  151,  15511., 
156,  157 

Sears.  Lorenzo,  John  Hancock,  293n. 

Secrecy,  and  instruction  of  delegates,  295 ;  ef- 
forts to  abolish,  53n. ;  impossibility,  no; 
indirect  evasion,  115,  187;  movement  for 
public  sessions  and  recording  of  all  pro- 
ceedings, 285,  295 ;  on  foreign  affairs,  intel- 
ligence kept  from  Congress,  iio,  III,  i6sn., 
304.  313.  583;  violation,  400 

Secretary  at  War,  appointment,  21  in. 

Secretary  of  Congress,  organization  of  office, 
xi,  2ion. ;  sec  also  Thomson,  Charles 

Secretary  of  Marine,  proposecj^  21  in. 

Secret  committee  on  supplies,  and  clothing  sur- 
vey, 170.  221 :  and  foreign  committee  and 
remittances,  182,  i83n. ;  and  reports  on  its 
operations,  373 ;  and  trade  with  New  Or- 
leans, 380 ;  commercial  committee  super- 
sedes, 21  in. ;  letters  of,  42,  49,  109,  170,  218, 
224,  334,  380;  members,  402;  need  of 
papers,  and  Morris,  224 ;  winding  up  ac- 
counts, 475 ;  see  also  Commercial  com- 
mittee 

Sectionalism  in  Congress,  41,  374;  and  disaster, 
186;  subsides,  328;  see  also  New  England 

Seine,  captured,  353n. ;  expected,  352 

Sellers,  William,  see  Hall  and  Sellers 

Senecas,  chiefs  at  Philadelphia,  45n. ;  sec  also 
Iroquois 

Sergeant,  Jonathan  Dickinson,  member,  and 
Vermont,  377,  403 ;  and  Washington,  275n. ; 
committee  of  intelligence,  473  ;  letters  of, 
473.  57on. ;  on  displacing  Schuyler,  424,  428; 
on  loan  certificates  interest,  245 ;  on  pro- 
posed West  Florida  expedition.  422;  on 
regulation  of  prices,  251 ;  periods  of  ser- 
vice, Iv ;  resignation  expected,  243 

Sessions  of  Conp^ress,  462n. 

Seventy-six  Society,  Publications:  Maryland 
/'afters.  288n. 

Shackford,  Josiah,  naval  lieutenant,  21 

Shaw,  Nicholas,  jr..  Continental  agent,  125 

Sheafe,  Jacob,  petition,  125 

Shee,  John,  conference  on  defense,  332n. 

Sheldon,  Elisha,  at  Philadelphia,  command, 
176 

Shelly,  Daniel,  affidavit,  561 

Sheppard,  Abraham,  battalion,  437 

Sheppard,  William,  commission,  114 

Sherman,  Roger,  member,  and  Gates-Schuyler 
command  affair,  384,  385 ;  and  Joseph 
Trumbull,  305,  306,  392;  and  Vermont,  395, 
397,  410 ;  as  veteran  delegate,  260 ;  com- 
mittee on  commissary  contract,  315;  ex- 
pected attendance,  142,  159,  163;  leave,  361, 
397,  400;  letters  of  (1776),  5i ;  (i777),  287, 


Index 


633 


305,  307,  314  (2),  320,  329.  340,  361  (2), 

362,  366,  451J,  540;  on  commissary  mis- 
management, 315;  on  court-martial  of  son, 
459;  on  linancial  remedy,  540;  on  medical 
department  pay,  329;  on  requisition  quota, 
541  ;   periods  of  service,  xxxix 

Sherman,  William,  jr.,  cashiered,  reinstate- 
ment, 459 

Ship,  order  for  purchase,  26;  see  also  Navy; 
Privateering;   Prizes;  Trade 

Shippen,  Dr.  William,  jr.,  and  medical  depart- 
ment reform,  ,i58n.,  32in. ;  letter  to,  200 

Shoes,  need  in  army,  soon. ;  resolve  on  pur- 
chase, 171;  see  also  Leather;  Supplies 

Shores,  Peter,  naval  lieutenant,  21 

Sick,  condition  in  Northern  department,  104, 
149,  150;  sec  also  Invalided  soldiers;  Medi- 
cal department 

Slaves,  and   requisition   quotas,    163,    166,   564, 

Smallpox,  at  Philadelphia,  250,  256;  checks  re- 
cruiting, 329 :  sec  also  Inoculation 

Smallwood,  William,  brigadier-general,  141 ; 
recruiting  service,  267 

Smith,  ,  "  Deacon  ",  and  Aylett's  account, 

.485 

Smith,  Brazilla,  privateer,  piratical  capture  by, 
199-201,  411 

Smith,  George  D..  Estate,  Catalogue,  243n. 

Smith,  Hugh,  postmaster  with  Northern  de- 
partment, 527n. 

Smith,  Isaac  (?),  and  naval  board  at  Boston, 
.356 

Smith,  James,  member,  committee  on  Ticon- 
deroga  inquiry,  469n. ;  on  regulation  of 
prices,  250;  periods  of  service,  Ixv 

Smith,  John  ].,  Avierican  Historical  and  Liter- 
ary Curiosities.  I3n. 

Smith,  Jonathan  Bayard,  member,  letters  of, 
591,  592,  595;  periods  of  service,  Ixv;  sends 
resolve,  597 

Smith,  Nathaniel,  remonstrance  of  company, 
226 

Smith,  Robert,  piratical  capture  of  his  brig, 
199-201.  41 T 

Smith,  W^illiam,  member,  commercial  com- 
mittee, 402,  565 ;  committee  of  foreign  af- 
fairs, 402 ;  committee  on  commissary  con- 
tract, 315;  letters  of.  343,  348,  38on.,  565; 
periods  of  service,  xlix 

Somerset  case,  278 

Somerset  County,  Md.,  Loyalist  rising,  233,  237, 
243,  258,  259,  330,  343,  350 

South,  and  proposed  West  Florida  expedition, 
422,  423 ;  proposed  convention  to  regulate 
prices,  242,  253,  254,  267n. ;  provisions  for 
army  from,  173,  191,  192,  203,  204,  231,  314, 
507 ;  retirement  of  Clinton,  43 ;  see  also 
Southern  military  department ;  and  states 
by  name 

South  Carolina,  and  Cherokee  hostilities,  30 ; 
and  new  army  plan,  102.  i6on. ;  expected 
movement  against,  153-155,  211;  fortifi- 
cations, 137 ;  general  officers,  580 ;  gov- 
ernor and  army  commissions,  316;  line 
troops,  light  horse,  2^ ;  money  and  powder 


for  troops,  7 ;  provincial  force,  6 ;  repre- 
sentation, Ii2n.;  rice  for.  army,  173,  192, 
203,  231 ;  Kol)crt  Howe  as  commander, 
525,  526;  sale  of  stored  tea,  24;  see  also 
next  titles,  and  Charleston ;  South 

South  Carolina,  president  of,  see  Rutledge, 
John 

Soutli  Carolina  delegates,  and  return  to  Phila- 
delphia, 282,  285;  letters  of,  6,  24;  see  also 
Heyward,  Thomas,  jr.;  Laurens,  Henry; 
Lynch,  Thomas;  Lynch,  Thomas,  jr.;  Mid- 
dleton,  Arthur;  Pinckney,  Charles;  Rut- 
ledge,  Edward;  Rutledge,  John;  Trapier, 
Paul,  ;'/'. 

South  Carolina  General  Assembly,  Journal,  6n. 

South  Carolina  Historical  Society,  v ;  Laurens 
Letter-Book,  423n. ;  Laurens  Letters,  525n. ; 
volume  of  copies,  3o8n. 

Southern  military  department,  audit  of  ac- 
counts, 95 ;  Lee  recalled,  43,  44 ;  Washing- 
ton and,  command,  156 

Spain,  alliance  necessary  to  United  States,  336 ; 
attitude,  313,  3141- ;  commissioners  to,  197, 
2ion.,  335;  inducements  to,  197 

Sparks,  Jared,  Benedict  Arnold,  305n. ;  Benja- 
min Franklin,  94n. ;  Diplomatic  Correspon- 
dence of  the  Revolution,  iion.;  on  Lafay- 
ette's application  to  Congress,  43in. 

Sparks  Manuscripts,  6n. 

Specie,  payment  of  interest  on  loan  certificates, 
ISO 

Spencer,  Joseph,  incapacity,  269;  major-general, 

.46, 
Springfield,    Mass.,    magazine    and   laboratory, 

324 

Spy.  flour  cargo,  320 

Staff,  increase  in  pay,  306;  see  also  Adjutant- 
general  ;  Aides-de-camp ;  Chaplain  depart- 
ment ;  Clothier-general ;  Commissary  de- 
partment ;  Inspector-general ;  Medical  de- 
partment ;  Mustermaster-general ;  Pay- 
master-general ;  Quartermaster-general 

Staples,  William  R.,  Rhode  Island  in  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  78n. 

Stark,  Caleb,  John  Stark,  46on. 

Stark.  John,  attitude  in  Saratoga  campaign,  456, 
461,  463,  468,  472;  Bennington,  460,  462,  464, 
466 ;  proposed  Canadian  expedition,  590 ; 
reward,  brigadier-general,  462n.,  473n.,  474, 
508,  509 

State  governments,  effect  of  delay  in  organizing^, 
247 ;  see  also  Constitutions ;  Division  of 
power ;  State  rights 

Staten  Island,  expected  movement  from,  487 ; 
Sullivan  inquiry,  496,  496n.,  530 

State  rights  and  sovereignty'.  Congress  and 
Pennsylvania's  constitutional  troubles,  516; 
under  Confederation,  345,  360,  536;  see  also 
Division  of  powers 

Stauffer,  David  McN.,  Collection,  53in. 

Stay  and  tender  laws,  dropping  urged,  584 

Stephen,  Adam,  major-general,  271 

Stephenson.  Hugh,  death,  114 

Stevens,  Edward,  arms  for  regiment,  302 

Stevens,  W^illiam  B.,  Georgia,  333n. 

Stevens  Facsimiles,  i83n. 


634 


Index 


Stewart,  Archibald,  and  commissary  appoint- 
ment, 41  .m. 

Stewart,  Charles,  and  commissary  dilliculties, 
588 ;  at  camp,  408 ;  bears  letter,  405 ;  com- 
missary-general of  issues,  405n. 

Stiles,  Ezra,  letter  to,  17;  Literary  Diary,  i7n. ; 
on  draft  of  Articles  of  Confederation,  47n. ; 
on  Indian  name  for  president  of  Congress, 

Stirling,  Lord,  and  damages,  378 ;  exchange,  65, 
66,  82;  letter  to,  504;  major-general,  271 

Stockings,  resolve  on  purchase,  171 ;  see  also 
Clothing 

Stockton,  Richard,  member,  and  mission  to 
Howe,  83 ;  committee  to  visit  army,  report, 
104,  107.  I4<)n.;  conciliatory  letter  from 
England,  17,  18;  periods  of  service,  Ivi ; 
prisoner,  conduct,  206,  243n.,  275n. 

Stone,  John  Hawkins,  damage  by  his  regiment, 

Stone,  Thomas,  member,  and  Disney,  164;  and 
dueling  in  army,  56 ;  and  Howe's  proposals, 
74n. ;  attendance  urged,  172;  letter  of,  9; 
periods  of  service.  1 

Storer,  Ebenezer,  bears  letter,  598 

Story.  Thomas,  report  on  foreign  affairs,  no 

Strieker,  George,  bears  letter,  9;  commission,  9 

Stringer,  Dr.  Samuel,  removed,  211,  212,  271, 
32in. 

Stryker  Collection,  I52n. 

Submarine  plan  against  British  fleet,  2on.,  42 

Suffolk  County,  N.  Y..  and  submission  (17/6), 
iign. 

Sullivan,  John,  and  Brandywine,  inquiry,  493n., 
495-407,  514.  517-520;  and  damages.  378: 
and  Du  Coudray,  censure.  403-408;  and 
Gates,  resignation  and  its  withdrawal,  26, 
28-30,  32,  49 ;  exchange.  82,  438n. ;  in  Phila- 
delphia on  parole,  Howe's  proposals  by,  65, 
66.  67n.,  68,  69.  74.  77,  81,  82,  86,  88,  90; 
letter  received  by  Congress  from,  514;  let- 
ters to.  186.  378,  517.  519,  530;  major-gen- 
eral, 46;  Staten  Island  inquiry,  vindication, 
496,  496n.,  530 

Sullivan  Papers,  5i9n. 

Sulliv^an's  Island,  celebration  of  anniversary, 
399;  defense  (17761,  22n. 

Sumter.  Thomas,  bears  letter,  488 

Superintendent  of  Finance,  appointment.  21  in. 

Supplies  for  army,  available  French,  304;  from 
New  Orleans,  ria  Pittsburgh,  380,  565n. ; 
importation  of  cavalry  equipment,  218;  im- 
portation or  manufacture.  356;  impress- 
ment, 500,  501.  603;  magazines,  i6on.,  204, 
205,  213.  226.  270.  324 ;  regulation  of  prices, 
561 ;  removal  during  Philadelphia  cam- 
paign, 465.  499;  removal  from  Philadel- 
phia, 230.  272,  284  290;  removal  in  Mary- 
land, 316 ;  see  also  Arms  and  ammunition ; 
Clothing;  Commissary;  Provisions;  Quar- 
termaster-general ;  Secret  committee ; 
Shoes 

Surgeons,  appointment,  112;  see  also  Medical 
department 

Sussex  County,  Del.,  independent  company,  323 ; 
Loyalists,  139,  141-  243 


Sutlers,  profiteering,  check,  150,  158,  188 

Swearuig,  in  army,  check,  339,  376 

Sykes,  James,  member,  attenclancc,  323n. ;  let- 
ter of,  323;  on  being  a  delegate,  323,  324; 
period  of  service,  xlii 

Taarling,  Peter,  deputy  quartermaster-general, 
bears  letter,  513 

Taggart,  Joseph,  Bioi/raphical  Sketches,  27n. 

Tais,  Alexander,  messenger,  580,  595 

Taxation,  necessity,  xiii,  237,  253,  257,  303,  455, 
461,  47in.,  472,  491,  505,  509,  562,  568;  plan 
to  reduce  paper  money  by,  454 ;  urged  on 
states,  568,  570,  577,  583,  584;  see  also 
Finance ;  Requisitions 

Taylor, ,  loss  of  vessel,  485 

Taylor,  George,  member,  period  of  service,  Ixvi 

Taylor,  William,  secretary  of  the  president  of 
Congress,  286 

Tea,  sale  of  stored,  at  Charleston,  right  to  re- 
turns, 24 

Temple,  Mrs.  Harriet,  relief,  58,  59,  70 

Temple,  Robert,  return,  claim,  58 

Ten  Broeck,  Abraham,  president  of  New  York 
convention,  letters  to,  220,  230,  261,  301,  328, 
331,336.  344. 

Tents,  for  Washington's  army,  109 

Thomas,  George  C,  Autograph  Letters,  8on. ; 
Collection,  8on. 

Thompson,  Benjamin  F.,  Long  Island,  iign. 

Thompson,  Thomas,  cruises,  97,  474;  on  navy, 
318;  rank,  125 

Thomson,  Charles,  secrctarj^  of  Congress,  and 
return  to  Philadelphia,  260.  286;  letters  of, 
174.  32i^\  letter  to,  45in. ;  notes  of  debates, 
iv,  v,  421,  424.  427 ;  see  also  Journals 

Thomson,  William,  arms  for  regiment,  452;  let- 
ter to,  452 

Thornton,  Matthew,  member,  attends,  145 ;  in- 
oculated, 145 ;  leave,  342,  343n.,  357 ;  letters 
of,  188,  32on. ;  on  state  of  army,  188; 
period  of  service,  liii 

Thwing.  Nathaniel,  lieutenant  of  marines,  22 

Ticonderoga,  advice  of  Congress  on,  346,  351, 
353;  brass  howitzers  for,  219;  condition  of 
army  at  (1776).  75;  fears  for  (Dec,  1776), 
189;  (April,  1777),  344;  Gates  and  com- 
mand, 351;  officers  for,  314;  retreat  from, 
inquiry,  413,  4i4n-.  415-417.  424.  426,  428- 
431.  433-435,  437.  440,  441,  449,  455,  456,  458, 
469-471,  475.  507.  512,  518,  549,  571,  592; 
Schuyler's  plan.  40 

Tilghman,  Tames,  letter  to.  i4on. 

Tilghman.  Matthew\  member,  letter  to,  I5in. ; 
period  of  service,  li 

Tillinghast.  Daniel,  Continental  agent,  125 

Tobacco,  negotiations,  477,  489 

Tower,  Charlemagne,  Lafayette  in  the  Revo- 
lution, 430n. 

Towne,  Benjamin,  newspaper,  445n. 

Tracy, ,  and  Aylett's  account,  485 

Trade,  Adams  on  benefit  of  treaty,  i6n. ;  cham- 
ber of  commerce,  196,  210,  2iin. ;  control 
over  foreign,  182,  i83n. ;  control  under  Con- 
federation, 553,  554;  effect  of  postpone- 
ment  of   non-exportation,   247 ;    European 


Index 


635 


ports  opened,  63,  313;  management  of  ex-  | 
portation  of  provisions,  315 ;  non-importa-  j 
tion    as    weapon,   42;   see   also    Blockade; 
Prizes ;    Secret  committee ;    Supplies 

Transportation,  hire  of  wagons,  597 ;  impress- 
ment, 243 ;  see  also  Continental  stables ; 
Quartermaster-general 

Trapier,  Paul,  jr.,  elected  delegate,  Ixix 

Treason,  description,  150 

Treasury,  depleted,  225,  257,  289,  472,  481,  538, 
548;  separate  board  of  outside  men,  organi- 
zation, xi,  196,  210,  21  in.,  572;  Superin- 
tendent of  Finance,  2iin. ;  see  also  Finance 

Treaties,  see  Alliances 

Treaty  power  under  Confederation,  553,  555 

Trenton,  removal  of  hospital  and  stores,  498n., 
499;  see  also  next  title 

Trenton,  battle  of,  captured  flags,  199;  Con- 
gress and.  201 ;  Hessian  prisoners,  194 

Trial  of  St.  Clair,  4i6n. 

Troup,  Robert,  brings  despatches,  503,  504;  lieu- 
tenant-colonel, 503n.,  508,  509 

Trumbull,  John,  deputy  adjutant-general,  84, 
85,  231;  letters  to,  308,  347n. ;  question  of 
commission,  308,  309,  311;  resigns,  not  to 
be  reappointed,  347,  364n.,  573,  589 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  governor  of  Connecticut, 
and  commissary  appointments,  543,  544,  572, 
576,  584,  588,  589 ;  and  misconduct  of  Gov. 
Franklin,  362;  and  New  England  conven- 
tion, 227,  229;  letters  received  by  Congress 
from,  361,  400;  letters  to  (1777),  287,  307, 
320,  329,  340,  361,  36in.,  362,  39on.,  399,  435, 
436,  440,  47in.,  504,  517.  574;  on  treatment 
of  sons,  589;  Papers,  287n.,  3o8n.,  43Sn. 

Trumbull,  Jonathan,  jr.,  and  reorganized  treas- 
ury, 572;  complaints,  40,  508,  589;  deputy 
paymaster-general,  pay,  127,  305,  306,  572; 
letters  received  by  Congress  from,  5o8n., 
524n. ;  letters  to,  40,  40n.,  51,  63.  64,  142, 
I42n.  (2),  304n.,  305.  3i4,  5o8;  Papers,  40n. 

Trumbull,  Joseph,  and  antiscorbutics,  104,  118, 
122,  191,  312,  334;  and  board  of  war,  2ion., 
571-576,  584,  588;  and  commissary  contract, 
315 ;  and  commissary  in  Northern  depart- 
ment, 35,  36.  104,  118,  121,  126,  204;  and 
committee  of  inquiry  on  commissary,  411, 
414;  and  complaints  against  commissary, 
removes  deputy,  84,  85.  104,  118,  120,  122, 
126,  227,  315,  361 ;  and  fish  for  export,  173; 
and  provisions  from  South,  funds,  191,  192, 
203,  204,  315,  339;  and  Reed,  204,  572,  573, 
576;  and  reorganization  of  commissary,  re- 
fuses appointment,  36in.,  364n.,  383,  392, 
393n.,  394,  407,  408,  414.  445.  542,  571,  573, 
584,  588,  589 ;  and  salt  for  New  York,  396, 
409;  and  salt  for  preserving,  78,  104,  118, 
I2in.,  125 ;  and  Schuyler,  intercepted  let- 
ter, 20z^.,  315;  and  settlement  of  his 
accounts,  505,  512,  542-544,  572,  576,  584, 
587,  588;  and  Ticonderoga  inquiry,  475;  at 
Philadelphia  for  consultation,  334,  340; 
lacks  information,  306;  letters  of,  347n., 
36in.,  364n.,  393n.  (2)  ;  letters  received  by 
Congress  from,  lOSn.,  340 ;  letters  to 
(1776),  27,  35,  40,  45,  50,  57,  77,  84  (2),  85, 


103  (2),  117,  120,  121,  125,  127,  I27n.,  164, 
173,  191,  192;  (1777),  203,  227,  231,  311, 
314,  334.  379,  392.  394,  405.  407.  4o8  (2), 
410,  411,  414,  4i4n.,  475,  484,  485,  492,  500, 
502,  505,  512,  542,  571,  573,  575.  576n.,  584, 
587 ;  opinions  on,  542,  588,  589 ;  Papers,  iii, 
27n.,  son.;  pay,  ii8n.,  120,  122,  126-128, 
173,  312,  39311-,  410 

Tucker,  Samuel,  letter  to,  7 

Tuckerman,  Bayard,  Philip  Schuyler,  I07n. 

Tudor,  William,  judge  advocate,  and  articles  of 
war,  55n. 

Turner,  Dr.  Philip,  appointment,  329 

Tuscany,  Grand  Duke  of,  and  Declaration  of 
Independence,  65 ;  and  United  States,  195, 
197;  commissioner  to,  2ion.,  403 

United  States  Congress,  House  Reports,  iion. 

University  of  Pemisylvania,  Franklin  Papers, 
45  in. 

University  of  Virginia  Library,  Lee  Papers, 
i8in. 

Valley  Forge,  as  place  for  cantonment,  594 

Van  Cortlandt,  Philip,  see  Cortland 

Van  Dyke,  Nicholas,  member,  attendance  urged, 
323 ;  period  of  service,  xlii 

Van  Tyne,  Claude  H.,  American  Revolution, 
56n. 

Van  Zandt,  Jacobus,  Continental  agent,  125 

Varick,  Richard,  letter  to,  341 

Varnum,  James  Mitchel,  and  Clinton's  briga- 
diership,  55;  brigadier-general,  271 

Vergennes,  Comte  de,  promise  of  arms,  no 

Vermont,  and  Saratoga  campaign,  351;  contro- 
versy in  Congress,  319,  321,  331,  336,  344, 
345.  351.  382,  388-390,  395-397,  403,  4^0,  44S 

Vernon,  William,  letter  to,  28in. ;  naval  board 
at  Boston,  340,  356 

Vinegar,  need  for  army,  191,  312;  regulation  to 
supply,  334 

Virginia,  accounts,  95  ;  and  Cherokee  hostilities, 
30;  and  expected  movement  against 
Charleston,  I53n. ;  and  salt,  382n. ;  and  sec- 
tional conventions  on  regulating  prices,  253, 
254,  258;  and  voting  under  Confederation, 
514,  517;  arms  for  troops,  302;  artillery 
regiment,  169  ;  envy  of,  374 ;  flour  and  meal 
for  army,  191,  203,  314,  339;  law  against 
monopoly.  595,  597 ;  light  horse,  re-enlist- 
ment and  bounty,  269;  line  officers,  14; 
militia  and  Indian  campaign.  325 ;  new 
levies,  160,  223,  374;  ratifies  Confederation, 
600;  representation,  ii2n. ;  troops  for  New 
Jersey  campaign,  193,  250 ;  troops  for  New 
"York  campaign,  22,  62,  64,  I23n. ;  troops  for 
Philadelphia  campaign,  501,  504,  505  :  troops 
in  Continental  pay,  31 ;  troops  in  Delaware, 
138,  141 ;  western  claim  and  Confederation, 
48,  468;  see  also  next  titles,  and  South 

Virginia,  governor  of,  see  Henry,  Patrick 

Virginia,  U.  S.  S.,  construction,  124;  cruise,  334 

Virginia  Assembly,  letter  to,  160 

Virginia  delegates,  and  return  to  Philadelphia, 
282,  285,  288;  election  (1777),  410;  letter 
of,  365 ;  see  also  Braxton,  Carter ;  Harri- 
son,   Benjamin:    Harvie,   John;    Jefferson, 


636 


Index 


Tliomas;  Jones,  Josepl);  Lcc,  I-'rancis , 
I.ightfoot;  Lee,  Ricliard  Henry;  Mason,  j 
Cicorge;  Nelson,  Thomas,  jr.;  Page,  Mann.  ' 
jr.,  \\  ythc,  George 

I'irninia  (.nicctti',  4ion. 

Virginia  Historical  Society,  Lee  Papers,  28n. ; 
Lee  Transcripts,  28n. 

Virginia  House  of  Delegates,  letters  to,  363,  365 

V'irginia  State  Library,  Collection,  3f>3n. 

Noting,  effect  of  equal  state  vote,  245,  246,  270; 
recording,  285  ;  under  Confederation,  29,  ^2, 
33,  44,  360.  374,  392,  399,  485,  514,  517,  5j6. 
553 

\'room,  Garrett  D.  \V.,  Collection,  232n. 

Wadsworth,  James,  and  promotion,  288 
Wadsworth.  Jeremiah,  deputy  and  commissary- 
general  of  purchases,  4o8n.,  412;  letter  of, 
543n. ;   letter  to,  364n. ;  on  commissary  af- 
fairs. 54311. ;  Papers,  543n. 
Walker,  John,  and  frontier  commission,  562n, 

Walton,  ,  flour  purchased  hy,  408 

Walton,  George,  member,  and  Arnold.  445;  and 
Mcintosh,  x^::{,  439;  attends,   173;   attends 
after  illness.  371  ;  executive  committee  in 
Philadelphia,    177,  183,   185,   191,   193,  214; 
letters  of.  173.  193.205.  272,  333,  439;  letters 
to,  205.  333n. ;  periods  of  service,  xliv ;  sec 
also  Executive  committee 
Ward,  Artemas,  command  of  Eastern  depart- 
ment, 59.  61  ;  letter  to,  61 
Ward,  Samuel,  monument,  88 
^^'arner.  Seth,  pay  question,  142 ;  regiment,  230, 

395-397 

War  powers  under  Confederation,  554,  555.  557 

Warren,  James,  letters  to  (1776),  i.  iin.,  29n., 

58,  69,  80,  102,  143,  i5on.,  171,  189;  (1777)- 

202.  209,  219,  233,  246,  259,  260,  303,  310,  3'i3. 

318,  3i8n.,  327,  330.  354.  356,  366,  386,  391, 

404.  433,  434,  454.  53on.,  534n.,  536,  537,  541  ; 

naval  board  at  Boston,  340,  356,  386 

Warren.  Joseph,  education  for  son.  monument, 

233,  305 
Warren-Adams  Letters,  47n. 
Washburn  Autographs,  Statesmen  and  Orators, 

443n- 
Washington,  George,  Adams  on  idolizing,  263 ; 
additional  aide-de-camp,  29n. ;  and  addi- 
tional pay  plan  for  New  England,  157,  158; 
and  alarm  for  Philadelphia  (Feb.  1777), 
272,  274.  307;  and  appointment  of  general 
officers,  271 ;  and  articles  of  war,  55n. ;  and 
bounty.  122 ;  and  Brandywine,  495-497 ;  and 
command  of  Southern  department,  156; 
and  conciliation  proposals  (1776),  60,  81; 
(1777).  290:  and  Conwaj^'s  appointment, 
527,  528;  and  councils  of  war,  317:  and  de- 
fense of  Connecticut,  363,  400 ;  and  deple- 
tion of  army,  keeping  the  field,  I90n.,  203, 
531;  and  Drummond,  60,  62;  and  foreign 
news,  304n. ;  and  foreign  officers,  368,  369, 
375 ;  and  frontier  commission.  562n. ;  and 
Germantown,  512;  and  Huntington,  362: 
and  increase  of  army,  190;  and  need  of 
cannon.  190,  219 ;  and  new  armj'  plan  and 
appointment  of  officers,  140.  143,  145 ;  and 


Northern  department  ap|)ointment,  434"., 
435,  437,  440;  and  policy  of  retaliation, 
299;  and  power  to  fill  vacancies,  34; 
and  propaganda  among  mercenaries,  6on. ; 
and  Reed,  582;  and  regulations  on  offi- 
cers, 593 ;  and  removal  of  Congress,  I75n., 
185;  and  Rogers,  6;  and  submarine,  20n. ; 
and  Temple,  58n. ;  army  and  Saratoga 
campaign,  resolve  on  provisions,  347 ;  Cal- 
endar of  Correspondence  -idth  Officers, 
22in. ;  cavalry  schedule,  338;  dictatorial 
powers,  193,  196,  198,  I98n.,  199,  202,  210, 
221,  317;  Duche's  letter,  523n.,  526,  527, 
534,  538;  executive  committee  in  Philadel- 
phia and  despatches,  191,  195,  273n. ;  gloomy 
letters,  77 ;  Howe  correspondence  incident, 
17;  intercepted  letters,  136,  137;  letters  of, 
I90n.,  5oon.,  soin. ;  letters  received  by  Con- 
gress from  (1776),  3n.,  6n.,  8n.,  9,  10,  ion., 
13,  I4n.,  I5n.,  26,  26n.,  29.  3in.,  33\\.,  34,  42, 
43,  52,  53n.,58n.,64n.,8i,  82,  82n.,  I22n.,  I27n., 
141,  I45n.,  154.  168,  174,  i75n.,  184,  igon., 
193;  C1777),  201,  274,  299n.,  302,  316,  32in., 
324,  328,  353n.,  36on.,  44on.,  453,  463n.,  484, 
488,  492,  soon.,  503,  523n.,  526,  548n.,  549, 
549n-,559n-,567,577,598n.;  letters  to  (1776), 
2,  8,  9  (2),  20,  26,  29,  29n.,  32,  34,  43,  49, 
52,  60,  80,  81,  82,  83,  114,  I23n.,  132,  136, 
139,  147,  148,  151,  153,  165,  i6sn.,  168,  169, 
174,  175,  184,  185,  191,  198;  (1777),  201,  205 
(2),  212.  222,  226,  230,  236,  249,  269,  272,  273, 
273n.,  28in.,  284,  290,  302,  303,  322  (2),  328, 
338,  341,  34in.,  347.  355,  359,  360,  361,  364, 
365,  368,  375,  376  (2),  417,  439,  453,  458,  463, 
464,  473.  483,  487,  492,  493,  499,  500,  501,  502, 
503,  518,  521,  523,  52311.,  527,  534.  548,  559, 
563,  567,  585 ;  military  papers  in  care  of  Con- 
gress, 53n. ;  on  clothing  taken  by  New  York, 
298;  on  situation  (Feb.,  1777),  267;  Papers, 
34n. ;  proclamation  on  New  Jersey  neutrals, 
243.  292:  sectional  attitude  of  Congress  on, 
275;  Writings,  2n.,  ii9n. :  see  also  Conway 
Cabal ;  New  Jersey  campaign ;  New  York 
campaign :  Philadelphia  campaign 

W'ashington,  Fort,  capture,  164 

Washington,  U.  S.  S.,  preparation  for  cruise, 
194 

Washington  Papers  (Manuscripts),  34n. ;  see 
also  Letters 

Watts,  Mrs. ,  exchange,  147,  148 

Wayne,  Anthony,  and  promotion,  100,  108;  at 
Brandywine,  519;  battalion  and  re-enlist- 
ment, 202:  brigadier-general,  271;  letters 
to.  100.  108:  Papers,  icon. 

Waj-ne  Papers,  icon. 

Weare,  Meshech,  president  of  New  Hampshire, 
letters  to,  5,  188,  426,  463,  471,  535,  564,  569; 
Papers,  569n. 

Webber,  Peter,  express,  597 

Weedon,  George,  brigadier-general.  271 ;  let- 
ters to,  62,  64.  288,  338 ;  line  of  march,  62, 
64;  Papers,  338n.j  rank  question,  56on. 

Weedon  Papers,  338n. 

Weights  and  measures,  control  under  Confed- 
eration, 555 


Index 


Gin 


Wells,  Robert,  and  dissemination  of  Articles 
of  Confederation,  578,  579 

Wells,  William  V.,  Samuel  Adams,  lisn. 

Wendell,  John,  letters  to,  75,  149 

Wentworth,  Joshua,  and  prizes,  144 

West,  land  as  security  for  foreign  loan,  454; 
see  also  next  title,  and  Indians 

Western  claims,  and  Confederation,  29,  32,  44, 
48;  and  land  as  pledge  for  foreign  loan, 
454.  509 ;  hostility  of  Middle  states,  257,  422, 
468;  ^Iaryland  and,  re  land  bounty,  1400., 
151,  161-163,  165 

West  Florida,  proposed  expedition,  debate,  iv, 
421-423,  443,  445-447,  477 

West  Indies,  confiscation  of  property,  26n. ;  in- 
volvement,  182,   197;   see  also   Martinique 

West  Point,  first  movement  for  academy,  108 

Wharton,  Carpenter,  deputy  commissary-gen- 
eral, complaints  against,  removed,  227,  315, 
361 

Wharton,  Francis,  Revolutionary  Diplomatic 
Correspondence,  8n. 

Wharton,  John,  naval  board,  155,  318 

Wharton,  Thomas,  jr.,  president  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Alsop,  39;  conference  on  de- 
fense, 332n.;  letters  to,  123,  138,  i39n.,  466, 
505,  516,  521,  547,  550.  560,  595,  596,  597,  603 

Wheelwright,  John,  naval  lieutenant,  21 

Whipple,  Abraham,  at  Philadelphia,  59 

Whipple,  Hannah,  "  celebrated  ",  47n. 

Whipple,  William,  member,  and  navy,  5 ;  and 
printed  draft  of  Articles  of  Confederation, 
47n. ;  attendance  urged,  66,  596 ;  committee 
on  Rhode  Island  expedition,  587  ;  expected, 
127;  leave,  21,  30,  47,  319,  342,  343n.,  357; 
Letters,  I25n. ;  letters  of  (1776),  5  (2),  21, 
26n.,  144,  14s,  157,  158,  175,  186,  187,  198; 
(1777),  224,  238,  261  n.,  271,  303,  310, 
319,  334,  342,  342n.,  355,  357,  359;  letters  to 
.  (1776),  53,  62,  66,  82,  88;  (i777),  394,  402, 
415,  430,  435, .437,  445,  454,  474.  495,  540. 
596 ;  lottery  tickets,  5oon. ;  on  burden  of 
service,  342;  on  conciliation  effort  (1777), 
272,  319;  on  financial  problem,  303,  355;  on 
need  of  navj%  343 ;  on  reluctance  to  serve 
in  Congress,  342n. ;  on  removal  of  Congress, 
186,  187  ;  on  Vermont,  319 ;  ordnance  board, 
219;  Papers,  21411.;  periods  of  service,  liii 

Whitcomb,  Benjamin,  corps,  extra  bounty,  378 

Whitcomb,  John,  and  command  of  Eastern  de- 
partment, 61 

White,  George,  Historical  Collection  of  Geor- 
gia, 495n. 

White,  Robert,  deputy  commissary-general  of 
issues,  4i2n. 

White,  William,  chaplain  of  Congress,  533 

Wickes,  Lambert,  cruise,  commendation,  96; 
on  prizes,  37;  voyage  to  France,  I29n.,  131, 
132 

Wiesenthall,  Dr.  Charles  Frederick,  of  Balti- 
more, 256 

Wilkinson,  James,  brings  Saratoga  convention, 
delay,  536,  538n.,  545n.;  deputy  adjutant- 
general,  536 

Wilkinson,  William,  letters  to,  501,  S23n.,  53on. 
562n.(2),  578,  583 


Willet,  Marinus,  reward,  473n.,  474,  508 
Williams,  William,  member,  and  J<jscph  Trum- 
bull iind  commissary  and  board  of  war,  104, 
127,  128,  i^jj,  573,  584,  588;  and  promotion 
of  Dyer,  47,  50,  57;  and  secrecy,  400;  and 
voting  under  Confederation,  400;  attends, 
47,  34i'i-,  399"-;  bears  letter,  35;  clothing 
committee,  i7on.;  expected,  32in.;  faith, 
48;  leave,  118,  142,  159,  163,  i64n.,  399n., 
573,  574;  letters  of  (1776),  40,  45,  47,  5o.  57, 
77,  84,  85,  103,  117,  121,  142;  (1777),  39on., 
399,  435,  436,  440,  504.  517,  529,  542,  573, 
574;  letters  to,  362n.,  543n. ;  on  appointment 
of  general  oflicers,  45,  46;  on  attitude  to- 
ward New  England,  400;  on  basis  of  requi- 
sitions, 517;  on  Canadian  expedition,  40,  41, 
46;  on  celebration  of  Fourth  of  July,  401  ; 
on  character  of  Congress,  400;  on  Confed- 
eration, consideration,  41,  48;  on  financial 
problem,  529;  on  foreign  officers,  400;  on 
high  prices,  401 ;  on  mission  to  Howe,  77, 
85-87 ;  on  need  of  taxation,  505 ;  on  New 
England  and  Saratoga  campaign,  441 ;  on 
proposed  West  Florida  expedition,  422 ;  on 
recall  of  Deane,  574,  575;  on  Schuyler,  104, 
105,  118,  425,  428;  on  sectionalism,  41; 
Papers,  362n. ;  periods  of  service,  xl ;  Wol- 
cott  on,  163 
Willing,  James,  expedition  to  New  Orleans,  iv, 

.  -?65 

W^illing,  Thomas,  member,  and  peace  offer,  559 ; 
period  of  service,  Ixvi 

Willingsport,  N.  J.,  fort,  152 

Wilmington,  Del.,  proposed  cantonment  at,  594 

Wilson,  James,  member,  and  Irving,  195 ;  and 
public  debate,  53n. ;  and  state  sovereignty  in 
Articles  of  Confederation,  346;  and  vo- 
ting under  Confederation,  5i5n. ;  com- 
mittee on  Bristol  camp,  322n. ;  committee  on 
Maryland  Loyalists,  330;  committee  on 
propaganda  among  mercenaries,  63n. ;  con- 
ference on  defense,  332n. ;  Hooper  on, 
232n. ;  letters  of,  18,  45,  147,  215,  286;  letter 
to,  213 ;  on  disj)lacing  Schuyler,  424,  428 ; 
on  division  of  powers,  275,  276,  279,  281 ;  on 
loan  certificates  interest,  245 ;  on  New  Eng- 
and  convention,  234;  on  need  of  legal  de- 
partment, 215-217;  on  proposed  West 
Florida  expedition,  421,  423;  on  regulation 
of  prices,  252 ;  on  return  to  Philadelphia, 
286 ;  on  right  to  cause  postponement,  283 : 
periods  of  service,  Ixvi;  revision  of  ar- 
ticles of  war,  I02n. 

Wilson,  Col.  James,  letter  received  by  Con- 
gress from,  63n. 

Winsor,  Justin,  Boston,  sSn. ;  Westward  Move- 
ment, 566n. 

W^irzenthal,  see  Wiesenthall 

Wisner,  Henry,  member,  period  of  service,  1.x ; 
powder  committee,  lOin. 

Witherspoon,  David,  letter  to,  243n 

Witherspoon,  John,  member,  and  Caldwell,  ^3 ; 
and  damage  by  troops,  513;  and  John 
Trumbull,  309n.,  347n.,  364n.,  589:  and 
Thomas  Paine,  328n. ;  committee  of  secret 
correspondence,  130;  committee  on  Ticon- 


638 


Index 


deroga  inquiry,  46911. ;  leave,  558  ;  letters  of, 
129,  131,  138.  152,  181,  24311.,  5og;  on  ap- 
poiiitineiit  of  general  officers,  263;  on  regu- 
lation of  prices,  252;  on  retaliation,  2yy; 
uti  riglit  to  cause  postponement,  283 ;  on 
Stockton's  conduct  as  prisoner,  243n. ; 
periods  of  service,  Ivi ;  speech  on  Howe's 
message,  70 

Wolcott,  .Urj.  Laura,  letters  to,  163,  l64n.,  176, 
I70n..  187,  i87n.,  32in.,  34in.  (2) 

Wolcott,  Oliver,  member,  Albany  treaty  and 
Wyoming  controversy,  167;  as  Indian  com- 
missioner, 166;  leave,  32in.,  34111.;  letters 
of,  158,  163,  16411.,  166,  176,  I76n.,  187,  18711., 
32in.,  341,  34in.(2)  ;  letters  to,  47,  361,  366, 
379,  460;  on  Congress  at  Baltimore,  187;  on 
Connecticut's  lack  of  representation,  187 ; 
on  Jonathan  Trumbull,  jr.,  305,  307 ;  on  pro- 
posed e.xtra  pay,  158.  159;  on  Williams,  163 ; 
Papers,  47n. ;  periods  of  service,  xl 

Wood,  Joseph,  member,  period  of  service,  xlv 

Woodford,  William,  brigadier-general,  271  ; 
letter  to,  560  ;  rank  question,  560 

Woodhull,  Nathaniel,  capture  and  conduct,  119 

Woodward,  Augustus  B.,  Case  of  Oliver  Pol- 
lock, 38on. 

Wooster,  David,  blamed  for  Canadian  failure, 
exonerated,  41,  46,  47n.,  54,  I26n.,  135 : 
death,  committee  on  honors.  366;  passed 
over  for  promotion,  46,  54,  288 

Worcester  County,  Md.,  Loyali.st  rising,  233, 
237,  243.  258,  259,  330,  343,  350 

W  yllys,  Samuel,  and  Dyer,  544 


Wyoming  controversy,  and  Iroquois  negotia- 
tions, 167 

Wytlic,  George,  member,  and  propaganda 
among  mercenaries,  63n. ;  attendance  de- 
sired, 32;  attends,  89;  clothing  committee, 
i7on.;  Jefferson  on,  3,  32;  letter  of,  150; 
letters  to,  363,  365,  523n. ;  periods  of  ser- 
vice, l.Kxii;  speaker  of  house  of  delegates, 

Vancey,  James,  bears  letter,  347n. 

^'ates,  Abraham,  jr.,  president  of   New  York 

convention,  letters  to,  64,  100,  107 
Yates,   Bartholomew,  circumstances   of   death, 

Yates,   William,  and  Virginia  muster-rolls,  31 
Yeates,  Jasper,  and  Morgan  inquiry,  531 ;  In- 
dian commissioner,  i8n. ;  letters  to,  18,  45, 

531 

York,  Pa.,  and  magazine,  205 ;  price  regulating 
convention  to  meet  at,  266;  prisoners  of 
war  at,  i ;  removal  of  Congress  to  Lan- 
caster and,  conditions  at,  483n.,  485,  491, 
492,  494-504,  506-S08.  512,  S14,  523,  525,  535, 
544,  562n.,  584 ;  stores  removed,  465 

Young,  James,  and  cantonment  of  army,  591 

Young,  John,  brings  arms,  in  ;  takes  despatches 
to  Europe,  129 

Young,  Thomas,  as  Vermont  agent,  address, 
death,  336,  390,  395,  410 

Z^ntzinger,  Paul,  paper  on  clothing,  567 
Zedtwitz,  Herman,  treason,  6on. 


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